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

[Monknmom]

You know...I was thinking about that when I posted the last question. And I really do not think that I have one. I love Ariel and would have said that was my favorite. I think my current favorite is Tangled...I just love Rapunzels attitude...plus I think she looks better with short hair. If I had to name a classic...I just don't know there are parts in every movie we have been doing in the last 8 months that I love!

I think what I love most about the movie nights, is that we did something as a family and made some special memories!

This weekend we are doing chili and lemon bars (Walt's favorite desserts were Lemon Pie and Bread Pudding...not fond of lemon pie and if I made the bread pudding I would be the only one eating it...saving all those calories for WDW).

I love that about the movie nights too! I get to cuddle with my little monkey and see things about the movie I hadn't before! DH has only done 1-2 movie nights with us, but that's okay-- Disney trip isn't for him anyway!

Sounds yummy! I think that I only have time for the chili, we may pick up a dessert on our way home, but I'm not sure!

The start of the advent countdown reveal.... did not start off as I had hoped! I had 1 excited child, 1 tired/out of it child, and 1 GRUMPY teenager (of course she stayed up past 10 pm last night to finish her science fair board since she has 4 basketball games to cheer at tonight and won't be home til late). Maybe this is setting me up for Christmas morning and what to expect as a reaction! Now that the tired child is awake a little more he seems more excited...now to fix the grumpy teenage girl!

I am really sorry about that! Maybe it will get better! I know when I surprise Damien with things he had no clue of before hand he gets nervous and reacts in a way I don't like or I don't understand I guess! That's why we told him of Disney, just not the when part! I hope that it starts to get better though! I am sure that as they realize that they are getting these cool things that you have bought/made your going to start getting more and more of the reaction you want!!!

I love Lake George. Hate driving up there though...haha You are further out than me so you have to add probably another 45-1 hour to your trip. I couldn't imagine. Yes the raccoons and mosquitos are crazy. I am afraid to let my dog outside with the raccoons.

Yeah it takes me an hour to get to Port Washington from my house on a day with little to no traffic! So that's an idea for you how long!! But on the way home from upstate by the time we hit Nassau we are about to push each other out of the car (me and DH) so I'm a little worried about what it will be like on our way home from Disney! Especially because I made all of his shirts (or most I should say) Grumpy! If you like Lake George then take RT 9 (or 9- whichever runs through there) all the way up and bear right at the fork, but keep going you will hit Bolton Landing and it's not as crowded and it has the lake as well to swim in and a park for a picnic and lots of little shops! Lake George is nice, but gets crowded! Oh and in that park Bolton Landing has fairs sometimes that have all of these vendors from the East Coast selling homemade products! I love Dan the spice man!!!





*Ashley* I love all of those facts from Peter Pan!!! And the mistakes! I never realized most of that stuff! I used to have a crush on Peter Pan when I was younger! I would dream I could fly with him!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

The start of the advent countdown reveal.... did not start off as I had hoped! I had 1 excited child, 1 tired/out of it child, and 1 GRUMPY teenager (of course she stayed up past 10 pm last night to finish her science fair board since she has 4 basketball games to cheer at tonight and won't be home til late). Maybe this is setting me up for Christmas morning and what to expect as a reaction! Now that the tired child is awake a little more he seems more excited...now to fix the grumpy teenage girl!

Well she just needs to get her little butt in gear and get happy! Haha you've worked to hard on these surprises! It was probably just the super late night though.

 

[shocky5]

The start of the advent countdown reveal.... did not start off as I had hoped! I had 1 excited child, 1 tired/out of it child, and 1 GRUMPY teenager (of course she stayed up past 10 pm last night to finish her science fair board since she has 4 basketball games to cheer at tonight and won't be home til late). Maybe this is setting me up for Christmas morning and what to expect as a reaction! Now that the tired child is awake a little more he seems more excited...now to fix the grumpy teenage girl!

HORRIBLE HORMONES

Mine stood in her closet crying because she didn't have a shirt to wear out of the dozens staring back at her...

momma! The excitement will come... and go... and come back again... and go... and come back again...

 

[momabaarjo]

What do you think of this as a reveal card/letter in the airport for Goo?Thanks Heather for some inspiration!

Goo,
Mater and I were so excited that you were coming to visit us in July for your 7th birthday, but you know Mater, he just couldn't wait! So Mater drove all the way from Radiator Springs to the North Pole to see Santa Claus and asked him for your tickets to come see us and all of our other Disney friends early as your Christmas present. Santa thought that was a great idea but Mater needed to ask your parents if that was okay! Guess what, Ka-chow! They liked the idea, too! So how about hopping on a plane (that will give you a lift) and coming to see me right now?

Your Pal,

I am going to put clip art wheel tracks here for his signature!!!

Lightning McQueen

P.S. Mater says…”We'll talk later, Mater... hehe - later, Mater!” when you get here!

 

[shocky5]

What do you think of this as a reveal card/letter in the airport for Goo?Thanks Heather for some inspiration!

Goo,
Mater and I were so excited that you were coming to visit us in July for your 7th birthday, but you know Mater, he just couldn't wait! So Mater drove all the way from Radiator Springs to the North Pole to see Santa Claus and asked him for your tickets to come see us and all of our other Disney friends early as your Christmas present. Santa thought that was a great idea but Mater needed to ask your parents if that was okay! Guess what, Ka-chow! They liked the idea, too! So how about hopping on a plane (that will give you a lift) and coming to see me right now?

Your Pal,

I am going to put clip art wheel tracks here for his signature!!!

Lightning McQueen

P.S. Mater says…”We'll talk later, Mater... hehe - later, Mater!” when you get here!

It's PERFECT! I love it!!! And he's going to love it!!!

 

[momabaarjo]

This is what I am thinking for the FINAL REVEAL once we arrive in Denver (based on this mornings clue they are already thinking we are going skiing and they are getting snowboard lessons...hee hee I am so sneaky)! When we get off the plane, I am going to suggest that we get some breakfast before getting the car at the rental counter since we won't know what is open once we leave the airport on Christmas morning. After we are done eating, I am going to pull out 3 envelopes...one for each. Boo is going to have a Hogwart's Acceptance Letter (I will post that later), Ab will have something based on Discovery Cove (thinking of an invite) and Goo will have the card in the PP from Lightning (which we will have to read). I am hoping that Ab and Boo will make the connection after Joseph does...maybe I will hand him his first and right before we get to the part about leaving NOW hand them theirs and let them open!

 

[shocky5]

This is what I am thinking for the FINAL REVEAL once we arrive in Denver (based on this mornings clue they are already thinking we are going skiing and they are getting snowboard lessons...hee hee I am so sneaky)! When we get off the plane, I am going to suggest that we get some breakfast before getting the car at the rental counter since we won't know what is open once we leave the airport on Christmas morning. After we are done eating, I am going to pull out 3 envelopes...one for each. Boo is going to have a Hogwart's Acceptance Letter (I will post that later), Ab will have something based on Discovery Cove (thinking of an invite) and Goo will have the card in the PP from Lightning (which we will have to read). I am hoping that Ab and Boo will make the connection after Joseph does...maybe I will hand him his first and right before we get to the part about leaving NOW hand them theirs and let them open!

I think it's awesome! I hope you will have your camcorder/camera handy to get their faces when they realize what's really going on!!! Flying north into Denver is a huge decoy for you! And I like the idea of you reading that letter to Joseph first, or partially, and letting the other two rip into theirs so they can all be surprised at the same time!

 

[annmarieda]

I am sorry the start of your advent gifts didn't go over as well as you had hoped. As Amy mentioned... with teens..excitement comes and goes and comes... they are just so darn crazy. One day, mine is excited we are going and then next is having nightmares about it and is angry at me because of it. I think your airport reveal sounds so awesome!!!!

 

[Monknmom]

This is what I am thinking for the FINAL REVEAL once we arrive in Denver (based on this mornings clue they are already thinking we are going skiing and they are getting snowboard lessons...hee hee I am so sneaky)! When we get off the plane, I am going to suggest that we get some breakfast before getting the car at the rental counter since we won't know what is open once we leave the airport on Christmas morning. After we are done eating, I am going to pull out 3 envelopes...one for each. Boo is going to have a Hogwart's Acceptance Letter (I will post that later), Ab will have something based on Discovery Cove (thinking of an invite) and Goo will have the card in the PP from Lightning (which we will have to read). I am hoping that Ab and Boo will make the connection after Joseph does...maybe I will hand him his first and right before we get to the part about leaving NOW hand them theirs and let them open!

I like Goo's letter! I think that it's cute! And how your going to hand them the envelopes is a good idea too, especially giving the older 2 theirs after starting Goo's! For Ab's you can make it a letter from the dolphin trainers asking her to come experience a day of training! Or something like that! You'll come up with something good- you're creative!

 

[momabaarjo]

So here is my reveal plan, all put in motion by the advent countdown calendar....

Calendar

I found a great idea for an advent calendar on Pinterest a few weeks ago, however it was the Grinch and I being the gifts I had all had to do with our trip I really wanted the focus of the Advent Calendar to be that of the true meaning of Christmas. So I did my calendar based on the Nativity and the meanings beheind Christmas traditions. How did I make it? Did you know that one of those over the door shoe holders have exactly 24 pockets... me either! Let me tell you though, it took me forever to find one with clear pockets...apparently they really aren't making these anymore! Once I found one I found Christmas colored ribbon and hot glued the ribbon to make it look more festive. Next, I made my advent countdown cards on the computer, laminated them and cut them down to size to fit in the pockets (Next year when I am making a new calendar I will measure better). The front of the card has the day of the countdown and then something about Christmas, then the back has a picture that matches what the front tells about.

Today' Card: Read the Christmas Story from the Bible as told by St. Matthew

Kirby, Our Elf on a Shelf

Last year I bought an Elf on the Shelf because it was so cute and a teacher at school does it with her class...I always seem to be the one moving the silly thing as they leave the classroom...I also got it because Joseph was being pretty naughty this year and I hoped this would help. Joseph named our elf, Kirby and last year the loved receiving notes from Kirby and finding him as he moved around the living room. He cried Christmas Eve when we got home from Mass because Kirby was leaving. For the last month he has been talking about Kirby returning...thank you for giving me the perfect way to reveal the Advent Countdown Reveal. So Kirby arrived this morning along with the Calendar with a white scroll explaining what was going to happen...here is what the scroll said:


Dear Ab, Boo, & Goo,

Don't you Worry, Don't you Fret
This is not your gift this year!
Clues, Tasks and Gifts
will lead the way to finally a gift that will
give you lots of LIFT
come Christmas Day

Santa with the help of your mom and dad wanted to help you count down the days until Christmas with lots of cheer and fun as a family. Each Advent pocket has a clue, when all are ready for the day.

1. Ab (even) and Boo (odd) will take turns reading the Advent Card aloud to the 3 of you. Then when you are through flip the card over and return it to its pocket...one more day gone until the gift of snowy white arrives.
2. Aaron will then get the green scroll clue from me or the pocket, unroll it, and read to everyone.
3. Together you will decided where to search and go find the task scroll.
4. Place the task scroll on the coffee table to be opened when you get home from school.
5. While you are gone at school I will leave a gift as a reward for finding the task. Watch carefully because these clues might help you to discover your present this year.
6. After everyone is home, Joseph may unwrap the gift. Then Abigail will unroll the task scroll. Once the task scroll is open, you must complete it together!

Love, Kirby



Clue Scrolls (Green)
Each day has a clue in order to help find the gift and lead the kids to a family task that has been hidden somewhere in or around the house.

Todays Clue Scroll:
For the first of 24 days til Christmas search where you get nice and clean.

Today's Location:
Bathroom
(It took the boys along time to spot it...remember Ab was in a bad mood.)

Daily Gifts:
Each day there is a small gift, something that has to do with our trip but does not scream WDW.

Today's Gift:
Ghirardelli Chocolate

Daily Tasks:
Each day the kids will have to do something either together or as a family! Trying to get some bonding time in between all the hustle and bustle of the season! I have to really think hard and look at our schedules to make these work with the time we have.

Todays Task Scroll:
Set up the nativity Scene and enjoy some chocolate

.​

​

​

 

[Leger13]

This is what I am thinking for the FINAL REVEAL once we arrive in Denver (based on this mornings clue they are already thinking we are going skiing and they are getting snowboard lessons...hee hee I am so sneaky)! When we get off the plane, I am going to suggest that we get some breakfast before getting the car at the rental counter since we won't know what is open once we leave the airport on Christmas morning. After we are done eating, I am going to pull out 3 envelopes...one for each. Boo is going to have a Hogwart's Acceptance Letter (I will post that later), Ab will have something based on Discovery Cove (thinking of an invite) and Goo will have the card in the PP from Lightning (which we will have to read). I am hoping that Ab and Boo will make the connection after Joseph does...maybe I will hand him his first and right before we get to the part about leaving NOW hand them theirs and let them open!

that is such an awesome idea!!! They are going to be SO excited and say "YOU'RE THE BEST MOM EVER!!!!!" And I agree, please video it! That's gonna be priceless

 

[annmarieda]

I am very impressed with your advent calendar. Not only how it looks but the time and thought it took to put it together...not to mention the bonding activities It makes me wish my kiddos were all still around and we could start a new tradition. Sadly, it is only Zoe and even though every few days there is suppose to be a gift in her stocking for the countdown... I tend to forget.

You are an AWESOME mom!!!!!

 

[Monknmom]

I know I am not supposed to be on right now! I just couldn't help it seeing my monkey sleep and DH laying on the couch watching TV!

Your advent looks awesome and actually I want to start that next year for Damien! Every year I mean to teach him about Christmas but never get to teach him the real meaning (I worry that he will believe me more than K at this point and I don't want him to be one sided)! So next year will be the year with your ideas! I love how much thought and time and effort you put into it though! It's sad to loose the questions, but to tell you the truth I am more excited to see what you have come up with for each day now! And I will get back just in time to catch up before the BIG reveal!

And I didn't say save the most for last... I said the best! Although I was reading different ways to keep a trip going through periods of Mickey withdrawal! so we should ban together and figure it out... of course after our trip! And I'm sad that your not with any of us... if we put you in Willy Wonka's machine to shrink you down I'll sneak you in the parks in my purse and hand you off to Amy when I leave so you can stay longer and then just wait for your family- if they are anything like my family they won't notice until they want dinner

 

[FosterA]

I am just in awe at your creativity and the work you put into projects and things for your kids. Awesome job!

i just can't wait for your trip and to hear all about it!

 

[Dream426]

Love the calendar. So creative.

 

[lovethattink]

I had never heard about the Elf on the shelf until recently. Now it seems I am seeing it everywhere. I saw a preview to a movie of Elf on the Shelf when we went to see the Muppets! It's a cute idea. I love your advent calendar and reveal ideas.

 

[momabaarjo]

100 Things I am Looking Forward to...​

100. Checking into the Royal Pacific Resort
99. Italian Margarita and a Cheeseburger in Paradise at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville
98. Breakfast at Chef Mickey's
97. Experiencing the Osborne Lights
96. Seeing Lightning McQueen and Mater
95. Grinch and Friends Breakfast
94. Tree of Life
93. Mickey's Philharmonic
92. Christmas Trees
91. Tower of Terror
90. Dinner at T-Rex
89. Pressed Penny Hunting for the boys
88. Seeing Tink Fly
87. Breakfast at the Crystal Palace
86. Toy Story Mania and its Line/Que
85. Innoventions
84. Main Street Stroll
83. Dole Whip
82. Pirates of the Caribbean Ride
81. Jedi Training
80. Mickey Bar
79. Miyuki in Japan
78. Tom Sawyer's Island
77. Riding the Monorail
76. Tonga Toast at Kona Cafe
75. Mission Space: Orange Side
74. Strawberry Soup
73. Kidcot Stations in Epcot
72. Shopping for Mickey Ears
71. Dinner at Ohanas
70. Living with the Land
69. A Mug of Butter Beer
68. Animation Studios Drawing Class
67. Karamelle-Kuche
66. Christmas Store Ornament Shopping
65. F!
64. Honeydukes
63. Tough Being a Bug
62. Swiss Family Treehouse
61. Biergarten
60. Soarin
59. Lego Store in DTD
58. Starring Rolls Cupcakes
57. Haunted Mansion
56. Via Napoli
55. Goofy's Candy Co. in DTD
54. Gingerbread House at GF (& other resort Christmas Displays)
53. Kim Possible Missions in Epcot
52. Macy's Holiday Parade at USO
51. Boulangerie Patisserie in France
50. 50's Primetime Cafe
49. POP Century Resort
48. Exploring the Windows in Hogsmeade
47. Ridemakerz
46. Date with dh at Yachtsman
45. Illuminations
44. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare with the Step Sisters
43. Grinchmas at IOA
42. Snorkeling at Discovery Cove
41. Breadpudding
40. Expedition Everest
39. Parades
38. Ghirardelli sundae
37. Night time in the parks
36. Test Track
35. Mickey Pretzels
34. The Sword in the Stone
33. Fish & Chips
32. Feeding the Larakeets
31. Yak & Yeti
30. Discovery Island Trails
29. Sci Fi Diner
28. Spiderman
27. Rice Krispe Treat
26. Walt & Mickey Statue…Roy & Minnie Statue
25. Festival of the Lion King
24. Main Street Bakery Treats
23.

23. Pirate Tutorial

When Boo was little his favorite Disney character was Captain Hook. I have no earthly reason why…other than at the time Ab was into Tink so we watched Peter Pan quite a bit. Now the pirate that captures our attention of course is Captain Jack…the boys love him for the adventure…I am not a huge Johnny Depp fan, but I have to admit there is something about him when he plays Captain Jack that I LOVE. Maybe it is loving the bad boy, who really is not a bad boy.

We are hoping to catch both Captain Jack and Captain Hook sometime in our trip…I thought about doing the pirate makeover for the boys but after they said they liked the full skull makeup there was no way I was letting them do this…I can’t have my scrapbook pictures ruined with that makeup….so we are planning the next best thing…the Pirate Tutorial:

Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial
There are pirates among us! And they're looking to recruit. None other than Captain Jack Sparrow's first mate, Mack, is searching out brave souls who dream of a pirate's life. Can you swing a sword, sail the seas, and spot a cursed treasure before you plunder it? Maybe Captain Sparrow will even let you take the Pirate Oath and join his crew.
Daily at 10:15 & 11:20am, 12:25, 2:15, 3:20 & 4:25pm
Length of sets: 20 minutes

Just for something to make you go....ahhhhh....

 

[momabaarjo]

I have to share my find yesterday....

I have been wondering what kind of shoes to wear to the parks...I really did not want to go the sandal route but I also did not want to wear tennis shoes the entire time. I LOVE CROCS...but I do not like the clog type and again I did not want to pull out my sandals. Yesterday, I stopped in at Big Lots to kill some lunchtime between meetings and I stumbled upon these CROCS in MY SIZE for $5!!!! I wish they were black, but navy works for most of the clothes I plan on wearing...if the weather allows!

 

[lovethattink]

I have to share my find yesterday....

I have been wondering what kind of shoes to wear to the parks...I really did not want to go the sandal route but I also did not want to wear tennis shoes the entire time. I LOVE CROCS...but I do not like the clog type and again I did not want to pull out my sandals. Yesterday, I stopped in at Big Lots to kill some lunchtime between meetings and I stumbled upon these CROCS in MY SIZE for $5!!!! I wish they were black, but navy works for most of the clothes I plan on wearing...if the weather allows!

What a bargain! I hope you find them comfortable in the parks.

I'm not a croc fan. My speery dockside flips are my park staples. I found them on sale a couple years ago and bought 4 pairs. I'm on the last pair now, and it doesn't look like they make the same flip anymore. They are great in the rain too.

 

[shocky5]

The advent calendar is AMAZING!!! And I love the activity ideas! You are, just as Ann said, an AWESOME mom!!!

I have a funny about our Elf, Stanley... This is our first year to have Stanley in our home... he freaks Nate out and I LOVE IT!

They avidly seek him every morning to see where he's gone... I'm hoping to get organized this weekend to set up some "stanley pranks" now that they are more used to him. But I put him in the boy's bathroom on his third day in our home... Nate refused to do anything in that bathroom for the entire day! "Mom - he is always looking at me!" "Why would he be looking at you, Nate?" "I don't know but it's freaking me out..."