2 Castles, 2 Send out 2011 & Ring in 2012...12 Days of Christmas

[momabaarjo]

for the CP ressie! Vigilance pays off I swear! People think I'm crazy for having internet affiliations over Disney, but you know what? More and more times we get an extra dusting when our trip comes around, based on what we learn through these people!

I have to agree, it is so nice finding friends who share the same passion for planning...in the end not only do we make great friends, but we have created a trip full of magic thanks to these friends!

 

[momabaarjo]

It is off to work I go today...6 days of my 12 days off are now gone. I have some math training today and tomorrow and then a 5 day weekend!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Are you training or being trained??

Either way, bless you. Math is not my best subject, despite my best efforts!

 

[momabaarjo]

Are you training or being trained??

Either way, bless you. Math is not my best subject, despite my best efforts!

Taking the training, so I can be the trainer! Pretty neat stuff on how children learn math...in a developmental/constructionist way, not direct teaching like us teachers like to impart our knowledge onto students! This research is really opening the doors on how kids naturally learn if given the opportunity!

 

[Becc1]

Congratulations on the Crystal Palace ADR! Now you just have to pray that they don't change the opening time to 8am like they did on my trip!

 

[momabaarjo]

Congratulations on the Crystal Palace ADR! Now you just have to pray that they don't change the opening time to 8am like they did on my trip!

Crossing my fingers that will NOT happen! The day prior is EMH both in the am and pm...so maybe they will not mess with the hours!

 

[Monknmom]

How do I do this for the candlelight package? I have booked Teppan Edo for a dinner for one of our nights, does that participate in the CP? I'm a little confused lol!

 

[ZFamily5]

How do I do this for the candlelight package? I have booked Teppan Edo for a dinner for one of our nights, does that participate in the CP? I'm a little confused lol!

I'm pretty sure you can't start booking Candlelight Processional packages until July 26th

 

[momabaarjo]

How do I do this for the candlelight package? I have booked Teppan Edo for a dinner for one of our nights, does that participate in the CP? I'm a little confused lol!

You will have to call again on the 26th and book the CP package then cancel your other ADR... The ADR that you have will not convert to the CP package. Hope this makes sense?

Yes...Tepan eddo is one of the CP choices!

 

[momabaarjo]

Summer Movie Day Double Feature
Peter Pan & Tinkerbell
July 7, 2011

All the girls love Tinkerbell. I remember when Ab was about 4…Tink was her favorite and boy did she have the same attitude as Tink (in fact she still has it). Of course 10 years ago and Tink was not popular as she is now. We had to hunt and search for Tink items, now everywhere I turn around there is something with Tink on it. I think she still loves Tink…her room is Pea Pod Green with lavender bedding. I remember when Return to Neverland came out when she was around 5. She could not wait to see the movie…in fact the first and only time I have ever “lost” her was when we went to see this movie. She was so excited that while we were standing in line to get some movie snacks she decided to head off to the movie without us! I have never been so scared in all my life…thank goodness a nice lady found her wandering into different theaters looking for the movie. I really enjoyed this movie, especially with the great lesson it teaches…love who you are because you are special are created for a special purpose. I can’t wait to find the fairies in Pixie Hollow…

If Tink was Ab’s favorite when she was little, Captain Hook was Boo’s favorite. Why on earth would a little boy gravitate to the villain? If I thought finding Tink stuff was hard then, it was even harder finding Captain Hook items. We are going to have to hunt down Captain Hook and get his autograph, along with a picture taken with Boo. We did not watch the Disney verision of Peter Pan, instead I rented the Universal live action one…not too impressed but it served the purpose of a Peter Pan movie day. The cousins were supposed to bring the movie, but they forgot and the only movie house close enough to us just had the Universal verision. Same story line, but a little too grown up and serious for us. I wish we could have found Hook instead with Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, and Dustin Hoffman. I remember that one as being pretty funny.

Menu:

Pirate Ship Pizza
(Each of the kids made their own sails to sail their ship)

Tink Punch
(Raspberry Lemonade, Lime Shebert with Pixie Dust…Pop Rocks)

Cannon Ball Salad
(Melon Balls and Grapes)

Crocodile Crunch with Dip

Peter Pan Swords or Tinkerbell Wands
(Lime Popsicles…see movie title picture above)​

Activities:

Peter Pan Hats & Pirate Bandanas

I found a really simple foldable pirate hat pattern and had the kids follow the directions and fold themselves hats. Then in Family Fun magazine I came across a pirate headband pattern and they made some of these just for fun.

Boo is looking a little grumpy!


Treasure Boxes

I found some make your own pirate treasure chests from Oriental Trading made of heavy hardboard. All the kids had to do was fold them and then decorate them. They spent much of the afternoon coloring, glittering, and adding jewels to them. Then I filled them with treasure (Pixie sticks…get it, Pirate Gum Coins, and Hershey Treasure Chocolates)…next I hid them….and made a….

Treasure Hunt

Using clues that would take the kids around the mountain side to places they love to play at. Each clue would lead to another one until finally the last clue would lead to their treasure chests full of treasure to enjoy!

I gave Boo the camera, to record the fun!

Ab finds a clue hidden behind the log bench on the cousin’s grandparent’s cabin front porch.

A place to make wishes…wishing well at the cousin’s cabin.

A place where both of your daddy's soared to new heights.​

Ab finds her treasure chest hidden in the trees where the pine trees are told to shhhh… (Another cousin’s cabin…called the Whispering Pine Lodge)​

​

 

[Becc1]

Love the double feature. You really went all out, I bet the kids just loved it! Great find on the treasure boxes! I love Oriental Trading Company but I don't always need a dozen of a craft, I wish you could buy them individually!

Are you doing a Harry Potter night this week? I thought about doing one but then thought about what a pain it would be to pull out the Halloween stuff to search for decor so I think I'm going to wait until October to do it!

 

[momabaarjo]

Love the double feature. You really went all out, I bet the kids just loved it! Great find on the treasure boxes! I love Oriental Trading Company but I don't always need a dozen of a craft, I wish you could buy them individually!

I hate that too...but I always end up with someone that can use the extras or I take them to school and a teacher uses them as incentive rewards! I figure for the most part they are cheap enough that giving a few away is not a big deal...plus I usually write them off in my teacher expenses for tax purposes!

Are you doing a Harry Potter night this week? I thought about doing one but then thought about what a pain it would be to pull out the Halloween stuff to search for decor so I think I'm going to wait until October to do it!

We sure are...although I really am not decorating...how is that not a surprise to you! We started Saturday night with the first movie and watching a movie a night...today we are finishing up witha movie marathon of the last 3 movies, a special dinner and a treat...watch for a report later!

 

[ZFamily5]

The Peter Pan/Tinkerbell double feature looked like a lot of fun! Can't wait to hear about the Harry Potter movie nights!!

 

[momabaarjo]

Summer Movie Afternoon
Lilo & Stitch
July 5, 2011

​

We decided since the 3 K cousins were going to spend the week, what better way than to begin with Lilo & Stitch since ohana means family and Lilo & Stitch is all about family! The kids enjoyed it so much we went and rented Lilo & Stitch 2 later that day and watched it after dark!

Thank goodness for Dollar Tree! They make it so easy to go out for a Hawaiian themed party! The kids had a great time getting prepared for the evening from making all the food, to the craft activities, and to even trying to hula!

Activities:

Hula Skirts

It would have been easier just to buy hula skirts...but not nearly as much fun! We made hula skirts out of crete paper streamers, a stapler, and a piece of heavy string. I think they turned out great and the kids had a lot of fun making them.


Shell Bracelets

I found another great little craft kit from Oriental Trading to make sea shell braclets to go with the hula skirts and leis! I think the kids loved these the most of everything we did all week! In fact, they are still wearing the braclets.

Hula Dancing

The girls decided to give us an impromptu hula show!​

Menu:

Pulled Pork Sandwiches on Hawaiian Buns

The kids loved these! In fact, the ate them all week long for lunch! It was an easy crockpot packet for the pork and prepackaged Hawaiian rolls!


Pineapple Brocolli Slaw

A twist on plain cole slaw. I used brocolli slaw, pineapple, raisins, mayo, sugar and pineapple juice.


Fresh Pineapple Spears

Hawaiian Kettle Chips & Corn on the Cob

We found these chips at World Market...perfect!


Pina Coladas
See the table picture...the kids loved them in their coconut cups!

Sunshine Aloha Cake

I found this great recipe on the internet...full of oranges, pineapple and coconut! I let Kortni make the cake, and she had so much fun and felt so grown up!​

​

 

[momabaarjo]

The Peter Pan/Tinkerbell double feature looked like a lot of fun! Can't wait to hear about the Harry Potter movie nights!!

Thanks! Ab made some great labels for jars to use on our big movie marathon we are having today! I can't wait to share them tomorrow! She is super bummed because she does not get to go to the midnight release of HP tomorrow night ...she leaves for a church youth trip to St. Louis tomorrow morning!

 

[ZFamily5]

Thanks! Ab made some great labels for jars to use on our big movie marathon we are having today! I can't wait to share them tomorrow! She is super bummed because she does not get to go to the midnight release of HP tomorrow night ...she leaves for a church youth trip to St. Louis tomorrow morning!

I can't wait to see them! I'm sure she'll have fun on the church youth trip, but I'd be disappointed too. I'm sure you and Goo (or is it Boo you're taking? I got a little mixed up...) will have a good time! I was secretly hoping that the Winnie the Pooh movie would have a midnight showing...unfortunatley not!

 

[annmarieda]

I am so very impressed with your movie days. All the activities and the food! I wish I had the time... It looks like so much fun. I bet your kids are just in doing all that you plan.

You are super mom!

 

[shocky5]

I am so very impressed with your movie days. All the activities and the food! I wish I had the time... It looks like so much fun. I bet your kids are just in doing all that you plan.

You are super mom!

Seriously! Ditto what Ann said! AMAZING!!!

 

[momabaarjo]

I can't wait to see them! I'm sure she'll have fun on the church youth trip, but I'd be disappointed too. I'm sure you and Goo (or is it Boo you're taking? I got a little mixed up...) will have a good time! I was secretly hoping that the Winnie the Pooh movie would have a midnight showing...unfortunatley not!

It is Boo going...

Winnie the Pooh deserves a midnight showing...hee hee! But sadly I think all that would want to go will already be in bed fast asleep!

 

[momabaarjo]

I am so very impressed with your movie days. All the activities and the food! I wish I had the time... It looks like so much fun. I bet your kids are just in doing all that you plan.

Since Zoe is going to have an indoor summer maybe you and her could plan a few movie days...

You are super mom!

Seriously! Ditto what Ann said! AMAZING!!!

Ahhhhh...thanks friends...but I am not super mom, let's just say guilty mom for working during the summer so I am trying to make it up just a little!