**A YEAR in the Making of a Disney Trip-Sept. 2011**9/28 TR Link Added!**

[Queenofallthings]

Both Jasmine and I are on our way there now to vote for your memory!! Keeping our fingers crossed for you my friend

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Both Jasmine and I are on our way there now to vote for your memory!! Keeping our fingers crossed for you my friend

THANK YOU, Queen and Jasmine!!

 

[inkedupmomma]

VOTED! It was the best out of the three and the only one that showed anything remotely Disney related! The other two were very sweet, but that could have been taken anywhere! LOVE your photo!

GOOD LUCK!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Voted!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

VOTED! It was the best out of the three and the only one that showed anything remotely Disney related! The other two were very sweet, but that could have been taken anywhere! LOVE your photo!

GOOD LUCK!

Voted!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!!

Awesome, guys!! Thank you so much!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Done! I liked and I liked - I hope you win!

D4D

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Done! I liked and I liked - I hope you win!

D4D

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

CELEBRATE WITH US!! We have lots of reasons to dance and scream and smile!

First of all, we WON the contest that I asked you to help with! We're getting a fabulous $50 Disney Gift Card, a Magic Kingdom WDW Messenger Bag, a 40th anniversary pin, a notepad...I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Anyway, we are so happy and so thankful for your help! Part of the prize was having our Disney Memory and pictures (lots more than were shown for the voting part of the contest) on the website Your Highway in the Sky. If you weren't around last week, or even if you were and wanted to see more pictures of that special moment, head over and read about it .

Secondly, and this may not seem all that happy, but it IS...
I don't think I've mentioned it here, except in comments to the beloved Stringbean&Wingnut, but Brynn has always had digestive issues. Always. Since birth, her tummy has not been quite right, and it's taken three years of ruling things out to figure out at least part of what's going on. We finally figured it out, at least partially! The kid's system cannot and never has been able to handle dairy. Not lactose. Not casein (milk protein). Not whey. Not any derivative of milk AT ALL. In all likelihood, it's also related to another issue, like Crohn's or other inflammatory bowel disease, but our GI doc needs to do an endoscopy/biopsy before determining that, and we've been given strict instructions not to even think about it until after our Disney trip.
Now, you're probably thinking, "What's good about any of that!?!" Well, for the first time ever, we're getting a handle on making her feel better! She's not sick or doubled over in pain constantly. She's not breaking out in rashes randomly. And she seems more joyful and at ease. It's not perfect yet, but it is such a drastic improvement!
We have, of course, eliminated the big dairy products out of her diet, and we are even having to read labels and cut out anything that has any milk proteins or derivatives as an ingredient. Of course, I was concerned about our upcoming trip--Will she ingest something she's not supposed to have? Will we spend our trip with her getting sick (one slip-up and she's out of commission for at least two days)? WHAT ABOUT HER ICE CREAM!?!!
Stringbean of Stringbean&Wingnut fame was kind enough to provide me with lots of yummy options for Brynn to eat, not being allowed dairy herself. Then I called Disney, apologizing for not knowing all this info when I made our ADRs, and they added a note to all our sit-down meals and assured me that a chef would meet with us at each one. And just to be safe, I emailed Special Diets at WDW. Within an hour, they had emailed me a six page document detailing things she can and cannot have at counter service places and street vendors. They advised me to find a manager and the "black book" of ingredients at the CS locations to check for other foods she might be able to eat. Best of all? ICE CREAM! Toffutti and Rice Dream are at several locations in the parks! I was concerned she'd feel left out, and now I'm not nearly as worried! Thanks, Disney!
So, YES. CELEBRATE!!

Need another reason to celebrate?
We're leaving for WDW in 30 days! And that's just magical.

I've got several updates coming up in the next couple of days. Stay tuned.

*************************************************************
PIXIE DUST ALERT!! I posted this, and then the doorbell rang. On my front step was a package from Disney. I opened it to find....A $100 GIFT CARD! I didn't order one, and my husband didn't order one (it was in both of our names), so I immediately called Disney to see if it was real and why it came to us (you know, just in case it was a mistake and I needed to do the right thing). They said someone just wanted to send a little magic our way! I am still in shock! What pixie dust! Since I don't know a particular friend to thank, I'm just thanking EVERYONE for being my friend!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

First, CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING!!!!! I saw Facebook this morning and was SO excited for you!!!

Secondly, I'm thrilled to hear that Brynn has been feeling a bit better! I'm glad that I was able to help, too! I'm absolutely positive that you will have a wonderful and dairy-free time!!

 

[jp'smommy]

Yay!! Congrats on winning the contest! That was a wonderful story. I hope you DD never forgets it!
That is great that they have been able to figure out mostly what is wrong with DD. Listen to them and do not think about that until after your trip!
Don't you just love that there is only 30 days until we are in the most magical place on earth!!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

First, CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING!!!!! I saw Facebook this morning and was SO excited for you!!!

Secondly, I'm thrilled to hear that Brynn has been feeling a bit better! I'm glad that I was able to help, too! I'm absolutely positive that you will have a wonderful and dairy-free time!!

Thank you...for everything!! Did you see what I edited the post to say? After I won that, a fairy godmother (or father??) sent me a $100 gift card in the mail. My kids are going to get to do so much more than I thought we'd be able to afford! (Inexpensive things add up at the World!)

Yay!! Congrats on winning the contest! That was a wonderful story. I hope you DD never forgets it!
That is great that they have been able to figure out mostly what is wrong with DD. Listen to them and do not think about that until after your trip!
Don't you just love that there is only 30 days until we are in the most magical place on earth!!

Thanks! I know she'll never forget it! It's been two years and she still talks about it all the time. Such a special time, and definitely one of my favorite Disney memories. It'll be hard to top that one, but we'll surely try!
Yes, I'm so happy we're finally nailing down what's going on with Brynn. She's like a different child now! Hopefully she'll be able to put on some weight soon.
I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW CLOSE OUR TRIPS ARE! AHHHHH!!!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Thank you...for everything!! Did you see what I edited the post to say? After I won that, a fairy godmother (or father??) sent me a $100 gift card in the mail. My kids are going to get to do so much more than I thought we'd be able to afford! (Inexpensive things add up at the World!)

I did see that!!! What a wonderful and exciting day for you guys!! How great that you have such a fantastic fairy godparent!

I bet you guys are extra excited for your trip now!!

 

[TinyDancer]

Oh wow!! I am super excited for you!!!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Holy cow! Congrats! So glad you won! And so glad you are figuring out the allergies! Jack has an allergy to peanuts and it's annoying, but Disney is so good about it! It's the one place I truly don't worry about it!

Congrats agina in your win! I wish I got some of that pixie dust, my change jar was MUCH less than we anticipated! Its times like this that I am thankful for everything being pre paid!

 

[MeMom]

You certainly have a lot of reasons to be celebrating!

I'm glad Brynn will get her ice cream. It's so nice to have DIS friends to help us make our trips better. However, you might want to be careful how you explain to people out in the real world that you internet pal, Stringbean, helped you out so much. It is possible that they might hurry away from you with a worried look on their faces.

We - DISers in the know, that is - get the real truth.
DIS friends are awesome!

 

[PirateKate]

Congratulations on winning the contest! What a cool memory!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm glad Brynn will get her ice cream. It's so nice to have DIS friends to help us make our trips better. However, you might want to be careful how you explain to people out in the real world that you internet pal, Stringbean, helped you out so much. It is possible that they might hurry away from you with a worried look on their faces.

We - DISers in the know, that is - get the real truth.
DIS friends are awesome!

Hey, I see no problem with getting food allergy info from a stringbean! Not like a lima bean or a cranberry bean was consulted....now that would just be silly!

 

[JDailey]

I am new to Dis Boards. I just got caught up on the planning of your trip and all your great pictures of your family. I live in Georgia as well and I am so happy to have local fellow Disney lover!! We are planning a trip in Oct and I wish I had started a trip report too they are so neat.

Jennifer

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Oh wow!! I am super excited for you!!!

Thank you! We needed a little Pixie Dust!

Holy cow! Congrats! So glad you won! And so glad you are figuring out the allergies! Jack has an allergy to peanuts and it's annoying, but Disney is so good about it! It's the one place I truly don't worry about it!

Congrats agina in your win! I wish I got some of that pixie dust, my change jar was MUCH less than we anticipated! Its times like this that I am thankful for everything being pre paid!

I am really going to try to breathe easy at Disney. I'm sure they'll take good care of her.
You were a big part of me winning! THANKS!

You certainly have a lot of reasons to be celebrating!

I'm glad Brynn will get her ice cream. It's so nice to have DIS friends to help us make our trips better. However, you might want to be careful how you explain to people out in the real world that you internet pal, Stringbean, helped you out so much. It is possible that they might hurry away from you with a worried look on their faces.

We - DISers in the know, that is - get the real truth.
DIS friends are awesome!

Well, people usually have that reaction to me no matter what I'm saying ! You're right--DIS friends are awesome!

Congratulations on winning the contest! What a cool memory!

I'd love to say that it was absolutely the best memory, but I'm sure you know how hard it is to choose a favorite magical moment when there are always so many of them.

I am new to Dis Boards. I just got caught up on the planning of your trip and all your great pictures of your family. I live in Georgia as well and I am so happy to have local fellow Disney lover!! We are planning a trip in Oct and I wish I had started a trip report too they are so neat.

Jennifer

Woo-hoo! Hey, y'all! I wonder how close to each other we are. DISmeet, anybody?! Hope your October trip is wonderful, as I'm sure it will be.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

This post is full of insanity.
And pictures of insanity.
You have been warned.

So, when I last left you, I was starting to work on MNSSHP costumes and beginning to form ideas of what my kids would wear on our trip (which is in NINE days! AHHHHH!). I won a contest and figured out Brynn's dairy allergy.
Now? An update of the insanity that has taken place since then.

Brynn is doing wonderfully. It's like another (read: healthy.) kid has taken over her body. As long as she has absolutely zero dairy, she feels great! We've started giving her calcium in as many foods as possible, and we're giving her Tums as a calcium supplement as suggested by her doctor--not only is she able to chew them, but they are much cheaper than other supplements. WIN!

I think I told you before that we are all dressing as characters from Peter Pan for MNSSHP. We hope to go on September 20, but we will switch to the 23rd if weather is particularly bad that night.

I began the costume hunt very simply.

Months and months ago, I ordered Julia a gorgeous Wendy costume from someone on ebay. I think I showed a picture of it before, but no picture can do this justice. It is beautiful. Just perfect. And it was a real steal, too!

Then I bought this, a cheap, generic, $9 costume that can pass for my Tiger Lily get-up. It's thin...like I have to wear a tank top and shorts under it so you don't see more of Tiger Lily than you should, but it totally works for the purpose and I'll stay nice and cool. No feather for the headdress, and I'm trying to talk myself out of getting one. More trouble than it's worth, right?

This buying thing was easy! So simple to make a few clicks on the computer and order what I needed!
Brynn got this basic Tinker Bell costume from Target.

And then it started to get a tad more difficult. I was on a search for a baby Peter Pan costume for Sawyer (isn't that the cutest mental image EVER!?!) and quickly realized that those things were outrageously expensive! He probably won't even make it very far into the party, and I'm sure food and drool and baby snot would be all over it before we even made it in from the parking lot. I couldn't bring myself to spend that much on his ensemble and decided to pick up a green onesie (ordered from Rock Bottom Tees) and some green shorts (from Target).

The hat? Crafting craziness.
Now, please note that I am in NO WAY crafty. NO WAY. But I just couldn't find a Peter Pan hat to fit him, especially one I'd be willing to pay for, so I made this based on a tutorial I found online.
Yes, folks. Little old me, with only $1 of green felt, some elastic, a red feather I stole from the Tiger Lily costume, and a travel sewing kit, sewed this thing. Will he wear it? Probably not. But at least there's an option to wear it if he's so inclined...which he won't be. I hope he at least appreciates that I suffered not one, not two, but three needle pricks as I attempted to complete his look, and one of those was in my lip.

Speaking of expensive ridiculousness, have you ever tried to find a Smee shirt for cheap? No? Well, don't. They don't exist. And if you try to just find a plain blue and white striped tee, you're going to get lots of $60 fancy shmancy pretty boy tees in your results list. No thanks.
So...
I painted this on Brandon's white tee. Here's a little secret: it's not shirt paint. If it rains, it may run. It is stiff. He might be poisoned by it. But by golly, it's a Smee shirt! I paired it with his swim trunks and a red hat (again, crafted by me in a moment of insanity), and BAM! Smee.

Sorry about the color in this one. It's not all strange in person, but I took this in our bedroom while the low energy light bulbs were still warming up, so the colors are definitely off. Or it might be radiation off the shirt. Who knows?

On to regular clothing!
The girls usually have matching outfits, and Sawyer needed some things to coordinate. Plain rompers, iron-on transfers, and Brandon's PhotoShop skills to the rescue!!!

These are for our Chef Mickey dinner. We all have them--girls with Minnie, boys with Mickey--and they say "Chef (insert name here)." Obviously there would be a real name there.

That done, the packing fun began. Here's just a sneak peak at my over-the-top packing skills.

Each kid has a bag per day labeled with their name and the day of the week. And each kid has a color--Julia's are labeled in red, her favorite, Brynn's in green, her favorite, and Sawyer's in blue...I don't know his favorite, but he's a boy.

Kids clothes are almost completely packed. Costumes are already packed away in their own suitcase. I have mostly bought all the odds and ends we'll need. Bought disposable diapers (we use cloth diapers, but not at Disney! No time for laundry!) but am not sure I got enough...how many disposable ones would a 14 month old use a day? Same as with cloth? Not sure anyone can answer that one, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Bought new toothbrushes, because it's good to pack them while you're still using yours at home, and when you get back, new toothbrushes!
I have my notebook full of confirmations and touring plans inside plastic sleeves, and I have stroller tags printed, as well.
All of this would have been done two weeks ago, except that we all caught a lovely, drawn-out cold. And then on Labor Day? Brandon, Brynn, and Sawyer all got food poisoning from eating chicken at a fish fry (that'll teach them to make better decisions!). The kids quickly got over it, but Brandon not so much. I hope all this sickness gets out of our systems before Disney, and I hope Brandon can feel better to help me finish packing!

In any case, a week from Friday, we drive to our Happy Place!