Combo PTR & TR w/a side of Scrapbooking: I'm Back! TR link posted!

[Monny2AE]

I finished up my Christmas shopping for the kids this past weekend!!!! I even picked up some Color Wonder books and markers on sale at Target for the car ride!

Now I'm starting to think about how to pull off the big Disney Trip surprise.

I'd like to get a decent sized box and wrap it in Mickey and Minnie paper (already bought!). I just need to decide what to put in it.

I love the idea of balloons so that when they open it they come out. Just trying to figure out how to get helium filled balloons a day or two before Christmas and hide them.

I was thinking of tying a picture of Disney World and a note to one of the balloons. I think they will need the picture to get it since DS is just starting to read and DD of course can't read yet.

I saw some really fun countdown chains on the creative disigns board and may put a countdown chain in for each of them too.

I was also thinking of making it a treasure hunt. They both love to follow clues and maps when they are pretending to play pirates .

Any thoughts from those that have pulled this off in the past???

 

[drakes]

We purchased this Party Balloons in a Box thing from Walmart for DDs birthday. it came with a small helium tank etc. I was hoping to use that for Christmas, as I wanted to do the balloons in a box as well, Ever since I have seen the What will you Celebrate commercial I had thought of this idea of course dd knew about last years trip. I can't find the exact thing on google, so when I get home I will get you the name.
If this doesn't work, I am testing one out early morning on the 24th, then DH is heading out to our local store and hiding them in the trunk of the car
I have also bought from the disney store, sunglasses, t shirts etc to include in the box, and wanted to pick up that guide to the magic of WDW for kids.

I am almost done my shopping!

i do need good disney wrapping paper tho!

 

[Monny2AE]

Drakes- I may have to look into the party in a box thing! Good thinking! I still haven't decided if I want to put any of their trip stuff in the box since that will take away from the # of presents under the tree- we're going light this Christmas because of the trip.

 

[drakes]

Drakes- I may have to look into the party in a box thing! Good thinking! I still haven't decided if I want to put any of their trip stuff in the box since that will take away from the # of presents under the tree- we're going light this Christmas because of the trip.

I know it's hard - I thought about it as well - but then I thought she may wonder about all the disney things she's receiving

I'll look at the balloon box tonight and let you know -

 

[Monny2AE]

I know it's hard - I thought about it as well - but then I thought she may wonder about all the disney things she's receiving

I'll look at the balloon box tonight and let you know -

My kids are used to Disney so I don't think they would clue in on it!

 

[Monny2AE]

Hope everyone is having a fun Saturday night...of course my life is SO exciting that I'm on here.

I'm so indecisive about this Pirate's League

I'd love to have the kids experience it- I think they would love it. I'm trying to convince DH that $100 is worth it. I'm really crossing my fingers that they extend the 50% off through my dates. I think I'm going to make the ressies anyway.

Anyone know if you have to pay in advance when you make the ressies or do you pay the day of?

 

[Flossbolna]

Hope everyone is having a fun Saturday night...of course my life is SO exciting that I'm on here.

I'm so indecisive about this Pirate's League

I'd love to have the kids experience it- I think they would love it. I'm trying to convince DH that $100 is worth it. I'm really crossing my fingers that they extend the 50% off through my dates. I think I'm going to make the ressies anyway.

Anyone know if you have to pay in advance when you make the ressies or do you pay the day of?

I am not so sure you need ressies. I think they would not offer the 50% if they hadn't trouble getting it sold to people. Have you checked other threads on that? Might be worth asking on the Theme Parks board if others had trouble to do walk ups. Of course if you can cancel the ressie without problem then there wouldn't be any sense in waiting.

 

[Monny2AE]

Maybe I'll wait to make ressies so their numbers stay low and they extend the 50%

Plus I can't get DH sold on spending the extra cash when I've already booked us for 2 OOP character meals and 1 OOP sit down at Coral Reef. When he agreed to this trip I told him we'd keep it at 1 maybe 2 at most OOP sit downs! I'm sure deep down he knows that when I say 1 or 2, I really mean 2 or 3 when it comes to Disney! And I feel like I did a good job controlling myself!

 

[Monny2AE]

For some reason it is really starting to sink in that Christmas is so close and that my trip isn't that far behind Christmas! I'm starting to feel panicked that I haven't done anything lately as far as planning goes.

I made a TO DO list a while back and have yet to actually do anything on that list. Well I did check off 1 thing on the list- I made my ADR's.

No, but seriously, I need to get moving on this stuff...

So I just finished revamping my packing list- boy was it fun crossing diapers off the list! I figured out what I need yet for the trip.

SHOPPING LIST

• Sunblock- note to self, make sure not to get the kind that Emily is allergic to like I did for our last trip to Disney!
• Travel potty seat covers- I know Disney is clean but I think I want them for Emily. Plus they have pretty pretty princesses on them
• Food & Snacks- won't be buying that stuff until after Christmas
• Gallon/sandwich Bags
• Camera Case with Neck Strap- I hate having to dig through the backpack for my camera 50 million times a day- strike that DH hates me digging through the backpack 50 million times a day because he is usually wearing it. Did I mention I'm 5'3" and he has to crouch down every time I need to get in it.

Shopping List Made...CHECK!!!

Now to move onto the WHAT I NEED TO MAKE List.

• LGMH- but of course! How else will my DIS friends recognize me!
• Kid’s ID Nametags with cell #’s- Don't want anyone lost!
• Christmas Surprise Box: Countdown Chain, Announcement that we are going to Disney, etc.
• Happy Birthday Banner and cards for DH
• Small print out of Counter Service Restaurants/Menus/Snacks we might like to carry around the parks
• Something to personalize the double stroller

That should do it for now...I better get cracking!

 

[hollybearsmom]

Great to do list, how fun to mark things off!

 

[Monny2AE]

Great to do list, how fun to mark things off!

I hope it will be fun when I actually DO something on the list instead of sitting here goofing off on the DISboards all the time

 

[drakes]

I am at the same stressful point.
I think I probably have accomplished more than I think - but I haven't even had time to make a list yet!
I call "goofin off on the dis" research - Those words actually came out of my mouth yesterday during my meltdown of stress!

I thought first thing I need to do is tackle one day at a time and confirm I am happy with my plans and ADRs!

P.S. The name of that Balloon tank in a box is "Balloon Time". I saw them in the Niagara Falls Wal Mart on Saturday!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Just getting caught up here. . .

Looks like you are getting all set for Christmas and your big surprise and for your trip!!

I am so jealous that you are done with your Christmas shopping. I haven't even started. And that is so unlike me. I guess that's what happens when you take a November vacation!

 

[Monny2AE]

I am at the same stressful point.
I think I probably have accomplished more than I think - but I haven't even had time to make a list yet!
I call "goofin off on the dis" research - Those words actually came out of my mouth yesterday during my meltdown of stress!

I thought first thing I need to do is tackle one day at a time and confirm I am happy with my plans and ADRs!

P.S. The name of that Balloon tank in a box is "Balloon Time". I saw them in the Niagara Falls Wal Mart on Saturday!

I think making the list freaked me out more Thanks for the info on the balloon stuff! I'd love to live near Niagara Falls by the way!

Just getting caught up here. . .

Looks like you are getting all set for Christmas and your big surprise and for your trip!!

I am so jealous that you are done with your Christmas shopping. I haven't even started. And that is so unlike me. I guess that's what happens when you take a November vacation!

Wasn't much to catch up on but thanks for stopping by! You better get shopping soon!!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

WOO HOO!

I finally got confirmation that DS will be excused for the 4 days of school that he will miss the week we are in Disney! I had to call and ask about it this morning but I got a copy with the principal's OK sent home with him today! Not that it would have made a difference if they didn't approve it- we are going regardless.

 

[Charlefours]

Finally getting a chance to catch back up on PTR and TRs! I am so excited for you--you are getting so close!! I am glad the principal finally got back to you about excusing your son.

Shopping List: nice list. Where are you getting the travel potty seat covers? I think I have seen that they are sold at Target but I have not seen them up here.

 

[Monny2AE]

Finally getting a chance to catch back up on PTR and TRs! I am so excited for you--you are getting so close!! I am glad the principal finally got back to you about excusing your son.

Shopping List: nice list. Where are you getting the travel potty seat covers? I think I have seen that they are sold at Target but I have not seen them up here.

I found them at my Target but the last couple of times I've tried to pick some up, they have been out. I've also seen them at Babies R Us but that store is further away so I'll keep checking Target. You can get them online too http://tabletopper.com/tabletopper/e-tailers.php

 

[drakes]

WOO HOO!

I finally got confirmation that DS will be excused for the 4 days of school that he will miss the week we are in Disney! I had to call and ask about it this morning but I got a copy with the principal's OK sent home with him today! Not that it would have made a difference if they didn't approve it- we are going regardless.

You are lucky you get excused absences. We do not, any absence is counted, but they will not excuse. I was told missing a week is not going to hold them back, there have been some students gone for 1 month travelling and they are not excused or penalized?
Last trip I sent an excuse letter and the school called me all confused, musn't be a Canadian thing. The trip before i just told them rather than ask! So again this year they will be told!

Niagara Falls is beautiful, I think we take it for granted... We're about 45 minutes away. I got my Vera Bradley Back Pack - not in the pattern I wanted, they only had one pattern so I had no choice. I need reigning in, I bought more for DD for Christmas when I said I was done, but it was clothes and socks- do they count?

I think as I hijack everyone elses PTR with my trip planning it is time I post a PTR! I keep saying it.

 

[Monny2AE]

I found these countdown chains and I want to make one for each of my kids. I will put them in the Christmas surprise box- perhaps tied to a balloon or something fun!

There are some themed for all 4 Parks, Princesses, Pirates, Toy Story and Fab 5 characters! !!! I only need 29 links for each one and it's going to be hard choosing which ones to use!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2018621

Only trouble is that as soon as I started printing them, my printer yelled that it's out of ink. Go figure. And I was so motivated to get these started. I'll head to the store this evening and get some ink I guess.

 

[Monny2AE]

You are lucky you get excused absences. We do not, any absence is counted, but they will not excuse. I was told missing a week is not going to hold them back, there have been some students gone for 1 month travelling and they are not excused or penalized?
Last trip I sent an excuse letter and the school called me all confused, musn't be a Canadian thing. The trip before i just told them rather than ask! So again this year they will be told!

Niagara Falls is beautiful, I think we take it for granted... We're about 45 minutes away. I got my Vera Bradley Back Pack - not in the pattern I wanted, they only had one pattern so I had no choice. I need reigning in, I bought more for DD for Christmas when I said I was done, but it was clothes and socks- do they count?

I think as I hijack everyone elses PTR with my trip planning it is time I post a PTR! I keep saying it.

Hijack away mt friend! At least it keeps me from being lonely and talking to myself.
I did word the letter carefully. I was informing them that he would be out those days. I never asked for permission. I didn't want to give them the chance to say no.

DH and I went to Niagara Falls- Canadian side years back before we had kids and loved it. I'd love to take my kids to see it someday. It was only about a days drive for us if I remember correctly. Shorter than a drive to Disney!

Glad you got your VB! I just bought my first VB purse last month. DH is worried what it's started. Now I want the wallet.