"But Mommy, how do we get to Disney World?" A Nov/Dec 2011 PTR Update 8/8!

[beebeeryan]

(cont'd from previous post)

Another wonderful trip with lots of magic and pixie dust!

This is PRECIOUS!!!!

 

[Kari-B]

Adorable pics again, but my favorite is by far Donald with both kids sleeping (too precious)! Your little boy is very cute!

 

[Shannon84]

Joining in!! What adorable pictures of DD and DS...too cute for words That picture with Donald with them sleeping in the stroller may win as my favorite so far, but its hard to pick!!

 

[Villainess]

I just read your PTR and wanted to say that your children are beautiful!! It is so wonderful that they are also lucky enough to have a loving family to share the Disney magic with them! I can definitely see why you cried walking through MK with your baby DD. Looking forward to reading more!

Awww... thank you so much!

You've got a couple of cute kids there!

I love that picture of Piglet feeding your DS his bottle.

Yes, I love that picture as well! It was wonderful to see how well the characters react to infants

This is PRECIOUS!!!!

Thank you!!!!

Adorable pics again, but my favorite is by far Donald with both kids sleeping (too precious)! Your little boy is very cute!

My mom has that picture as her desktop pic at work - I keep sending her updated photos but she won't change it.

Joining in!! What adorable pictures of DD and DS...too cute for words That picture with Donald with them sleeping in the stroller may win as my favorite so far, but its hard to pick!!

Welcome to the party!!! Glad you are enjoying the pictures!

 

[Villainess]

Text message I received yesterday from DNiece via her mother's Blackberry ...

"Mommy and Daddy bought the tickets. When's November and where's Mickey?"

 

[Minnie_Mom]

All caught up and can't wait to read more! It sounds like our kiddos are just very much alike... if you are like me, your hands are full!

You are so lucky to be apart of DVC. We would love to be able to do this, but right now just isn't the right time... maybe one day BLT seems like a great resort. Maybe availability will open up for you guys. Oh, and by the way... As the eldest child in my family, I say you should pull rank and reclaim that extra bedroom.

I love all the pictures from your previous trips. Your children are beautiful and you have got some wonderful pics of them! Isn't it fabulous to know when life get hard to handle, you have a place you can retreat to regroup and refocus as a family?

Looking forward to your next update!

 

[Shannon84]

Happy Mothers Day!!

 

[Villainess]

All caught up and can't wait to read more! It sounds like our kiddos are just very much alike... if you are like me, your hands are full!

You are so lucky to be apart of DVC. We would love to be able to do this, but right now just isn't the right time... maybe one day BLT seems like a great resort. Maybe availability will open up for you guys. Oh, and by the way... As the eldest child in my family, I say you should pull rank and reclaim that extra bedroom.

I love all the pictures from your previous trips. Your children are beautiful and you have got some wonderful pics of them! Isn't it fabulous to know when life get hard to handle, you have a place you can retreat to regroup and refocus as a family?

Looking forward to your next update!

Oh yes, hands are quite full!

I would love to pull rank, but I know my parents don't want to rock the boat - and since they know that I don't like to stir up trouble, well ...

Happy Mothers Day!!

Awww, thank you!!!!

 

[Villainess]

Well, not really. It is exactly 1090.66 miles from my front door to Old Key West. In an effort to utilize the fitness center membership that I pay for and have used a whopping 2 times since January I thought I would challenge myself to see how many miles I can walk/run and bicycle before the trip.

As to not damper my hopes and see how incredibly unrealistic this task probably is, I refuse to break out Excel and compile a detailed analysis. OK, OK, I did open Excel but I swear I didn't compute anything!

I perform best in individual competitions - myself vs. time; that's probably why my sport of choice was swimming. So if I create a challenge for myself, there is no way I want 'time' to win!

My ultimate goal, however is not to walk/bike 1000+ miles; it is really just to get back into my 'swimming days' shape. A size 0/2 I was not nor will ever be, and I accept that. I have broad shoulders from my 10+ years competitively swimming butterfly and the arms need some toning. My legs are my weakest asset and since I plan to begin ballroom dancing again in the fall, they require some attention as well (I used to compete in college, but took a hiatus due to knee surgery and a dislocated shoulder - yes! from dancing)

I need to find ways to make fitness fun because it sooooo is not, IMO. I am envious of all of you who run the WDW 1/2 and full marathon and for about 0.0025 seconds ponder the thought of entering the following year (I think it is the pictures of running through the castle). Then, a giant piano comes crashing down on my head and I miraculously come to my senses.

With this longwinded post about nothing really pertaining to Disney except for maybe that at the end of this challenge, I will be looking awesome in the 1 picture I am in with my kids, you may wonder (if you are still reading this) how far I am in my quest. I like that, it is now no longer a challenge, yet a quest, a 'Quest de Fitness!"

Now that I am completely rambling and typing my senseless musings - I am proud to report I have completed exactly 0.0 miles! LOL! Yeah, we're - err, I'm gonna work on that. I will update with a weekly mileage total.

Right sneaker in hand, but where the heck is the left one?

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

I need to find ways to make fitness fun because it sooooo is not, IMO. I am envious of all of you who run the WDW 1/2 and full marathon and for about 0.0025 seconds ponder the thought of entering the following year (I think it is the pictures of running through the castle). Then, a giant piano comes crashing down on my head and I miraculously come to my senses.

I hear you! I did volleyball and track all through high school (10+ years now ) and my goal is to get near to how I was before. There is no way I can go all the way back. My metabolism was crazy high back then.

I don't know if you have a Wii but I use Wii Active Sport II for my workouts. It's not super fun but it's a good way to have some structure and I like a lot of the activities. I do the 9-week challenge and I also inline skate and run (apart from the game) for some variety.

Wii Active is different than Wii Fit and I like it a lot better. I use it more for one thing and it really works on my whole body - especially legs. There are other modules for specific parts of the body if you want to focus on a particular area. I'm okay in the legs - my arms need lots of work. I do find that I lose a lot more weight if I do the full body workouts from the 9-week challenge.

Just a thought for you if you happen to have a Wii!

 

[afwdwfan]

Good luck on the fitness goals. I'm in the same situation. I keep trying to get myself motivated and it usually lasts about 2 whole weeks if I'm lucky. I played football and baseball when I was in HS and I remember how hard it was back then when I was trying to put on more weight. I would eat non-stop and not gain anything. Now I can't seem to get rid of extra weight... go figure.

It is such a hard thing to commit to, especially when you're busy and have a lot going on. My wife and I are trying to do kind of the same thing and get in better shape before our trip. Good luck, and hopefully, posting about it here and tracking your miles will be a good tool to keep you accountable and motivated.

 

[Shannon84]

I think that is a great idea to get moving....I like to run/walk in intervals...I have tell you that even though I have done up to and including half marathons, I am still exhausted and sore walking around those parks all day!!

Something I like to do is set a goal and set up mini prizes for meeting that goal....so if its get out and do "x" miles for the next 2 weeks then I get a manicure, etc. It helps keep me motivated

 

[Kari-B]

I really like the idea of having a walking/miles goal. I may have to use this. I tell the kids all the time that we have to start walking more if we are going to handle Disney. They never want to just plain old walk, they want to bike, scooter, rollerblade, etc... Whenever my daughter complains about having to walk from the car into a store, for example, I say "Oh, I guess you won't be able to handle Disney". Usually gets her to stop complaining. That makes me sound mean, but I'm talking about complaining after only a few steps. Now if she sees a park off in the distance, you better believe those little legs of hers will carry her there and fast, too. Thanks for the idea!

 

[petals]

joining in. Think we'll be there around the same time.
I'm luvin the flashback pics the one of you DD getting so excited in the queue for Minnie and the one of Donald beside the sleeping kiddies are adorable. Luvin the silver bag in one of those pics as well I want it lol!

 

[Minnie_Mom]

I need to find ways to make fitness fun because it sooooo is not, IMO. I am envious of all of you who run the WDW 1/2 and full marathon and for about 0.0025 seconds ponder the thought of entering the following year (I think it is the pictures of running through the castle). Then, a giant piano comes crashing down on my head and I miraculously come to my senses.

You sound just like me. I really wish I was a runner, but I am just not. I would love to run Princess 1/2 marathon. I always think, "Hmmmm, maybe I will." But then, just like you, I come to my senses. I hope you make your goal of 1000 miles... What a great idea!

 

[Villainess]

Quick driveby ... Work got in the way of my Disboard reading this week (don't you hate when that happens?) Anyway, I will be back Monday - going on a mini getaway for the weekend!

 

[21hearts]

Hello!!! I'm joining your PTR. I can't wait to read some more.

My 2 y/o is a huge Aurora fan as well.

 

[Villainess]

I'm back!!!! The weekend was great, albeit a little chilly and therefore no swimming or beach bathing for the kiddos much to their dismay. I'll post some pictures soon.

In honor of Nonna's birthday this past weekend, I thought I would take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of DD and DS's past birthdays.

As you may/may not know, in my non-Disney trip planning life, I am an event/wedding planner and designer of custom invitations. Since my studio is homebased, DD and DS are surrounded by the world of party planning 24/7. DD especially has acquired quite an eye for planning and was extremely opinionated on the details of the recent Royal Wedding. She knows what she likes and without a doubt is my pickiest client.

As a result of this birthday party themes are chosen ridiculously early. Three days after DD turned 3, she had already chosen her theme for Party #4. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves: DD's 3rd birthday was all about Princess Aurora and only Princess Aurora. I created a beauty bar, a mini BBB if you will and the boys were given Prince Phillip swords and shields that I bought up online when they were on clearance! Score!

I was soooo bummed about the cake. I had these great plans of creating this gorgeous cake and at 3:30am just as I was finished decorating it - I tripped and dropped it on the floor. The only thing that remained was the crown (as I made 3 in case 1 broke)

I have since resolved to the fact that while I am a good baker, can decorate cupcakes, and am creative, cake decorating is not really my thing and leave it to the pros!

One and a half months later, it was DS's turn to celebrate his 2nd birthday. DS is nowhere near as picky; he chooses the theme and that concludes the input/participation (his future wife should appreciate this when it comes to wedding planning!) The theme was obvious as he was/still is obsessed with Cars.

I created Pit Pass invitations on lanyards which all the children (and some adults) wore to the party.

Cars Birthday Invitation by Danielle_S, on Flickr
The walls were covered in this Radiator Springs desert scenesetter

Cars Birthday Party 19 by Danielle_S, on Flickr
Custom Water Bottle Labels featuring Fillmore's Organic Fuel

Cars Birthday Party 35 by Danielle_S, on Flickr

Cars Birthday Party 33 by Danielle_S, on Flickr

Cars Birthday Party 37 by Danielle_S, on Flickr
Upon arrival, the kids made their own driver's licenses

Cars Birthday Party 48 by Danielle_S, on Flickr
and decorated foam fingers that their parents would later use to cheer them on during the main event - the Grand Prix

Cars Birthday Party 45 by Danielle_S, on Flickr

Cars Birthday Party 14 by Danielle_S, on Flickr
All the kids received a trophy

Cars Birthday Party 9 by Danielle_S, on Flickr
At Sarge's Surplus I set out the favors

Cars Birthday Party 51 by Danielle_S, on Flickr

Cars Birthday Party 53 by Danielle_S, on Flickr

Additional photos can be found here


Cont'd in following post

 

[Villainess]

Continuing our unbirthday celebration ... I had mentioned in the last post that DD had her 4th birthday party theme picked out only days after her third. No, I am not over dramatizing. My hands were still sore and bruised from all the paper pom poms I had made when she made her choice and it turned out to be a very Jolly Holiday indeed!

Since I had a year to plan this party, I started early as late spring - fall is my busy time; I took advantage of the winter months to create her invitation and begin streamlining the 'look' of the party. I was certainly under pressure as her dance recital was 'Mary Poppins' themed and the entire house became obsessed with the movie and all its details. We played the movie, read the book, listened to the music (both movie and Broadway) - BTW, know any 3/4 year olds who can spell Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? Well, DD can if not from anything but memorization!

I try to dress DD and DS in outfits to flow with the theme; it makes it more special for them, I think, and makes for super cute pictures for me!

Mary and Bert (minus his bowtie) - need to find a pic with him wearing it

Entrance to the party

The children were each given a hat and the girls had gloves as well. They were able to help Bert create chalk drawings

play tuppence toss, stuff a penguin

help Mrs. Brill with her baking by decorating cookies, and play pin the bowtie on the penguin

Favors for the children included a piggy bank they could paint (with 2 pennies) to 'save their tuppence', a package of birdseed to 'feed the birds', and chalk 'to jump into their own drawings'

The adults were able to choose from different blends of tea

Additional photos and details here.

This year DS wanted a Woody party so in a nod to 'Woody's Roundup,' I created a vintage cowboy theme

More photos and details here.


What's coming up for this year? Well, until about 3 weeks ago DD wanted a fairy party. She had this decided before her Mary Poppins party. Now, while I like fairies in general, I am not a fan of Tinkerbell, especially with her new slew of movies. IMO, her personality now doesn't fit with that in Peter Pan. She is supposed to be sassy, jealous, bratty, etc. My inspiration was going to be more Midsummer Night's Dream (Michelle Pfieffer movie). Rewind 3 weeks , we were at TDS and she spots Tiana's costume. She begins yelling, "Mommy! This is beautiful. Can I have a Tiana bday party? I can have a fairy party when I'm 9." Sooo ... now I'm thinking rustic bayou with this scene as inspiration.

Her birthday is 4 months away so I better get started!

As for DS, he hasn't decided yet. The top contenders are 1) Dinosaurs and 2) Golf. Other possibilities 1) Space 2) Superhero 3) Secret Agent (he loves watching 'James Bomb' - his words with Pop Pop) I think it would be so cool to dress him in a tux and serve kid-friendly martinis, shaken not stirred, of course! If I could figure out a way to create a Secret Agent who is stationed in space and battles a Dino from the Space Grave with the help of the Alien Superhero who likes to play golf Party that had some unity we would be golden! His interest in pirates is growing but I would prefer to save that for birthday #5 as some of the activities I have planned are better suited for the 5 - 7 age range.

I think I really need to start throwing unbirthday parties to fit in all the party themes before they hit the age of, "Just drop us off at the movies with 5 friends."

A Very Merry Unbirthday to You!

 

[afwdwfan]

WOW!

Based on what you've done for birthday parties for your children, you must be a very good event planner. The detailed theming for their parties is very impressive. It looks like those parties would be a lot of fun for kids and adults both! Thanks for sharing the pictures, it looks really cool.