Happy Mickey-versary for 15 yrs! An Oct. 2011 PTR NEW: 11/13 Pretend Disney? & TRlink

[mousescrapper]

Just wanted to post -- "hey, that's Nathan at Hoop De Doo!!""

I'm glad you sent that photo to All Ears -- it definitely was a winner!!

I hadn't even seen it yet till my Spectrum Mom peeps mentioned something on FB and now you here very cool and yes I did send that in awhile ago...

thanks Marsha!

this is the photo by the way:

 

[mousescrapper]

A Mouse-cellanous Life Update:

There has been a lot going in the Mouse Scrapper Home lately so I thought I’d share a few things:

A spooky family game night:

We decided not to have our weekly movie night a week back and did a game night instead, so Nathan chose his ToT Clue game he got from Disney last yr for Christmas to play…it was a lot of fun and got me in the mood for our upcoming Oct trip…plus ToT is one of my ultimate FAV rides at all of WDW!

Bekah says she wants to attempt riding it in Jan ’12 when the whole family goes again…I am trying to convince Matt to build ToT into the itinerary if the standby is super quick he can just walk thru w/ me and take the chicken elevator…

See the hidden Mickey?

Nathan thinking hard:

And the mystery was solved…by me. It was Daisy w/ the movie camera in the Terrace.

We have started weekly family night now that weekly clubs are over for the season and our first one was last Thurs for Cinco de Mayo…we normally don’t celebrate but since I had tacos on the menu for the week decided why not have some fun w/ it. I invited my Mom over too (since my Dad of out of town). I decorated the dining room table:

And we had a nice taco spread:

Bekah showed us how to make a tortilla snowflake:

And Naomi-Ruth provided some music:

After eating, most of the kids (Bekah had homework) and Grandma watched the Three Caballeros. My mom later joked the next day the song kept ringing in her head when she tried to go to sleep.

The twins (Nathan and Rebekah) turned 12….(thanks to many of my Diser/FB friends for the b-day wishes listed over there…N got a big kick out of it). We had the grandparents (minus my Dad) over for a dinner on Friday night and my Sis and nephew came for dessert and presents (other Aunts/Uncles unfortunately were out of town…so the twins b-day will keep being extended...lucky them)

Nathan made her this gift an Elvis water bottle…


Here’s dinner: Monkey Tail Salad…

And dessert, homemade banana cream pie and 7 layer jello (Grandma made the jello took her about 5 hrs to do)

The next morning for breakfast Naomi-Ruth set up a b-day tea party for them:

Then on last Sat the actual b-day, Nathan had friends over for an outdoor wiener roast over the fire, w/ root beer and chips, plus Matt set up an outdoor movie screen and they watched Unstoppable. It was a fun night for him.

This coming Fri/Sat Bekah is having a sleepover w/ her friends (post some of those pix later)

Last Sun of course was Mother’s Day and I just had a relaxed day mostly at home w/ Matt and the Kids…I took my “day-off” seriously and even took a nap. We went to the local garden shop and got my annual flowers. Here are a few pix:

“I planted my own flowers”

That’s it for now…hope to get back to Disney planning soon and those AK park picks!

Thanks for reading as always,

J~

 

[Marshay]

Loved all the photos!!

How cool that you have an outdoor movie screen and projecter!! That sounds like a lot of fun.

Glad you guys are having weekly family night and making it special for everyone.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Thanks for sharing Julie! I love the theme for Nathan's birthday party... it's hard as they get older.

I'm glad you had a nice Mother's Day. We worked in the yard too. We finally got the last of the 3 yards of mulch I ordered spread on Sunday. We started Saturday but then a t-storm rolled in.

I hope Bekah has a fun birthday party too.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I hadn't even seen it yet till my Spectrum Mom peeps mentioned something on FB and now you here very cool and yes I did send that in awhile ago...

thanks Marsha!

this is the photo by the way:

That is so cool, and also I could so see Jack having the same expression face and hands and all.


Wow you guys have been quite busy, love your cinco de mayo night with the 3 caballeros how fun

Can't wait to see whats up next in the planning, have you done any scrappie designs for it yet?

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Yum! 7 layer Jello is a big thing with my husband's family. I love it!

 

[KathyRN137]

Fanatastic photos of family fun!! (Lots of fodder for scrapping!)

That picture of Nathan makes me chuckle every time!


Kathy

 

[Charleston Princess]

Thanks for sharing all the fun you have all been having, Julie! As you know, I love the photo of Nathan on allears, and it looks like there has been a lot of fun celebrating with birthdays, Cinco de Mayo, and Mother's Day! I really need to get the ToT Clue -- we are big Clue nuts around here. Not to mention, I think we need to see photos of the Muppets Monopoly. Whatever is Park Place and Boardwalk on that board?

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Hey Julie!

I'm sorry I missed the twins birthday, please tell them Happy Belated Birthday. NR is such a sweet sister for setting up a tea party for the twins. I love that picture and how everyone looks so happy.

The Cinco de Mayo celebration looked perfect! I love that you used Josefina in the mix!

for Mother's Day relaxation and a nap!! Those are certainly rare things, aren't they?

 

[mousescrapper]

Loved all the photos!!

How cool that you have an outdoor movie screen and projecter!! That sounds like a lot of fun.

Glad you guys are having weekly family night and making it special for everyone.

thanks Marsha...the projector was a toss from matt's work and he esisly fixed it, it's normally set up down in our basement for movies...the outside Matt rigged up w/ a cloth and frame from an old canopy

yes the weekly nights will be cosen by randfom soon once I finished making these cards and we'll choose the week before for each new week, some will require a little more planning and others simple...just to make family time more entertaining while keeping it important and everyone involved!

Thanks for sharing Julie! I love the theme for Nathan's birthday party... it's hard as they get older.

Yes I just asked him what he wanted to too...he said food and a movie...so very easy!

I'm glad you had a nice Mother's Day. We worked in the yard too. We finally got the last of the 3 yards of mulch I ordered spread on Sunday. We started Saturday but then a t-storm rolled in.

thanks...yes Matt bought mulch too last weekend but hasn't had time to get it down.

I hope Bekah has a fun birthday party too.

me too

That is so cool, and also I could so see Jack having the same expression face and hands and all.

thanks Jes...it was quite funny how they just plunked down the huge bucket of chicken in front of him...one of his fav foods too.

Wow you guys have been quite busy, love your cinco de mayo night with the 3 caballeros how fun

ahhh that is life... and thanks it was a spur of the moment thing but they had fun so that is what matters

Can't wait to see whats up next in the planning, have you done any scrappie designs for it yet?

no not yet...been pretty busy w/ other things...once summer roles in I should have more time

Yum! 7 layer Jello is a big thing with my husband's family. I love it!

yes it usally is only made by request for special ocassions

Fanatastic photos of family fun!! (Lots of fodder for scrapping!)

That picture of Nathan makes me chuckle every time!


Kathy

thanks Kathy...yes I should try and scrap some of the family fun nights! and me too on the photo

Thanks for sharing all the fun you have all been having, Julie! As you know, I love the photo of Nathan on allears, and it looks like there has been a lot of fun celebrating with birthdays, Cinco de Mayo, and Mother's Day! I really need to get the ToT Clue -- we are big Clue nuts around here. Not to mention, I think we need to see photos of the Muppets Monopoly. Whatever is Park Place and Boardwalk on that board?

your welcome and thanks I printed off the page from allears for N to hang up in his room, the girls wanted to know where their pixs were

Oh I'll have N take some pix for you

Hey Julie!

I'm sorry I missed the twins birthday, please tell them Happy Belated Birthday. NR is such a sweet sister for setting up a tea party for the twins. I love that picture and how everyone looks so happy.

thanks Sheresa...she is a sweetie, and I was happy the twins went w/ it for her

The Cinco de Mayo celebration looked perfect! I love that you used Josefina in the mix!

Josefina was Bekah's first AG doll (she also has Felicity)...if you look at our Spring break 09 TR...little Josefina went w/ us to Disney and had her picture taken at CSR and all around the world too...B even made up a scrapbook for it

for Mother's Day relaxation and a nap!! Those are certainly rare things, aren't they?

yes I agree...I needed a day off

 

[exwdwcm]

What great photos. I love the one of Nathan at HDD! too cute!

love the game night- i didn't know they had a ToT clue! i need to look for all of these games next time. I had heard there was a disney themed candyland. where did you find all the games (Muppet monopoly too)?

love your little blue flowerpots as well! looks like a wonderful bday party, mother's day and beyond!

 

[mousescrapper]

What great photos. I love the one of Nathan at HDD! too cute!

love the game night- i didn't know they had a ToT clue! i need to look for all of these games next time. I had heard there was a disney themed candyland. where did you find all the games (Muppet monopoly too)?

love your little blue flowerpots as well! looks like a wonderful bday party, mother's day and beyond!

Michelle,

yes we have the Disney themed candyland My Mom got it for Naomi-Ruth for Cmas last yr. We even have a Haunted Mansion Clue too Clue was my fav game as a kid and now it is one of Nathan's.

Nathan's current obessions are the Muppets and Monopoly...so it was the perfect gift. I think my Mom got it at Borders. try online though too.

and thanks for your nice comments about the pix too

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

I do remember Bekah's adventures with Josefina, and all of the pics she got of her around the showcase.

 

[Native NYer]

Love that photo of Nathan. So glad Allears chose it!
Your Cinco de Mayo celebration looks so fun!

 

[irish dancer]

Very fun family time! Love the game night and Cinco de Mayo celebration.

What a great idea for Nathan's birthday! That would be right up Daniel's alley. Hope Bekah has just as much fun at her sleepover, you are a brave mom.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

It looks like a fabulous time is being had in the Scrappie household!

Those Mickey planters are adorable!

 

[exwdwcm]

Michelle,

yes we have the Disney themed candyland My Mom got it for Naomi-Ruth for Cmas last yr. We even have a Haunted Mansion Clue too Clue was my fav game as a kid and now it is one of Nathan's.

Nathan's current obessions are the Muppets and Monopoly...so it was the perfect gift. I think my Mom got it at Borders. try online though too.

and thanks for your nice comments about the pix too

i have to look for those when we are there in Oct then!!! I love clue too! i'll look online too if we can't find them in the parks!

 

[mousescrapper]

I do remember Bekah's adventures with Josefina, and all of the pics she got of her around the showcase.

that was fun for her...she meant to bring another little doll back in Nov. but we forgot...so maybe in Jan next yr

Love that photo of Nathan. So glad Allears chose it!
Your Cinco de Mayo celebration looks so fun!

thanks Jennifer, me too on the phot fun thing for him and I and we did have a good night for an impromptu family evening

Very fun family time! Love the game night and Cinco de Mayo celebration.

thanks AM

What a great idea for Nathan's birthday! That would be right up Daniel's alley. Hope Bekah has just as much fun at her sleepover, you are a brave mom.

the movie night was actually quite easy! she did have a wonderful evening w/ her friends...post a few pixs soon

It looks like a fabulous time is being had in the Scrappie household!

we have been having fun, thanks!

Those Mickey planters are adorable!

I got them several yrs back from my Mom for my birthday from the disenystore online (sale)

i have to look for those when we are there in Oct then!!! I love clue too! i'll look online too if we can't find them in the parks!

yes we have a growing collection of Disney themed games...lots of fun! brining the joy of our fav place into our home

 

[mousescrapper]

Well it has been awhile since I have gotten a Planning Update up here…bear w/ me this time of the yr (like most of you too) is just super crazy for me….not only are my 4 children’s school schedules winding down and preparing for a semi busy summer (and already thinking about next yr), I chair the BIG event at the grammar school (where my middle DD Rachel attends) that is just in 2 weeks ! This is a yr long planning event but like any big thing you plan for like a wedding or having a baby you are always busy in the beginning and then CRAZY busy at the very end…so that has been consuming a lot of my time lately.

So w/out further delay here are our Animal Kingdom Park Picks:

We are only planning on touring this park once during our 5 days…Wed 19th late morning till after the parade.

Now yes I know you are probably thinking late arrival to AK…and didn’t I pixiedust swear I would never do that again?...well, yes that is true…but I feel the circumstances are a bit different this time. It’s just Matt and I vs 6-8 people AND we are going during a bit less crowded time AND our list of must do’s is pretty small. PLUS we need at least one morning to rest in and move a bit slower during our stay…AND we are having a late morning buffet bfast this day…

Ok so now that I have re-convinced myself, are you on board?

The MUST/See do List:

Kilimanjaro Safaris-

I will be watching the SB times and the FP returns via my LINES app…so we’ll wing this…if needed I may actually cut this…I know scary. The pix above is from our most recent Safari in Nov. that I took w/ fellow Diser jillyb and her family.

Tree of Life Trail-

I always want to do this each trip and we run out of time or forget…so this time I want to make sure we do. I loved doing this in Jan w/ the Spectrum Moms. The pix above is from that trip.


Maharajah Jungle Trek-Tigers-

We hardly ever do the trails w/ the kids and did the Pangani one w/ the Gorillas in Nov. so Matt requested this one for our trip. I hope they will be active! Should research feeding times…


Jammin Jungle Parade-

This is Matt’s favorite Parade (mine BTW is Spectro…oh how I miss yo…sorry was trying to go for the rhyme).

We are generally hit or miss for this and had made it a must do in Nov. to see the Jammin Jingle Version…but of course it was raining and half of it was cut for safety reasons…hoping for a dry day…or this will be cut from our list. (don't need to see the rain version again)

Oh and don’t forget the Tree of Life PP pix…here is our pix from ‘08:

If Time List:

Find Devine-

We have now both seen Devine but separately…so if timing works we’ll try and catch a glimpse.

Dinosaur/EE??

Ok he loves this ride [Dinosaur]…I hate it…yes I actually hate something at Disney. I truly think it’s because the one and only time I ever rode this was back in ’98 and I was sick…it was just awful so in all fairness I should give it another go but I don’t want to. Matt won’t ride EE, but I love it…it’s just there on the list, but not sure we’d split up.

A show-

Ok seriously no AK trip is complete w/out at least one show…but based on the fact I won’t know what time we’ll arrive and we want to do the parade…this will just have to be based soley on times. I will check the Steve Soares site as it gets closer and we’ll decide on spot I think. I’d lean toward FotLK…LOVE IT! But we haven’t seen Nemo since ’08…but we may try and do that in Jan w/ the kids…I don’t know at this point.


Other info: EMH-AM today…think that will be an issue? No turning back on this itinerary..so I guess we just need to be prepared…ah BE Prepared! Now I sound like Scar…

FOOD: Yak & Yeti or FTBBQ if we get hungry…play this by ear…since I don’t want to waste touring time and we should have had a big bfast in the morning and eve plans include EP-Food & Wine…well more like Food & Slushies for me…

So what do you think? Advice/Thoughts/things I missed….

Also where would you say are the “romantic” spots in this park?

Do tell and thanks for reading,

J~

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Hello Julie!

I can't imagine how busy you must be, but you always seem to find time to give us an update!

I would think you and Matt will be fine getting to AK late due to this being an "off-season" time. Also you should be able to cover more ground than you think you can due to the no 6-8 people thing. Maybe it will give you time to stop and take in the atmosphere of a few places, like seeing some of the animals around the Oasis (and keeping your peepers open for DeVine ) and Discovery Island.

One thing I would suggest, try to get a few PP stops in if you can. DH and I did this in April, and I'm so glad we did. We captured our best PP pics here. There's usually one right by the far side of EE on the bridge leading into DinoLand. Also, on the other side of EE, there's that shrine where people always get pics because you can get the train in the background if you time it right, you could get one or two there. I'm sure you know this already, but just wanted to make mention of it.

I've never seen Mickey's Jammin' Jungle parade all the way through. Where is your favorite spot to view it? Also, if you do find out about feeding times, I'd be interested in knowing. Madelyn already LOVES the zoo and all the animals, so I know she will love the treks as much as her momma does and active animals=happy baby.

Okay lady, we are now officially under the five month mark!!!