"But Mommy, how do we get to Disney World?" A Nov/Dec 2011 PTR Update 8/8!

[afwdwfan]

Good luck on the fitness goals. I'm in the same situation. I keep trying to get myself motivated and it usually lasts about 2 whole weeks if I'm lucky. I played football and baseball when I was in HS and I remember how hard it was back then when I was trying to put on more weight. I would eat non-stop and not gain anything. Now I can't seem to get rid of extra weight... go figure.

It is such a hard thing to commit to, especially when you're busy and have a lot going on. My wife and I are trying to do kind of the same thing and get in better shape before our trip. Good luck, and hopefully, posting about it here and tracking your miles will be a good tool to keep you accountable and motivated.

[Shannon84]

I think that is a great idea to get moving....I like to run/walk in intervals...I have tell you that even though I have done up to and including half marathons, I am still exhausted and sore walking around those parks all day!!

Something I like to do is set a goal and set up mini prizes for meeting that goal....so if its get out and do "x" miles for the next 2 weeks then I get a manicure, etc. It helps keep me motivated

[Kari-B]

I really like the idea of having a walking/miles goal. I may have to use this. I tell the kids all the time that we have to start walking more if we are going to handle Disney. They never want to just plain old walk, they want to bike, scooter, rollerblade, etc... Whenever my daughter complains about having to walk from the car into a store, for example, I say "Oh, I guess you won't be able to handle Disney". Usually gets her to stop complaining. That makes me sound mean, but I'm talking about complaining after only a few steps. Now if she sees a park off in the distance, you better believe those little legs of hers will carry her there and fast, too. Thanks for the idea!

[petals]

joining in. Think we'll be there around the same time.
I'm luvin the flashback pics the one of you DD getting so excited in the queue for Minnie and the one of Donald beside the sleeping kiddies are adorable. Luvin the silver bag in one of those pics as well I want it lol!

[Minnie_Mom]

Originally Posted by Villainess

I need to find ways to make fitness fun because it sooooo is not, IMO. I am envious of all of you who run the WDW 1/2 and full marathon and for about 0.0025 seconds ponder the thought of entering the following year (I think it is the pictures of running through the castle). Then, a giant piano comes crashing down on my head and I miraculously come to my senses.

You sound just like me. I really wish I was a runner, but I am just not. I would love to run Princess 1/2 marathon. I always think, "Hmmmm, maybe I will." But then, just like you, I come to my senses. I hope you make your goal of 1000 miles... What a great idea!

[Villainess]

Quick driveby ... Work got in the way of my Disboard reading this week (don't you hate when that happens?) Anyway, I will be back Monday - going on a mini getaway for the weekend!

[21hearts]

Hello!!! I'm joining your PTR. I can't wait to read some more.

My 2 y/o is a huge Aurora fan as well.

[Villainess]

I'm back!!!! The weekend was great, albeit a little chilly and therefore no swimming or beach bathing for the kiddos much to their dismay. I'll post some pictures soon.

In honor of Nonna's birthday this past weekend, I thought I would take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of DD and DS's past birthdays.

As you may/may not know, in my non-Disney trip planning life, I am an event/wedding planner and designer of custom invitations. Since my studio is homebased, DD and DS are surrounded by the world of party planning 24/7. DD especially has acquired quite an eye for planning and was extremely opinionated on the details of the recent Royal Wedding. She knows what she likes and without a doubt is my pickiest client.

As a result of this birthday party themes are chosen ridiculously early. Three days after DD turned 3, she had already chosen her theme for Party #4. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves: DD's 3rd birthday was all about Princess Aurora and only Princess Aurora. I created a beauty bar, a mini BBB if you will and the boys were given Prince Phillip swords and shields that I bought up online when they were on clearance! Score!










I was soooo bummed about the cake. I had these great plans of creating this gorgeous cake and at 3:30am just as I was finished decorating it - I tripped and dropped it on the floor. The only thing that remained was the crown (as I made 3 in case 1 broke)

I have since resolved to the fact that while I am a good baker, can decorate cupcakes, and am creative, cake decorating is not really my thing and leave it to the pros!

One and a half months later, it was DS's turn to celebrate his 2nd birthday. DS is nowhere near as picky; he chooses the theme and that concludes the input/participation (his future wife should appreciate this when it comes to wedding planning!) The theme was obvious as he was/still is obsessed with Cars.

I created Pit Pass invitations on lanyards which all the children (and some adults) wore to the party.

Cars Birthday Invitation by Danielle_S, on Flickr
The walls were covered in this Radiator Springs desert scenesetter

Cars Birthday Party 19 by Danielle_S, on Flickr
Custom Water Bottle Labels featuring Fillmore's Organic Fuel

Cars Birthday Party 35 by Danielle_S, on Flickr

Cars Birthday Party 33 by Danielle_S, on Flickr

Cars Birthday Party 37 by Danielle_S, on Flickr
Upon arrival, the kids made their own driver's licenses

Cars Birthday Party 48 by Danielle_S, on Flickr
and decorated foam fingers that their parents would later use to cheer them on during the main event - the Grand Prix

Cars Birthday Party 45 by Danielle_S, on Flickr

Cars Birthday Party 14 by Danielle_S, on Flickr
All the kids received a trophy

Cars Birthday Party 9 by Danielle_S, on Flickr
At Sarge's Surplus I set out the favors

Cars Birthday Party 51 by Danielle_S, on Flickr

Cars Birthday Party 53 by Danielle_S, on Flickr

Additional photos can be found here


Cont'd in following post

[Villainess]

Continuing our unbirthday celebration ... I had mentioned in the last post that DD had her 4th birthday party theme picked out only days after her third. No, I am not over dramatizing. My hands were still sore and bruised from all the paper pom poms I had made when she made her choice and it turned out to be a very Jolly Holiday indeed!

Since I had a year to plan this party, I started early as late spring - fall is my busy time; I took advantage of the winter months to create her invitation and begin streamlining the 'look' of the party. I was certainly under pressure as her dance recital was 'Mary Poppins' themed and the entire house became obsessed with the movie and all its details. We played the movie, read the book, listened to the music (both movie and Broadway) - BTW, know any 3/4 year olds who can spell Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? Well, DD can if not from anything but memorization!



I try to dress DD and DS in outfits to flow with the theme; it makes it more special for them, I think, and makes for super cute pictures for me!

Mary and Bert (minus his bowtie) - need to find a pic with him wearing it

Entrance to the party



The children were each given a hat and the girls had gloves as well. They were able to help Bert create chalk drawings

play tuppence toss, stuff a penguin

help Mrs. Brill with her baking by decorating cookies, and play pin the bowtie on the penguin


Favors for the children included a piggy bank they could paint (with 2 pennies) to 'save their tuppence', a package of birdseed to 'feed the birds', and chalk 'to jump into their own drawings'

The adults were able to choose from different blends of tea

Additional photos and details here.

This year DS wanted a Woody party so in a nod to 'Woody's Roundup,' I created a vintage cowboy theme












More photos and details here.


What's coming up for this year? Well, until about 3 weeks ago DD wanted a fairy party. She had this decided before her Mary Poppins party. Now, while I like fairies in general, I am not a fan of Tinkerbell, especially with her new slew of movies. IMO, her personality now doesn't fit with that in Peter Pan. She is supposed to be sassy, jealous, bratty, etc. My inspiration was going to be more Midsummer Night's Dream (Michelle Pfieffer movie). Rewind 3 weeks , we were at TDS and she spots Tiana's costume. She begins yelling, "Mommy! This is beautiful. Can I have a Tiana bday party? I can have a fairy party when I'm 9." Sooo ... now I'm thinking rustic bayou with this scene as inspiration.

Her birthday is 4 months away so I better get started!

As for DS, he hasn't decided yet. The top contenders are 1) Dinosaurs and 2) Golf. Other possibilities 1) Space 2) Superhero 3) Secret Agent (he loves watching 'James Bomb' - his words with Pop Pop) I think it would be so cool to dress him in a tux and serve kid-friendly martinis, shaken not stirred, of course! If I could figure out a way to create a Secret Agent who is stationed in space and battles a Dino from the Space Grave with the help of the Alien Superhero who likes to play golf Party that had some unity we would be golden! His interest in pirates is growing but I would prefer to save that for birthday #5 as some of the activities I have planned are better suited for the 5 - 7 age range.

I think I really need to start throwing unbirthday parties to fit in all the party themes before they hit the age of, "Just drop us off at the movies with 5 friends."

A Very Merry Unbirthday to You!

[afwdwfan]

WOW!

Based on what you've done for birthday parties for your children, you must be a very good event planner. The detailed theming for their parties is very impressive. It looks like those parties would be a lot of fun for kids and adults both! Thanks for sharing the pictures, it looks really cool.

[Disney9.9.10]

Wow you put on some amazing parties!! I love it all lol

[Shannon84]

OH MY GOSH!!! I cannot believe how amazing those parties are!! I am just in awe of you!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the picture with the mary poppins outfits on, too cute

If I ever get married or have a large birthday party I want you to plan it

[21hearts]

Your parties are amazing! The Aurora party is stunning. My daughter would love to have a party like that.

[DexLabDeeDee]

I'm just blown away by your parties! How many people usually come to the birthdays? I saw a lot of tea for the grown-ups at the Mary Poppins Party!

[Kari-B]

Awesome birthday parties. I recognize several of them from other party sites I browse, too.