Are we only DREAMing of our vacation cruise???

[nkochrn]

Yesterday the hubs and I took the afternoon off work, picked the kids up at daycare and went to apply for our passports.

I was really worried about being able to get a picture of Ryan, he is the MOST uncooperative kid when it comes to the camera. He was tired yesterday which actually made it a little easier because he stood still but he kept putting his hands in front of his face. We did get a picture relatively fast though. His has a very tiny bit of shadow in it, I hope it doesn't get sent back b/c of that!

We're from from a small town in Kansas right along Highway 36. This weekend is the annual Highway 36 treasure hunt, where there is garage sales along hwy 36 across the entire state. We stopped and searched for some bargains, DH found a service manual and I found some fall clothes for Marissa. I'm heading out to do some more garage saling in the morning!

I've been searching the net this morning (while I can't sleep ever since a 4 year old invaded my bed) for free printable kid's activities. If you know of any Disney ones I'd love to know where to find them. I'm going to put them in a protective sheets in a 3 ring binder for each kid to have an activity book for our roadtrip.

 

[DisneyMissy]

Have you gone to disneymovierewards.com? They have some free printable "rewards"

 

[nkochrn]

Have you gone to disneymovierewards.com? They have some free printable "rewards"

Thanks Missy! Those are perfect!!!

 

[nkochrn]

JUST when I was about to give up on DS EVER being potty trained, there is finally some hope! My sister watched him for a couple hours yesterday while I went shopping and when I got back he was really excited to show me his "POOP QUARTERS!" Apparently my bribes of stickers and candy aren't nearly as awesome as poop quarters. He then slept for 12 hours last night, woke up dry and peed in the potty for a penny. He has been begging to wear his underwear lately, but then usually just pees and poops in them. Crossing my fingers that he's ready to swim in the pools by January!

 

[nkochrn]

Today I stayed home with the kids b/c DS was sick last evening, but he's feeling fine now! We took advantage of the day off and went out hunting for bargains and we found some goodies!

Thrift Shop #1: We found these masks for $3/each to go with the kid's halloween costumes! I also ordered DS's today on Amazon using my gift cards.

DSC_5851 by nkochrn, on Flickr

DSC_5849 by nkochrn, on Flickr

Thrift Stop #2: I found a pirate costume for DD, $2!!! They also had several princess costumes, I thought about buying her a couple more but decided she didn't really need them. I'm still considering going back for the Rapunzel one though I had DS try on the pirate costume that I'd found on Amazon for him too.

DSC_5846 by nkochrn, on Flickr

Our Passports came yesterday too!

426369_10151037283751432_1479700452_n by nkochrn, on Flickr

It's been a good week We're going to enjoy some camping this weekend.

 

[nkochrn]

DH thinks we NEED to spend at least ONE day at Disney World with the kids! I was planning on booking a Little Mermaid room at Art of Animation. We might sound crazy BUT we are seriously contemplating throwing a tent and sleeping bags into the van and camping out at Fort Wilderness!!! If anyone has any camping advice I'd appreciate it (I have been visiting the camping forums here on Disboards

 

[nkochrn]

Today is the Day! Time for online check in and booking activities. I had NO intention of being up the second I was able to start checking in. I planned to wait until I was at work and log in to the website, during my break of course BUT I woke up at 2am to little man crawling in my bed and then demanding water, then of course I was unable to get back to sleep, after about 1/2 hour I remembered I could be booking my excursion!!!

Nassau- Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter at 9:30am I really wanted the early time for this, so we could have a little time to stroll through the straw market, afterward, get our passports stamped, and then be back on the ship a couple hours before disembark time.

Castaway Cay- Really thought about booking the Stingray adventure, but decided to just hang out and relax on the beach all day

I asked DH last night if he cared if we skipped the Palo dinner, which I knew he kinda wanted to do. I didn't really want to spend the money on it, when we can eat in the MDR for no extra cost. He said it didn't really matter to him. I still might book it, but is there a way to know your dining rotation ahead of time? I want to make sure I scheduled Palo on a night that we have a repeat MDR.

 

[nkochrn]

This week I added snorkeling to my port adventures while at Castaway Cay! DS is too young, but DD will be able to go. I suppose I should discuss with the hubs tonight if he'd like to join us in snorkeling and leave DS with the kid's club for awhile. I definitely want to get an underwater camera purchased before this!

 

[Summerl30]

I think we are going a week or so after you. DH won't go to any dining that we need to dress better than jeans, so no formal dining for me either. meh.

 

[JimGA]

This week I added snorkeling to my port adventures while at Castaway Cay! DS is too young, but DD will be able to go. I suppose I should discuss with the hubs tonight if he'd like to join us in snorkeling and leave DS with the kid's club for awhile. I definitely want to get an underwater camera purchased before this!

That would be tough to take 3 and 5 yo's, definately check on the kids club, but make sure your kids will not get angry if they have to leave the beach while you go snorkeling.

 

[nkochrn]

That would be tough to take 3 and 5 yo's, definately check on the kids club, but make sure your kids will not get angry if they have to leave the beach while you go snorkeling.

5 y/o and I will be going snorkeling and DH and DS can hang out at the beach, while we go or do whatever they want, so DS won't have to be left in the kid's club.

 

[DisneyMissy]

I have been MIA for a while, but it sounds like your plans are coming along well! You can't find out your exact rotation, but the third and fourth night repeat with the third night being the Pirate Night (with a different menu) so you'll never have the same menu twice. We skipped out on Palo dinner, but booked the brunch instead. I didn't want to miss any of the dinners.

 

[nkochrn]

I've been so busy lately that it seems like the cruise is just sneaking up on me, which is great because I'm gonna be SOOO ready for a vacation by January!

I've been preparing for the LONG ride, each of the kids is getting a Leapster for Christmas. I braved the black Friday shopping at Wal-mart and got them for $20. They're each getting 2 leapster games from my mom for Christmas too. I plan to grab a few more Disney movies that they haven't seen to keep them entertained on the way too.

I bought stuff to make my Fish Extender, but haven't started on it yet, I also need to start working on my Fish extender gifts. Tomorrow night I have bible study/craft night at my house. My crafting friends will be coming over for our bible study and I've got my craft room super clean and set up for everyone to work on their own stuff. I think my project will be fish extenders! Hopefully by the end of the week I'll have a picture to share!

I've been thinking about packing a few things. I've switched out the kid's dressers with their winter clothes, so I'm thinking that I may pack out bags for the boat already, that way I don't have to dig through a bunch of stuff to find swimming suits and warm weather clothes. I can also get their pirate costumes packed.

 

[nkochrn]

Yesterday I booked a studio villa at the Ron Jon Resort for January 12th! I'm really excited to stay there. It looks like there will be a lot there to keep the kids entertained since they will have been riding in a van for most of 3 days by then!

 

[nkochrn]

30 days until we hit the road!!! DH has pinpointed a few kid friendly and hopefully energy draining roadside attractions along the way.

This week I have ordered a new swimsuit for me and just got new swim trunks for the hubs! I also had a Thrity One Party and got some new bags ordered to use, I plan to start packing as soon as I get them. I may even do a little before that

A cold front just arrived in Kansas yesterday, making me even happier to head to Florida in a month!

 

[nkochrn]

I think the harder I try to save up vacation time, the more I have to use! Last week I stayed home a couple days with sick kids and now I have to stay home all week after a laprascopic surgery for an ectopic pregnancy! I at least should be all healed up by the time we leave on January 10th!

 

[ronetta]

So Glad you are almost on vacation! I am getting married on Cast Away Cay in June! CAN'T WAIT! Like you, I have been planning what seems like, forever. However; super excited and ready

 

[nkochrn]

Congratulations! I bet your wedding is going to be amazing!

 

[MissieTodd]

Congrats!

 

[pooksma]

So close now!!! Have a great time