Countdown to the Clown! A September PTR - Updated 9/13 - TR LINK

[luvfigment]

4 more days!!!!! Woo hoo! Just getting all caught up...I was hardly able to do antyhign on the Dis this week it was soooooo sloooooooooooooow. I waskinda going through withdrawl.

Anyways you plans look great and I can't wait to follow along on FB while you are there. Hope you have a great time!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I hope you're last 6 days go quickly! For us it seems this last week is crawling by and driving me crazy

So far they have gone VERY quickly...but then again it was the weekend, they always seem to go by before I know it! We'll see how Monday, Tuesday go. Wednesday will fly by as well because I'm taking Henry to the zoo and we are celebrating his birthday that night!

6 days?!!!!!!!!!!!! I have chills!!! that means my trip is that much closer!!!!!!!!!! YAY YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And SO happy that you got the PP share organized, thanks again, Brook!!

It is SO close!

Your welcome on the Share! It's been much, much easier than I expected, everyone is so great to work with!

6 days!!

Seems like we have a similar packing approach. Phase I is to make a pile in or adjacent to the suitcase. Organizing doesn't come til much later in the process.

Aren't you a chronic "night before I go" packer??

LL - You crack me UP!!!!!! Between Brooke and I, I hope we can cure you of your thrill ride fear. Just do what LJ says - when you are scared just look at your feet!!!!! Seriously - works every time!!!!!!!!

That's not a bad idea! I don't get too scared on many rides...I did on this one though:

I didn't have time to stare at my feet, my EYELIDS WERE FLAPPING IN THE WIND! Never, never, never again!

Brooke - My boys did this to no end when they were little. Especially Nicholas. They grow out of it. Especially around the time they start to notice girls! No, seriously - its before that!

You had me worried there for a second! I might have started introducing Henry to every little girl I see!

I have a coworker who went into this big thing one day about how she refuses to let her son play with guns, how they teach the wrong message, etc. Another coworker piped in and said "If he has fingers, he will learn to make a gun. I would be more concerned if you saw him lighting animals on fire, relax on the guns". Aiden isn't into or aware of guns yet but I have no issue with him playing with UNREALISTIC guns, like a Nerf gun or something. And like you said, he can shoot up the table or a tree, but we will teach him to respect guns, even fake ones.

After talking to my friend who just came back from BWV I got very depressed. I have over 1 year 3 months till we go back. Phewey!!

But love that so many fab people around here do reports so I can live through them!!!

That is good advice from the coworker! Tonight a balloon was a gun! He blasted up the bed!

Oh no...1 year 3 months. That is a long time to wait...but it will feel SO GREAT when it does arrive! And yes, the DIS is an excellent help for in-between trips. I LOVE TRs!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Wow! You are almost there! Time seems to be slipping away, although I am sure you feel differently!

So far it has gone by quickly! It's gotta be the whole "New York Minute" thing. I find it pretty much hard to believe we are just days away!

I wanted to stop by before we left and tell you to have a wonderful time! If we see you we'll be sure and say "Hi"

Thank you Dawn! You are in the World by now, I'm sure having a magical time, getting the BWI all ready for us. I hope we run into you!

Is it 5 days now? WOOHOO!!! OMG - you are so close! I was checking in on you during my lunch break at work, but didn't have time to respond. My DS started 1st grade this week so that took up a little more of my spare time at night. They seriously grow up fast, let me tell ya!

I can't wait to follow you on FB and SEE what you guys are up to! GUESS WHAT? I got me a new iPhone 4 last weekend!! YAHOO!! As I mentioned to you before, I had been on the fence for awhile and since my DH already has the 3GS and was with AT&T we could get a family plan and I get a corporate discount of 20% so I did the math and for me it's only a little over $10 more a month for it compared to what I was paying before. Granted I had to fork out the $ for the phone, but oh well! I'm loving it, of course! Any new apps you're in love with?

Heather

Oooh, 1st grade! I can't even imagine it. Henry will do pre-K next year...seems hard to believe.

That is a GREAT deal on your plan!!! I sure wish we got a discount. How are you loving it? It really is proving to be very, very handy. I start to write things down as habit, then I realize I can quickly and easily put the same info into my phone! So far the apps I use the most are Evernote (free), Toy Story Mania rolleyes: $4.99) and Grocery IQ (free) which I mostly use to keep track of my coupons instead of my grocery list. I also use the calendar sync to Google all the time. Love that!

How about you? Have you found any good ones yet?

There are TONS of great kids ones! There is a puzzle game that Henry loves - might be too simple for your DS though. I Googled "iPhone apps good for a 3 year old" and found oodles of free ones that he really enjoys. I'm sure you could do the same and find some....if you want to share the phone!

WOOT WOOT for being under a week!! Your trip is going to be here before you know it!!!

YAY for wonderful DIS Meets, no matter what you decide to do it will be great fun!!!!! BTW Brook as a resident HM expert ( I have self titled myself LOL) it is just cheesy fun!!! The song is catchy and you'll be dancing right along with the ghosts!!! And the doombuggies...well we all know how badly I want one in my house LOL!!!!

Can't wait for FB updates!! Going to be great!

I'm really excited about the HM! The only thing that would make it better is if you were there too! You will certainly be thought of during my ride! Maybe I'll tell the ghosts you say hello. I'm really excited too just to see what all the hype is about it. If its a favorite of that many people, its gotta be good!

Oh my gosh Brook!! Where have I been?

I'm going to safely say that I will have NO time to go back and read all about your plans so I'm going to be happily surprised at everything you do when the TR begins

Have a fabulous trip and I promise to be around when you get back

No worries! Thanks for finding me!!! See ya on the TR! I can't believe I can say that and it literally only be like 2 weeks away!

5 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 now...almost 3!

 

[brookelizabeth]

QUICK Driveby......


5 days!!!!!!


So you packed yet?

I can actually answer that question....see next update! However when you posted your comment the answer was a big 'ol NOPE!

Hey Brook!

After a 2-week DIS hiatus I'm back and all caught up. And just in time, it seems because today is...

5 days!

Welcome back!!! I like the 5 dancing bananas, but FOUR is even better!

5 DAYS!!! 5 DAYS!!! 5 DAYS!!!

I can't believe it's just around the corner!

5 days! I missed most of your PTR but am so happy for you that everything worked out.

You can just walk up for the photosession. We had ours scheduled but they were definitely available for walk up in the BC lobby and we also caught one just hanging out in front of the BC on the path. I will say, the woman that did ours, is a "floater". We had ours at the WL but then I saw her at the BC on our last day and she did an AMAZING job. Medium to longish hair, light brownish, I think she had it up and she is younger. Super nice. Of course I can't remember her name but she did a really really great job and we got 3x as many shots as I was expecting.

It was a guy on the path and he took some great shots too!

That is GREAT news and an awesome tip about the Photo Session! Joe is kinda nervous about us just walking up...so I will make an appointment, just to ease him. I'm hoping for the floater gal! Can you kinda direct them in what you are looking for? I'd love to get some shots of Henry playing in the sand...not typical stand there and pose shots - some of those are fine, but I want some candid type too. I hope they don't mind me suggesting it!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Ahh, kids! For awhile everything with Ryan was butt! "Mommy butt," "Daddy Butt," "You're a butt," etc! It was so frustrating! I tried 10,000 different ways to get him to stop! He thought it was hilarious! Luckily, it stopped!

a french fry gun!!! Ryan hasn't gotten to much into guns yet but he love Star Wars! Anything straight can be made into a light saber and he instantly becomes Obi Wan Kenobi, or as he calls him, YiYiYi Yubby!

Tonight it was a balloon! So it's not even just objects that even slightly resemble guns, its anything.

Henry hasn't gone through the "butt" stage yet...he says it, and thinks its HILARIOUS (same with any bodily function!), but hasn't called people that...yet. I wonder if it's coming?

I bet Henry would be into Star Wars and light sabers if he had an older brother or if Joe was big into it! Perhaps even just the glimpses at Disney will start a new trend. We'll see!

The YiYiYi Yubby is ADORABLE! I love the language of this age!

Adorable!

All of your plans sound so good! I can't believe how close you are!!!

He just loves those postcards! He was staring at Mickey and Minnie again tonight asking about Mickey's House. He knows it's soon!

4 days for you... 4 days for me!!!

oops, just leaked a little!

See you on Thursday- hopefully!!! Let's hope Henry holds out at least a little so we can catch a quick Meet at DHS or POP!!!

And we are almost at three days! I bet time is flying for you being so busy with family!

I am thinking he might be a-OK for the 8:30 showing. Plus, then we'd get back to the resort right about the time Joe is arriving, which will work out perfectly because then Henry can see his Daddy before bed! (I wonder how long it will take him to settle after THAT?! )

WOW!!!!!!!!!! 4 more days!!!!!!!!

I know! Eeeeeee! I'm so excited!

4 dancing bananas in celebration of 4 days until Disney!!



And some dancing ladies for good measure!

I like the dancing ladies, they only count as THREE, so that's even nicer!

FOUR?



That's really, really close to ZERO!

Your departure will brighten up the end of my school week.
I am very excited for you!

I'll have to see if Trent plans to be in the WDW area next weekend or not. Maybe you guys could cross paths, if so.
Saturday is his birthday, so there's a possibility they might go over to DTD to eat and walk around.

That would be great to see Trent! If we do see him, I'll take a pic of the Birthday Boy for you and post it on your FB! We will be at MK that day...maybe a slight break in the middle of the day at the resort if he ventures over to the BW area, I don't think we'll make it to DTD that day though...

WOO HOO!!! SO CLOSE!!!!!

At about this time before my trips, I get that tingly feeling in my belly that we are so close....does that happen to you too? Or it could just be me and my crazy mind.

It's not just you! I get so excited when I think about it all I do a little dancing/kick thing that Joe finds hilarious! Just thinking about it now makes me giddy and I have the tingly stomach!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Holy cow! FOUR DAYS?? Funny how that sounds SO very much closer than a week. It's practically tomorrow for goodness sake!!

Can't wait for your FB updates.

Hope you enjoy the final flurry of packing and getting ready activity!

I know! That is what I said yesterday too...then I realized it was THURSDAY that we leave. Seriously?! I still have to go through Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday?!?! At least we leave in the morning on Thursday.

Four days!! WOOT WOOT WOOT WOOT (you got a double dose!!!)

Hope you guys have an amazing time! I can't wait to live vicariously through you on FB!!!

Ooooh, I like the double dose of Woots!

Did I hear someone say 4 days?

Yes, yes you did!!! That was me, shouting from Queens!

Hurray for 4 days!!

Dancing, dancing, dancing! I love it!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I am all caught up. Life has been really busy lately and then we were all sick in my house. I am going to comment on the whole living far away from family thing. We have lived away from our family in the East (Maine and Montreal) for all of our married lives (11 years this past May). While at first it was easy to go back and visit family plane tickets were a lot cheaper back then. My parents have always been good about coming out to visit at least once a year (now it is twice since Lexi ). My in-laws on the other hand they think we should go visit them but they are retired and travel just not here. Alexia is not their only grandchild but she is their first gd and Jon is their only son. It has caused a lot of hurt feelings on Jon's part as they just don't make an effort. I on the other hand don't really mind (shh don't tell Jon). I would like to see them once a year but that is enough for me. They are nice enough but are very demanding company. They like to be entertained the whole time and when they come they come for like 2 weeks. It makes for a very long visit. Over all I like living away from family but sometimes it is hard.

I really hope it doesn't come to all that for us...that would be difficult! We actually spoke to Joe's Mom yesterday about traveling and things and she completely understood about possibly not coming for holidays in the future. This year we are going to try to make it - tickets are OUTRAGEOUS currently, but hopefully they go down somewhat and we can do it. Anyway, she took it waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than I thought she would! Whew! I knew she'd understand, of course - she's awesome - but I figured there might be hurt feelings and disappointment - there wasn't! Plus, if we visit during an "off season" we'll have a much longer and more enjoyable visit I think. I also really like the idea of just us 3 for holidays some years, making our own traditions, slower and more relaxed - not as much running around to everyone's homes!

4 days!! Less than 100 hours!!

Ooooh, I really like the sound of THAT!

Less than 100 hours...that seems so little.

It does! I LOVE IT!

I love the less then 100 hours!!! Woo hooo!

Me tooooooo! According to my Google Countdown I'm at 74 hours! (unfortunately it's a bit more than that, it's only counting till 12:01 am!)

 

[brookelizabeth]

4 more days!!!!! Woo hoo! Just getting all caught up...I was hardly able to do antyhign on the Dis this week it was soooooo sloooooooooooooow. I waskinda going through withdrawl.

Anyways you plans look great and I can't wait to follow along on FB while you are there. Hope you have a great time!

The DIS was slow for me this week too! It was so frustrating. I saw other posts on it too - lots of people had issues. I'm glad it's back to normal now.

I'm really excited about posting to FB and sharing the magic!

 

[TyRy]

Whooo hooo for the less than 100 hours! I love that too.

Happy early birthday to Henry!!

Seems like a lot of us have had a crazy week..I had all intentions of finishing up my TR and posing my PTR, but once again doggie drama has gotten in the way. She'll be ok, but hopefully this is not something we'll have to ever deal with again...lesson learned.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Monday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday.
Disney-Day!

That's all we have left people. Count 'em. FOUR!

And Wednesday is Henry's birthday, so that day will fly right on by. Now I need ideas for activities to make Monday and Tuesday disappear.

This evening I got laundry done.

When I got home I started to unpack the laundry bag and set aside Disney clothes for Henry and I.

They slowly formed into piles.

15 shirts for an 8 day stay isn't excessive right?


Then I figured I might as well pull out the backpack and put the clothing for September 2 and 3 in it.

Then I figured I might as well get my travel toiletries and the stuff from the suitcase into it too.

And before I knew it...

I was packed!

Well...not quite. The suitcase still looked like this:

Yes, there is a BALLOON in there...

And there were clothes all over the bed.

So I kept working. Joe and Henry were outside...I had time and was child-free for a while...

And pretty soon the suitcase was looking like this instead!

That means, I, brookelizabeth, am PACKED THREE FULL DAYS BEFORE WE LEAVE.

And so is Henry.

This is nothing shy of a miracle!

See all that space on the right side of the suitcase? That's for Joe. He'll most likely be packing the night before....as we usually do. Packing has never been a big stressor to me really, but it's work. And I do not like doing it at 12:00 am the night before we leave, yet I almost always end up doing that - along with 14 loads of laundry.

NOT THIS TIME BABY!

As jenjolt says, WOOT!

No wait, this is cause for a TRIPLE! WOOT WOOT WOOT!

Naturally there are a few last minute items I need to throw into the backpack, but I even made a list for that so I can be uber organized on Thursday morning. (in the backpack picture its the purple thing sticking out - see? Organized. )

 

[jenjolt]

Being completely packed 3 days in advance...is definitely triple WOOT worthty!!

WOOT WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is awesome!! I'm taking a page from your book for January!!! LOL!!!! Would it be too early to start packing now? LOL!!

15 shirts for 8 days sounds just about right to me!! You need options and if it's hot (IF LOL) and you want to change you know you can!!!

Awww...Henry's bday!! That little guy is getting so big so fast!!! Leslie and I were just talking today about how fast time is flying!!!!

PS...I want copies of your list LOL!!! I love looking at and tweaking lists!

 

[KatMark]

Wow, I'm impressed. 3 days to go and you are all packed. And the suitcase looks so neat too.

It will be here before you know it.

 

[All7OfUs]

Ka-ka! I"m so sorry I missed your text at lunch!! I got all ready to call you, but pulled a bonehead move and left my phone in Tracy's car while we were out traipsing around our nation's fair capitol.

Hopefully Glenn or I can get a picture or two up on my thread (or his?) before too long (and for sure before I leave) of our completely fabulous time!! It WAS AMAZING!!

 

[Flossbolna]

I am impressed, you are already packed!! Those three days will go by so quickly and then you are off to WDW!

I am glad that Joe's mother was fine with the idea of not seeing you for the holidays every year. I always think that it matters more to spend time which matters with family than a specific day in the year and I agree, a visit in the summer would be much more relaxed than during the hectic holiday season.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I like the way your week is going with Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Disney-Day!!!

Way to go on the packing! I am super impressed!!!

 

[MeMom]

He just loves those postcards! He was staring at Mickey and Minnie again tonight asking about Mickey's House. He knows it's soon!

Makes me smile to think about him adoring those postcards.

That would be great to see Trent! If we do see him, I'll take a pic of the Birthday Boy for you and post it on your FB! We will be at MK that day...maybe a slight break in the middle of the day at the resort if he ventures over to the BW area, I don't think we'll make it to DTD that day though...

I don't know what his plans are. I just know sometimes they go over and walk around DTD. You probably won't cross paths, but it was just a thought. If he says they're going over that way in the middle of the day, I'll tell him to give you a call.

This is certainly an exciting week at your house!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Anyway week that involves a little one turning 3 and Disney-Day is a super, fabulous week!!!

Yipppeeee for being packed! You go! I must admit, I used to be packed like a month before a trip. But, now it's usually done a few days before. DH thinks I'm nuts but I have to pack for everyone! Him included! DD picks out her own stuff and I put it together and pack!

3 more days!!! WOOT WOOT WOOT

 

[onelilspark]

Why is there a balloon?

 

[princess&her4princes]

Woot woot woot is right!

Love how organized you are! Love that Henry thought the balloon needed to be packed...assuming Henry did that...maybe it was Joe?

WOW....you are SO CLOSE now!!!!!!!!!!! What will you do with all your free time these next couple of days?!!

 

[eandesmom]

Not only are you packed but you are packed into ONE suitcase for you and Joe?