Finally getting to see the lights! Nov '11 Anniversary/Holiday/F&W PTR-New 11/4 p50

[DisMomAmy]

Well the craziness of September is almost over... we have our Yard Sale on Saturday then things will quiet down. Alex starts swimming in mid-October which will be a different kind of crazy with some late nights at the pool but I'm happy to take that over the madness that has been September.

On Monday, Southwest opens up the schedule through early June (I think) so I'll be up early to buy our tickets for April vacation week!!!

The minivan search has slowed down now that we found out it'll be probably six weeks before we turn in the Kia & get the check. I need to go test drive two more vans then we'll just have to wait. As of now (and it switches almost daily), I'm leaning toward the Chrysler Town & Country simply due to cost. That van comes with a lot more standard features. However, I do love both the Honda Odyssey & Toyota Sienna so we'll see what kind of deal they can offer us. We used to lease & the Kia was the first car we bought in a while (for me... Tim drives too many miles to lease.) Now Tim has me considering leasing again... so I have even more decisions to make!

In trip planning news, we thought we dodged a bullet when the soccer schedules came out & the boys weren't going to miss ANY games due to our trip. But Sunday night we found out that Zach's karate school is holding their fall tournament while we're gone. They only have them twice a year so he'll be disappointed to miss it. He had class tonight & didn't find out about it but it's just a matter of time... His next class is Friday afternoon & he'll probably find out then. Tim & I need to get our story planned quickly!

I also emailed their teachers about the missed days of school. Alex's Special Ed case manager replied with, "What lucky ducks! I always wanted my parents to do the same thing but alas...they did not. I have been scarred for life (just kidding)!" Alex's teacher said, "sounds great!" and Zach's said, "Thanks for letting me know about the Nov. dates. Sounds like fun!" So it looks like we're good!! The timing of my email wasn't great though... Alex missed a little time today for a doctor's appointment & I have to pick him up an hour and a half early tomorrow for a dentist appointment. Luckily I was able to schedule his orthodontist appointment for Columbus Day! Hopefully his teacher won't care... I just hate to have him miss school even if it's a little bit since he requires a lot of extra help. I feel like they have to do even more to catch him up when he misses time.

Up next: As we change the calendar to October, how is my to do list looking?

 

[eandesmom]

that is wonderful that you got such a positive response from the teachers. I'm sad our days of being able to pull them out of school are over. I know what you mean though, I hate to have them miss for appointments as well. At least it's for a good reason (unlike Evan missing his trombone lesson tonight because he grabbed the wrong one...then found the owner, gave it to him but couldn't get his out of the now locked band room!).

 

[mousescrapper]

sorry about the van delay that is stinky gueess it almost has to wait till you get back now...I have found that the teachers are actually pretty OK w/ kids missing...I secretly think they wish they were going too I'll be looking at my to-do list soon too...coming up fast for me

 

[Lovemy3babes]

If you end up with a Chrysler Amy, I think you'll really like it. I love mine!

Good news from the boys' teachers. I do pull my kiddos out too but I get a little nervous doing so.

Are we going to be in WDW at the same time in April?!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Mexico: Donald's boat ride, little tiny hats
Norway: trolls, the stave church
China: Tomb warriors, the architecture and colors of it
Germany: Magdalene (a DISer!), glockenspiels
Italy: Pretty, but there is nothing to do here....
American Adventure: The American Dream and Voices of Liberty
Japan: Sitting at the QS seats, soaking in the beauty of it
Morocco: the very back part where it feels like you are walking through a real Moroccan marketplace. Love it! And the weird headless child mannequin that was riding the camel for about a year.
France: ham sandwiches and Duffy. their store is filled with Duffy!
UK: crazy birds, fish & chips, short character wait in the toy store!
Canada: Arden (another DISer who works there now) and plaid!

It's official - Kia has offered to repurchase our minivan and after all is said and done (and our loan balance is paid off), we'll have $10,000 to put into a new van. We finally got all the documents today so it's just a matter of time. And now I can go car shopping!!

And in other news... My baby is turning 8 today!!

Happy Birthday Zach!!

Happy (belated) birthday Zach!!!!!!!

and a huge congrats on the the money!!!! I look forward to seeing a picture of your new wheels when you are able to purchase!

 

[MeMom]

I also emailed their teachers about the missed days of school. Alex's Special Ed case manager replied with, "What lucky ducks! I always wanted my parents to do the same thing but alas...they did not. I have been scarred for life (just kidding)!" Alex's teacher said, "sounds great!" and Zach's said, "Thanks for letting me know about the Nov. dates. Sounds like fun!" So it looks like we're good!!

Yay for Disney-lovin' teachers!

I know that's got to be one big worry off of your mind. I'm sure they will help them get quickly caught up when they get back.

 

[jordanyosh]

hey

 

[DisMomAmy]

hey

It's Jordan!!!

 

[disneyfan61]

Hi Amy. Sorry I have been MIA for like all of the summer but I am all caught up now.

Wow those pics of the Flume & Clarks Trading Bears brought back memories of when we took our boys there years ago. Fun times!!

Looks like you had a great & busy summer. We love going to the Sea Dogs games & we have been to a few of the Fisher Cat games but seem to like Portland better.

Your plans looks amazing. I cannot believe how you did it with those Southwest credits!! I may need to PM you & ask you some questions as we are supposed to be flying out on the 26th of this month from Manchester. This will be our first flight out from there as we usually go from Boston.

I made a trip to the Disney store in Manchester in Aug. on the way home from one of Cody's soccer games but did not find anything there this time. It is a very tiny store. I would like to go again soon though.

We wanted to go to Apple Harvest Day in Dover tomorrow but they are saying rain & I thought about you & your yard sale. Good luck with it. It stinks when things are planned (Deerfield Fair, Harvest Day & yard sales) & it RAINS!! I will be thinking about you & hoping you make out great.

 

[DisMomAmy]

that is wonderful that you got such a positive response from the teachers. I'm sad our days of being able to pull them out of school are over. I know what you mean though, I hate to have them miss for appointments as well. At least it's for a good reason (unlike Evan missing his trombone lesson tonight because he grabbed the wrong one...then found the owner, gave it to him but couldn't get his out of the now locked band room!).

I think this is our last year of pulling kids out of school with Alex going to middle school next year. The trombone story sounds like something Alex would do... luckily we live less than a half mile from the school because we've had to drive back for forgotten homework more than a few times!

sorry about the van delay that is stinky gueess it almost has to wait till you get back now...I have found that the teachers are actually pretty OK w/ kids missing...I secretly think they wish they were going too I'll be looking at my to-do list soon too...coming up fast for me

I'm not too upset about the van delay - it actually takes a little pressure off to find a new car quickly. I'm anxious to find out what the date will be though.

I bet the teachers wish they were going too!

If you end up with a Chrysler Amy, I think you'll really like it. I love mine!

Good news from the boys' teachers. I do pull my kiddos out too but I get a little nervous doing so.

Are we going to be in WDW at the same time in April?!

Yup - I think we'll be in WDW at the same time!! Our dates are 4/22 - 4/29! I'm planning to buy our airline tickets tomorrow morning!

Mexico: Donald's boat ride, little tiny hats
Norway: trolls, the stave church
China: Tomb warriors, the architecture and colors of it
Germany: Magdalene (a DISer!), glockenspiels
Italy: Pretty, but there is nothing to do here....
American Adventure: The American Dream and Voices of Liberty
Japan: Sitting at the QS seats, soaking in the beauty of it
Morocco: the very back part where it feels like you are walking through a real Moroccan marketplace. Love it! And the weird headless child mannequin that was riding the camel for about a year.
France: ham sandwiches and Duffy. their store is filled with Duffy!
UK: crazy birds, fish & chips, short character wait in the toy store!
Canada: Arden (another DISer who works there now) and plaid!



Happy (belated) birthday Zach!!!!!!!

and a huge congrats on the the money!!!! I look forward to seeing a picture of your new wheels when you are able to purchase!

I love the things you put for the different countries!

Thanks for the birthday wishes! I can't wait to have a picture of my new wheels. Now I have to buy some new Disney decorations for it.

Yay for Disney-lovin' teachers!

I know that's got to be one big worry off of your mind. I'm sure they will help them get quickly caught up when they get back.

I love Disney-lovin' teachers!

hey

Glad to see you around Jordan.

Hi Amy. Sorry I have been MIA for like all of the summer but I am all caught up now.

Wow those pics of the Flume & Clarks Trading Bears brought back memories of when we took our boys there years ago. Fun times!!

Looks like you had a great & busy summer. We love going to the Sea Dogs games & we have been to a few of the Fisher Cat games but seem to like Portland better.

Your plans looks amazing. I cannot believe how you did it with those Southwest credits!! I may need to PM you & ask you some questions as we are supposed to be flying out on the 26th of this month from Manchester. This will be our first flight out from there as we usually go from Boston.

I made a trip to the Disney store in Manchester in Aug. on the way home from one of Cody's soccer games but did not find anything there this time. It is a very tiny store. I would like to go again soon though.

We wanted to go to Apple Harvest Day in Dover tomorrow but they are saying rain & I thought about you & your yard sale. Good luck with it. It stinks when things are planned (Deerfield Fair, Harvest Day & yard sales) & it RAINS!! I will be thinking about you & hoping you make out great.

Hi Doreen! Nice to see you back around the DIS. Summers are so precious around here, I don't blame you for being so busy!

The yard sale worked out OK. It was a little drizzley at times but OK overall. Yes - it was a bad weekend for rain! But I'm looking forward to just hanging out at home today. I might not make it out of my pjs!

I'm meeting MRYPPNS up at the Disney store in a couple weeks. Should be fun! Then my next trip to Manchester will be for our flight on 11/5!!! I think you'll like the Manchester airport - it's so much easier.

 

[DisMomAmy]

We made it through the yard sale yesterday even with some wet weather. I made about $200 (Disney money ) and my mom made about $150. The best part is that I purged our house of a lot of stuff that we don't use. The bad part is that we still have a lot of it! We put some of it out by the street for free yesterday and a lot of it is gone this morning. It's going to rain for a few days but once the weather clears up, we'll put more stuff out there (not sure if that sounds like a strange way to get rid of things but it work well around here - you put it out & it's usually gone by morning). I also have to make a trip to the place we donate stuff this week. Either way, the stuff isn't making it's way back into our house! It's all in the garage & it will stay there until it finds a new home... hopefully sooner than later!

In planning news, tomorrow morning I'll be up with my laptop around 6am. They opened things up around 6:45 last time. I have to book our return flight right away because that's the one that the price will skyrocket in no time. The flight down will be a little easier but we have to decide if we are going down on Thursday or Friday. We usually go down Thursday but that would mean pulling the kids for two more days. It's probably not a problem since it's so far from our November trip but I still worry...

As far as our November trip, which is getting so close, I haven't gotten much done! Here was my September to-do list:

September:
• Buy allergy meds for Zach - DONE
• Update first aide & foot care supplies - DONE
• Organize trading pins
• Find ponchos – DONE
• New washable markers for the boys – DONE

I still have to organize the trading pins but managed to do the rest. I knew it was going to be a crazy month so I set the bar pretty low. I'm very excited to have crazy September over with so I can start to focus on our trip. Here is my October/first week of November to-do list (there's a lot to do):

October:
4 weeks to go:
• Coordinate pet care
• Make grocery list (for villa)
• Garden Grocer order (not sure if we're doing this or not)
• Make emergency phone number & travel info list for neighbor/moms
• Inventory batteries – buy more if needed
• Buy more Ziploc bags
• Buy gift cards for kids
• Follow up if no ME documents

3 weeks to go
• Put ADRs in phone (cancel any extra ADRs)
• Put Touring Plans in phone
• Let schools know about kids - DONE
• Start matching outfits and putting in Ziplocs
• Organize/label toiletries
• Watch the “Stranger Danger” DVD
• Roll coins from change jar
• Get quarters & pennies together for pressed pennies


2 weeks to go
• Buy snacks for travel day
• Buy extra cat food & litter
• Pull apart Disney folder and take only what’s needed
• Start packing into suitcases
• Get money organized
• Transfer Disney rewards to rewards card
• Get my glasses/sunglasses adjusted at Lenscrafters
• Make list of addresses for postcards/get postcard stamps
• Make list of DISers at Disney & put in phone
• Find/redo DIS tag
• Print Door Sign?
• Organize DVDs & kids games
• Organize ipods/ipad - music, videos, games
• Pre-order Photopass CD
• Pack copy of auto insurance
• Get list of possible meets in phone

Last week:
• Pedicure
• Chiropractor
• Haircuts
• Print entertainment schedules from Steve Soares site or put key times in phone
• Park hours in phone
• TGM viewing spots in phone
• Check weather
• Remind school about kids missing days
• Final laundry/packing
• Print grocery list
• Charge everything
• Southwest online check-in
• Clean house/change sheets
• Finalize rental car
• Pay Bills/check online banking
• Program addresses into GPS
• Clean Frog Tank
• Clean Gerbil Cage
• Stop Mail & Paper
• Make sure park tickets are packed!
• Pick up balloons for surprise? (mylar so they stay filled)


There are actually five weeks until we leave so I have a little buffer built in.

As far as the surprise goes... When we found out that Zach is going to miss a karate tournament we told the boys that Tim has to work in NC the week of our anniversary and since it's our anniversary & the boys have a short week of school, we are all going with him! We just can't stand the thought of being apart on our anniversary! Well they bought it! Zach found out about the karate tournament on Friday (we told them Wednesday or Thursday) and he was a little disapponted. He actually thought he was going to miss it due to soccer but I reminded him that soccer would be over by then and he would actually miss the tournament because of our trip to NC. He says, "Our boring trip to NC!" I guess Tim warned them that it might not be all that fun since he has to work most of the week.

So now onto phase 2 of the surprise... do we take them to the airport expecting to board a flight to NC & see how long it takes them to notice? Or do we go with the shocker at home before we head to the airport?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yeay for making Disney money at your yard sale!

Your to-do list overwhelms me! Good luck with that!

I think you should surprise them at home -- then you can take lots of pictures!

 

[irish dancer]

Congrats on the extra Disney $$ from the yard sale, that's pretty good. We had one once and I don't think I made $50 so I'd be very happy with $200.

I might enlist your help with putting together my to-do list next time we go on vaca. It is so thorough and I like how it's spread out for a few weeks, I'm ususally running around that last week trying to fit it all in.

I would probably lean toward a surprise at home too so you can have more photo ops.

 

[MEK]

Yeah for garage sale Disney money!!!!! I really want to do that but I live in a terrible location and I seriously don't think I will have any customers!!!!! I haven't had a kid come to my house for Halloween for 15 years - not kidding!

I love the NC cover up story. That is perfect. Your kids are going to be super excited when they find out is not such a boring trip after all! Awesome idea!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yeay for making Disney money at your yard sale!

Your to-do list overwhelms me! Good luck with that!

I think you should surprise them at home -- then you can take lots of pictures!

The to-do list overwhelms me too... that's why I have to break it down by week!

I'm definitely for the surprise at home... More pictures, but also more fun stuff to do with the scavenger hunt & surprise box! We'll see... I think Tim wants to wait & see if they figure it out!

Congrats on the extra Disney $$ from the yard sale, that's pretty good. We had one once and I don't think I made $50 so I'd be very happy with $200.

I might enlist your help with putting together my to-do list next time we go on vaca. It is so thorough and I like how it's spread out for a few weeks, I'm ususally running around that last week trying to fit it all in.

I would probably lean toward a surprise at home too so you can have more photo ops.

I asked Tim how much money he thought we would make & he said $50. I guessed $200 so I was glad when our total came in at $190-something.

My to-do list is copied from a variety of people over the years.

I think you guys want to see pictures of the surprise! (And I want to share them!)

 

[DisMomAmy]

Notice anything new in my signature?

We've known about our April trip for a while, but I didn't want to have to change my ticker so I waited until our flights were booked to make one. And today was the day... I booked our flights this morning!!

We'll be heading down to Tampa on Thursday, 4/19 & we'll have some traveling companions!!! Can anyone guess who? I was on the fence about booking this one because it was $140 per person and I thought it might go down. In the end, I booked it & it went up to $179 right after!

We're returning home on Sunday, 4/29 from MCO. Unfortunately the only direct flights were really early or really late. We opted to get home before midnight & went with the 9am flight. (I'm glad Tim was still home to help me decide what to do - the other option was taking a more expensive non-direct flight.) So it will be an early morning but the flight was only $130!!! This is fantastic based on what I've seen for Sunday MCO flights, especially at the end of a school vacation week! We haven't flown home out of MCO in a while due to the high prices - we've mostly been driving back to Tampa to get the cheaper fares. I did check Tampa to see if there were some better times, but it was pretty much the same deal - early or late.

You may remember me mentioning the possibility of a family friend, Anna, joining us. Well the cost is going to be too much for our friends so she won't be coming along this time around. I'm sure there will be a trip in our future with their whole family.

I'm sure I'll start up a new PTR for that trip after our November trip. I can't wait to share all the new things we have planned!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yeah for garage sale Disney money!!!!! I really want to do that but I live in a terrible location and I seriously don't think I will have any customers!!!!! I haven't had a kid come to my house for Halloween for 15 years - not kidding!

I love the NC cover up story. That is perfect. Your kids are going to be super excited when they find out is not such a boring trip after all! Awesome idea!

You snuck in on me...

Our location is OK but our whole town was having yard sales Saturday & our library put out little maps with all the houses marked. It worked out pretty well... except when people asked me where the other houses were because I hadn't seen the map!

I think the NC story is perfect too - I can start packing & putting warm weather clothes aside. I just have to keep the Disney stuff hidden.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Yay on the flights Amy! That's a big thing to cross off the to-do list.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Amy, you always amaze me at how organized you are! I wish I had an ounce of that skill.

Your trip is getting so close. I can't believe you have kept it a secret from the boys so long. I could never do that.

Yay for another trip!!! We are going in April as well, only a few weeks earlier. I have never been to F&G so I am super excited!

Congrats on your yard sale!

 

[irish dancer]

Congrats on the flights!! Hmm, wonder who your travelling companions may be?? Could it be Heidi?

We are planning for 6/3-10 so I'll be on the SWA hunt for the next release. Looked at the new fares just released for the time just before our dates and prices are pretty good. Was surprised Tampa was higher for us than MCO but either way works for us. Hoping the rest of June follows suit. Marked 11/14 on my calendar for booking.

That's too bad Anna won't be able to join you guys, hopefully a trip will be in her future soon!