10 months to go and 60 pounds to loose.Update 1/2/11 Page 38

[my2disneyboys]

Great invites!!!don't see how anyone will be able to pass up their ressies and all the work you have put into their fun! Is it possible to set up a tee time on one of the days you don't have a breakfast scheduled...that might help some of the tension you are feeling!
But, I do love the invites and t-shirts you have gathered for their enjoyment...wish you were my Disney organizer

Hi Connie- yes great minds think alike! I have scheduled some time for them to golf on a morning that we dont have a breakfast scheduled.... if they golf then they miss out on AK! They get to choose! They have all been great though and agreed they didnt want to miss breakfast at CP!! I will be your Disney Organizer anyday! Hello DREAM JOB!

Hey Nickie! Those invites look so nice! You are doing a great job!

As the only planner of a group of 16 over Thanksgiving 3 years ago, I certainly sympathize with all the anxiety over people not "getting" it. All you can do is explain it the best way you can and stay the course. Disney will not be upset if only 10 people show up for a 14 people reservation - they understand that things happen. Then when you all are raving about the yummy breakfast you had at Crystal Palace while they are munching on a muffin from the food court, you can just smile!

Loving this countdown idea....I will have to keep this in mind for when we finally have another trip planned so as to pass the time until we leave! What fun!!

Sara

Sara- too funny.... how was your muffin!? I am having a blast with the kids doing the countdown. I have an interesting one coming up. I was amazed Myles thought of it. I would have put it in there too, I was just impressed he thought of it as one of his favorite things about Disney!!

Wow, Nickie! Those invites are awesome!!!

Your family is so fortunate to have you for a planner

Thanks Jill! I LOVE this stuff. With not working right now, this Disney planning is really keeping me sane. I love having stuff to work on!

Have you ever thought about getting into Event Planning?!!? OMG, you are too cute putting together those invitations for each dining event. Hope you don't mind but I shared that idea with my friend who may also be going to Disney next year, but she is not on the boards.. (did i mention that we may actually be going to WDW in 2011?!! ). (don't want to forget: great job Shadowryter )

I <3 DTD!! So much to do and see. Ghiradelli's is amazing!! You will love it.

You have every right to vent. I mean, don't they understand all the hardwork it takes to plan a trip just for your own family, let alone others? BUT I digress; and agree with MOM2MEK. Just go with the flow of enjoying your hard work with the rest of your beautiful family, because they'll be the ones saying.. 'Oh geesh, I wished we went. Sounds like it was a 'magical' family moment.'

Keep up the great work on this countdown!

Hi!! YES I have thought about Event planning!! I would love to do that. I actually went to college for floral designing and do floral work on the side. When I was laid off last year I thought this would be a great time to get my own little business started but I havent done it. Too be honest unemployment doesnt really give you enough money to do anything extra- basically just survive and get by until you find a job.... that is why I have been freaking out about finding work. If I dont find anything I have no clue how we will pay for xmas and this trip in the next two months. SCARY! Ok rant about being poor is over! Thanks for listening!!! More countdown coming right up!!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Ok so on with the countdown! Kids Top 25 to Disney!! Number 12 is:

MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was so surprised that Myles and Owen picked this.... I don't know why though because when you really think about it, Disney IS music!

Walking down Main Street and hearing music from the Magic Kingdom, or around the other parks with all the talented people playing instruments and singing just puts you in a great mood! One of my favorite memories of ALL is of Myles walking out of the Animal Kingdom after a great day and the song from the Jungle Book came on ("I want to be like you"). He started dancing and sang all the words! He was just 3 1/2. Everyone stopped and watched him and thought he was just amazing. So did we!

Rides- When you think of the rides they would be nothing without the music!
A trip to Disney wouldnt be complete without the whole family singing along to the words "It's a Small World After All!" or "Yo Ho Yo Ho A Pirates Life For ME" I remember sitting last year at Mickeys Philharmagic and watching my boys sing along to the music.... tears rolling down my eyes because I could see how much they loved Disney and everything that goes along with it.

Movies- The soundtrack to Disney Movies are all so awesome!! Fantasia!! The Little Mermaid is so amazing!! The music to the Lion King, Mary Poppins, Cinderella, Jungle Book..... I could go ON and ON!!! We LOVE them all. Wayne recently put a podcast on his IPOD of the top 100 Disney Songs. We were on a road trip and we listened to it the entire way there and home.... It was SO GOOD!!!!! Wayne- if you read this- try to post the link to the podcast so if people want to listen to it they can!

The music during the parades, and the shows!! Amazing and so fun!! I will get into "Wishes" later on in this countdown but how can I not mention it with this category!? The music to Wishes is AMAZING! It makes me tear up EVERY time. I am going to get Owen singing it on my new Flip Video Camera that I hope Santa brings me for xmas!! So you can all see my sweet boy with his little voice singing, "Star Light, Star Bright, First Star I See Tonight"

Disney music plays a huge part in our everyday life... it keeps us connected to Disney when our trips are far away. We listen to it in the car, we play it at home for dance parties (which are regular around here!) and we sing along to it when we watch our favorite Disney movies! I think we can all agree that Music at Disney really is something to look forward to on our trips!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

You guys have hit this one right on the giant nail!!!
What is Disney without music...not a thing...

love your memories, thank you for sharing...
I tear up at so many of Disney's songs!!! and ALWAYS during Wishes!

even today Gwendolyn will walk around the house singing different Disney songs from different movies; she can belt out a song from everyone of the movies she grew up with!
Ashton is just starting to share singing with us! his new favorite is the song from "the Princess and the Frog" his says the shawdow man song is his and no one can sing with him I have the soundtrack in the car and we can all sing together until his song comes on, than we all have to be quiet!

Connie

 

[wlwilliams9]

We love Disney music too, especially at the parks! I'm hoping to pick up a CD or two on this vacation of music from the parks. That is one thing I don't have and I've been wanting them forever. I keep forgetting to buy them!

I love the dinner invitations! Those are really cute! I plan on making an invitation for Emily for BBB from Cinderella. It will also invite her to eat at the castle that evening.

 

[chicagoshannon]

those invites are really cute!

 

[jngwright]

We love Disney music too, especially at the parks! I'm hoping to pick up a CD or two on this vacation of music from the parks. That is one thing I don't have and I've been wanting them forever. I keep forgetting to buy them!

I love the dinner invitations! Those are really cute! I plan on making an invitation for Emily for BBB from Cinderella. It will also invite her to eat at the castle that evening.

Wendy (and Nickie! Four Parks, One World is an AWESOME collection!!

http://www.laughingplacestore.com/product-10846.asp

Nickie-your description of your feelings about Disney music was just perfect!

 

[that's nice]

The boys did a great job of picking music!!!!!!

I can listen to Wishes over & over and Juliana knows all the words too.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Wendy (and Nickie! Four Parks, One World is an AWESOME collection!!

http://www.laughingplacestore.com/product-10846.asp

Nickie-your description of your feelings about Disney music was just perfect!

That's the one I think I want!

 

[praisehisname]

Thanks for the tip about the podcast. I searched on iTunes and found the one with the Top 100 Disney Songs!!!

 

[mom2mek]

Awww...what a sweet thing for your boys to be aware of - the music! It truly is something that sets Disney apart - their songs, the melodies, the lyrics....so beautifully weaved into the theme parks and the rides. Love it!

Sara

 

[my2disneyboys]

You guys have hit this one right on the giant nail!!!
What is Disney without music...not a thing...

love your memories, thank you for sharing...
I tear up at so many of Disney's songs!!! and ALWAYS during Wishes!

even today Gwendolyn will walk around the house singing different Disney songs from different movies; she can belt out a song from everyone of the movies she grew up with!
Ashton is just starting to share singing with us! his new favorite is the song from "the Princess and the Frog" his says the shawdow man song is his and no one can sing with him I have the soundtrack in the car and we can all sing together until his song comes on, than we all have to be quiet!

Connie

That is cute that Ashton sings the Shadowman song!! We love Disney Music!!

We love Disney music too, especially at the parks! I'm hoping to pick up a CD or two on this vacation of music from the parks. That is one thing I don't have and I've been wanting them forever. I keep forgetting to buy them!

I love the dinner invitations! Those are really cute! I plan on making an invitation for Emily for BBB from Cinderella. It will also invite her to eat at the castle that evening.

That is going to be an amazing night huh!? BBB and dinner in the Castle. Perfect night for a princess. I think I will check out DTD this year for some music. I always look in Target but we have so many songs on our IPOD- I think the park one may be a good one to get.

those invites are really cute!

Thanks Shannon!

Wendy (and Nickie! Four Parks, One World is an AWESOME collection!!

http://www.laughingplacestore.com/product-10846.asp

Nickie-your description of your feelings about Disney music was just perfect!

Thanks Jill- and thanks for posting the link- I think I am going to put that on my xmas list!!

The boys did a great job of picking music!!!!!!

I can listen to Wishes over & over and Juliana knows all the words too.

Thanks Tim! Do you have her on video singing it? I need to get that this trip before their voices change!

Thanks for the tip about the podcast. I searched on iTunes and found the one with the Top 100 Disney Songs!!!

That is the one! Did you start it yet??

Awww...what a sweet thing for your boys to be aware of - the music! It truly is something that sets Disney apart - their songs, the melodies, the lyrics....so beautifully weaved into the theme parks and the rides. Love it!

Sara

Thanks Sara! I know- it really is the best!! It will help you get through until the next trip is planned!!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Hey Dis Buddies!! I hope everyone is having a great weekend. I have some WONDERFUL news to share!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As most of you know for the last 6 months I have been looking for a job. I have been pretty picky and have even turned down some offers. I really want to find something that I will be happy doing and with the least amount of guilt from being away from my kids. I wish I could remain a SAHM but it just is not financially in our cards right now! So........... a couple of weeks ago I interviewed at the Greater Boston Food Bank. WOW - from the moment I walked into the building I knew that this would be the one. It was amazing. Seeing all the people who are there to volunteer and hearing about the amazing work that they do, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Being a non profit, they have some pretty amazing benefits. The few I know of now is that they close at 4:30PM goodvibes) and they have free parking. Free parking in Boston is UNHEARD of!! So that is very cool.... no stinky subway rides for me!! So now you are probably thinking...... well, you need to get this job first right!? Well, I don't have it yet. I did however get a call on Friday afternoon from their HR Department asking if it was ok to go ahead and check my references!!!!! I am SO excited..... I mean I know I have some great references, so now I am just waiting to get that second call with the offer! I am REALLY excited.

Ok back to our KIDS TOP 25 List to DISNEY!!!

NUMBER 11 is PORT ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER

The kids are all very excited about the hotel!! When it came to picking the resort, I wanted Wilderness Lodge and was out voted 3-1 for POFQ. WE stayed here in 09 and Myles and Wayne LOVED it. (Owen just goes along with whatever Myles says) I liked it.... I would have liked the convenience of the WL but what can I do!?

When I asked what they are so excited about here is what they came up with: (and I know they already put some things on the list- like the pool and arcade, boat, but they insisted that this be a seperate category) I guess they are pretty excited to have all their cousins and uncles and us all together at the same hotel!

The guys that open the door! - Isnt it funny they remember this!? We were greeted everyday on our way to the parks and everyday when we came back. They were our first impression to the POFQ and they were a hit with the kids, handing out beads and coins for the fountain.... each time they walked by they would get more.... the kids love free stuff!

Arcade- As you guys already know because that "had" to be a seperate category. They love arcades at hotels!

Fishing- The kids are all excited to do some fishing! Myles caught a fish last time and he still remembers it!!

"The Hot Pool" - AKA Hot Tub! Going the last week in January, I think we will get more use of this than the pool. I know last year we missed not having one at the Poly! With all the money that hotel makes why can't they put in a hot tub!?

Myles is especially excited for the boats! We wanted to do them last year at the Poly, but there was a TORNADO warning and it was hailing and they wouldn't let us go out.... Yes, Wayne took the boys down to see if he could still go!

The Music - The kids love to listen to the Music that is played all through the hotel. I remember them dancing their way to the bus stop on many of mornings!

The Pool- This hotel has a GREAT pool for the kids! The slide isn't too big and the pool is not overwhelming for my little ones that are not great swimmers. They have a nice pool bar too- that Mommy and Daddy like!

We also love that we can walk ten minutes down the path along the river and got to the pool at the Riverside!

The Boat to DTD - The kids LOVE DTD and having the boat that takes you there from the hotel makes this hotel even MORE special to the kids!

Campfire- this year we are going to go to the Campfire at POR. The kids are pretty excited about this. They love s'mores and they love campfires!!

Horse and Carriage Ride- I am not sure if we are going to do this... but we might. They are excited for it, but if we don't get to it, I think with everything else we are doing they will be ok with it!

I am pretty excited to give this hotel a try again. I think it will be a great choice for a Grand Gathering because it is so small. It will be easy to stay together. The one bus stop that is less than a 5 minute walk from any building is great. The boat to DTD! Lot's of great amenities which should make for a nice place to have some fun together as a family when we are not at the parks!

These also are something for me to look forward to!

I also hear that a refurb is on it's way for this fall! Hopefully it will be done or we will get in one of the newly refurbished rooms. The rumor mill has that this hotel will have some Princess and the Frog Theming which would be very cool!!

Up next- The TOP 10!!!

 

[my2disneyboys]

So I wanted to share with you all a little surprise I am planning on. (Shadowryter helped me to create!!) The day before we leave for Disney, I am planning on this letter arriving to the house! I think the boys will be pretty excited. Myles has already mentioned Mickey calling the morning we leave.... I need to remember to arrange that. It's free, and so special to hear from Mickey on the day you are heading to DISNEY!!!

 

[wlwilliams9]

Hey Nickie!! I've got my fingers and toes crossed, hoping you get the job at the food bank. That would be awesome to work at a place that you enjoy going to and that inspires you everyday. Not to mention, the financial aspects for your family and the ability to afford Disney next fall with the rest of us!! Good luck, I hope they call tomorrow with an amazing offer!

I have never stayed at POFQ and after reading about what the boys love about it, I think we need to check it out one of these years! It sounds like a great resort with lots of fun extra activities for the family!

Love the letter to the boys! I always have Mickey call Emily before our trips too. In fact, I need to set that up, thanks for reminding me!!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

great update! that is where we are staying next...Danny loves POFQ! says that is what he wishes the French Quarter looked like. We did not go over to POR (it wa Dixie Landings our last stay--I'm dating us, now)...but, I bet Ashton will love the pool area!

I will probably never stay deluxe so I look so forward to our mod/deluxe stay...I like how quaint it is there! and I love the boat to DTD!!!
love the letter! what a great way to start their magic!

wishing you luck on the job at the food bank!!! sounds like the have you on their short list!!

 

[chicagoshannon]

I hope you get that job! I hope you hear back this week. I'm sure waiting to hear is no fun.

 

[TheDisneyGirl]

Wish you lots of luck on that job! Sounds like you are really excited about it. Non-profits are really trying to be well rounded and competitive in their benefits. And, YES, free parking!? No brainer there.

POFQ sounds like a fun resort! That pool area looks like so much fun that I want to slide and swim there. (and I definitely want to hear about how good the beignets are!!)

That letter is such a great idea, and very cute- love the Disney script- Your kids are going to freak!

Just a quick question, what free call from Mickey? Curious.

 

[praisehisname]

That is the one! Did you start it yet??

I did, and it's great! I've been playing it in the kitchen while I make dinner the last few evenings!

We've never stayed at POFQ, but I would love to. I keep hearing how wonderful it is! And I love the letter for the boys--what a great idea!

 

[that's nice]

Nickie- good luck with the job. Sounds like it would be the perfect fit for you.


Love your PO pics. This resort doesn't really appeal to me but I do hope someday to stay at all the Disney resorts.

 

[jngwright]

So..What's next on the countdown??