Davy's in Wonderland! The TR of a little boy's dream!

[xanphylus]

Ok! I am going to try my hand at the TR thing one more time! I am determined to do this- hopefully I will have some followers, and if not- oh well! I will do it for my own memory's sake! I guess I will make this a PTR (for our next trip already being planned) and a TR at the same time.

I have been to DW several times now- the first was back when I was in middle school and I got to lead the Afternoon parade with my brother's HS marching band following close behind!! I so thought I was the coolest thing since sliced bread- let me tell you! That was when the addiction began!

Alright- who am I you ask? I am Jenn, a happily married mommy of 2 great kids, who just happens to be a Disney addict- much like many of you! DH goes along with my Disney needs, mostly to humor me, I am sure.... Then again, I think, deep down, he really loves it too.

DH- John, he is great! He works for Wrigley's, so we always have gum! He is awesome with the kids and is the bestest hubby ever!

DD8- Aleks, a sweet kid with big ideas and a fashion diva. She loves all Disney, just like her mom (well, step-mom- that's why this trip she will not be going She will be with her mommy for the summer). She loves Hannah Montana and Wizards of Waverly Place and princesses too.

DS1- Davy, he is a little ball of energy!! The cutest boy ever, and I'm not just saying that cause I'm his mommy. He is loving, sweet and smart all rolled into one! His favorite words are car, kitty, tree and daddy.

We will be heading down again July 6-9. A very short trip, I know, but its only happening because of the GAD/GAD promo anyway! It will hold me through until we can go again Sept 2011. Sooooo long away!

Ok- enough for now. Pics to come soon.... they are uploading to photobucket as I type!

 

[xanphylus]

Alright- here's the pics I promised!

Me and DH with cowboy Goofy from our last trip:

Sorry we didn't gussy up more for the pics! It was very hot and we had been in the parks all morning. And either way, DH isn't one for fashion on any occasion!

Princess Aleks with her Mickey head tie-dye shirt we made from the directions found on the Dis:

Prince Davy at his happiest on the Cinderella's Carousel:

Well- that's us! I have many more pics too!

This trip was great! It was not only Davy's 1st trip, but his 1st birthday and he got his 1st haircut too! Aleks had a blast with her little bro and family! We all had fun, except Nana for a few days..... but more on that later!

 

[xanphylus]

I had been planning this trip for months! I had ADRs lined up, park plans and even my mom was coming to help wrangle the kids. It had the potential to be the trip of a lifetime! It was in some was, but others, not so much....

We were heading down Sept 23-28, 2009. We had free dining and lots of energy and excitement! Me and Aleks had planned allour days around which restaurants we were going to and she even got to pick several. That just made her year- helping in the planning! She thought she was the big cheese.

We were taking my mom's big, no huge, truck and driving from Atlanta to the World! That was an adventure in and of itself. Davy hates his car seat, Aleks is a butt in the car for long trips and John was ready to kill us all by the 1st hour. Poor daddy!

Aleks' school refused to excuse the absences, although they were quite impresses with my letter explaining the educational values of all the parks and how much she would be learning. And compared to what she actually learns at that school- I figured we had a shot! But they refused it, but still let her make up the work- go figure! Excused, but unexcused I guess.

Be back later! Gotta go get some stuff for my new idea for the Big Give! Everyone should be involved in this!! Not just the WISH kid followers (junkie in my case.... I think I am addicted to being nice now... ) Its great to help others and you get a nice personal boost from it to, knowing you made a kid happy. Awww....

Anyway-gotta go!

 

[goofy's_gurl]

You have a very lovely family.

 

[happybratpack]

Enjoying your report, can't wait to read more!

 

[pipersmom]

Woohooo!! You did it! I can't wait to follow along, and I know Piper will love it too! : I hear you on the car trip thing, Piper talks non-stop!

 

[Señor DonDuck]

Joining in.

 

[xanphylus]

You have a very lovely family.

Why thank you very much!! I like them myself...

Enjoying your report, can't wait to read more!

Hurray!! I have people reading!! Happy excitement here!

Woohooo!! You did it! I can't wait to follow along, and I know Piper will love it too! : I hear you on the car trip thing, Piper talks non-stop!

You're here! You're here! You're here! I knew I you for a reason!
Tell Piper hiya!

Joining in.

Welcome! Welcome!

I will be adding more tonight! I think I even have a pic or two from the trip down! Long drive! Loud kids! Louder Nana!

 

[shelbys mommy]

I'm joining in! Can't wait to read more!

 

[xanphylus]

I'm joining in! Can't wait to read more!

Hello and welcome!

You are taking your cutie to Disney too, I see! Its a blast with a baby! Their eyes just light up with wonder and excitement! I loved it!!

 

[shelbys mommy]

Hello and welcome!

You are taking your cutie to Disney too, I see! Its a blast with a baby! Their eyes just light up with wonder and excitement! I loved it!!

Yes! It's her 1st time & my oldest son's birthday!

 

[xanphylus]

Oi vey is 6 a.m. early for me!!! Even Davy didn't want to wake up!
I couldn't sleep all night- just knowing we were leaving the next day. Way too excited! And excited even though it meant an 8 hour (or more, as we found out...) drive with not only 1 baby, 1 kid, and my hubby, but also Nana came along!! Tempers stayed low for most of the trip- much better than I anticipated, although I thought about starting smoking again a few times, I must admit. Nicotine would have been nice at certain points.

I had packed lots of surprises for the kids. They would get one present per hour if they behaved. That meant no yelling, whining or otherwise being annoying- or no present from Tinkerbell! I had wrapped up little dollar store items that were Disney related and they LOVED it!! I got DS1 and My Friends Tigger and Pooh wand that made noises and would light up, a stuffed Tigger, and a bath book and other little things. DD8, got Camp Rock activity books, pens and crayons, a HS Musical book to read and goodies like that. It kept them quiet and always watching the time for their next gift! I also had some stashed away for the ride home!

Anywho! We left about 8 am, right on schedule for, you guessed it! Atlanta morning rush hour!!! Wahoo!!! And of course, yours truly was driving. Hubby had worked the night before and was in no shape to drive and I wasn't about to let Nana drive in Atlanta traffic with me and my kids on board! I love her, but the woman can't drive!

Davy in the car coloring happily:

Aleks smiling like a cheeseball for the camera:

We stopped for lunch uneventfully. Well, mostly uneventfully- my DD has an issue with using public toilets here lately. We had to have a discussion before we even left about not "holding it" all day and going to the potty when everyone else goes. Well, I guess she didn't remember that conversation- rather convenient, eh? So we had it again. Right there at the lovely Wendy's in Valdosta, GA. She then proceeded to say she still didn't have to go- and I told her, "you're a girl, you can always go!"

Ok- back to the car. Davy hates his car seat....A LOT!!! He was in his rear facing car seat, as required by law , and he is a big boy- so his feet were kinda scrunched in. Poor little guy! But he was put back in, kicking and screaming the entire time. He cried for about 30 minuites or so before he fell asleep. Then it was all good.

Stay tuned for : Are we there yet?

 

[shelbys mommy]

LOOOOOOOVE the idea of every hour they behave they are getting a present! We are driving & it will be a 10+ hr long drive! I think I will steal your idea!

 

[Señor DonDuck]

Yes, brilliant idea of little gifts each hour, if they are good. Gotta remember that next time.

 

[xanphylus]

Yes! It's her 1st time & my oldest son's birthday!

We are planning on taking DD for her 10th to Universal to see the Harry Potter place. I got her addicted to the books, so it will be a great trip for both of us. I figure by then the place will be a little less packed- her birthday isn't until next Feb! She better be glad too- income taxes!! That means she can have a decent party!

And 1 year olds are a blast at Disney!! Just wait til you see some of our pics!! His birthday was the best. It was great and even more. He was in love with everything. And for weeks afterward, I think he expected a cupcake after ever meal and for us to sing Happy Birthday to him! It was like a Birthday Extravaganza!!

 

[xanphylus]

Yes, brilliant idea of little gifts each hour, if they are good. Gotta remember that next time.

It worked great on the way there- on the way back, not so much... but more on that one later!

 

[shelbys mommy]

We are planning on taking DD for her 10th to Universal to see the Harry Potter place. I got her addicted to the books, so it will be a great trip for both of us. I figure by then the place will be a little less packed- her birthday isn't until next Feb! She better be glad too- income taxes!! That means she can have a decent party!

And 1 year olds are a blast at Disney!! Just wait til you see some of our pics!! His birthday was the best. It was great and even more. He was in love with everything. And for weeks afterward, I think he expected a cupcake after ever meal and for us to sing Happy Birthday to him! It was like a Birthday Extravaganza!!

Awwww! How sweet!!! I know I will be a crying mess when we go. She sees Mickey & Leo & lights up (I have a cute pic of her on my FB of when she saw Leo on tv)

My 9 yr old who by all means wanted to go to HS for his birthday, graciously said our character breakfast could be Play & Dine at Hollywood & Vine since Shelby loved the Little Einsteins.

 

[xanphylus]

And no, DD did not say those fateful words, not even once- the entire trip there! She was banned from saying "Are we there yet?" Under threat of death... ok, not really. But the promise of a really cool Tinkerbelle light-up cup thingy at Akershus Story Book Princess Dining worked wonders!! Also, the little gifts every hour or so worked well too. She had activities to keep her busy and DS had little toys that amused him if someone else played with him, so I must say that part of the trip went well!

Advise to travelers with babies- take lots of breaks, bring lots of new toys that they have never seen before and snacks out the who-zoo! Davy hates getting in his car seat, esp after already being in it for a long period of time, but it makes it easier if you have a distraction. It's hard to get them in and out all the time, but what you gonna do?

We arrived!!! Hurray!!!

We got to the cool"Welcome to Disney" sign- the happiest place on Earth! Then the reality of trying to find PoP Century hit... Never trust mapquest people- follow the signs instead! After one wrong turn, we made it to the sanctuary of our home for the next 5 nights!

We checked in, had the luggage guys help us unload our amazingly large pile of crap- even they were like, "oh dear!" I felt pity for them, truly I did- and yes, I tipped them! We had luggage, boxes of food and snacks, my Box of Magic for each kiddo (I will divulge that little item later! ) back packs, a pack and play, two strollers (one big one and our little umbrella stroller) pillows and more!! It was amazing just how much crap we had brought with us for only 6 days and 5 nights.

We ohh'd and ahh'd the pools and such, found our room, threw our crap everywhere and high-tailed it to Epcot for our diner reservations!!

Next- Epcot and fun with Princesses!!

 

[shelbys mommy]

I am praying not to hear those words. Hopefully with the presents they won't say them! I had planned on bringing tons of snacks for all the kids, but especially Shelby.

I hate mapquest. Ben's family has been do Disney many times (one aunt has been there 44+ times!) so we are getting directions from them!

Can't wait to see fun with the Princesses!

 

[xanphylus]

Awwww! How sweet!!! I know I will be a crying mess when we go. She sees Mickey & Leo & lights up (I have a cute pic of her on my FB of when she saw Leo on tv)

I was ready to cry when my kiddo literally ran to chip and dale!! I was kinda leery about what he would do, but it was great! He loved them all! I will do pics when I get to day 2!

Have you looked at the thread about tutu making? I am making one for DD currently. Hers of course is more punk than princess, but I am making her a Tinkerbell one for later. She can't go with us to DW this time- she will actually be at her mom's house, I am tech her step-mom, but that doesn't mean I can't send her some pixie dust when we go! Here is a pic of the tutu I am working on now! I am very excited about it! It's a surprise for in the morning!

Pipersmom- looky! Think the Big Give kids would like them? I think so!!
They take me about 4 hours for a poofy punk one like this in Aleks' size, but its sooo cute!!

And the back with how it ties:

Ignore the bucket I am tying it around! It was convenient and about the right size. I am also adding the pink ribbons to make it a little less "Halloweeny" looking! Opinions? Anyone?