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

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

All that's left to do is to wait patiently for a couple more days!

Patiently? Really?

Everything looks fantastic!!! I'm so excited for you (Oh, and the kids, too)!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Sounds like things are getting better and your surprise is going to be AWESOME!!! I can't wait to hear all about it!

I don't understand that patience business. Nope, not in my vocabulary!!
Actually I was just thinking yesterday that I will make two new year's resolutions. 1) try not to swear so much (it's not too bad) and 2) learn to have more patience (I have None, zip, zero, zilch, nada) - especially with my kids.

 

[drakes]

Merry Christmas!!
If I don't get on here later, wanted to make sure I had wished you and your family ( and all the TR followers) a Merry Christmas!
Finally we get to reveal our surprises!
I think my suitcases will be up and out of the basement on Dec 26th - let the packing begin!

Have a Wonderful Eve and Christmas Morning

Joanne

 

[Charlefours]

Merry Christmas and Happy Surprise day!! I am looking forward to reading how the surprise went today at some point

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Merry Christmas all! The Christmas tornado has hit our living room! Can't wait to see pix of your kids faces Kim!!

 

[Monny2AE]

OMG - I forgot about a card to tell her what the box is all about! Guess I'll be working on that tonight.

Hope you got it done! How did your surprise go?????? Details please!!!!

Patiently? Really?

Everything looks fantastic!!! I'm so excited for you (Oh, and the kids, too)!

Sounds like things are getting better and your surprise is going to be AWESOME!!! I can't wait to hear all about it!

I don't understand that patience business. Nope, not in my vocabulary!!
Actually I was just thinking yesterday that I will make two new year's resolutions. 1) try not to swear so much (it's not too bad) and 2) learn to have more patience (I have None, zip, zero, zilch, nada) - especially with my kids.

Funny I have patience for lots of things in life but this surprise REALLY was a true test of just how much patience I have!

Merry Christmas!!
If I don't get on here later, wanted to make sure I had wished you and your family ( and all the TR followers) a Merry Christmas!
Finally we get to reveal our surprises!
I think my suitcases will be up and out of the basement on Dec 26th - let the packing begin!

Have a Wonderful Eve and Christmas Morning

Joanne

Thanks for the Christmas wishes! I had my suitcases out as of yesterday! I threw in all our summer clothes and did an inventory of all the toiletries and such to make my shopping list. I'm so excited it's so close!!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Surprise day!! I am looking forward to reading how the surprise went today at some point

I'm getting the update up today! Had to get my PTR moved back from Completed Trips first.

Merry Christmas all! The Christmas tornado has hit our living room! Can't wait to see pix of your kids faces Kim!!

Wow! We had the same tornado here too. I'm uploading the pics to photobucket now!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Glad to see your PTR is back up and running! I looked for it yesterday and it was in completed TR's and I couldn't post to it. Can't wait for the update!

 

[Monny2AE]

Now where did I leave off…oh that’s right

THE CHRISTMAS SURPRISE!!!!!​

Christmas Eve…

We came home from visiting family and sprinkled some treats outside for Santa’s reindeer.

opened Christmas Eve PJ’s (a tradition at our house)

Set some cookies and milk out for and then it was bedtime!

Once sugar plums were dancing in their heads, DH and I got to work! We wrapped this HUGE box in Disney wrapping paper, put the kids countdown chains and t-shirts for the trip in the bottom and blew up enough balloons to make us both lightheaded.

On Christmas morning the kids were up at 7:30am and ready to see if Santa had come!

Once they had opened everything we gave them the first clue to the special surprise from us.

They followed the clues around the house until they were finally led downstairs to the box.

First comment from the kids “balloons!” We could have given them just a box of balloons and they would have been content.

Then DH read the note telling them that we are going to Disney.

They looked at their clothes.

Em was so excited, she immediately put on her Ariel shirt and Minnie shorts.

They spent the rest of the day playing in the box.

They’ve been having a great time waking up every morning and taking off a link from the chain.

At first they really didn’t get it. Andrew kept asking how old he will be when we go. I got out the suitcases yesterday and he finally is starting to understand that it is in a couple weeks. He knows that it is December now and that the trip is in January so he keeps asking me every morning if it’s January yet.

 

[Monny2AE]

Glad to see your PTR is back up and running! I looked for it yesterday and it was in completed TR's and I couldn't post to it. Can't wait for the update!

I've been trying to post for 2 days and finally got a mod to move it back. Enjoy the update!

 

[drakes]

Sorry to hear about your technical difficulties and that was all it was - I was going to PM you today and make sure you were ok .

Your Disney Box looks amazing - funny how the kids like the box. DD did as well, she got right in it after all was said and done, with both our dogs (toy poodles). Our story was a fun one, our helium tank (the Balloon Time) was almost empty( maybe the family was inhaling it - ) Anyhow I had to have DH run to the dollar store on the 24th for balloons, He bought more than needed in case any popped. We wrapped the box in this beautiful tink paper and placed the balloons, star shaped into the box. I tested it many times to make sure they floated up when you opened the box. They did ! DD had to open it last, she didn't really think anything of the size of the box (she thought it was a barbie nail studio - ) Anyhow - she was already emotional over the gifts she gave to others, so I let her know it is now time for her to open her final BIG present. At first she didn't understand the balloons and then I told her to pick up the card attached to them, which let her know we're going to disney. She thought we were all going, and then actually read the card - and saw it was just her and I, then the tears started and she came and sat on my lap and hugged me. I didn't take pictures(because I wanted to see her face rather than be all concerned about photos), but we did videotape it. I think she was shellshocked for awhile. She could not sleep and ever since the reveal I have been nervous, jumpy and edgy, like too much caffiene I think it is excited nerves I have never felt this way before a trip .

All in all it was a success and she is making her lists. She also loves her new clothes for the trip and at Boxing Day sales we got her park bag ( her first year with a bag) and a bathing suit.

I am glad your kids are excited too ! Maybe we will be able to plan a meet as the Christmas Surprise Snowbirds! (p.s. never again will I do a surprise trip! I much prefer the family helping with the plans)

 

[Flossbolna]

I was wondering how your surprise went! Thanks for the update! I think it is wonderful that your kids seemed to be more into the box and the balloons than the "far away" Disney trip!

I had absolutely missed all your cc troubles. I hope things are ok! This is really scary and I understand your feeling of insecurity. I hope you can feel safe again soon!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great surprise story!! The kids look so happy! Mine were the same way last year -- they didn't get it at first. Too big of a surprise I guess.

Drakes -- loved your story too!

I agree though, one time is enough. I don't think I would do the surprise again. While it was fun, it was too hard!! I liked to talk about trip planning everyday!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Glad you're back up and running!
Stupid work~I won't be able to see the pics until I get home tonight!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I love the surprise story - the pictures were awesome!

Drakes - it brought tears to my eyes when she realized it was just you two going! How sweet!

I could never do a surprise trip. I talk way too much! HA! I managed one or two small surprises on this last trip and that was enough!

 

[NewCrew42]

Wonderful update! Your kids are so cute playing in the box with the ballons!

 

[drakes]

Sorry to hijack the thread with my story - I feel like we've been in secret planning mode together.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

LOVE IT!!!!!


I am so happy that the surprise went well and the kiddos are getting excited!!

We have EXACTLY the same snowman mug that you used for Santa's milk!!!

Planned any of your park days yet?

 

[Monny2AE]

Sorry to hear about your technical difficulties and that was all it was - I was going to PM you today and make sure you were ok .

Your Disney Box looks amazing - funny how the kids like the box. DD did as well, she got right in it after all was said and done, with both our dogs (toy poodles). Our story was a fun one, our helium tank (the Balloon Time) was almost empty( maybe the family was inhaling it - ) Anyhow I had to have DH run to the dollar store on the 24th for balloons, He bought more than needed in case any popped. We wrapped the box in this beautiful tink paper and placed the balloons, star shaped into the box. I tested it many times to make sure they floated up when you opened the box. They did ! DD had to open it last, she didn't really think anything of the size of the box (she thought it was a barbie nail studio - ) Anyhow - she was already emotional over the gifts she gave to others, so I let her know it is now time for her to open her final BIG present. At first she didn't understand the balloons and then I told her to pick up the card attached to them, which let her know we're going to disney. She thought we were all going, and then actually read the card - and saw it was just her and I, then the tears started and she came and sat on my lap and hugged me. I didn't take pictures(because I wanted to see her face rather than be all concerned about photos), but we did videotape it. I think she was shellshocked for awhile. She could not sleep and ever since the reveal I have been nervous, jumpy and edgy, like too much caffiene I think it is excited nerves I have never felt this way before a trip .

All in all it was a success and she is making her lists. She also loves her new clothes for the trip and at Boxing Day sales we got her park bag ( her first year with a bag) and a bathing suit.

I am glad your kids are excited too ! Maybe we will be able to plan a meet as the Christmas Surprise Snowbirds! (p.s. never again will I do a surprise trip! I much prefer the family helping with the plans)

How sweet! This trip is going to be such a special memory for the two of you! You're such a good mommy!
I have to agree that it was fun doing this as a surprise once but I doubt I'll do it again. It was WAY hard to keep it quiet!

I was wondering how your surprise went! Thanks for the update! I think it is wonderful that your kids seemed to be more into the box and the balloons than the "far away" Disney trip!

I had absolutely missed all your cc troubles. I hope things are ok! This is really scary and I understand your feeling of insecurity. I hope you can feel safe again soon!

Thanks! I've got pretty much everything set with Chase and all is well now. No new attempts to charge anything on the old account # or anything else. I put on a fraud alert with all 3 credit bureaus just in case though and got my new cards in the mail just in time to take them with us for the trip in a couple weeks!
Next Christmas Santa is just going to bring balloons I think! That was the highlight of their day!

Great surprise story!! The kids look so happy! Mine were the same way last year -- they didn't get it at first. Too big of a surprise I guess.

Drakes -- loved your story too!

I agree though, one time is enough. I don't think I would do the surprise again. While it was fun, it was too hard!! I liked to talk about trip planning everyday!

I looked at DH and said next time we won't do it as a surprise and he just rolled his eyes at me at the thought of *next time.* Poor guy but he knew I was a Disney nut when he married me. I was working at the Disney Store soon after we met so that should have tipped him off

Glad you're back up and running!
Stupid work~I won't be able to see the pics until I get home tonight!

How dare your work block such important things as the DIS!

I love the surprise story - the pictures were awesome!

Drakes - it brought tears to my eyes when she realized it was just you two going! How sweet!

I could never do a surprise trip. I talk way too much! HA! I managed one or two small surprises on this last trip and that was enough!

It was definitely hard work not slipping up. I think if my kids were older they would have known. I lucked out that they are so young and a few things went unnoticed along the way.

Wonderful update! Your kids are so cute playing in the box with the ballons!

Thanks! They've been playing in the box all week. We took off the wrapping paper and they decorated the outside to make it like a house on one side and a space ship on the other. All the $ I spent on Christmas present and they are thrilled with a box and their imaginations!

Sorry to hijack the thread with my story - I feel like we've been in secret planning mode together.

Not hijacking at all! Us secret Disney Trip Planners must stick together! It was nice being able to talk on here since I couldn't talk about it at home. I'm glad both our surprises went so well!

LOVE IT!!!!!


I am so happy that the surprise went well and the kiddos are getting excited!!

We have EXACTLY the same snowman mug that you used for Santa's milk!!!

Planned any of your park days yet?

Must be a Kim thing with the snowman mug! I'm telling you you're my Northern twin!
As far as planning my park days...Um...still working on that! I'm feeling very unprepared for this trip. I made myself a to do list...that's a start!

 

[Monny2AE]

Lookee what was in my mailbox today!!!!!!!​

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Lookee what was in my mailbox today!!!!!!!​

I am REALLY hoping that mine comes tomorrow!!! Did it come reg mail or UPS?