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

[MeeskaMomma]

Honestly, I'm surprised there aren't eye patches with characters on them already. When I worked at a childcare center, we had several children (more than one might imagine) with eye patches, so I always assumed it wasn't rare enough not to warrent some kind of design. I hope you find success with Bandaid.

I agree, there should be more patch options! My son's eye condition is rare, but there are lots of other conditions that are much more common (amblyopia for one) that require patching! The only ones you can find in the actual store are nexcare and they are just plane tan, and break my son's skin out horribly. We started with those when he was a baby and after the first day his skin was so irritated the rash was bleeding! His OP told us about Ortopad which are great, but you have to order them on line, and they run $20 a box which adds up pretty quickly because in the begging you go through so many patches just trying to get your kid to keep the darn thing on! [end rant]

The family theme night thread is a great place to look for ideas. You can get lost in there for hours, pouring over all the ideas.

That thread is dangerous! I can so get lost in there!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

(I have always wanted to use that firefighter guy, and I can't think of a situation it will come up naturally so...)

LOL! that cracked me up this morning!

and mr. incredible--great alias! I used mr incredible for my husbands avatar on our Disney experience stuff. aren't we so lucky?

 

[Imbri]

MeeskaMomma, how did you figure out the days before the trip? Did you just count backwards? Lol. Trying to figure out what our 101 would be, hehe!

 

[MeeskaMomma]

LOL! that cracked me up this morning!

and mr. incredible--great alias! I used mr incredible for my husbands avatar on our Disney experience stuff. aren't we so lucky?

All those little guys crack me up!! Glad I am not the only one!

We are so lucky!!!

MeeskaMomma, how did you figure out the days before the trip? Did you just count backwards? Lol. Trying to figure out what our 101 would be, hehe!

I am sure there is a website out there that could backdate for you, but personally I just used the spread sheet. The bottom cell (A33) had our date listed in it, and then you will notice collumb B has the dates backward I was needing so I used a formula "=$A$33-B4" copied and pasted all the way down to get the other dates, and then I just told excel to format it as a date.

I just checked and here is a web site that does backdating.

http://www.deadlinecalculator.com/

There are probably more, I didn't look to hard!

Happy planning!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

excuse me taking over your PTR for a second, but I just ask Siri "how many days until January 5?" (that's the day we leave for Disney) and she does all the work of figuring out your days left (if you have siri--put her to work!)

 

[MeeskaMomma]

excuse me taking over your PTR for a second, but I just ask Siri "how many days until January 5?" (that's the day we leave for Disney) and she does all the work of figuring out your days left (if you have siri--put her to work!)

Oh my gosh that is amazing, and a million times easier!!! Yes, do that. That deserves a bunch of firemen!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Oh my gosh that is amazing, and a million times easier!!! Yes, do that. That deserves a bunch of firemen!

I love the firemen! I think from now on i'll just throw in random smilies on my posts to you, just for laughs!

 

[Jackiemarie21]

OMG I missed a ton in the last few days! I can not wait to see how your family nights go! I may have to steal some of your ideas. We love movie nights and I am always looking for new ideas.

 

[MeeskaMomma]

I love the firemen! I think from now on i'll just throw in random smilies on my posts to you, just for laughs!

Great idea!

OMG I missed a ton in the last few days! I can not wait to see how your family nights go! I may have to steal some of your ideas. We love movie nights and I am always looking for new ideas.

That is okay because I will definitely be steeling ideas from your PTR! You guys had some great movie nights! I am still having trouble coming up with lessons to go along with some of the movies, I am sure there is a website out there that has done that for me. If you have any ideas please throw them out there!

 

[katriscari]

We'll southwest flights came out today, and I don't think they are all that great...at least from Cleveland. Kind of disappointed that I will probably have to spend $1000 for 3 people.

 

[ABCastillo]

Joining in and love your PTR! I love spreadsheets!! Woohoo!! I have a master budget one right now and am starting on my itinerary one next.

Keep watching the southwest flights though! I had the same fear and just last week they finally came down for PIT to nearly $100 off the total price for each person for our January trip.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

hi! just hadn't sent anything to you in awhile and felt the need for random smilies today (it's rainy and gloomy here today).



ok, i'm good now. thanks!!

 

[MeeskaMomma]

We'll southwest flights came out today, and I don't think they are all that great...at least from Cleveland. Kind of disappointed that I will probably have to spend $1000 for 3 people.

I saw that last night!!! I was out of town so I didn't book, but we are in flight booking range!!! Now I just have to decide if we are going to just book so it is done and wait for a special. There are only two flights with only 1 connection, and they fill up fast, so I am thinking we need to book soon!

Joining in and love your PTR! I love spreadsheets!! Woohoo!! I have a master budget one right now and am starting on my itinerary one next.

Keep watching the southwest flights though! I had the same fear and just last week they finally came down for PIT to nearly $100 off the total price for each person for our January trip.

I will have to hop over to your PTR when I get a chance! I have a lot of catching up to do, but I love seeing everyone's spreadsheets!

hi! just hadn't sent anything to you in awhile and felt the need for random smilies today (it's rainy and gloomy here today).



ok, i'm good now. thanks!!

Glad you stopped by! It is rainy and gloomy here too!!! I just got back in town so I am catching up. It made my day to see an assortment of smiles

 

[MeeskaMomma]

Hello all! What a busy weekend! I have so much Dis to catch up on!!!

It is finally here!!! The day the Disney calendar for May came out, the day southwest posted their flights, the day I can start really booking things and getting clearer idea on whether or not my plans will work. I have been counting this day down for month and did I get any Disney planning accomplished.... ummmm no. But for good reason!!!

First, the Goose turned 3!!!!

We had a fun filled day. I didn't do a birthday party per se, because while Goose is starting to form little friendships, he still leans more towards parallel play, and prefers the company of Mom and Dad. I think we will wait until next year to add friends.

Now, while I think my 3 year olds birthday is just the most exciting thing ever, you guys, here for the Disney planning may or may not be interested in a grand retelling of the day... so...here is a picture montage.

















(Yeah, he got to play in an experimental space craft! How many 3 year olds can say that!!!!!)















That basically sums up our super fun day!!! If you have never been to an Airshow I highly recommend it! Also, it took literally all day to open the 6 presents we had for him, because we had to play with each one for hours before moving on, which actually made it kind of fun.

The day after Gooses birthday we flew to Houston for his doctor appointments, which were all uneventful (hooray! ) However while we were there, my nephew, a.k.a. Super Baby, decided to make an early appearance. He decided 27 weeks was enough time growing in the womb. We were prepared for an early delivery, but hoping he would wait a bit longer. He will be in the NICU for a while, but he is doing amazingly well!! He is breathing on his own and they are going to start feeds soon!! Since I happened to be in town Goose and I spent the day with the hospital. Goose had a great time playing with Uncle Fun, who seemed glad for the cheery distraction, and I spent the afternoon with Aunt Super Woman watching Super Baby. I think I could have sat in the NICU all day, it was amazing watching that little miracle.

We are home now, Goose has been sleeping all day, and I am avoiding housework. I hope to catch up on Dis and then get back to my own Disney planning! So I promise the next update will be Disney related and less real-life-related, but with so much excitement I couldn't help myself!

 

[dismom9761]

Looks like a perfect birthday.
Congrats on the new nephew

 

[MeeskaMomma]

Looks like a perfect birthday.
Congrats on the new nephew

Why thank you!

 

[MeeskaMomma]

Budget (Round 1)

I promised an actual Disney update was coming. Now that Southwest released their flight info I can do some real number crunching. I spent the morning working on the budget.

Bad news is, assuming no Discount, (I called no pin ) and that I don't count the gift cards we have collected through gifts we are over budget. Of course we just kind of threw out that number last May, knowing we were upgrading to a suite (we were upgraded for free last year), and going for a longer time, and my husband has been thinking it will cost a lot more, but I am determined to keep us in that original budget. Of course I am sure I can find at least a 15% discount between now and then!) Also, I am pretty sure after I finish the food spreadsheet our Dining Budget will increase quite a bit!!!

Good news, we have enough points to cover our flights at full price!!!!
I would have to do some points juggling if I bought them now, which I have done before, but if I wait until after our November trip I can buy them all through my account, so that seems like the plan right now. I also kind of want to wait a bit longer and see if I can catch a special. Last year I got an AMAZING deal on our flights. The downside is, last year the early 1 stop only flight filled up and we didn't get in until 7pm, (the other flight would get us in at 1pm) so I don't want to wait tooo long.

Now without further ado, I give you Budget (round 1). We see how much pixie dust I can add to get things a little better.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Oh my goodness you had an exciting day yesterday! Woohoo, Disney planning!

Goose's bday looked awesome! How cool that he got to play with all the controls and buttons! And, how cute is he in his uniform?!?

I'm so impressed with your budget! I'm sure you'll find a room discount or free dining or something before your trip.

And--random smilie--

 

[MrsDrewsky]

It looks like Goose had a wonderful birthday. I love that he had to stop and play with each toy he unwrapped.

Congratulations on your new nephew! Sending prayers that he continues to thrive in the NICU and his parents are doing well during this time.

 

[Jackiemarie21]

What a great Birthday! Looks like tons of fun! I also love John in the firefighter outfit!

I am so impressed with your spreadsheet! Looks great so far. I am sure a discount will come out before your trip. We even got one in July. It was room only but every little bit counts. That should help you stay in budget. We purchased gift cards for our entire trip at Target which helped us save a couple hundred. Every bit helps!