Down the Hole: A Pre-Trip Report w Alice, Madhatter, Cheshire Cat, & Queen of Hearts

Okay, I just realized while reading Scrappie's TR this morning that I never came over and read yours after you posted on mine! SORRY!

I have to go watch the episode of JONAS that I missed on Sunday (it's coming on right now) and then go eat lunch at school with DS7, but I WILL be back this afternoon to read the whole thing.

I have to get it read before you leave in a WEEK!!! :cool1::banana:
(I'm so jealous). ;)
 


Decisions, decisions! I think I'll take the lemon...



Oh, yes please! :goodvibes

LOVED your update! The shirts are all great - if cheap Disney purchases don't count, I haven't made any purchase at all yet. :rolleyes1

I'm with ya on the books - I hardly have time to read with a toddler, but I DO love B&N for browsing and coffee sipping. I know my reading days will return as well...

I'm very glad to read you love your Mushies! I really like mine too-I could even wear them yesterday with the small boot. :yay:

I bought my coffee filters the other day at the grocery store. It was a nice moment. ;) I LOVE your travel cups. I so need to scope out if I can find those. Then I can use my refillable mug for some Diet Coke in the morning as well. Oooh, I love vacation. :laughing:

And a very big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your DS! Seven. Man...I'm sure time has flown by, I just can't even fathom!! He scored out big on the money. :eek: I bet he's thrilled! :banana:

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Gotta have some good java in the morning... you know that ... (and sometimes in the afternoon and evening too...lol

Don't worry you'll be back to reading soon and then you'll also have all those fun children's books as well...-we also all use our library cards as well-I made sure of that after Emily told we when she was about 6 and we had popped into our library as opposed to B& N that she personally liked the library that also sold the cookies and coffee and juice better...:rolleyes1

I love my Mushies...I think Brook, that I have read of at least a dozen people who have bought them on your recommendation...I think Teva should send you a gift... or at minimum some free shoes...:lmao:

Oh yeah David scored Big time...



Ooh...I think your DS needs his picture taken with Bruce now! :laughing:

One Week!! :banana: :woohoo: :banana:
Yep-I think it is definately looking like there is a picture with Bruce in our near future...

one week...I can't believe it....



Ok, all caught up!:thumbsup2

Tell your daughter her shirts came out super cute.:goodvibes

And happy belated birthday to your son! $295 is a LOT of b-day loot! I might encourage him to save some of it, but if he starts buying the big star wars lego sets, he could go through that fast!

The Franklin Institute sounds amazing!

I love the picture of all the kids at the b-day party. So cute!



Thanks about the kids-my nephew and niec are little cuties and I don't think my own are too bad either...

The Franklin is an awesome place when it is a little less crowded...;)

I hear you on the legos...one of the really big sets is $99-he got one from us for his bday so I think if he buys one more of those and some other things-he's hankering to make a light saber...and I think we'll be opening a kid's bank account-I'm such a kill joy:cool2:-I think he can part with at least some of that money...



I think you'll have to buy another suitcase for all that b-day loot coming home....:rotfl:
We have a nice big fold up duffle...:thumbsup2


What a lovely birthday for DS! I agree with you, though -- $295 seems a bit much for spending money at Disney for a child :eek:!
Thank you and I'm glad not everyone thinks I'm a meanie...:confused3


Okay, I just realized while reading Scrappie's TR this morning that I never came over and read yours after you posted on mine! SORRY!

I have to go watch the episode of JONAS that I missed on Sunday (it's coming on right now) and then go eat lunch at school with DS7, but I WILL be back this afternoon to read the whole thing.

I have to get it read before you leave in a WEEK!!! :cool1::banana:
(I'm so jealous). ;)

No problem...:lmao: see you in a bit...
 
OMG-We're going to Disney next week! and OMG-We're going to Disney next week in (gulp) August? & which of these little faces could you leave behind...


One week from today...I will be happily wandering the AKL-swimming-getting ready to go to the MK tomorrow...


:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

...but one week from today I will be in Orlando. Florida. In the middle of August.

the-scream.jpg

I need to change my name from PracPerfPatricia to PatriciaPanicAttack...

What on earth was I thinking? To go to WDW in August...the epi center of heat and humidity...Did my Disney greedy glazed eyes take over my brain? Did my greed for Free Dining get the better of me? Or was I just so excited to have DH succumb to the Disney magic that I couldn't think clearly...:confused3

So as very excited as I am-and I am truly-I'm also a little nervous...I must take survival in the Floridian August sun seriously...I am a soldier on a mission to go in, have fun, and keep my family and self safe from and sun/heat injuries...( I feel like I need Serge and the army men from Toy Story to come help me....)

Deep breathing...water...it'll be good...

In the mean time another mini crisis has developed...

DS received a Mickey Jedi Beanie Stuffie on his BDay and DD already had a French Minnie Beanie Stuffie so I thought they'd be good company for each other...you know same size...etc...(easy to bring with us on the trip...)

Photo80.jpg


Well apparently they are just from tow different worlds...:confused3 She wants crepes and filet from Chefs de France-He wants a burger and shake from Beaches and Cream. She wants to meet the princessess- He wants to meet Donald and Pluto...She wants to ride the Haunted Mansion and see Philharmagic and he want Splash Mountain and Tower of Terror...I don't know...I had such high hopes for them...and now I'm just hoping they don't fight the whole time...

We also have the issue of David deciding which of his big stuffies he is going to bring...

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Should it be Lilo and Stitch? or Phineas and Ferb? or Pluto & Goofy?...We can't possibly take all of them...but then who do we leave behind...:confused3
 
You'll be in Disney in one week:banana::banana::woohoo::woohoo::dance3::yay: Yes it will be hotter than Hades, but who cares? They were having record breaking heat when we were there in June and we still had a fabulous time. Just be smart. Drink tons of water and spend your afternoons at the pool. I'd trade you places in a New York minute:goodvibes Which "guy" to bring along to Disney? (All the stuffed animals are guys in our house) I know it's a big decision, but I'm sure you'll figure it out. Good luck:goodvibes
 

We always had to do Disney in August due to the swim schedule and my teaching job. It's okay as long as you attack the parks early, go back to the resort for a midday refresher (nap, pool, etc.), then return to the parks in the evening. And for a water park day, go early, get a few chairs under a covering, and bring books or games to keep busy if there is an afternoon thunderstorm (they don't always close the park, and if you stay, you'll be able to zip through the lines!). And no matter where you are, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

As for the animal debate, why don't you have him pick one to do a photo report for the others? I've seen a few threads where people use stuffed animals like a "Flat Stanley" assignment. Then your DS could pick differnt spots to have a picture taken of the critter and make an album/scrapbook. It could be a fun souvenir: ________'s Adventures in WDW. He could even pick out an album down there with all of his BD $. Maybe get some characters to sign file cards to put in the album, too.
 
As for the animal debate, why don't you have him pick one to do a photo report for the others? I've seen a few threads where people use stuffed animals like a "Flat Stanley" assignment. Then your DS could pick differnt spots to have a picture taken of the critter and make an album/scrapbook. It could be a fun souvenir: ________'s Adventures in WDW. He could even pick out an album down there with all of his BD $. Maybe get some characters to sign file cards to put in the album, too.



Hmmmm....I think I did this w/ Aldine....and hey we finished her album today...I will be posting on my TR shortly.

But this is a :thumbsup2 plan.

You know our Alice travels this trip and Michael was a we bit jealous he didn't have a friend traveling the world w/ him (next yr bud :goodvibes)

Michael is all about his stuffed animals/guys too. He convienced me (which wasn't too hard I guess :rolleyes1) to buy him a stuffed rat from IKEA...and at the zoo last Friday he got Grandma to buy him a stuffed baby hedgehog...which both joined him on his stay-cation at the grandparents this week :goodvibes

Our first trip w/ the kids was a surprise so I picked the "lovies" to go w/ and I had a hard time seperating friends....and of course several new friends came home w/ us...like always.

We now have the 1-stuffie rule for big trips!

If David would like a pal in the parks...then don't pick a friend he's had since age 1 unless you can be sure he won't wander off in IASW...or go w/ the 2-rule, one lovie for in the room and 1 for the parks and you'll have to use self restraint w/ how many new pals join in....

good luck :rotfl:

For the August weather I have gone twice in Aug....and I question my sanity. Once in '95, celebrated my b-day down there and then again in '98...I'm sure it was toasty...but my memory is tainted by the monsoons we endured...:eek:

drink often, but be wary of the AC relief....so hot outside, so COLD inside that all that in and out can run havoc on your system too. A very lightweight jacket may help w/ that too.

Tour early and late and pace yourself. You're a pro! You'll be fine! :thumbsup2
 
I was completely paranoid about the heat last year. I went August 30 - September 6th and you know what? It really wasn't that bad. Don't get me wrong...it was hot at time but I think May was worse in the heat personally.

There is so much AC around Disney, even if you just walk near the open doors of the shops you get nice cool breezes!
 
Aw, I'm so sorry your dreams of a happy couple are shattered.:laughing: But I love that French Minnie. Tres chic!

My very favorite hot weather survival tactic, other than to keep all hair high off our necks, is the fabulous Misty Mister!! I :love: these little things. There are no batteries required and the mist is very fine. They're not the cheapest of misting fans but well worth it in my opinion.:thumbsup2
 
Perhaps French Minnie and Jedi Mickey will learn to embrace and enjoy each other's differences -- it's early days yet! :laughing:

Deep breaths -- you will be fine -- like LL said AC abounds in WDW -- just duck into lots of shops to cool down -- after all, DS has a lot of money to spend. :lmao:

I feel your pain in regards to the plushies -- Chelsea collects the Minnies and in the past every year she has taken all of them back with her -- well, that was all fine and dandy when there was one, then two, then three and so on...but this year she had nine she wanted to bring. I had to put my foot down -- we have a mini-van, but c'mon -- we needed room for the luggage! ;)

David has Phineas and Ferb??? Wherever did you find them???
 
Okay, I'm all caught up! And I promised myself I'd go to be at 11:00 tonight because I've been TIRED getting up in the morning, so let's see if I can do this in 10 minutes...

-I love your writing. Good writers are always readers and you are definitely both (I love to read and write too)

-I think it's hilarious that DH made the suggestion to go to Disney, but :cool1: it works, right?

-I think I'm more jealous of your day in NYC than I am your Disney trip (but only because I'm actually going to Disney a month after you and I haven't been to NYC since high school-which was my one and only trip. I would SO love to take the kids!)

-LOVE all the Alice references. I *gasp* have never read the book, but I know I have it (probably more than one copy) around here somewhere and I am going to FIND it tomorrow. And if that doesn't work I'll head to the library. Somehow I missed many of the classics I should have read by now (even though I read constantly...and usually 2 or 3 books at a time-right now it's just Harry Potter 3-I was trying to get through the series before seeing the 6th movie and obviously it didn't work. Too much Disney planning. And the 2009 Unofficial Guide. I havent' ever read the UG and I'm finding it interesting reading). Anyway...

-Emily's shirts are amazing. She's so creative. There are times I really wish I had a daughter...

-Thank you so much for your explanation of AS. I've thought many times (especially after reading DisMomAmy's and Scrappie's threads) that it's possible my DS7 is on the very end of the spectrum, but I never really can tell, and even though there are definite auditory processing skills missing and I think maybe a few social skills lacking, his teachers have never suggested anything other than trying to get him into speech (which never happened). It's very nerve wracking because he does well enough that no one seems to see a "need" (that's not really true, his Kindergarten teacher tried...but then she switched schools and DS switched to a different school also-different from her too-and it kind of got dropped). I know something is missing, but I don't know what. I don't know where to go to try to find out. He gets good grades and does well in most things (especially things he can memorize-like math, science, and social studies), but other things he just doesn't get. Okay, sorry for hijacking your thread. The more I read on the various threads here, the more I'm thinking it might not be so much AS (though there are social issues that I see and cringe...like today when he was tapping on another child to get the child's attention while the other child was in the middle of a conversation with someone else-people don't like that!). Okay, I'll stop. Just wanted to say thanks. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, but I'm not at all sure where to look. And also, as a teacher (albeit one without a job currently), AS, and Autism, and also Giftedness facinate me and I'm always up for learning better how to relate to kids on their level.

Now that that book is over....

-As far as B&N is concerned I, of course, love it there, but I actually prefer Borders. Mostly because their discount club is free, not $25/year, and it offers better discounts

-My DS's are also BIG Star Wars fans. DS4 had a Star Wars cake for his birthday in June (though the party was at Chuck E Cheese). I think he is going to be my Lego fan. He's just starting to get into them. DS7 doesn't really like Legos (or puzzles, or anything like that) at all. I hope David gets picked to be a Jedi! We are really hoping to get picked too (and are planning to use some DIS suggestions).

-The Franklin Institute looks AWESOME. In a couple years, when my DS's are older, I'm planning to take a Philadelphia/Boston/DC trip (maybe Williamsburg too). I am a HUGE American History buff and DS7 seems to be following in my Social Studies loving footsteps. So the Franklin Institute will definitely be on our list. The one science museum I've found close enough to us (it's in Atlanta) leaves a little to be desired (but we were spoiled by the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, and the other museums they have there). DS7 also loves Science (and Ben Franklin-he LOVES the National Treasure movies). So he will love it there.

Uh oh, it's after 11:00...

-we did AKL for DS7s 4th birthday and it was awesome! :thumbsup2 One of my favorite resorts. You will love it there (now I am getting a little jealous...)

SO cool that you have just 6 days! Can't wait to hear the rest of your planning. Sorry I talked so much....
 
You're going in less than a week! :dance3::yay:

All caught up now...the tshirts your DD are wonderful. Trying to figure out how to make some for our trip. I think ordering from Zazzle will be how those get done! :rotfl:

mmmmmmmmmm on the cupcakes...I suddenly have a taste for something sweet now. ;)

I'll be anxious to hear how you handle the heat. Even though we are going only about two weeks earlier than usual, I expect the heat/humidity to be even worse. When it was 90+ this weekend and super humid here I simply said it was good practice for the Disney trip :rotfl2:
 
You'll be in Disney in one week:banana::banana::woohoo::woohoo::dance3::yay: Yes it will be hotter than Hades, but who cares? They were having record breaking heat when we were there in June and we still had a fabulous time. Just be smart. Drink tons of water and spend your afternoons at the pool. I'd trade you places in a New York minute:goodvibes Which "guy" to bring along to Disney? (All the stuffed animals are guys in our house) I know it's a big decision, but I'm sure you'll figure it out. Good luck:goodvibes
I know I truly had a momentary moment of panic -but I'm better because even it is hotter than Hades-we'll make it work...Right now looks like odds are on Lilo and Stitch & and of course Emily's got French Minnie and Baloo-I'm thinking of bringing Donald just cause he reminds me of DH-my own little joke...:lmao:


We always had to do Disney in August due to the swim schedule and my teaching job. It's okay as long as you attack the parks early, go back to the resort for a midday refresher (nap, pool, etc.), then return to the parks in the evening. And for a water park day, go early, get a few chairs under a covering, and bring books or games to keep busy if there is an afternoon thunderstorm (they don't always close the park, and if you stay, you'll be able to zip through the lines!). And no matter where you are, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

As for the animal debate, why don't you have him pick one to do a photo report for the others? I've seen a few threads where people use stuffed animals like a "Flat Stanley" assignment. Then your DS could pick differnt spots to have a picture taken of the critter and make an album/scrapbook. It could be a fun souvenir: ________'s Adventures in WDW. He could even pick out an album down there with all of his BD $. Maybe get some characters to sign file cards to put in the album, too.
We are totally going to be at rope drop and do the parks in the morning and then come back in the afternoon and swim and hang around the lodge and then go back out later...:thumbsup2

I love the Flat Stanley books and I really love the idea of one of the Animal's doing a book of their adventures-that would be great for him...Thx for the idea...:goodvibes



Hmmmm....I think I did this w/ Aldine....and hey we finished her album today...I will be posting on my TR shortly.

But this is a :thumbsup2 plan.

You know our Alice travels this trip and Michael was a we bit jealous he didn't have a friend traveling the world w/ him (next yr bud :goodvibes)

Michael is all about his stuffed animals/guys too. He convienced me (which wasn't too hard I guess :rolleyes1) to buy him a stuffed rat from IKEA...and at the zoo last Friday he got Grandma to buy him a stuffed baby hedgehog...which both joined him on his stay-cation at the grandparents this week :goodvibes

Our first trip w/ the kids was a surprise so I picked the "lovies" to go w/ and I had a hard time seperating friends....and of course several new friends came home w/ us...like always.

We now have the 1-stuffie rule for big trips!

If David would like a pal in the parks...then don't pick a friend he's had since age 1 unless you can be sure he won't wander off in IASW...or go w/ the 2-rule, one lovie for in the room and 1 for the parks and you'll have to use self restraint w/ how many new pals join in....

good luck :rotfl:

For the August weather I have gone twice in Aug....and I question my sanity. Once in '95, celebrated my b-day down there and then again in '98...I'm sure it was toasty...but my memory is tainted by the monsoons we endured...:eek:

drink often, but be wary of the AC relief....so hot outside, so COLD inside that all that in and out can run havoc on your system too. A very lightweight jacket may help w/ that too.

Tour early and late and pace yourself. You're a pro! You'll be fine! :thumbsup2

Yeah David is all about the stuffies-I think he thinks they need adopting and looking after and sometimes he tends to go for the one that really look like they need the love too...:lmao:

I think we are going to keep one in the room and take one with us to the parks-since Jedi Mickey is small he could come and we can do a journal of his adventures around the world...

I'm thinking that we're just going to have to be smart about the heat-Disney will still be there and I just have to think quality over quantity-more important that the experiences that we have are fun than trying to cram so much in we get sick from the heat...



I was completely paranoid about the heat last year. I went August 30 - September 6th and you know what? It really wasn't that bad. Don't get me wrong...it was hot at time but I think May was worse in the heat personally.

There is so much AC around Disney, even if you just walk near the open doors of the shops you get nice cool breezes!
Thanks for the words of cheer and optimism...It's true -you are never positive what you're going to get weather-wise?:confused3 & Honestly its pretty darn hot and humid here-we were 94 degrees today and I'd at least rather be in Disney...:goodvibes
 
Aw, I'm so sorry your dreams of a happy couple are shattered.:laughing: But I love that French Minnie. Tres chic!

My very favorite hot weather survival tactic, other than to keep all hair high off our necks, is the fabulous Misty Mister!! I :love: these little things. There are no batteries required and the mist is very fine. They're not the cheapest of misting fans but well worth it in my opinion.:thumbsup2

Yep I think that French Minnie is pretty chic myself-Em got her two years ago in the France pavilion-I'm not giving up hope on Jedi Mickey and French Minnie-I think that sometimes opposites attract...:lmao:

Thanks for reminding me about those fans-they will definately be among our first purchases...:goodvibes



Perhaps French Minnie and Jedi Mickey will learn to embrace and enjoy each other's differences -- it's early days yet! :laughing:

Deep breaths -- you will be fine -- like LL said AC abounds in WDW -- just duck into lots of shops to cool down -- after all, DS has a lot of money to spend. :lmao:

I feel your pain in regards to the plushies -- Chelsea collects the Minnies and in the past every year she has taken all of them back with her -- well, that was all fine and dandy when there was one, then two, then three and so on...but this year she had nine she wanted to bring. I had to put my foot down -- we have a mini-van, but c'mon -- we needed room for the luggage! ;)

David has Phineas and Ferb??? Wherever did you find them???

Oh trust me I see love...:lovestruc in a certain couple's future...:lmao:

Yep-I think that David really wants to buy the family a mister...don't you think?

The stuffies-I think if we have to choice between packing stuffies or underwear...we really need to go with the underwear:confused3

Poor Phineas and Ferb were being cleared out at the Disney store-can you believe it-our whole family loves that show...a lot...:happytv:



Okay, I'm all caught up! And I promised myself I'd go to be at 11:00 tonight because I've been TIRED getting up in the morning, so let's see if I can do this in 10 minutes...
good luck with that-I've been having problems due to my Disboards addiction...


-I love your writing. Good writers are always readers and you are definitely both (I love to read and write too)

Thanks-aren't books the best...?

-I think it's hilarious that DH made the suggestion to go to Disney, but :cool1: it works, right?

I know-I'm the Disney maniac-but look who made the suggestion...;)


-I think I'm more jealous of your day in NYC than I am your Disney trip (but only because I'm actually going to Disney a month after you and I haven't been to NYC since high school-which was my one and only trip. I would SO love to take the kids!)

That's one of the benefits of living where we do...we are a day trip from NYC-easy and also from D.C. if we push-that's better as an overnight...There really is so much to do...it is amazing...(but I'm not sure I could live there-very intense all the time...


-LOVE all the Alice references. I *gasp* have never read the book, but I know I have it (probably more than one copy) around here somewhere and I am going to FIND it tomorrow. And if that doesn't work I'll head to the library. Somehow I missed many of the classics I should have read by now (even though I read constantly...and usually 2 or 3 books at a time-right now it's just Harry Potter 3-I was trying to get through the series before seeing the 6th movie and obviously it didn't work. Too much Disney planning. And the 2009 Unofficial Guide. I havent' ever read the UG and I'm finding it interesting reading). Anyway...

Don't feel bad-I usually am into about 5-6 books at a time-usually something with literary value, usually something just fun, something involving travel, a book on/for the kids, something on education...you get the idea...books on tape are also great...read Alice or listen-if you get a chance-the language and characters are just so fun...btw-the Potter books are on cd-check the library-Jim Dale-awesome


-Emily's shirts are amazing. She's so creative. There are times I really wish I had a daughter...
I am very lucky to have her...but there is a ton of drama with girls...sometimes I think boys are easier-you kind of know what you're getting and they can really be very sweet in that boy-man way...


-Thank you so much for your explanation of AS. I've thought many times (especially after reading DisMomAmy's and Scrappie's threads) that it's possible my DS7 is on the very end of the spectrum, but I never really can tell, and even though there are definite auditory processing skills missing and I think maybe a few social skills lacking, his teachers have never suggested anything other than trying to get him into speech (which never happened). It's very nerve wracking because he does well enough that no one seems to see a "need" (that's not really true, his Kindergarten teacher tried...but then she switched schools and DS switched to a different school also-different from her too-and it kind of got dropped). I know something is missing, but I don't know what. I don't know where to go to try to find out. He gets good grades and does well in most things (especially things he can memorize-like math, science, and social studies), but other things he just doesn't get. Okay, sorry for hijacking your thread. The more I read on the various threads here, the more I'm thinking it might not be so much AS (though there are social issues that I see and cringe...like today when he was tapping on another child to get the child's attention while the other child was in the middle of a conversation with someone else-people don't like that!). Okay, I'll stop. Just wanted to say thanks. I'm trying to learn as much as I can, but I'm not at all sure where to look. And also, as a teacher (albeit one without a job currently), AS, and Autism, and also Giftedness facinate me and I'm always up for learning better how to relate to kids on their level.

Oh please you aren't hijacking my thread...it is really tough when you want to help your child and you know something is just a little bit "different"...there is a lot of overlap in ADD and Asperger's -both have social issues-its just that the social bit is the primary hallmark of Asperger's -ADD has it also but the inability to concentrate/focus is its hallmark-but sometimes it can be difficult to see where one begins and one ends...and some children can have both diagnoses-don't give up -you'll get there...btw I can talk about this forever so feel free to PM me if you ever want to talk about it...:goodvibes
Now that that book is over....

-As far as B&N is concerned I, of course, love it there, but I actually prefer Borders. Mostly because their discount club is free, not $25/year, and it offers better discounts
I've heard that...sadly my B&N is ten minutes away door to door-30 minutes to the Borders...


-My DS's are also BIG Star Wars fans. DS4 had a Star Wars cake for his birthday in June (though the party was at Chuck E Cheese). I think he is going to be my Lego fan. He's just starting to get into them. DS7 doesn't really like Legos (or puzzles, or anything like that) at all. I hope David gets picked to be a Jedi! We are really hoping to get picked too (and are planning to use some DIS suggestions).

:thumbsup2


-The Franklin Institute looks AWESOME. In a couple years, when my DS's are older, I'm planning to take a Philadelphia/Boston/DC trip (maybe Williamsburg too). I am a HUGE American History buff and DS7 seems to be following in my Social Studies loving footsteps. So the Franklin Institute will definitely be on our list. The one science museum I've found close enough to us (it's in Atlanta) leaves a little to be desired (but we were spoiled by the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, and the other museums they have there). DS7 also loves Science (and Ben Franklin-he LOVES the National Treasure movies). So he will love it there.

The Franklin really is awesome and yes it was in National Treasure...love that movie...I also love to talk about the great stuff in Philadelphia so please feel free to ask away...

Uh oh, it's after 11:00...

-we did AKL for DS7s 4th birthday and it was awesome! :thumbsup2 One of my favorite resorts. You will love it there (now I am getting a little jealous...)
I am getting pretty excited...:woohoo:


SO cool that you have just 6 days! Can't wait to hear the rest of your planning. Sorry I talked so much....

You're going in less than a week! :dance3::yay:

All caught up now...the tshirts your DD are wonderful. Trying to figure out how to make some for our trip. I think ordering from Zazzle will be how those get done! :rotfl:

mmmmmmmmmm on the cupcakes...I suddenly have a taste for something sweet now. ;)

I'll be anxious to hear how you handle the heat. Even though we are going only about two weeks earlier than usual, I expect the heat/humidity to be even worse. When it was 90+ this weekend and super humid here I simply said it was good practice for the Disney trip :rotfl2:
Thanks about the tees...DD and I went out for a bit today for a girls day...and we had more cupcakes...and pedicures and a movie too...:rolleyes1
 
5 Days till NYC, 6 Days till Disney & a Girl's Day to Boot...

Today Em and I had planned a “Girls Day.” I've been very busy doing a lot of David stuff recently-so in the morning we dropped David off at grandmom's house and set out on a mission to have girl fun-since the upcoming days will be full of Dis preparations. As I knew David was well taken care and going to be spoiled beyond belief- we were relaxed and ready for some fun...

First we headed to our neighborhood nail salon; Tiffany Nails or Salon Tiffany. Since Emily bites her nails mercilessly (because of anxiety-little perfectionist) she opted for a pedicure only, whereas I indulged in a mani-pedi. Upon sitting down in the relaxing massage chairs we decided to pamper overselves a little further and opted for the “Green Tea” Package. I’ve honestly had some of the best manicures and pedicures ever at Tiffanys. When deciding upon a general pedicure you receive a yummy footsoak, generous exfoliation, calf and feet massage, hot rocks and soaked towel treatment, perfect polish treatment and a neck and back massage while nails are drying! Tiffany’s is "relatively" inexpensive but the service can be far better than deluxe salon pedicures. The “Green Tea” package was unbelievable, endless delicious green tea lotions, fizzies, exfoliates, and cleansers. We could not believe our eyes when the foot rests were lifted off and foot massaging machines were revealed! As our feet wept w/ happiness we received a long & amazing hot rock massage. Emily told me that she had the best pedicure that she has ever had today. (She's had maybe 5-6...) I too thoroughly enjoyed the “Green Tea” treatment and would definitely indulge in it again as a treat.

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Our feet are know officially ready for WDW...

With freshly painted nails we headed off into the City to go see Adam. We had intended to go to Reading Terminal Market first to get a bite to eat (RTM is a cross between a huge amazing farmer's market and a food court with the most amazing selection from- Amish home cooking to sushi to cheesesteaks but alas we were running late on time. (They showed a bit of it in National Treasure.) So we decided to grab a quick bite at a coffee shop I like-Philadelphia Coffee Company. I had Emily try to photograph Independence Hall while we drove by...she just got bits and pieces...

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This summer while Em began taking voice lessons-in addition to cello...:rolleyes1... instead of running to Starbucks I would spend an hour at the Coffee shop across the street-I love to support local/small business when I can...I really want them to make it. Philadelphia Java Company has definitely become a welcome destination for us with their delicious and nutritious food options and yummy coffee and other beverages. (They brew La Colombe Coffee-locally roasted-unbelievably good-yes better than Starbucks...) Emily and I both settled upon Cappuccinos and we split two sandwiches. An exotic spiced chicken and a tuna salad both on whole grain bread. YUM!!

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Following our lunch we headed over to the Ritz-which is kind of an art house-it doesn't get the big general releases to much as the smaller films and the indies, etc- to see the new movie, Adam.
Adam is kind of a romantic comedy about a 29 year old man who has Asperger's Syndrome & who becomes involved with his new neighbor, Beth. It was sweet and lovely and a bit bittersweet...overall I would highly recommend it to anyone whether or not they were impacted by Asperger's personally or not...the theme of what it means to love is universal...and it is an absolute must see for anyone who is impacted by Asperger's-lots to think about...

Since we had had such a quick lunch, we decided we needed CUPCAKES...(um-we have a thing for cupcakes...and pie but only if it is made with fresh fruit-and the crumb kind is the best...)

Anyway, there are a couple of contenders in the City for best cupcake and today's bakery of choice was Brown Betty's Bakery-excuse me- Brown Betty's Desert Boutique-it is definately one of the top contenders...and the verdict is...AWESOME-these weren't the prettiest, daintiest cupcakes...they were very homemade looking-kind of down home-kind of country...but boy did they taste amazing...we got a black velvet, a lemon curd, a strawberry and a chocolate...The black velvet was to die for and the strawberry which I wasn't sure about-I don't like that fake strawberry flavor-tasted like fresh stawberries...not too sweet-just delish...

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Overall it was some very satisfactory girl time...which was nice-we hadn't had that in a while...:hug:

and now...

its all about getting reading for our trip to the World...

Countdown...

to here we come Disney ....

5 days...​
 
What a lovely girl day with Emily!!!

You had to show us those cupcakes, didn't you? :laughing:

By the way, have you read the Blackbird Sisters series by Nancy Martin? They are really cute light murder mysteries set in Philadelphia, and when I saw the pictures of Independence Hall, I thought of them.
 
What a wonderful day you and Emily had together! She really does seem like a great daughter. You're making me (almost) wish I had one more and more. ;)

I will probably take you up on your offer to PM you, but I'll wait until you get back from your trip. I'm thinking Will probably does not have AS (but still not completely sure he's not somewhere on the end of the spectrum), but I know there is something there that is not completely, um, average and I just don't know where to go to find out how to help. I'd love to hear more about David anyway. I am absolutely fascinated with giftedness and autism (I'm not sure fascinated is the right word...what's a good word for 'very interested') and how they go together-and don't. It's just one of my great interests as a teacher. I just want to learn more about how children think, and how individual children can best be taught.

ANYWAY...just a couple of days to go now!!! (I'm really starting to get jealous!)

Oh, and I started Alice in Wonderland tonight. I'm only a few pages in, but I can't figure out why I didn't read it before. I know I tried and I remember thinking it wasn't interesting...and it IS. Weird. But thanks for getting me to try it again!
 
You had a great girls' day! Those cupcakes looked SOOOO good. Now you only have 3 days until NYC & 4 to WDW!!!! :cool1::yay::banana:
 
What a wonderful Girls Day!!!

Your pedicures sound delightful.

I want to see Adam too. It seems like a good movie from what I have read about it.

The cupcakes look delicious!!
 
Hey there! Just stumbled across your PTR and read the whole thing this morning while neglected household duties. Isn't that what the DIS is for?! What a great PTR!!!

Maybe we'll see you around AKL - we'll be checking in a day after you! Have a fabulous trip!
 
I followed you over from my PTR and just got caught up - since I can't remember everything I thought about posting while I was reading, I'll just post what comes out of my head at the moment (my apologies if it sounds all over the place)!

Your trip in 2006 sounds a lot like my trip last December - I got so caught up in planning that I overplanned, I think. And was exhausted the whole time. So we're taking time to relax this time.

I'm now thinking of scheduling a pirate and princess fireworks cruise. We took an illuminations cruise the last time and my middle child couldn't stop talking about it. For a few months there, she just assumed if you took a boat out onto the river, there would be fireworks.

Your family is beautiful! I love that your daughter made shirts and posted her rebuttal on your PTR.

I got weepy reading the lyrics to Beautiful Boy.

I am also a coffee addict. So is my mom. I've roasted my own coffee for years, so I'll be roasting and grinding some to take along. I will be taking advantage of the press pot at Boma, however.

Um - that's all I have for now. You are leaving in just a few days! I wouldn't worry about the weather too much - hitting the parks early and taking a break mid-day is a good way to beat the heat, I think. I know it's been so relatively cool in this part of Pennsylvania, heading there at the end of September, it will be a bit of a shock for us, I think. Well, maybe not mom, who loves the hotter weather, I think. So it will be like we've finally found summer.
 












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