08 was so Great at the Poly...TR-NEW 2/3 Time to say Good-bye (final post) / pics

[mousescrapper]

Hi J! Nice plans for DHS - I'll be curious to hear about the crowds. I'm excited that you get to ride Toy Story Mania! Take lots of pictures if you can. I love that picture of the twins in the SW Halloween costumes! So cute! Amy

PS - I think that's the first picture we've seen of you! Thanks for revealing yourself. It's nice to have a face to put with the name. I'll be making my debut at the beginning of day 3 in my TR.

I'll be curious too about the crowds... hope I won't look like that! Yes it was fun making them their first Halloween costumes...we did it for 1 more year and then...Disney costumes anyone? Well actually DMIL and DH & I made Aldine's from this year (gypsy). Did you notice the little lightsaber on Michael's belt?
Actually that's the 2nd pic of me, there's one way back of me in the begiining of this huge PTR (same outfit, we PH to/from Epcot that day) I'm sitting by Eeyore & Piglet topieries. Looking forward to your debut!

Great plans-I was actually pretty impressed by the HSM pep rally (my mother and I took the boys (12 and 8) to HSM on ice, so I thought the education was important to her.)

If you're doing the Photopass CD, they have a photographer with some HSM props you can pose with.

I'm actually kinda looking forward to it, so I hope it works out too. May re-live my pep rally days back in HS and thanks for the photopass tip, we'll definetly being using that agian this trip!

 

[Hedy]

1 month!

 

[mousescrapper]

Ok so here I am typing away my report for you all on the reveal of Day 5) and that’s when it hit me….I never finished up Day 3) and skipped right ahead into Day 4) at the Studios…. duh?

Ok so this is where we left off on Day 3)

*now for a little futuristic fun in Tomorrowland:

get a snack if we’re hungry
DMom, me and Aldine will have gotten FP’s already for Space Mountain so split for that at some point, the rest go on Buzz Lightyears Astro Blasters
Meet up and go on the WEDway People Mover (ok I know its technically now
the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, but we love the old name )
One more time on Buzz Lightyear all together now

Ok that is the overall morning plan for MK, maybe adding in Mickey’s Philharmagic, character sightings and maybe even Margaret’s First Haircut at the Main Street Barber Shop

We’ll take the monorail back to the Poly and have a nice afternoon break, with resting, maybe even a little napping, reading and journaling.

My plan is to then be at or heading off to Epcot around 3:00 pm….


Now we’ve had our hopeful peaceful rest and now it’s time to walk over to the TTC and pick-up the Epcot Monorail. First here are a couple pictures from our last trip in 2005:

We were there in May during their Flower & Garden Festival, so it was awesome to see all the amazing topiaries all over the parks, especially in Epcot!

Before we go in, we take the time to find the twins Leave A Legacy tiles outside that we made on our very last day on the 05 trip.

Now to the Tour:

1) Soarin is first thing (we’ll not have a FP so were hoping we can use the GAC in addition to ‘baby swap’ w/ Margaret UNLESS do you think DH should hop over with our KTTW and get one not sure if we can squeeze that trip in or not?)

2) Living with the Land may be next depending on time….

3) Then we’ll walk over to the World Showcase and up to
Morocco for our 1st stop on the Countries tour. (Mae should be
getting a Passport to have signed, like the twins did in 05) We plan
to have dinner here in the Tangerine Café.

4) 2nd country stop is the United Kingdom, maybe catch a
show and do a little window shopping

5) Up next is a quick passport and picture stop in Canada

6) Kodak Labs are next, although Journey into Imagination was
a childhood fav of mine, and Figment is too cute we just don’t like
the ride rehab…so we hope to find a way to SKIP it and just spend
a little time in the Labs.

7) Time for a little Nemo fun…off to the Living Seas w/ Nemo &
Friends. We’ll take a ride on the clammobiles then see if we
can chat with Crush!

8) Then if time allows we’ll take a peek around some of the
Innovention exhibits.

Our time is done for this day at Epcot just a short afternoon visit. Next we’ll head back to the Poly for a possible re-group and back to MK for evening FUN!

Once back in MK, we’ll head straight over into Adventureland and claim a prime viewing spot for SPECTROMAGIC! . I figure at least sitting for 45 minutes…so because I have the best DMom ever, she'll claim our turf w/ Margaret in her stroller (hopefully snoozing) while DH & I take the other kids on a few rides:

Haunted Mansion

Jungle Cruise (always more fun at night!) and

PoC oh yeah! Can’t do that because it’s closed for rehab IN JUNE!!!! (am I bitter? )

Most likely we’ll hang around and wait for some of the crowds to disperse for their Wishes viewing spots, then we’re hoping we can bee-line back down Main St. onto the Mono and back to Poly before the crowds really leave….Plan B stay for Wishes and the Castle Good-bye Kiss then back to Poly for bed!

By far Day 3) will be the MOST-jammed packed of any of the days! But it’s good to have one crazy day right and by doing it at the beginning of the trip we should still be all go-go-go and no no-no-no….right?



Now the Day 5) story:

Was hoping to do another TOP 5, (originally today) but need the lists from DH & DMom still…forthcoming I promise. So you’ll have to take instead another dose of my TPTP for Day 5) of our Poly-tastic Adventure at WDW….is that catchy?

Monday Day 5) ‘Got Comfy Shoes on? Day’​

So today’s adventure in the World will bring us to more exotic ports of call and places all over the world…from Polynesian & Hawaii, up in Space and dinner in Mexico. Day 5) will be full on our passport of FUN!

Care to take a peek?

First before we look to the future, let’s see some fun from the past, huh?

OK bummer… I spent over 5 minutes trying to find a picture of me at O’Hana’s the first time I went back in 1995 on my 21st b-day, but I couldn’t find one anywhere.

(We had a flood in our basement the fall after we moved in and all my scrapbooking things and old photos were mainly still in boxes on the floor in my scrapbook room….I lost a lot! I must have lost those pictures that I’d never got a chance to scrap yet…I’ll have to see if DMom has some and post in later)

Anyhow, back then it was still the Fab 5 hosting the meal and we were also celebrating my DDAd’s b-day too (2 days before mine) and Goofy being Goofy as ever, tried to get my Dad to sing Happy-B-day in Hawaiian (no such luck) and then he mimicked me getting maybe drunk? Later that night…(that did not happen either).

You’ve seen pictures from 05 in Epcot above

Now to this years TPTP!

First off we have a 9:00 am ADR at O’Hana with Lilo and Stitch, 2 of the twins favorite characters, so this should be a FUN morning for all. And DH is looking forward to not getting up from the table to get his meal!

After our brfast, we’ll head back to our room and get our swim suits on and spend the rest of the morning at the pool(s), we’ll use some leftover DDP credits for some lunch at Captain Cook’s at the Poly and then have a rest before heading off to the Epcot.

The tour:

1) Spaceship Earth

2) Take a quick photo opportunity in Innoventions for Disney
cardholders….

3) head over to the Countries next, maybe stopping for a FP for
Test Track….into Norway and some will ride the Malestrom
, other will hang out by the play Viking ship.

4) Next we’ll either see the American Adventure Show or visit
China and Germany

5) Do the thing we didn’t do yet in step 4

6) Head back to FW and go on Test Track (w FP if Michael
doesn’t ride or GAC if he rides if we couldn’t get FP’s….)

7) ?? Check out some more of the Innoventions things….

8) Next to Mexico and the outside Cantina de San Angel.
We plan to stake a spot here and go in groups into the Mexican Pav
to “shop” get the classic picture of us in giant sombreros and ride
the Gran Fiesta boat ride. We’ll also have dinner here and then just
hang out and await…

9) Illuminations at 9:00 pm

After the show, we wait for some of the masses to leave before making our way out to the Monorail and back to the Poly for some peaceful slumber.

Ok that’s it for today! Hope you enjoy and thanks for reading.

According to my ticker below we are at 1 MONTH till so can you possibly guess what tomorrow's special post will be????


MouseScrapper (J-)

 

[MRYPPNS]

WOW...only a month to go....I have six more!

Good luck with the b-day party this weekend!

 

[DisMomAmy]

1 Month!!

 

[mousescrapper]

1 month!

WOW...only a month to go....I have six more!

Good luck with the b-day party this weekend!

1 Month!!

YEAH!!! it's official countdown time!!! the ticker now says 30 days...though I think one day less since we leave on the 5th....either way awesome!!!

and according to my List of Lists I made the 30-day countdown calendar...can't get my camera to uplink right now, I'll post in pictures later of it and the kids crossing off 'day 30' this morning before school!!!

OK here are the pictures:
first I have to explain I didn't have enough mickey heads to coutdown all the way to 1, so I need to fill in a bit and then duh! me I first wrote the numbers on the heads then traced the circles and eek! thw marker got on my arm and smeared all over the sign...oh well, still cool anyways!

I think I can officially start packing now too!

plus got my last itinerary items from WDWTC in the mail last Sat with our luggage tags too.

It's getting really real now!

DANCE WITH ME !!!


MouseScrapper (J-)

 

[mousescrapper]

so here's a quick mini post about the week long celebrations for the twins b-days last week.

So first I should say the twins are "99"...I always buy 2 number candles for their cakes and we've joked over the years how they've been "55", "77" and you get the idea. They think its funny!

These are their cupcakes from their kid party just this past Sat.

So their theme this year was:

It can be a challange to come up with a duo theme that fits both of their likes and personalities, but this year was a given! With heading off to Disney just under a month after their b-day and us missing the actual P&P Party down there, we thought why not create our own! (OK so I lifted the logo, but it was all in good fun!)

For their family party 1 week earlier, we had a potluck appetizer feast and my sister made these ever clever cakes/cupcakes for them:

DH and I also made 2 different trivia contests about Pirates and Princesses of course. Here are 2 sample questions that had a Disney twist:

PIRATE TRIVIA​

1) In the movie Pirates of the Caribbean Curse of the Black Pearl, there are several references to the original Pirates of Caribbean ride at Disneyland. Name at least 3. (Bonus for 5 total)





2) In the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, the beginning scene with Jack Sparrow standing on the mast of his sinking boat is homage to what famous 1920’s actor and movie?

PRINCESS TRIVIA​

1) Which Disney princess has both her parents?
a) Belle
b) Aurora
c) Cinderella
d) Ariel

2) Only one Disney Princess wears a crown, who is she?



3) Who has hair black as ebony, lips red as the rose, and skin as white as snow?



Now no Fair cheating by using google for your answers.... These aren't hard for tru dis buff's.

At the twins kid party we kept with the same theme and started at a local marsh blocks from our house for an exciting treasure hunt!

Dh created these awesome treasure maps based on the Marsh's actual trails and we had an AWESOME treasure chest filled with tons of booty!

So off the kids went in search of this mighty treasure!

Originally we were split in 2 groups, till my cell phone rang...it was DH on the line FRANTIC!!!! he had run ahead of his group to check on our hidden treasure...and this is NO JOKE someone STOLE it!!!! now what, what do you tell these 12 kids who were so excited...I think DH was about to lose it. Trying to keep it together we headed back to the meeting spot. We quickly made the decision we had to get another treasure...paniced I raced off in DH's car 1/2 hour away to the party store and rushed like mad thru the store trying to replace everything we had got for the original treasure. They didn't have the awesome chest DH found elsewhere or some of the other really cool things we picked up at other places, but I succeeeded somewhat. Still overwhelmed that someone would actually steal a carboard chest full of obviously party favors for a KID'S party I called DH to tell him I'm on the way back. In the mean time DH had taken all the kids thru the trail and decoded the treasure map, with the promise a new treasure would be awaiting them back at our home....

Luckliy it all worked out in the end, the kids were shocked as us, but everyone handled it pretty well and thanked us over and over for a great party. We had veggies, fruit, lemonade and pizza for dinner, opened presents, sang "happy birthday to Michael and Aldine" and then all piled down in our basement where we had borrowed a projector from my brother's work and we watched the Princess Bride against a wall. It was a great end to a bit of a rocky start.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

 

[mousescrapper]

Here we go hang on tight! This is gonna be CRAZY!

The List of Lists!!!

DISNEY
Make the list of lists DONE!
PTR Updates:
1) Aldine's TOP 5 DONE
2) Michael's TOP 5 DONE
3) DH's TOP 5
4) Mom’s TOP 5
5) My TOP 5
6) Reveal of day 4) DONE!
7) Reveal of Day 5) DONE!
8) Reveal of Day 6)
9) Reveal of Day 7)
10) Reveal of Day 8)
11) Thanks to the Disers
12) Packing
13) Michael’s special guidebook
14) 30 day Countdown (calendar) DONE!
15) The final Countdown
16) BYE!

Finish writing out everyone’s Packing Lists
working on it
Finish writing and typing out Michael’s social stories for guidebook working on it
Cut and add blank pages for Michael’s guidebook
Finish stickers for guidebook and print Stickers
are DONE! need to print still
Make maps for Michael’s guidebook Have
some thanks to MRYPPNS
Bind together everyone’s Disney Journals/Fun Book’s DH is doing at work for me, 1 DONE 4 to go
Copy pages from PassPorter Treasure Hunts book for Michael DONE!
Go over rides, etc in Open Mouse Book with Micheal
Make 30 day countdown calendar DONE!!!
Make id cards for kids
Once guidebook complete go over with Michael
Make final list of things needed to purchase for trip
Finalize plans for us to airport and for dog
Pull suitcases, start beginning packing I'm doing it...
Pack toiletries
Finish Packing
Pack carry-on bags for everyone
Prepare House for week away, plants, lawn, mail, lights, etc
Go thru and update printed itineraries, Disney Binder and gather
what needs to be taken
Make Mousekeeping tip envelopes (kids)
Bill pay for home expenses
Finalize Monies for Trip
Buy whatever we need on list of things needed-pack
Clean out Fridge
Haircuts
Disney Change Jar to Bank
Make 'Each Day Bags' with park info, etc
Make 'MouseScrapper' id tags




EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD
Prepare for twins parties-family and kid ALL PARTY THINGS DONE!
1) Make trivia challenge
2) Buy food, paper goods (for both)
3) Dollar store prizes (for both)
4) Get treasure chest
5) Buy pirate/princess hats or something, treasure bags
6) Make Treasure Hunt, set up
7) Finalize care for little girls
8) Pizza
9) Get out kids presents from us and wrap
10) Get b-day wish lists from kids

Prepare for Autism Walk-send out emails/letters/calls sent out 2nd set today, walk next Sun the 18th
Finish Nursery schedule for church working, working on it
Various doctor/eye exam appts some done, a few to go
Fill out and turn in K/4th grade registration papers to school
Go to Bank get Mae's birth certificate, make copy of mortgage
papers
Have Tad back over w/ landscaper decide on stoop, front door,
back yard/deck DONE, just need to call with our decision
Clean up porch a bit more DONE!
Have garage sale DONE! made $84 for the disney spending fund
Make Dad’s retirement invites, buy envelopes, stamps, mail DONE!
Do whatever I need for school’s Exploremore Day
4 more volunteer Fridays at school only 1 left now
Pay last tuition for Mae via check, call to remind stop auto debit
Make some trip payments (savings/Mom)
Make thank you cards to kid’s teachers (school) did for twins
Make thank you gifts for kid’s teachers (school & church)
Aldine's Spring Musical Had it wonderful success
Memorial Legacy Picnic
?? small groups
Scrapbook can I make the time???
Clean house, do laundry, cook, and all the other stuff I need to do
in between all of this STUFF oh and lose 8-10 1lbs!
Paint my toe nails, pretty
Renew driver liscence doing tomorrow

It's getting done, little by little...be back with more Reveals and TOP 5's later this week!

MouseScrapper (Scrappie-Do) (J-)

 

[MRYPPNS]

Can I come to the 10th birthday party? Wow what an awesome party...you and DH did a lot of work for that one. Love the treasure map.

I would love to say that I can't believe that someone took the treasure chest but I can believe it. I'm a firm believer in what goes around comes arounds and they will get their's 100 fold. Curse of the treasure chest! And I thought when a nasty-classless woman emptied the contents on my wedding day bathroom baskets for my guests into her purse was bad but stealing childrens' party toys takes the cake.


And 3 cheers to you for running to the store to replace the treasure....I might have been handing out $5 bills and calling it good at that point!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Glad those maps will work for Michael's book.
We doing a yard sale this weekend if it doesn't rain ...I didn't like to use the money for the Disney fund....what a great idea!

 

[mousescrapper]

Can I come to the 10th birthday party? Wow what an awesome party...you and DH did a lot of work for that one. Love the treasure map.

I would love to say that I can't believe that someone took the treasure chest but I can believe it. I'm a firm believer in what goes around comes arounds and they will get their's 100 fold. Curse of the treasure chest! And I thought when a nasty-classless woman emptied the contents on my wedding day bathroom baskets for my guests into her purse was bad but stealing childrens' party toys takes the cake.


And 3 cheers to you for running to the store to replace the treasure....I might have been handing out $5 bills and calling it good at that point!

Yes, that will be the next Pirate's Movie..."Curse of the Children's treasure Chest"

and thanks for the cheers!

 

[Hedy]

What a cool party!
So will they be 1010 next year?

 

[DisMomAmy]

Happy Birthday to the twins!! All I can say is... Wow!! What a great party! I bet the kids had a blast - I would have had fun! I love the treasure hunt idea - but you took it to a whole level higher than I would have even thought of - it would have just been in my tiny yard!

I love seeing your to-do list getting completed! Getting so close!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mousescrapper]

Thanks Hedy and Amy for stopping by and saying HI

Tomorrow (Thursday May 15th) it will be officially 3 WEEKS AWAY !!!! ...um & all at the same time!

It is super great to see the "DONES" on my list, yesterday checked off 3 more! It's quickly coming to a head...but now I worry what will I do w/ myself when I get back??? Am I sad or what?

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anyhoot, instead of doing more things on the 'real world' part of the list I've been busy do Disney things...found another planner thing to fill in thanks to Heidi and getting caught up on a few PTR/TR's as well today...now I only have an hour before going to get the twins from school, so here I am on my PTR!

Let's see:

DH, DMom and my TOP 5 lists....

Reveal of Days 6,7, 8 left....

Thank you's....

Packing...and such...

finish about Michael's guidebook.....

and more....

Where do I start?

Speed REVEAL of DAY 6 & 7!!! ​

DAY 6) 'Beauty Rset for the Stars Day'

Ok this was suppose to be our FULL rest day and it pretty much will be except for some minor changes after dropping the DHS from arrival Day 1)

And you'd think on your rest day, we'd be sleeping in??? uh no! (Now of course this could all change when we are down there and decide we need a few extra hrs...but for now here's the PLAN for Day 6) TPTP:


7:40 am Kona Cafe ADR for breakfast

Aldine & Mae going to Grand Adventures in Cooking at the GF from 9:45-12 pm

Then me doing laundry, Michael has a chance to go to the arcade, then spending the day at the pool (s) and the beach.

DMom leaving for home today around 4 pm

My crew has a dinner ADR at Kona (again) at 5:10 pm **Hoping to change it once down there, for slighly earlier or to O'Hana...we'll see

Then if all goes well, off to the Studios for a little late night fun:

Top List:
Playhouse Disney Live & EMSS questionable based on times

DH Star Tours

me other Thrill ride, probably RnRC and maybe ToT again

Toy Story Mania again

Journey thru Narnia if we didn't do on Sun

Animation Tour or at least drawings...

The exhibit and movie about Walt

HISTK playset

MV3D


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Day 7) 'It's a Mickey-World after All Day'


Breakfast in our room and grab some pastries at MS Bakery as awaiting official park opening (I think) on the DDP snack credit

Onto the TOUR:

Tomorrowland:
Speedway
BLAB
Toontown via secret back passage way...
autographs??
Mickey & Minnie's Houses
Goofy's Barnstormer & Toonpark tot area for Margaret & Mae
Train to Frontierland
Splash Mountain
BTMR
Tom Sawyer Island
Lunch at one CS tbd still in the running Pecos Bill, PVH & Columbia Harbor House
HOP!!! (this is for Billy, Kathy! )
break at Poly
Dinner ADR at 5:20 at Tony's Town Sq. Rst.
Adventureland
flying Carpets
redo's and favorites till time to stake our place for SpectroMagic parade plan to bring w/ me a small game to amuse the kids and us with.
Maybe stay for Wishes in the park too....

Also stop for characters, try to catch Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial & Woody's Round-up as well

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There's also a sneaky temptation in my brain which I'm trying to ignore to switch up the TPTP all again with going to MK on Day 6) Tues. eve instead and do the evening stuff there, and then just go back to MK for our dinner at Tony's on Day 7) Wed. and then PH again to the DHS and stay for eve EMH there....need to think about it and check the rides/attractions...biggest pull right now is the PHDL stuff going on. Maybe a decision made there and need to ask DH what he thinks too!

Allright! hope you like it, please comment as always!

MouseScrapper (Scrappie-Do & J-)

22 DAYS!!!!!

 

[Hedy]

That'll be nice for Michael to get some time to himself at the arcade, etc.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Animation Tour or at least drawings...

How do you do just the drawing part without going thru the whole thing?

 

[mousescrapper]

That'll be nice for Michael to get some time to himself at the arcade, etc.

It's something he's really looking forward too, he really loves games...not great at many of those crazy skill ones, but it should be fun. The arcade is right by the laundry facilities...help Mom load some laundry then we go play!

How do you do just the drawing part without going thru the whole thing?

Actually I'm not to sure....another Amy who has posted here and I've read her TR's sounded like she did this with her kids...going to check in w/ her first and then if we are successful or not, I'll report when we get back. Hope it works if we don't have tons of time, but want to just check out the drawing part, especially w/ the younger ones in tow.


Well 19 days now kids! Can you believe it???

Wish us luck tomorrow and keep us and especially Michael in your prayers as well. Tomorrow the 18th is our Autism Walk. We'll be with over 20 family and friends of our own. I really hope it will be a great day and experience for all of us! Will post about it next week and more fianl Disney prep to come!

J-

 

[DisMomAmy]

Day 6 & 7 sound great. Your rest day is my kind of rest day - no real rest going on! And Day 7 sounds very busy. It's so tempting to start moving things around as you get closer to the big day - try to resist the temptation unless you absolutely have to - once you start, it's hard to stop! But I can understand trying to see PHDL - that would be at the top of my list. We didn't see it in October because it was the old show - if it was even still open then? I'm hoping the kids will still be into that stuff next time we go so we can catch the show! Are you also talking about seeing that EMH party thing?? I don't know what it's called - but the other DisMom (who happens to be named Amy) posted it in her TR.

 

[mousescrapper]

Day 6 & 7 sound great. Your rest day is my kind of rest day - no real rest going on! And Day 7 sounds very busy. It's so tempting to start moving things around as you get closer to the big day - try to resist the temptation unless you absolutely have to - once you start, it's hard to stop! But I can understand trying to see PHDL - that would be at the top of my list. We didn't see it in October because it was the old show - if it was even still open then? I'm hoping the kids will still be into that stuff next time we go so we can catch the show! Are you also talking about seeing that EMH party thing?? I don't know what it's called - but the other DisMom (who happens to be named Amy) posted it in her TR.

That is part of what I'm talking about....DH is impartial to either idea. I think I will resist the urge (for now) untill we get there and let some things just roll with the punches so to speak...

 

[mousescrapper]

Happy MONDAY all! Only 2 more Mondays to endure (for me) till I leave for Disney and 1 is a Holiday

Looking at the ticker we are 17 days and counting !!!!

So let's see what is left:

a few TOP 5 reports

reveal of our last day

Packing FUN!

Thanks

and the final countdown! 10, 9, 8, 7,....

So before we get to that let me tie up a few other loose ends

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First please congratulate me I'm now an official Disney Veteran! Made my 500th post earlier this morning on "How Many Days till your Trip" thread!



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Next here are a few pictures and mini report from the Autism Speaks Now Walk my family, friends and I participated in for our son Michael.

It was a balmy and windy day in the "Windy City" (what else would you expect?) at 54 degrees out. Our morning started out great, rocking on time getting ready with Mae shouting thru the house "It's Walk day" "It's Walk day for Michael"

We left so on time, with one pit stop on our way...then UGH train, DH tries to go around, but we got messed up with the one-way streets then finally zipping along on our way to get on the expressway when (cover your eyes) Margaret starts _______ in the car "Pull over!" I yell to DH. All down her front, covering her only sweatshirt with us! (Make note to self bring extra sweatshirt for baby with us in carry-on bag for Disney!) and on her pants. I do a quick clean up and we have to turn around and go home to clean her up more & get a new sweatshirt. Lucky we did because it was freezing down there in parts of the walk.

Back on the expressway and it was clear driving all the way into the city, what a normal 1 hr + drive can take we were at the Walk in 45 minutes. Speedracer DH to the rescue....

We hooked up with all our family & friends who joined us totally about 22 people (including us) and after some confusion, the opening ceremonies happened and then began the Walk. We walked a nice path right along Lake Michigan chilly with thousands of other people too.

It was quite an experience, and we are really glad we did it. We were so happy that Michael's best friend from school, his parents and twin sister (ironic huh, with Michael & Aldine being twins) came too. It truly made a world of a difference for him.

At the end, we walked back to our car and when we got in, Michael says to me "Mom, I didn't meet anyone else with Autism." I slightly chuckled and then gently reminded him, that all those people down there were walking for kids just like you!

Here are some pictures:

(the man looking straight ahead with the baseball hat & green sweatshirt is my Dad)

This is us walking up the ramp from the staduim to go to the walk route. That's my DB and my nephew straight ahead.

Here are some far shots of us walking (DH up on a hill). Some of us are right in the middle, if you look closely the boy with grey sweatshirt, and autism shirt putting on sunglasses that's Michael. I'm behind the man in the jean jacket pushing Margaret in her stroller.

Here are some more of us in the back there with the green stroller, the little girl with the pink sweatshirt on is Mae. (Aldine is pushing her)

Here is Margaret all bundled up sleeping in her stroller:

The crowds:

This our group from afar (a few left with their small baby in tow due to the cold) and some making some funny faces:

Along the route they gave out water, which noone really drank because it was cold, but everyone ate bananas:

This is the view heading back toward Soldier Field:

Well hope you enjoyed those pictures! and my little mini post.

(BTW Margaret is fine, have no idea why she got in the car...but all well now)

Be back with more Dis fun and wrapping up this PTR!

MouseScrapper (scrappie-do & J-)