17 Days of Wishes Come to Life- A Sept. 08 WDW and DCL Adventure 3/27 new link posted

[29apr00]

WOW the Beast castle painting is simply beautiful! i would love to own a piece like that!!

And I LOVE the stranger's fingernails! I want those!! wonder if the nail salon around here could do that????

 

[CJsMom]

You got some lovely pieces of art - such nice remembrances of your trip! And more wonderful pics of the boys - they are so photogenic!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Congratulations on winning the extra piece of art! What a fantastic surprise! Both pieces are really beautiful. I love your idea of an "art hallway gallery". I might have to steal that someday...I love art, but currently we have a grand total of ZERO pieces.

I love the pic of your boys too, it's beautiful.

 

[troobabiee7]

The graduation looks so cute! What a fun way to cap off the kid's experiences at the Kids Clubs. And I love the art you bought... gorgoeus!

 

[disneydusted]

Your new art is just wonderful! What a special memory you will have each time you look at them!
I like that you are all color coordinated for your photo....

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I love the castle piece and congrats on your freebee. Very nice. The little graduation looks cute. The family photos are so sweet. LP loves his characters!!

 

[jaycns]

Jay, I love that piece you purchased! I think you've converted me to a fan of Ellenshaw. I am wow'd just looking at the website, I'd love to purchase everything.
Your LP is so darn cute, I just want to play with him to hear him laugh.

Great report, but I feel the end approaching, and that makes me sad.

Thanks for sharing your trip, I am enjoying it immensely.

I am glad you are enjoying the TR. I love writing them. It brings back so many wonderful memories. I am glad to have shared my love of the Ellenshaw family's art. They are really talented (in my opinion).

love the pics but especially the one of your boys. that is a great picture!

I wish we had taken a few more of just the boys together. I love that one too.

Isn't is scary - or maybe just creepy - that I KNEW your selection would have something to do with Belle?

I agree with you on your interpretation of the second piece. I can feel the warm breezes & hear the ocean now.

Great update, Girlfriend.

HA HA HA, you always know, Barb. I think you have ESP. I wish I could hear the ocean and feel those warm breezes right now. I miss being on the cruise.

Wow, the castle piece you purchased is just gorgeus!!

Why, thank you. I really did deliberate for hours (before the auction) over what I would end up with. I wanted everything...but that was NOT in my budget.

I can't wait until I have the money to start buying art. I want to turn my study/entertainment room into a Disney room with all sorts of lovely Disney pieces. Just have to get through the next four/five years of school.

What a good idea...an entire room filled with Disney art. That sounds great! Sadly, I doubt I will ever have one. Dh would not be a fan. GOOD LUCK with yours (one day ).

Oh my gosh, that photo of the boys is adorable. Alladin's tenderness with his baby brother brings tears to my eyes.

He really is a great big brother. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful helper or more loving big brother. All four of the boys are very close and help each other out and the older three never mind pitching in with the baby. I am blessed for sure!

WOW the Beast castle painting is simply beautiful! i would love to own a piece like that!!

And I LOVE the stranger's fingernails! I want those!! wonder if the nail salon around here could do that????

I love Beauty and the Beast. It's my all time favorite Disney movie and if I had to pick a princess, it would be Belle, I love her spunk, smarts and independence.

HA, can you believe I asked her to take a picture of her nails? Dh just about died. BUT...how cool are they?! She told me that her dh made the Tink template (talk about talent right there) and then she takes it in with her when she gets her nails done and the people at the nail salon just fill it in. I loved her nails! They were even more amazing in person. AND her toe nails were done in Mickey heads. Dh forbid me to ask to snap a picture of those.

You got some lovely pieces of art - such nice remembrances of your trip! And more wonderful pics of the boys - they are so photogenic!

In all honesty, while I love the art from the auction, it doesn't even compare to the pictures of our boys. If I only had room to hang one or the other, the boys would be on my walls and the castle would be in the back of the closet.

Congratulations on winning the extra piece of art! What a fantastic surprise! Both pieces are really beautiful. I love your idea of an "art hallway gallery". I might have to steal that someday...I love art, but currently we have a grand total of ZERO pieces.

I love the pic of your boys too, it's beautiful.

I need a few more pieces before it will look anything like a gallery. I only have about 9 pieces right now and five of those already hang in the 'perfect' spot, so I wouldn't move them. I am however going to frame a few of my very favorite projects that the boys have made over the years and hang them in the hall as well. I think the ones that my boys made will end up being my all time favorite pieces of art. As they get older, the pictures they made when they were younger seem to get more and more beautiful in my eyes. I am really excited about the framing of their works. My plan is to frame one piece of art from each boy in each 'bracket'. I am breaking it down like this ages 1-3. Then ages 3-5. Followed by a project from when they were 5-7 years old. Then age 8-11. And 12-15. Finally, something they made between 15-18 years. I figure that gives me six projects to frame per child (making for 24 pictures to hang). I am REALLY looking forward to walking past their masterpieces. I am conflicted as to how to display them though...same ages together or sections for each child. I guess I have a few years left to figure that out.

The graduation looks so cute! What a fun way to cap off the kid's experiences at the Kids Clubs. And I love the art you bought... gorgoeus!

The boys love the free Mickey ears and t-shirts. I do too!

Your new art is just wonderful! What a special memory you will have each time you look at them!
I like that you are all color coordinated for your photo....

I am even more excited about my art purchase after having spent time with the artist. It makes me appreciate it even more. And thanks for noticing that I tried to coordinate our clothing colors. It NEVER even registers with any of my men.

I love the castle piece and congrats on your freebee. Very nice. The little graduation looks cute. The family photos are so sweet. LP loves his characters!!

I loved watching our LP see the characters. It was magical for me, because, I could tell that for him, they were 100% real and he was amazed. I will always cherish those memories!

 

[29apr00]

HA, can you believe I asked her to take a picture of her nails? Dh just about died. BUT...how cool are they?! She told me that her dh made the Tink template (talk about talent right there) and then she takes it in with her when she gets her nails done and the people at the nail salon just fill it in. I loved her nails! They were even more amazing in person. AND her toe nails were done in Mickey heads. Dh forbid me to ask to snap a picture of those.

Mickey's on the toes!! I lvoe it!

 

[MollyMcDaniel]

Hi, my name is Molly....and I am a lurker. This is what I have to say about you... . You are awesome, in just about every way possible. I have spent 2 whole days doing nothing but reading every word of your 1,000+ posts. You have a way with writing....and can we talk about your boys for a minute???? Amazing....I am a nanny (I also have one of my own..DD..almost 5) and have been with my family for 16 years. They have 3 boys and I have raised all of them. In fact, my DH and I took 2 of them to Disney with us a few years ago. The parents are both Dr.'s and don't have a lot of parenting time. Let's just say that they have a long way to go before they reach the class and graciousness of your tribe. Good job, and how refreshing!

I'm on my way to the kitchen for a few Advil...my arm and hand are numb from scrolling with the mouse....no joke. I took a special interest in your report because we are staying at VWL and taking the Wonder in March. Your pictures of the lodge were great.

 

[marsa1969]

Oh my I got so behind in you trip report. I still have my sticky note saying I was on page 62 at the first of January, but I got caught up today!!! We were hit with many problems during January. First we were hit by a drunk driver, who totaled our car. The second hit was from the ice storm that took out your power. My poor DS (15) had to have surgery on his knee from the wreck the day before the ice storm it Arkansas. My DH works for a local power company - and not by his choice - left us alone in the dark for 4 days. I have high hope for the rest of the year!
I'm so ready to hit the beach after seeing your Paradise Beach pics, so pretty.

 

[jaycns]

Sorry I have been MIA, Valentine's Day and all of the parties and baking and card making and crafts has been keeping me hopping. I will be back to posting as soon as I make it through this weekend. Thanks for hanging in there! I hope you all have a weekend filled with lots of love, family, friends and fun!

 

[SoonerGirl]

 

[DisneyJo]

How fantastic you won Jay, great prize too

I just love all your photos, beautiful

 

[Kara]

another lurker coming out to say what an awesome job you did planning this whole trip!! I am in awe and now I know we have to try a Disney Cruise!!!!!!
Your boys are handsome and adorable!!

 

[MouseTriper]

OMGosh Jay....I just noticed your THREE new TICKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TWO WEEKS, 5 days and you will be back at the WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(That means another amazing TR for all of us to read...YIPPPEEEE)

 

[MouseTriper]

OMGosh Jay....I just noticed your THREE new TICKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TWO WEEKS and you will be back at the WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(That means another amazing TR for all of us to read...YIPPPEEEE)

 

[MouseTriper]

Hey Jay..where is your PTR for this upcoming trip??? lol

 

[brookelizabeth]

I need a few more pieces before it will look anything like a gallery. I only have about 9 pieces right now and five of those already hang in the 'perfect' spot, so I wouldn't move them. I am however going to frame a few of my very favorite projects that the boys have made over the years and hang them in the hall as well. I think the ones that my boys made will end up being my all time favorite pieces of art. As they get older, the pictures they made when they were younger seem to get more and more beautiful in my eyes. I am really excited about the framing of their works. My plan is to frame one piece of art from each boy in each 'bracket'. I am breaking it down like this ages 1-3. Then ages 3-5. Followed by a project from when they were 5-7 years old. Then age 8-11. And 12-15. Finally, something they made between 15-18 years. I figure that gives me six projects to frame per child (making for 24 pictures to hang). I am REALLY looking forward to walking past their masterpieces. I am conflicted as to how to display them though...same ages together or sections for each child. I guess I have a few years left to figure that out.

That sounds like a great idea! Henry has just begun coloring and his first piece of 'artwork' was done in the nursery at church. When they handed over his masterpiece I almost cried! I am very much looking forward to the art work in the future and I will be framing some for sure! I think it's precious!

I hope your hallway is reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally long though with all that art!

OMGosh Jay....I just noticed your THREE new TICKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TWO WEEKS and you will be back at the WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(That means another amazing TR for all of us to read...YIPPPEEEE)

YES, WE NEED DETAILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lazydoxy66]

I'm so glad you had fun at the auction. I just love the beast castle. Congratulaions on winning the bid on it. You are so lucky to get your name drawn for the other. I bet no one could wipe that big sick grin off your face for quite a while.

 

[jaycns]

Mickey's on the toes!! I lvoe it!

If you look REALLY hard toward the bottom of the Tink nails picture you can sort of see her Mickey head toes.

Hi, my name is Molly....and I am a lurker. This is what I have to say about you... . You are awesome, in just about every way possible. I have spent 2 whole days doing nothing but reading every word of your 1,000+ posts. You have a way with writing....and can we talk about your boys for a minute???? Amazing....I am a nanny (I also have one of my own..DD..almost 5) and have been with my family for 16 years. They have 3 boys and I have raised all of them. In fact, my DH and I took 2 of them to Disney with us a few years ago. The parents are both Dr.'s and don't have a lot of parenting time. Let's just say that they have a long way to go before they reach the class and graciousness of your tribe. Good job, and how refreshing!

I'm on my way to the kitchen for a few Advil...my arm and hand are numb from scrolling with the mouse....no joke. I took a special interest in your report because we are staying at VWL and taking the Wonder in March. Your pictures of the lodge were great.

Hi Molly! Thanks for coming 'out of lurk'. I must say, if you could see my face, it would be bright red after reading your comments. You are far too kind! And although I do think our boys are wonderful, they too can have their moments. Being a parent was not a goal of mine until I was pregnant with, our first, Aladdin. I wasn't even sure my life would include children (I thought I wanted an important career instead). However, my goals all changed while I was pregnant with him. Now, I desire nothing more than to be the best parent I can be. If I do that, I will consider my life worthwhile. I know being a stay at home mom (and a home schooling mom on top of that) is NOT for everyone, but it is just what completes me. So...maybe it is a bit selfish that I pour so much time into parenting. I am in love with being a mother. I can think of nothing better.

And as far as dh, he does have a pretty high stress job, but he says that none of his business accomplishments even compare with raising our boys. I love him for that. But it's another example of the time we pour into our boys being a bit selfish...they truly are the best part of our lives now. And...as long as they are in need of parenting, dh and I are both commited to be there for them first (before carrers or hobbies or anything else). This time is already passing way too quickly and I know that one day I will have time to do anything I want (and although I can already imagine the ways to spend my me time I know I will spend at least part of it wishing for the years I spent parenting the boys again ).

Thank you again for all of your sweet comments. You will have such a great time on your vacation! Make sure you plan some time at the pool during the afternoon. Check the activity schedule they give you upon check in. I bet your daughter would love the pool games they have scheduled. They have hula hooping contests, musical spots (like musical chairs), limbo, dancing and many more fun games. They also have duck races (plastic ducks).

Don't forget the cookie decorating, hiden Mickey hunt (ask at the front desk for the list), watching the geyser and so much more. It's a great resort to enjoy a whole day at. We had big plans for heading over to Fort Wilderness to check that out as well...but we never made it over there (too much to do at the WL itself). But the petting zoo, bike rides, campfire with Chip and Dale and movie under the stars are on our list of "must explore one day" items.

I hope your hand feels much better.

Oh my I got so behind in you trip report. I still have my sticky note saying I was on page 62 at the first of January, but I got caught up today!!! We were hit with many problems during January. First we were hit by a drunk driver, who totaled our car. The second hit was from the ice storm that took out your power. My poor DS (15) had to have surgery on his knee from the wreck the day before the ice storm it Arkansas. My DH works for a local power company - and not by his choice - left us alone in the dark for 4 days. I have high hope for the rest of the year!
I'm so ready to hit the beach after seeing your Paradise Beach pics, so pretty.

Oh my, what a month. And not in a good way. I feel your pain with the ice storm, we were without power for almost a week. It was not my favorite time of the year either. I too hope to go the rest of the year without that happening again. I am thankful that so many people like your dh were dedicated enough to work almost non-stop to get our power back on as quickly as it did come back. I know that a lot of sacrifices were made in order for that to happen.

I am so sorry to hear that your son was hurt. What a horrible thing. How is he doing after the surgery? Is he recovering quickly?

I too wish I was back at Paradise Beach right now. Ahhh, I can almost hear the ocean.