A Very Disney Christmas! Nov/Dec 2010 PTR (Trip Drama & 2 Days! 11/24)

[Mickey_Mom]

Your trip looks wonderful : Seems most PTRs I'm following around the same time are going to Epcot on the 3rd.... I hope we get to say hi!

I'll have to look into a reservation at the Barbershop, I didn't realize you could do that. Ariana has never allowed anyone to cut her hair other than me before, but somehow I think she'd be more willing in the Magic Kingdom!

 

[ladybugmom]

Hey girl!! Glad to have you back! Now I am going to go back and read your updates. Hope life's been treating you well! Take care!

Katie

OK, now I'm back.

Nice updates! I am sure it was hard going to another church; I did that myself a few years ago and it was hard but the right decision. I love where I am now and the most important thing is that you're right with God, which you are. People will talk (as they always do) but that's not important. Glad to hear this is all working out!

The DOI pictures are just great! Looks like everyone had a fabulous time!

LOVE your renovation project - how fun!!! That will be so great when it's done; seems like one of those things that is a pain in the butt once it's being done, but the end project is so worth it.

And your ADR plans look wonderful!! You're almost there, girl!!

Have a great day!
Katie

Hi Katie!! It's great to be back!! I cannot believe that our trip is just a little over a month away!! Can't WAIT!!

Hey, Becky! It's great to see you back on the DIS, although I've sorta taken a hiatus myself. No particular reason, just that life seems to get in the way. I'm glad to hear that things have worked out so well for you and that you can get back to the business of building Disney excitement!

Oh, man! Thank you for letting me know about this! We arrive on the 3rd, and our only plans that day are to hang out at Downtown Disney. We have a 5PM reservation at TRex, so I hope to be able to either get there early enough to see him before our reservation, or get out in time to see him before he's done. It sounds like I'll miss you, though! We'll be two ships passing in DtD!

Are you going to bring something for him to sign? Or are you going to try to buy something there?

Hi Andrea!!! You are very welcome! I certainly hope we can work things out to get over there to meet Jim Shore! I think it would be awesome do buy one of his Disney Christmas pieces since we'll be on a Christmas trip, you know?! Oh--I hate that we will miss seeing ya'll--that stinks! Where will you be headed on the 4th?

Your trip looks wonderful : Seems most PTRs I'm following around the same time are going to Epcot on the 3rd.... I hope we get to say hi!

I'll have to look into a reservation at the Barbershop, I didn't realize you could do that. Ariana has never allowed anyone to cut her hair other than me before, but somehow I think she'd be more willing in the Magic Kingdom!

Thanks!! Oh really?! I'm wondering how busy it's going to be then!! Hopefully we'll be able to make it over! Yes!! The Barbershop just started taking reservations a few months ago!

 

[mom2mek]

Thanks Sara!! Umm--yeah, no--we are definitely done after 2! Claire has certainly given me a run for my money! If she had been first we would have only had ONE child!!

She is VERY independent minded for sure! Ugh!

Too funny! I say that about Katie ALL the time! God knew what he was doing for sure giving her to me last! Michael and Emily were very easy-going and not adventurous at all....Katie gave me more gray hairs than I care to count - she was like a little monkey with how she climbed on EVERYTHING, and I kept saying babies/toddlers like her are why there is so much baby-proofing equipment out there. A couple of socket covers and a gate for the stairs was all I needed for the other two....Katie made me want to bubble wrap the entire house!

Sara

 

[ladybugmom]

Too funny! I say that about Katie ALL the time! God knew what he was doing for sure giving her to me last! Michael and Emily were very easy-going and not adventurous at all....Katie gave me more gray hairs than I care to count - she was like a little monkey with how she climbed on EVERYTHING, and I kept saying babies/toddlers like her are why there is so much baby-proofing equipment out there. A couple of socket covers and a gate for the stairs was all I needed for the other two....Katie made me want to bubble wrap the entire house!

Sara

Girl--I feel ya! On the day of their birthday party Claire decided to stick a small screw in an outlet--Where did she find it? What possesed her to do that? Who knows! When she was younger she used to dive headfirst off of the couch! Now she tries to jump from everything--the stairs, the curb, her chair, etc! She nearly gives me a heart attack! She's my little dare devil for sure!

 

[aharbin88]

We are scheduled for DHS on the 4th. I REALLY wanted to be in the Magic Kingdom that day, but the parade taping crowds intimidated me. We actually have a Crystal Palace reservation that morning that I was supposed to cancel but can't seem to bring myself to do it. I may hang on to it, and see if we decide to brave the crowds. I think the parade taping people are supposed to be there at 7AM, so Main Street might already be packed for our 8:05 breakfast ressie. Who knows. If we decide to keep it, I'll let you know. I may send my cell number to you on FB so we can meet up, if DtD or MK work out.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Umm--yeah, no--we are definitely done after 2! Claire has certainly given me a run for my money! If she had been first we would have only had ONE child!!

It's so funny that you say this, because I say the same thing all the time! Justin was such a good baby/toddler and caused me very little worry. Jared on the other hand was a handful to say the least - he was fearless and ornery and had a bit of a rotten streak. I think God knows that if He wants us to have more than one child then He has to save the challenging kids for later!


Your plans look great! You are going to love the Candlelight Processional

And I'm really jealous that you may get a chance to meet Jim Shore, I love his stuff!

 

[ladybugmom]

We are scheduled for DHS on the 4th. I REALLY wanted to be in the Magic Kingdom that day, but the parade taping crowds intimidated me. We actually have a Crystal Palace reservation that morning that I was supposed to cancel but can't seem to bring myself to do it. I may hang on to it, and see if we decide to brave the crowds. I think the parade taping people are supposed to be there at 7AM, so Main Street might already be packed for our 8:05 breakfast ressie. Who knows. If we decide to keep it, I'll let you know. I may send my cell number to you on FB so we can meet up, if DtD or MK work out.

I know what you mean! I'm a little nervous about the crowds but we always spend our last half-day in MK! Plus I wanted to be able to get Claire her 1st haircut and since she'll be doing the BBB earlier in the week, this was the only day left that it could be done. I'm hoping to get the haircut and then get away from Main Street--I've heard the other parts of the park aren't too bad. Yes, please let me know!! I've love to be able to meet you even if it for a short time!!

It's so funny that you say this, because I say the same thing all the time! Justin was such a good baby/toddler and caused me very little worry. Jared on the other hand was a handful to say the least - he was fearless and ornery and had a bit of a rotten streak. I think God knows that if He wants us to have more than one child then He has to save the challenging kids for later!


Your plans look great! You are going to love the Candlelight Processional

And I'm really jealous that you may get a chance to meet Jim Shore, I love his stuff!

Ha ha!! Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has experienced the crazy 2nd child! I told Brent that I thought it was God's way of keeping me humble!!

The Candlelight Processional is one of the things that I look forward to the most! To hear the true story of Christmas--Jesus' birth--the entire reason we celebrate this time of year--I can only imagine that it will be amazing!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

So glad to have you back on the DIS Becky! I'm happy that everything worked out with going to a new church...I know how hard that can be. The new playroom looks great! I'm sure your girls can't wait for it to be finished.

 

[ladybugmom]

So glad to have you back on the DIS Becky! I'm happy that everything worked out with going to a new church...I know how hard that can be. The new playroom looks great! I'm sure your girls can't wait for it to be finished.

Hi Meghan!! It's sooo good to be back!! Thanks!! I can't wait for it to be done--staying home everyday for the workers is getting old pretty fast--but it will be sooo worth it!!

 

[meggymouse]

Thanks for the info on Jim Shore. I just recently purchased a few pieces of his and it would be so neat to have one signed. I'm local so if I'm not doing anything that day I may try to go over there. You could probably make it in time if you got there early!

 

[ladybugmom]

Thanks for the info on Jim Shore. I just recently purchased a few pieces of his and it would be so neat to have one signed. I'm local so if I'm not doing anything that day I may try to go over there. You could probably make it in time if you got there early!

No problem!! How nice to live in the area!! Brent and I dream of living down there someday!!

 

[aharbin88]

I know what you mean! I'm a little nervous about the crowds but we always spend our last half-day in MK! Plus I wanted to be able to get Claire her 1st haircut and since she'll be doing the BBB earlier in the week, this was the only day left that it could be done. I'm hoping to get the haircut and then get away from Main Street--I've heard the other parts of the park aren't too bad. Yes, please let me know!! I've love to be able to meet you even if it for a short time!!

Sounds good! The reason I made the Crystal Palace reservation was because I always want our first impression of Disney World to be Magic Kingdom. I hate that it wouldn't be if we went to Hollywood Studios on our first day, so I was thinking we could do CP first thing, and then head on to DHS afterward. I didn't realize the parade guests had to be there so early. Once I figured that out, I decided we would skip the MK first day ritual. It breaks my heart, though. I am going to leave the reservation as is for a while, just in case I get extra brave.

Ha ha!! Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has experienced the crazy 2nd child! I told Brent that I thought it was God's way of keeping me humble!!

LOL! Our situation is the other way around! We had our tough baby the first time around, and got the easy baby the second time. However, the tides seem to be changing, since Ella Kate is turning into quite the daredevil!

Candlelight Processional is one of the things that I look forward to the most! To hear the true story of Christmas--Jesus' birth--the entire reason we celebrate this time of year--I can only imagine that it will be amazing!!

I want to do the Candlelight Processional so badly, but I'm just not confident my girls could sit through it yet. If they did, I'm sure that the people around us would not be able to thoroughly enjoy themselves with my girls there. I could be wrong, but I'm sure my little chatterboxes would make enjoying the show difficult! I've heard that you can still see/hear some of it without being in the venue, so I'm hoping to at least catch a piece of it on our EPCOT nights. Maybe the next time we're able to do a Christmas trip we'll be able to actually get a seat inside and see it in all it's glory!

 

[BippityBoo]

All of your plans look awesome! Especially great that you got such an amazing deal on your flights. I am so excited you get to meet Jim Shore! Can't wait to see pics!

 

[mousescrapper]

good for Claire
won"t you love not packing diapers I know I will Naomi has been diaper free for awhile but this is the first major family trip since!

your week looks great and some wonderful dining and park plans!

that Disney basket looked amazing

 

[ladybugmom]

Sounds good! The reason I made the Crystal Palace reservation was because I always want our first impression of Disney World to be Magic Kingdom. I hate that it wouldn't be if we went to Hollywood Studios on our first day, so I was thinking we could do CP first thing, and then head on to DHS afterward. I didn't realize the parade guests had to be there so early. Once I figured that out, I decided we would skip the MK first day ritual. It breaks my heart, though. I am going to leave the reservation as is for a while, just in case I get extra brave.

LOL! Our situation is the other way around! We had our tough baby the first time around, and got the easy baby the second time. However, the tides seem to be changing, since Ella Kate is turning into quite the daredevil!

I want to do the Candlelight Processional so badly, but I'm just not confident my girls could sit through it yet. If they did, I'm sure that the people around us would not be able to thoroughly enjoy themselves with my girls there. I could be wrong, but I'm sure my little chatterboxes would make enjoying the show difficult! I've heard that you can still see/hear some of it without being in the venue, so I'm hoping to at least catch a piece of it on our EPCOT nights. Maybe the next time we're able to do a Christmas trip we'll be able to actually get a seat inside and see it in all it's glory!

Oh wow!! So ya'll were brave to have another one, huh?! Ally and Claire are night and day different. But they are both very hard-headed. But Brent and I are the same way so I guess they didn't have any hope--4 hard-headed people living under one roof can make for interesting times!!

All of your plans look awesome! Especially great that you got such an amazing deal on your flights. I am so excited you get to meet Jim Shore! Can't wait to see pics!

Thanks Katie!! I am really hoping that we can work it out to meet Jim Shore!

good for Claire
won"t you love not packing diapers I know I will Naomi has been diaper free for awhile but this is the first major family trip since!

your week looks great and some wonderful dining and park plans!

that Disney basket looked amazing

YES!! I told Brent that we were going to have sooo much room in the suitcase since we didn't have to pack diapers!! YAY!!

 

[mom2mek]

Plans look great, Becky! Seeing the Candlelight Processional is so moving. We saw the first one in 2007 (day after Thanksgiving, first show of the evening, so first show of the "season") and it was gorgeous! I went back the following year with 2 girlfriends and we listened to it from outside the theater since we didn't have a reservation. I can't wait until we are able to hear it again! I do have the CD (with Phylicia Rashad) and it moves me to tears too!

That's so cute that you are getting Claire's first haircut in the MK! What a memory!

Sara

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

Hi Becky!! I have missed you! I haven't been on the Dis much lately either, but have been following you on FB. It's so good to see you doing updates again!

I haven't finished all of your recent updates yet, but I wanted to comment before I forgot everything.

First, what kind of camera do you have? Your Disney on Ice pictures are incredible! We are looking for a new camera before our trip and we never seem to be able to find one that takes good pictures in a low light setting.

I'm sorry to hear about your need to change churches, but as others have said, God knows what is best and will reward you for listening. We went through a church switch about 2 years ago, so I know what you are feeling! It was difficult to explain to others, but we love our new church and now that we have been there for a while, we kind of kick ourselves for not doing it sooner than we did. God is so faithful!

I LOVE the Disney basket that you made. Where did you get the Disney font to type up the label on the front? I love that font and I want to have it on my computer!!

Ok, off to keep reading more of your updates.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

Ok, finished with your last update. Yay!!!! We are going to have dinner at WCC at the same time as you. I am so excited! We are basically doing the same thing that day...avoiding the crowds at the parks and just hopping around the hotels to look at the lights. We wanted to end at the WL because we know it is going to be GORGEOUS.

We have a couple of other days that overlap at the parks too. I have started a PTR, and I was going to post our itenerary & ADR's today.

Can you believe that our trips are so close?

 

[ladybugmom]

Plans look great, Becky! Seeing the Candlelight Processional is so moving. We saw the first one in 2007 (day after Thanksgiving, first show of the evening, so first show of the "season") and it was gorgeous! I went back the following year with 2 girlfriends and we listened to it from outside the theater since we didn't have a reservation. I can't wait until we are able to hear it again! I do have the CD (with Phylicia Rashad) and it moves me to tears too!

That's so cute that you are getting Claire's first haircut in the MK! What a memory!

Sara

Thanks Sara! I cannot WAIT to see the CP!! Oooh--do they sell the CP cd in the parks?! I would love get one! And I bet Phylicia Rashad is an AMAZING narrator!!

Hi Becky!! I have missed you! I haven't been on the Dis much lately either, but have been following you on FB. It's so good to see you doing updates again!

I haven't finished all of your recent updates yet, but I wanted to comment before I forgot everything.

First, what kind of camera do you have? Your Disney on Ice pictures are incredible! We are looking for a new camera before our trip and we never seem to be able to find one that takes good pictures in a low light setting.

I'm sorry to hear about your need to change churches, but as others have said, God knows what is best and will reward you for listening. We went through a church switch about 2 years ago, so I know what you are feeling! It was difficult to explain to others, but we love our new church and now that we have been there for a while, we kind of kick ourselves for not doing it sooner than we did. God is so faithful!

I LOVE the Disney basket that you made. Where did you get the Disney font to type up the label on the front? I love that font and I want to have it on my computer!!

Ok, off to keep reading more of your updates.

Hi Alison!! I've missed you, too!! I have a Canon Rebel XT EOS that I LOVE!!! The DOI pics are not mine--my friend took them with her point and shoot camera. They don't allow cameras with detachable lens at the Fed Ex Forum, unfortunately.

Wow! Brent and I said the SAME thing to each other about wishing we had made the move sooner! It was really upsetting to me but we wanted to made sure that we weren't making a rash decision--that we were doing what God wanted us to do. I had to remind myself that God's timing is perfect!

Thank you!! I actually downloaded the Disney font for FREE at http://www.dafont.com/walt-disney.font.

Ok, finished with your last update. Yay!!!! We are going to have dinner at WCC at the same time as you. I am so excited! We are basically doing the same thing that day...avoiding the crowds at the parks and just hopping around the hotels to look at the lights. We wanted to end at the WL because we know it is going to be GORGEOUS.

We have a couple of other days that overlap at the parks too. I have started a PTR, and I was going to post our itenerary & ADR's today.

Can you believe that our trips are so close?

YAY!! I'm so glad that we'll be at WCC at the same time!! I'm so excited about finally meeting you and your sweet family!! I will check out your PTR for sure and see which days we're at the same parks!! I cannot believe that in just over a month we'll be in WDW!!!

 

[ladybugmom]

So I've been working on outfits for the girls for this trip (more on that in a future post). I was curious as to what to pack since I have never been during this time of year. One of my friends sent me this message with great tips and info on what to pack! I thought I'd share it here:

"I'll have to say that the weather was mostly awesome, but packing for that time of the year was more difficult. I basically had to take everything from shorts, capris, and t-shirts to long pants, long sleeve shirts, jackets, and gloves.

My husband and I wore jeans and t-shirts every day and we were never too hot. I brought a fleece jacket that I wore in the mornings (it was pretty chilly early in the morning when we left our room) and at night. Usually, during the day it was sunny and warm enough to take off the jacket. My jacket was warm enough on most nights, but there were a few nights that it was freezing cold!

On the really cold nights, I wore gloves and if I would have had a heavier coat with me I would have worn it. I would definitely recommend you bring a sweatshirt or sweater plus a light jacket that you could layer on colder nights. Even this year, I doubt I'll bring my heavy winter coat due to space constrictions with flying. But I definitely want some layers to help keep me warm in case it gets down really cold again.

My kids mostly wore shorts/capris, t-shirts, and crocs during the day (with a light jacket for mornings). But for the evening they usually wore long pants or jeans and long sleeve shirts. They also wore socks and closed shoes most nights. They only had their light jackets and gloves for evenings, and they were cold some of the time. We bought a blanket and covered them in the stroller. Plus my husband took off his jacket one night and gave it to the girls because it was so cold.

It may not get that cold this year, but I'm going to be better prepared with more long sleeves for layering and scarves for me and the girls! And it wasn't like that every night either. Mostly the weather was awesome! I loved walking around during the day in jeans and not sweating at all! That was so nice."