Crafts, spreadsheets and pixie dust... oh my! A PTR for May 2014

[Disney9.9.10]

What a fun little trip you guys had! Your DS is just too cute!

 

[DMGeurts]

I know I am a bit early - Just stopping by to wish you and your adorable family...

D~

 

[MeeskaMomma]

Wow guys it has been a looooong time! I have a lot of catching up to do! I know I have been MIA, but real life kind of took over and Disney went on the back burner. Also, I have a new hobby. With the help of new books and a new camera I have been obsessively studying photography. This just might come in handy for our Disney trip.

Also, we found out our son will be having another eye surgery at the end of February, and since surgery is in another city many arrangements for that had to be made.

But enough of all that. Guess what tomorrow is? Our Dalmatian day!!!!! A crippling cold kind of slowed preparations, but I finished the countdown this afternoon, just in time for tomorrow's kick off.

I went a little different. Goose has mastered counting 1-10, but we get a little stuck around 14, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to really start learning our higher numbers, and I thought the easiest way to visualize that is with a number line! So I went to a teacher store, got a really long number line which wraps around the play room and put a big Mickey sticker on a cloths pin. Each day we can hop Mickey down the number line. Hopefully it works.

Here are some not so great photos, I did not take with said new fancy camera.











Hopefully Dalmatian Day goes well and I will have another update soon!

 

[blueangel2]

Hi! I'm another May traveler and I love the pre-trip reports. It feels like I get to plan with other people that are obsessed with planning and Disney Thanks for allowing me to tag along on your journey.

 

[MeeskaMomma]

Hi! I'm another May traveler and I love the pre-trip reports. It feels like I get to plan with other people that are obsessed with planning and Disney Thanks for allowing me to tag along on your journey.

Welcome! I will hoo over to your PTR soon!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

yay!! you're back!! i love the number line idea--soooo cute! i thought it was funny when you said goose gets stuck at 14. both of our girls, for some reason, would always skip 15 when they were learning their numbers. both of them! i guess 15 must be some sort of shady thug, cuz they just did not like that number! keep us posted on how goose is doing with his surgery!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

Yay! You're back! I love you number line. That is a great day to count down! I hope tour Dalmatian day goes well I can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[kansasdisneygal]

Saw your countdown on FB and I love it. What a great idea, especially to help learn numbers!! Yay for Dalmatian Day!!!

 

[LB1122]

Looks like your Kansas trip was a lot of fun. We enjoyed it there but it was during a heat wave so not as fun to be outside...looks like you had to deal with the cold instead.

LOVE LOVE the number line countdown. such a fun way to countdown!! You are in the correct year at last!! Not that much longer...

 

[kayemgi]

That countdown is adorable! What a great idea and so simple too. I love those paper chain countdowns, but I'd never have the patience to make 101 of them, but it's really fun to start counting down that early. This is going in my file for future countdowns!

I hope Goose's surgery goes well in February (in case you get busy again before then and you can't post). Good luck!

 

[DMGeurts]

It's great to see you back!

I am anxious to see the results of your new hobby - WDW is a great place to practice!

I just love the countdown - what a great idea! And I bet that will help immensely with Goose's number learning! Fantastic!

I hope Goose's surgery goes well next month. Please keep us updated if you can. ::

D~

 

[MeeskaMomma]

yay!! you're back!! i love the number line idea--soooo cute! i thought it was funny when you said goose gets stuck at 14. both of our girls, for some reason, would always skip 15 when they were learning their numbers. both of them! i guess 15 must be some sort of shady thug, cuz they just did not like that number! keep us posted on how goose is doing with his surgery!

Haha! 15 is a shady character. When I was a kid a didn't like the number 5 because he acted like an even number when he should be embracing his oddness (don't ask...kid logic ) I hope to stay more active now and will let you guys know how the surgery goes!

Yay! You're back! I love you number line. That is a great day to count down! I hope tour Dalmatian day goes well I can't wait to hear all about it.

Thank you! Dalmatian day was very low key because everyone is battling a cold but still fun. We did get some good Disney planning do e so I will have an update soon!

Saw your countdown on FB and I love it. What a great idea, especially to help learn numbers!! Yay for Dalmatian Day!!!

Thank you! I think I mentioned this on FB but I use the 1-10 to play a number matching game and goose was a little upset to see his number line repurposed until I showed him we could still play his game. We did ALOT of counting yesterday, but never quite to 101 we just don't have the attention span for it yet, but I was impressed with how far he did work so it must be working

Looks like your Kansas trip was a lot of fun. We enjoyed it there but it was during a heat wave so not as fun to be outside...looks like you had to deal with the cold instead. LOVE LOVE the number line countdown. such a fun way to countdown!! You are in the correct year at last!! Not that much longer...

Oh man was it cold! Thank goodness most everything was connected with a heated walkway! 2014

That countdown is adorable! What a great idea and so simple too. I love those paper chain countdowns, but I'd never have the patience to make 101 of them, but it's really fun to start counting down that early. This is going in my file for future countdowns! I hope Goose's surgery goes well in February (in case you get busy again before then and you can't post). Good luck!

I don't think I have the patients to do the chain either! I like simple I hope to check in more and give updates! Also I fully plan to catch up in your TR today. I was looking for it yesterday and them got distracted!

It's great to see you back! I am anxious to see the results of your new hobby - WDW is a great place to practice! I just love the countdown - what a great idea! And I bet that will help immensely with Goose's number learning! Fantastic! I hope Goose's surgery goes well next month. Please keep us updated if you can. :: D~

Thank you Dee! I have had so much fun wit my photography and I am already day dreaming about Disney. Here are some of my favorite shots from my first couple of outings. I am going to try to check in more often. I missed so much! And I will definitely give everyone a surgery update! I appreciate the warm welcome back everyone! I will be catching up in all of your TRs and PTRs and updating moe often!

 

[Jennyfyar]

Really enjoying your PTR. I would love to make the water bottles as pre-trip gifts for my group. Do you remember where you bought them? Thanks!

 

[MeeskaMomma]

Really enjoying your PTR. I would love to make the water bottles as pre-trip gifts for my group. Do you remember where you bought them? Thanks!

Thanks for joining in! Here is the link to the etsy shop.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/124303291/20oz-walt-disney-water-bottle?ref=favs_view_3

I will warn you that as cute as they are, they were kind of a pain to haul around the park and you really had to force them in the stroller cup holder, and one started leaking the last day so they will be staying here this trip. They did come in super handy for our Disney training walks before our trip. May use them again for that.

 

[MeeskaMomma]

Dalmatian Day!

First some housekeeping. I decided to keep my dates private (maybe a little late for that). So I removed my ticker and tried to edit them out anywhere else they may appear. I love using this community to share plans and get great ideas, but you just never know who is reading this and I stated feeling uneasy about sharing so much of our plans.

Now onto Dalmatian Day!!!

We were all a bit under the weather yesterday but I still wanted to mark the occasion. So I changed the menu to easy sick friendly food and went a bit lazy on the festivities. The great thing about having a 3 year old is the simple decorations (as you will see they were super sloppy) I had made the evening different enough to provide excitement.

Menu:

Leek and Potato Soup (I think this is of welsh origin but close enough)
Homemade bread
Banana pudding (I think pudding when I think British desert, although I think Banana pudding is not exactly traditional.)

Decorations:
A white table cloth to color on, some Dalmatians to color, some cut out black spots.

As you can see I didn't even fully set the table. Still fun for the little guy though!



We also had a little snafu with the movie. I planned to check it out from the library but they didn't have it. Luckily the live action version is on Netflix, not the same thing but good enough. We ended the day curled up on our bed under a blanket tent watching the movie, and passing the tissue box (for the family snotfest). Really it was perfect in its own way.

Oh and the countdown was a huge hit. Goose was super excited to movie Mickey today, and we practiced counting A LOT (I am so tired of counting but Goose is still finding it exciting).

Mr. Incredible and I also worked out a draft of the itinerary. I will try to get it posted later today or tomorrow.

That is all for now. Let the snotfest resume!

 

[blueangel2]

Dalmatian Day!

First some housekeeping. I decided to keep my dates private (maybe a little late for that). So I removed my ticker and tried to edit them out anywhere else they may appear. I love using this community to share plans and get great ideas, but you just never know who is reading this and I stated feeling uneasy about sharing so much of our plans.

Now onto Dalmatian Day!!!

We were all a bit under the weather yesterday but I still wanted to mark the occasion. So I changed the menu to easy sick friendly food and went a bit lazy on the festivities. The great thing about having a 3 year old is the simple decorations (as you will see they were super sloppy) I had made the evening different enough to provide excitement.

Menu:

Leek and Potato Soup (I think this is of welsh origin but close enough)
Homemade bread
Banana pudding (I think pudding when I think British desert, although I think Banana pudding is not exactly traditional.)

Decorations:
A white table cloth to color on, some Dalmatians to color, some cut out black spots.

As you can see I didn't even fully set the table. Still fun for the little guy though!



We also had a little snafu with the movie. I planned to check it out from the library but they didn't have it. Luckily the live action version is on Netflix, not the same thing but good enough. We ended the day curled up on our bed under a blanket tent watching the movie, and passing the tissue box (for the family snotfest). Really it was perfect in its own way.

Oh and the countdown was a huge hit. Goose was super excited to movie Mickey today, and we practiced counting A LOT (I am so tired of counting but Goose is still finding it exciting).

Mr. Incredible and I also worked out a draft of the itinerary. I will try to get it posted later today or tomorrow.

That is all for now. Let the snotfest resume!

Even at 5 my dd is satisfied with a just dinner theme to match the movie. I don't even decorate. As long as I make it a big deal, it becomes a big deal Here's hoping your family gets over the cold.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

aahhhh, germs....our youngest was throwing up this morning....it's that time of year.

anyway, I think your dinner sounds cute and easy--which I can always appreciate! I wanted to check out 101 dalmations for our 101 day and I reserved it, then forgot to pick it up.....we still haven't seen it. you're doing better then us!

 

[MeeskaMomma]

Even at 5 my dd is satisfied with a just dinner theme to match the movie. I don't even decorate. As long as I make it a big deal, it becomes a big deal Here's hoping your family gets over the cold.

It is great to hear they are still so easily amused at 5! Boy does it make live easier!

aahhhh, germs....our youngest was throwing up this morning....it's that time of year.

anyway, I think your dinner sounds cute and easy--which I can always appreciate! I wanted to check out 101 dalmations for our 101 day and I reserved it, then forgot to pick it up.....we still haven't seen it. you're doing better then us!

Yep, still battling germs over here It made for one sleepless night, so I am taking it easy today, enjoying my coffee and catching up on Dis, while Goose plays firefighter (he is currently attempting to save the cat from a the couch...ahem I mean "tree" he is stuck up with the aid of his fire truck. Hey I got to use that guy again!

I hope you guys feel better!

 

[MeeskaMomma]

Through all the sick snotty grossness this weekend we did actually get some Disney planning accomplished. As I mentioned we made our preliminary itinerary. Now I know it is not everyone's touring style, but we love having everything mapped out and then we can always alter it in the park, at least this way there is no standing around . Also, with the new FP+ I was especially anxious to get something on paper. Of course I am guessing this will change when me get to actually make our reservations.

A few things you may notice. First, our first morning at MK is a bit jam packed, but this is surprisingly similar to our schedule last year and we fit everything in easily. I think it is all that first day energy. As the week goes on there is a lot more blank space and wiggle room in the schedule which I think is good.

Also, if you have been paying close attention you may notice a new ADR. My original plan was to sleep in on Saturday since that is our Hollywood Studios day, there isn't a lot we want to do there, and having the FP+ available for Toy Story Mania makes it to wear I wont feel bad about missing rope drop. Well, it turns out Mr. Incredible really wants to try the breakfast at The Wave, and we he saw that blank space he saw a perfect opportunity. So I booked us one more ADR for the Wave. It should be yummy, and hopefully the breakfast is late enough we can still take it a little easy that morning!

I would love any feedback you guys have. Remember we are traveling with a 3 year old, centering the trip around rides for him, with a few thrown in for us grown ups... so yes we are skipping some big headliners. Also, if you are curious travel times came from the Disney Travel Wizard at ourlaughingplace.net. I used it last year and it was pretty accurate.



After we finished the itinerary I printed out a copy. Mr. Incredible carried it around with him all weekend, and I kept catching him looking at it with longing...although I am not sure if that was due to his love of spreadsheets or because he is so ready to be at Disney...probably both.

 

[Jackiemarie21]

I think your plans look fantastic! I love how organized you are!
Your Dalamtion night looks like fun. I hope you all are feeling better soon!