Abbey's Birthday Trip - Pre-Trippie

[HappyPanda]

Loving your PTR. Such a shame that your eldest isn't going - but I guess at 18, Disney just isn't 'cool'

I am desperately in need a new suitcase before our trip, I'm pretty sure the one I have now weighs about 10kg before I put anything in it! I had a look in Debenhams at the weekend and saw a nice light one that had the four moveable wheels... might have to purchase that one!

I am very impressed with how organised you are!

 

[Ms Poppins]

Sounds like a great plan, I can understand how you feel about your son not going. I think I will be a sobbing wreck when the girls are old enough to stay home alone. Only 1 month to go

I'm sure I will be. I suppose he needs to grow up sometime....

Those 3 weeks will fly in but it sounds like you're really well organised. A photo book is a lovely idea. At my 18th my mum made poster collages and plastered them around my party - provided a lot of good laughs!

Yes, I think I'm pretty much organised. I like lists, lists, and more lists. It stops everything tumbling about inside my head

Loving your PTR. Such a shame that your eldest isn't going - but I guess at 18, Disney just isn't 'cool'

I am very impressed with how organised you are!

He says he'll go again, but just wanted to join in with all his mates and this first big holiday. He also has exams at the beginning of May so couldn't come even if he wanted to now. (Believe me I would find a way if I could )

 

[Ms Poppins]

Excitement builds again with the VIP Fastpass offer for Shareholders I opted for our first full day, Monday 7th May. It's a French holiday at the beginning of the week, so I'm beginning to panic slightly about how busy it will be. We'll be fast passing all day I think and then hopefully be able to just take it easy the other days.

I plan on going for a swim or rest at the hotel in the afternoon to miss the busiest time of day.

Also thinking about meals again. I might try and persuade DH to try Blue Lagoon. We're not big fish eaters to haven't bothered before, but on looking at the updated menu I see a steak and chicken dish, so might go for it. The kids meal is ok too as Lewis loves salmon.

Abbey and Lewis are super excited now

They've been making lists (wonder who they get that from ) about the rides the REALLY want to do and ended up with two full pages with just about every single ride in the park on it I think we'll be busy. They've also been watching Disney movies every night - which makes me happy

Disney will need to go on the back burner this weekend for some birthday party planning. I'll be hunting out Star Wars tableware and balloons (yes he'll be 18......)

 

[Ms Poppins]

SDD is now here

I paid for our Ezyshuttle transfer the other night using paypal, and benefited from a really good exchange rate. I know a lot of people pay the driver, but I just wanted it out of the way.

Got our Euros yesterday too. Not taking too much in cash, as I plan on using the Hotel charge system for the first time. It's our meals that cost us the most everytime we go to DLP, so we're going to charge them to the hotel, and then only have one transaction fee. I hate having to count everything up when we're away, spending wise - so this will be a lot easier. I'll no doubt get the fright of my life when I see what we've spent Having said that, Mark's not coming and he is a big eater - so one less mouth to feed has it's benefits

Party planning is just about complete. All birthday presents are wrapped, balloons, food, cake ordered. Also made a collage of photo's of Mark to stick up on the wall.

So, pretty much ready to roll - except DH has suggested last night that we swap Abbey and Lewis' bedrooms around to give Lewis a bit more room I'm trying to convince them to wait until we get back as this room transfer will involve paint, a new bed, and mega organisation - which will no doubt end up with me co-ordinating/doing

So if you don't hear from me this week that'll be why

 

[jothp]

The Euro rate is really good at the moment. I keep looking but haven't given in and bought my Euros yet!!

You will be there before you know it now, it sounds like you are all organised

 

[Ms Poppins]

You will be there before you know it now, it sounds like you are all organised

Happy to say that I am

It's been a really busy few days though. The room swap has completed - that's two bedrooms fully painted, gloss, ceilings the lot - a new loft bed for Abbey and a whole day of sorting things out for charity shops/dump etc. Luckily I managed to get yesterday off work and already had today and tomorrow booked. I don't think I'd have managed otherwise.

Packing is finished with the exception of a couple of items.

Now we can hopefully sit back and enjoy Mark's birthday tomorrow and party at night. Picked up his cake today and it's fab

I've almost forgot about Disney this week - so much to do. But now, I'm back to dreaming.....I can't wait until Sunday

 

[jothp]

I hope Mark has a great birthday

 

[DLPDreams]

Happy Birthday to Mark for tomorrow I hope that the party goes well. Cake sounds fab - bet it looks amazing!

Sounds like you've been busy like us! We have been demolishing our bedroom and hopefully will get back into it next Thursday (think I mentioned it to you, we are on day 8 of sleeping on the sofa bed ). And now, for some reason we've booked in both girls' bedrooms to be plastered while we are away in June . So, that means we have to find time to strip them and sort/move everything out of them before we go. As our weekends are really full up until the weekend we go away, I'm not sure when it will get done! So, well done for organising it all at your end as well as the party .

I can't wait to hear how your trip goes - esp about the HNY and the VIP pass!

 

[Mum to Belle]

I'm sure I posted on your PTR earlier but can't see it!?!

Anyway, just wanted to wish you a fab trip! Hope Mark's party goes well - can't wait to see some photos!! Is it a Star Wars cake to go with the theme? I tried following your link to the photobook before but couldn't see anything, but it sounds like a great idea & I'm sure he'll love it!

I love your TR's so I'm looking forward to reading all about this one when you get back - assumng you have the energy to go away after all the party planning & bedroom removals you've been getting up to!!

I bet Abbey & Lewis are super-excited now! Isabelle's already started on her list & we don't go till November!

We always use the Disney Hotel Easy Pass on our trips, as you say, you can charge everything (shopping too!!) to your hotel room & only have one transaction fee on your credit card at the end of the trip. It is a bit scary when it's all there in one big lump sum though!!

Exciting, exciting, exciting!!!

 

[Ms Poppins]

I hope Mark has a great birthday

Thanks, it's been a great morning so far

Happy Birthday to Mark for tomorrow I hope that the party goes well. Cake sounds fab - bet it looks amazing!

Sounds like you've been busy like us! We have been demolishing our bedroom and hopefully will get back into it next Thursday (think I mentioned it to you, we are on day 8 of sleeping on the sofa bed ). And now, for some reason we've booked in both girls' bedrooms to be plastered while we are away in June . So, that means we have to find time to strip them and sort/move everything out of them before we go. As our weekends are really full up until the weekend we go away, I'm not sure when it will get done! So, well done for organising it all at your end as well as the party .

I can't wait to hear how your trip goes - esp about the HNY and the VIP pass!

Who invented DIY - they should be strung up

I'm sure I posted on your PTR earlier but can't see it!?!

Anyway, just wanted to wish you a fab trip! Hope Mark's party goes well - can't wait to see some photos!! Is it a Star Wars cake to go with the theme? I tried following your link to the photobook before but couldn't see anything, but it sounds like a great idea & I'm sure he'll love it!

I love your TR's so I'm looking forward to reading all about this one when you get back - assumng you have the energy to go away after all the party planning & bedroom removals you've been getting up to!!

I bet Abbey & Lewis are super-excited now! Isabelle's already started on her list & we don't go till November!

We always use the Disney Hotel Easy Pass on our trips, as you say, you can charge everything (shopping too!!) to your hotel room & only have one transaction fee on your credit card at the end of the trip. It is a bit scary when it's all there in one big lump sum though!!

Exciting, exciting, exciting!!!

Thanks - I'll post a photo of his cake tomorrow sometime. It's an electric guitar - that's his thing, he's a bit of a rocker.

Here's his photo book here

He seemed quite thrilled with it. He's on study leave just now but wanted to go into school to finish off some art work he's been doing, and has taken the photo book in to show some people.

And, I will be doing a tr when I get back. It keeps me sane in the post Disney blues days, and I love reading them back months/years later.

Starting to feel very

 

[Ms Poppins]

Here's some pics of Lewis' finished room:

And Abbey's - although as it's a tiny room with a loft bed it was almost impossible to photograph

 

[DLPDreams]

They look great - really fresh looking .

Was Abbey happy to give up the bigger room then? I think as children get older though they don't play in their room as much do they. I know when DD1 has friends round they play in her room a fair bit (well stomp about!), but she has a big room so no issues. DD2 however has the small room! She is too little for a loft bed but thinking of buying her a bed like Lewis's and putting her drawers/bookshelf/toys underneath so she has more floorspace! We'll be getting it made into a Disney Princess room when we get back from DLRP and all the plastering etc is done (it's peppa pig at the mo but she is getting a bit old for it).

DD1 however is more difficult. She had a new 'theme' almost 2 years ago when we moved - Japanese dolls, but I'd like to change hers at the same time as a treat for her - to what I'm not sure! She'd have it Moshi Monsters if she could rolleyes1), but I'd like to keep it girlie but not too young or old!?!

Have you found the bed good for Lewis? - that's exactly what I was looking at for DD2, only pink house curtain things! Oh, and I'm LOVING his drum kit - your house must be like a rockers paradise with Mark on the guitar and Lewis on the drums .

Anyway, I hope today has gone well. Glad Mark liked his photo book - what's not to like! And can't wait to see cake photo .

 

[Ms Poppins]

Abbey was ok about giving up her room. Lewis really needed extra floor space and he was forgetting what toys he had as they were stacked all over the place in his wee room

He loves the bed and has had it for a few years now. Underneath I have 5 or 6 drawer sets with a lot of his toys - it's an excellent space saver

Sore heads daily for me with the drums and guitar in unison But, I must say they are all good musically and Lewis can actually play them really well.

Anyway, the party was great last night. He got a fantastic turn out - I reckon nearly 200 anyway.

Here they are:

And the cake

So today I need to finish some packing, not much just a few favourite items that need washed and ironed I was hoping for some sun to get the washing dried, but don't think it will oblige today.

After everything that's gone on this week I can't believe we're actually going to Disneyland Paris tomorrow!!! It's Abbey's birthday in the morning and after a quick lunch we'll be leaving about 1pm.

 

[DLPdaft]

what a week you've had! your kids are stars, and when I saw the 2 bedrooms I thought I was looking at my sister's house, I swear the layout is exactly the same, down to the high beds in both rooms !

So you'll be going to DLP tomorrow for a rest then ??

 

[Ms Poppins]

what a week you've had! your kids are stars, and when I saw the 2 bedrooms I thought I was looking at my sister's house, I swear the layout is exactly the same, down to the high beds in both rooms !

So you'll be going to DLP tomorrow for a rest then ??

I hope so

 

[MelanieRavenswood]

Have a wonderful time!! Your kids all look fab in their party outfits and love the cake!

Can't wait for the TR

Enjoy

 

[DLPDreams]

Aw Julie your kids are gorgeous! They do you proud all dressed up in their party outfits. How Mark is growing, he looks so much like a man now!

I am so pleased that the party went well - wow 200! I bet you are pleased that you went with fish and chips type thing in the end! Wouldn't have liked to have made sandwiches for that many .

The cake is amazing btw - gosh, I wouldn't have known where to start! I bet Mark loved it.

Have a fantabulous time at DLRP and Happy Birthday to Abbey too . What a lucky girl to be going to DLRP for her birthday!

ps - thanks for the info on the bed, think we are 'sold' on one like that when we get back and sort out her room. Just hope she doesn't fall out getting out of it as she will only be 4!

Looking forward to hearing about your trip when you get back. Enjoy the 'rest' .

 

[Mum to Belle]

Ooooohhhh you're off!!!

Love the photos - can't believe he cut all his hair off! They are such gorgeous kids!

Love the cake too!

Have a fab trip!

 

[Ms Poppins]

Have a wonderful time!! Your kids all look fab in their party outfits and love the cake!

Can't wait for the TR

Enjoy

Thanks

Aw Julie your kids are gorgeous! They do you proud all dressed up in their party outfits. How Mark is growing, he looks so much like a man now!

I am so pleased that the party went well - wow 200! I bet you are pleased that you went with fish and chips type thing in the end! Wouldn't have liked to have made sandwiches for that many .

The cake is amazing btw - gosh, I wouldn't have known where to start! I bet Mark loved it.

Have a fantabulous time at DLRP and Happy Birthday to Abbey too . What a lucky girl to be going to DLRP for her birthday!

ps - thanks for the info on the bed, think we are 'sold' on one like that when we get back and sort out her room. Just hope she doesn't fall out getting out of it as she will only be 4!

Looking forward to hearing about your trip when you get back. Enjoy the 'rest' .

Thanks Hope your room decorating goes ok

Ooooohhhh you're off!!!

Love the photos - can't believe he cut all his hair off! They are such gorgeous kids!

Love the cake too!

Have a fab trip!

He just decided to get it cut one day. He came home from school and said too many people had the same haircut - he initially got a complete skinhead - so the pic above is it grown in after a month or so.

Anyway, had a lovely morning with Abbey getting her presents and now charging her present, a Kindle, for our flight. Everything is all sorted - just need to zip up the cases and get going!!

See you all when we get back

 

[Ware Bears]

Aw lovely photos of your family. A to Abbey and a belated to Mark.

Have a great trip!