A No Snooze Bar Christmas, Harry & Mickey are Waiting..it is done

[swwake]

I am here! Yay!!

 

[petals]

Love the DC pic!

 

[momabaarjo]

Reveal Part 1​

For those who did not follow my PTR (and who could blame you...11 months of planning) our reveal was done in 3 separate parts, in order to throw off Ab and Boo so that they would not figure out the gift ahead of time and blow it for Goo. The first part of my reveal began on December 1st with the appearance of our Elf on a Shelf, Kirby. Kirby brought with him an Advent Calendar to countdown the days until Christmas. I had been working on this part since last Feburary and continued to tweek it until it became what a reality.

Link to Post from PTR: Reveal Part 1​

Reflections:The kids really never made the connection between the count down to going to WDW at Christmas, or at least they did not appear to make the connection. I guess mainly because anytime WDW was brought up we always talked like it was happening in July and not at Christmas. I have told so many white lies this last year that I may need to schedule a daily confession for the next year with our priest. Also, after reading Kirby’s letter on the first day Ab and Boo were convinced that we were going skiing for Christmas…the word LIFT really threw them off and they could not see past that word. Then again, the cousins in Colorado helped out too…with constant texts about ready to visit and go skiing…yes, we are going skiing with the cousins but not until February so none of us are not lying…technically, right?!

 

[momabaarjo]

Surprise Reveal Derailed 2 Days Ahead of Schedule, Seriously?!​

I have worked so hard over the last year to keep this trip a secret, and believe me there have been A LOT of close calls. The week prior I cried along with my DISfriend Amy when her Christmas surprise was derailed with less than a day to go…My MIL has not been happy that we were leaving Christmas and would not be spending midmorning until Christmas night with her and FIL (but it is okay that BIL has 4 weeks of vacation, but does not come and see his parents at Christmas…a whole different story)…and I think secretly she has been plotting since she found out to somehow ruin the surprise, yes she is like that…she always has to be the center of attention with the kids.

Link to my MAJOR FREAK OUT​

Somehow I got off the phone and called Jeff in a panic, telling or should I say DEMANDING that he calls his mom and gets this straightened out that NO PRESENTS TONIGHT. Okay, maybe I am being a tad bit tacky (not the word I would use) with MIL, but seriously what are you thinking? Ab questions me why nanny wants to do presents tonight and not on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day...thinking fast on my feet I tell her that nanny thought we were leaving for Colorado early this year…daddy forgot to tell her that he had to work on Monday so we can’t leave early so Christmas will just be normal. Jeff gets things straightened out with MIL (who is not very happy), after getting mad at me for never keeping him in the loop on this trip…HUH? You never want to listen or help in the plans…so we settled in that night and watched Flipper and Zeus & Roxanne along with our pizza, just the 5 of us…no presents and NO MIL. But all during the movie I kept thinking in my head, how can we do Christmas early tomorrow night to satisfy MIL and not tip the kids off that this Christmas would be any different.

 

[momabaarjo]

Christmas Eve Morning/Breakfast & A Movie: Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas​

The kids have been so used to having a dinner and a movie night each week for almost the past year that I thought it would be fun to do a Breakfast and a Movie on Christmas Eve Morning (since I knew in the back of my mind that we would not have a Christmas Morning Breakfast. So while the kids did the normal Kirby and Advent Treasure Hunt I got busy in the kitchen. I had borrowed a friends Mickey waffle maker back in November (she told me to keep it until after our trip in case I needed it anymore) and I made chocolate chip waffles with sliced fresh strawberries and whip cream, along with some bacon and fried eggs for the boys.

I then brought out the movie and asked the kids if they wanted to do a movie breakfast, they were so excited. We settled in with our breakfast and watched Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas…me smiling like the Cheshire cat knowing that tomorrow it would become a Once Upon a Christmas with Harry and Mickey. I had thought about revealing after the movie to prevent all the chaos that I knew was going to happen in the next 24 hours, but Jeff talked me out of it...


After breakfast I got Jeff to take the kids away from the house so I could finish packing and doing some last minute trip stuff. After finishing packing and hiding the luggage back into my closet, I called MIL to figure out how to do Christmas Eve. She assured me that they would just pretend that she was letting them open one present at their house on Christmas Eve and after mass, once the kids are in bed FIL would drop the other presents off for us on Christmas morning (stuff for to put in their travel bags and money to spend).

 

[JessicaKnits]

Wow, what a great start. It is so exciting that you were able to keep it a secret from your kids the entire time. I would NEVER be able to do that! But I'm sure when you saw the look on their faces it was all worth it. I can't wait to read more!

 

[momabaarjo]

Christmas Eve Night​

After seeming to be gone forever (yes, I should know better and just enjoy the peace while I have it) Jeff finally returns with the kids. The went and saw Tin-Tin...we usually go see a movie Christmas Eve afternoon as a family, our little tradition that we have done every year since the kids were little...I told them I was not feeling well and just really wanted to sleep. They were disappointed, but we were able to pass it off to them without much selling.

We get dressed for mass and head to MILs (mind you they leave a block away…but we do not see them a lot since we have 3 kids on 3 different schedules). We get to the inlaws and MIL who decorates HUGE for Christmas does not have anything up but her Nativity. WHAT THE HECK? The kids did not say anything about no Christmas tree, but I am sure their heads are full of questions…think, think, think…we will just tell them that Grandad did not have the strength (this fall he had some health issues lately) to drag the tree out this year…another lie I am going to have to confess to our priest! The kids each open a present. Phew, it seems like the near miss is with a forced early revel has been diverted and I can enjoy the evening. We then together head off to Christmas Eve Mass where Ab and Boo play for mass…(okay a mommie moment, you have to listen to them play…Ab has been playing the violin for 7 years and Boo the guitar of a year…this is the first time they played together).

YOUTUBE LINK TO VIDEO of their DUET​

The video is a little dark, but you can still hear them playing!​

We get home around 11 pm…Jesus gets put in the nativity, we sing Happy Birthday, Santa gets his oreos and milk (we did not bake this year), I get the kids off to bed and Jeff sneaks down to his parents and gets the presents from them and we are into bed because I know how early Santa is coming! As soon as my head hit the pillow I was out, until...

I wake with a startle about 3:30 am realizing that I am not ready for reveal stage 2 and what if the boys had gotten up in the middle of the night?!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

I can't wait to see their reactions to the reveal.
How did you do it? I couldn't keep a secret like that for 11 days let alone 11 months.

 

[ZFamily5]

Keep going!

I can't wait to see their reaction to the big moment!

 

[shocky5]

Awww I did not know your MIL caused that turmoil for you! I'm so sorry I missed that!! I'm glad she came to an agreement with you and was good to just let you all put the kids gifts (minus one) in their travel bags. But oh the stress... Don't you just love how in-laws can bring immediate tension and anxiety into your typically happy relationship with your spouse?

I am loving reading your report! It's surreal to think that your trip was building up to start as ours was winding down... the nice part of that is I felt like I was a part of Disney from the time Ann and Heather left, while my family was there alongside Ashley's and Susan's, and didn't stop until you notified us that you'd arrived home safely! The past 5 weeks have been a total blur because of that!

I just have to say again I absolutely love the picture of your family at Discovery Cove. Can't wait to hear how that adventure went!

Happy Monday! Hope you have a great week! Nolan started mine off with a barf-o-rama last night, all night, and through today. My washing machine hasn't stopped since and our house smells like a hospital... SO don't have time for all of us to go down!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

I read it in the PTR.. but I still just can't believe she was trying to ruin a year long surprise like that!!!

Love the waffles and movie on christmas eve morning!

Can't believe you and all your planning glory had forgotten to set up for stage 2!!!

 

[swwake]

Tammie - I love your penchant for story telling! Your MIL sounds a bit like my Mom - it's all about her and attention on her.

I love your Christmas eve traditions.

Can't wait to hear what happens at 3:30am!

 

[petals]

Great vid of the kids playing silent night.

Also can't wait to see reveal.

 

[momabaarjo]

Great intro! Awesome Discovery Cove picture!

Thanks...it was a good picture...but wait until you hear about the build up to that picture!

What a great intro! I love the family pic and cant wait to hear more about your trip.

Thanks...oh you will hear probably more than you want to hear or read!

Yeah! I love the family picture! You have a beautiful family!

Thanks...sometimes I think they are pretty great too, not so much at the moment!

I have to snicker at the similarities in our children... specifically our #3's! Constantly on the go and pestering the older siblings... It has to have something to do with the fact that they were not 'planned' and knowing what a planner you and I both are, I can imagine your shock just as my own when discovering I was pregnant with #3.

Yes Goo was VERY UNPLANNED...long story short I was having feritility issues before he was born and had not ovulated in over 2 years. GYN decides that we can go ahead and do the hystrorectmy (spelling is not my strong point) that fall but since 3 other people on my campus are doing the same thing I get him to hold off until spring...that October God had other plans and I became preg with Goo. I was in shock and denial...but I think the doctor was in more shock when I told him to run the test! There went the Alaska Cruise I was saving for that summer for our 10th anniversary...people at school thought I was dying...I was so sick with him, never sick at all with the other 2. Imagine their when I told them the situation.

Hope you are having a great weekend! Stay warm!!

Hi Tammie! He is doing great! Oh yes he certainly was. My living room looks like toys r us exploded in it. There are definitely pictures to see on my PTR. Only 3 weeks for us till our trip!

The fun...I am getting so excited to here about Alex's first trip!

Great intro of your family! Your Ab sounds just like my oldest niece. She's an over achiever too and such a great young lady. Can't wait to read the first trip update. No pressure of course

She is a special girl...but sometimes I feel like I just want to disown her!

Your teen sounds a whole lot like mine, cant wait to read all about yout trip!

Glad to know there are others in the same boat with their dd as I am with mine.

I am here! Yay!!

I knew you would get here sooner or later...with all the traveling you have been doing my head is spinning. I loved your Breckenridge photos...my mom has a condo there! Although I hear the snow is not that great this year...hope there was enough for you guys to have fun.

Love the DC pic!

Thanks...I loved yours too!

Wow, what a great start. It is so exciting that you were able to keep it a secret from your kids the entire time. I would NEVER be able to do that! But I'm sure when you saw the look on their faces it was all worth it. I can't wait to read more!

I hope I don't disappoint, the secret was hard but it was fun!

I can't wait to see their reactions to the reveal.
How did you do it? I couldn't keep a secret like that for 11 days let alone 11 months.

Lucky for me I found some great DIS friends to blab to all the time.

Keep going!

Tryings...not doing so good getting the TR off and going!

I can't wait to see their reaction to the big moment!

Awww I did not know your MIL caused that turmoil for you! I'm so sorry I missed that!! I'm glad she came to an agreement with you and was good to just let you all put the kids gifts (minus one) in their travel bags. But oh the stress... Don't you just love how in-laws can bring immediate tension and anxiety into your typically happy relationship with your spouse?

Mine certainly does...I am trying to figure out how I can save $$$ to take a trip every year someplace at Christmas and avoid both sides of the family!

I am loving reading your report! It's surreal to think that your trip was building up to start as ours was winding down... the nice part of that is I felt like I was a part of Disney from the time Ann and Heather left, while my family was there alongside Ashley's and Susan's, and didn't stop until you notified us that you'd arrived home safely! The past 5 weeks have been a total blur because of that!

Me too...it was like Disney for 6 weeks!

I just have to say again I absolutely love the picture of your family at Discovery Cove. Can't wait to hear how that adventure went!

Happy Monday! Hope you have a great week! Nolan started mine off with a barf-o-rama last night, all night, and through today. My washing machine hasn't stopped since and our house smells like a hospital... SO don't have time for all of us to go down!

Hope Nolan is doing better...I hate the o-rama...keep reading!

I read it in the PTR.. but I still just can't believe she was trying to ruin a year long surprise like that!!!

She was, trust me...

Love the waffles and movie on christmas eve morning!

Chocolate chip waffles with whip cream and strawberries!

Can't believe you and all your planning glory had forgotten to set up for stage 2!!!

Yep...I think I was just too tired to think!

Tammie - I love your penchant for story telling! Your MIL sounds a bit like my Mom - it's all about her and attention on her.

I love your Christmas eve traditions.

Can't wait to hear what happens at 3:30am!

Hopefully you will not have to wait...I am trying to figure out clipping videos, putting them together, and then youtube...not so much fun!

 

[FosterA]

Tammie,
I am literally on the edge of my seat waiting to hear all about your trip! You guys did so much and we're gone for so long that I can't wait to hear all the details. Plus, it's very interesting to hear about how other's teen girls acted.
I hope you have lots of photos to share too!

 

[Sara1Babe]

I'm in. I read most of the PTR but I'm not sure I ever said "hi" I can't wait to hear the ups and downs in your TR

 

[veggiemama]

Keep going!! I want to read more. I never had a chance to read about this on your PTR so I'm dying to know what happens next!

 

[momabaarjo]

Tammie,
I am literally on the edge of my seat waiting to hear all about your trip! You guys did so much and we're gone for so long that I can't wait to hear all the details. Plus, it's very interesting to hear about how other's teen girls acted.
I hope you have lots of photos to share too!

Trust me I took lots of pictures...trying to get my photo pass share edited and then the pictures will begin. I can't wait to share some shocking observations of my dd with you...but I will let you know that I saw her smile more in a couple weeks than the entire last year while we were on our trip, that made it well worth everything!

I'm in. I read most of the PTR but I'm not sure I ever said "hi" I can't wait to hear the ups and downs in your TR

Glad to have you here...

Keep going!! I want to read more. I never had a chance to read about this on your PTR so I'm dying to know what happens next!

Such expectations to live up to, especially when I am thinking my trip was pretty normal and not so eventful!

 

[sl_underwood]

Cant wait for the reveal! So exciting!

 

[momabaarjo]

Reveal Phase 2: Part 1​

I literally set up in bed in a panic about needing to get things ready and done, I had been having nightmares for the last month about missing our flight because we had gotten up late. Of course Jeff is sleeping soundly next to me, not a care to the world. I quickly rush out of bed drag the HUGE Reveal box out from its hiding place in our room and place it beside the tree. I turn on the tree and stop to admire the beauty and the quietness of the moment.

I always like this time on Christmas morning, the kids are not up and the presents under the twinkling tree. Next, I quickly polish off the oreos left on Santa's plate and dump the milk down the sink...yuck warm milk that has been sitting out all night and place Kirby's goodbye letter on the plate. The travel bags (err stockings) are pulled from their hiding place along with Santa's gift and set in front of the tv.

Looking at the clock it is now close to 4:00 am, there is no way I will able to settle down and I go ahead and hop in the shower and get ready for the day. By the time (around 5:30 am) I am done getting around, I think that Jeff will finally be up, but is he? No, of course not...why should he I have everything packed, planned and under control all he has to do is go along for the ride. I have to get the kids up in about 15 minutes if we plan to get phase 2 down and out the door by 7:15 am...so I do my best stomping into the bedroom act and ask if him he plans on going with us today because I am getting the kids up in 15 minutes and I know how long it takes him in the shower. He gets up not very happy with me and mutters Merry Christmas and gets in the shower. I go back to the living room and pull out the Trans-Siberian Orchestra DVD (something we do every Christmas morning...open presents to the sounds of TSO) and push play...and head to get the boy up and they happily head into the living room to see what Santa has left in the stockings...Now the worst part, getting Ab out of bed in somewhat a decent mood as not to ruin the morning. Can it be done? I quietly come into her room and gently lay down beside her and start quietly begging her to get up and see what Santa has brought since her brothers are up and I really want to do Santa as a family. She rolls over and gives me the look (those of you with teenage daughters know the look and it can be seen even in a darkened room) and the huff, and again I am resorting to begging and bribing...if you get up now you can go back to bed until midmorning and get up for family presents and breakfast. Another huff and demand of a promise to let her go back to bed... I smile to myself as I say "Yes you can go back to bed if you want...". Before I leave her room I ask that she tries to be nice for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, I hear Jeff get out of the shower and the boys squealing with delight as they are finding all the fun stuff in their stockings. I glance at the clock 5:55, 5 minutes ahead of schedule. I meet the boys back in the living room and have fun watching them unload the travel bags when Ab joins us 5 minutes later. About the time that the kids finish with their stockings Jeff appears and we are ready to do Santa's gift, and even Ab is sporting a smile. But will anyone notice the HUGE, LONE present near the tree?

Stockings
A few months back Goo and I were in Walgreens and I found the perfect sized little duffle bags for carry on bags, told Goo that they would make great travel bags for the car (which they will, but not this trip). I thought originally that I would have them in the reveal box as a gift and have the kids put all their stocking stuff into them right before we left, but Goo gave me a better idea a few weeks ago…that kid has a memory…he asked me what happened to those bags we had bought together that they would make great stockings. I told him good thinking, let me ask Kirby if Santa likes this idea…guess Santa agreed because Santa left the stocking stuff in the bags with his gift. The stockings were filled with things that the kids could use to pass the time away on the plane, as well as snacks and little things they could use during our trip.

Santa’s Gift
Santa left the Ab & Boo cash this year and Goo furbished I-pod. Santa brings 1 gift to our house each year, something the kids REALLY WANT. With the two oldest being non-believers now I figured that they would not question cash…of course I attached a note saying that he just did not know what to get them this year and he hoped this would help them get just the right gift! Goo has been wanting his own I-pod to listen to music on…I figured that I could give a 6 year old an I-pod that cost me $30 and not stress out when either he breaks it or it gets lost (he also got some cash but it was from mom and dad).