How My Husband Saved Mother's Day: With a SURPRISE Trip to WDW!/July PTR -We're Back!

[JoshAndEvsMom]

I have read so many of your PTR's, TR's and DR's, and now am so excited to be starting my own PTR!

So what's with the title? What went so terribly wrong that Mother's Day needed saving? HOW did DH SURPRISE us ALL?? Uh oh... was DH in the dog house? ...

Naahh! Nothing like that! See, after years and years of putting it off, I finally had to have my wisdom teeth pulled. Watch how easy it is to make excuses:
"I can't do it this summer, I'm getting married!"
...6 moths later... "Sorry, doctor, not this winter, I'm pregnant!"
... 6 moths later... "Nope, still breastfeeding!"
...2 years later..."Guess what?! Pregnant again!"
...1 year later..."still breastfeeding"
...10 months 2 weeks and 4 days later... "Crap. I'm out of excuses."
And seeing as though there was no other "good" weekend do do this thing, Mother's Day weekend it was.

I guess DH felt really, Really, REALLY sorry for me because he BOOKED us a trip to Disney World! I was so surprised! My surgery was Friday so we had "Mother's Day" on Wednesday. He took us out to dinner then when we came home he said he had made a video for me. It was so cute! He had made a photo montage of pictures of me with the kids! It was so sweet! Well... just when the music was coming to an end and I was already is when the started! The next thing I saw was a picture of Cinderella's Castle and the words "Mom, we're taking you to... Disney World!"

I couldn't believe it! This is SO unlike my husband! He had everything booked, flights, tickets, dining plan, the works!

I am so excited and I hope you join along! Up next... Meet my family and become familiar with our particular brand of crazy

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

Chapter Links

Meet My Family!
We're Going to the Caribbean!
I'm SOOO Hungry! ADR's
Countdown to FUN!

Day -1: Travel day/ Day 1: DHS
Day 2: Epcot #1
Day 3: Animal Kingdom
Day 4: Magic Kingdom #1
Day 5: Epcot #2
Day 6: Magic Kingdom #2/ Going Home

6/1 Winnie the Pooh Movie Night
Autograph Books
6/14 Toy Story Movie Night
6/22 BRAVE Movie Night + Bonus Post
PhotoPass+ Pre-Arrival Package
Seattle Mini TR Part #1
Seattle Mini TR Part #2
Seattle Mini TR Part #3
Tie Dye Mickey
Hair Bows
See Ya Real Soon!! We leave TOMORROW!

 

[snoopypharmd]

That is so AWESOME!!!

He spent so much time and energy coming up with that one ...

so what's he getting for Father's Day?

Can't wait to hear all about it

 

[magicaldisney11]

What a wondeful Surprise!!! Best Mother's Day ever in my book!!

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

That is so AWESOME!!!

He spent so much time and energy coming up with that one ...

so what's he getting for Father's Day?

Can't wait to hear all about it

Oh man! That's going to be so HARD! I actually asked him what he wanted and he said "A t-shirt." He's so easy to please! Maybe you guys can help me come up with something GOOD!

What a wondeful Surprise!!! Best Mother's Day ever in my book!!

TOTALLY the best Mother's Day EVER!

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

Ok, so who's "us" anyway?
Oh! There we are! Last year at Disney World.

but... I might as well introduce you to the adorable one's first.

Joshua - The DS. He's 5 and is a total Star Wars FREAK. Everything is about Lightsabers, Anakin and Darth Vader. I swear, I'd much rather answer "Mom, where do babies come from?" Than field questions like "Why does Anakin turn bad?" and "What do you mean: Obi Wan is Ben Kenobi?" or the worst... "Who's this guy, mommy?" (Thank you Google!!)

Then: April 2011 Walt Disney World

Now: Silly soccer stud

Evelyn - The DD. She's 2.. well, in just 2 days! She actually shares a birthday with her daddy so we're all excited to celebrate this week. She's my girly girl (Thank god!) and is already asking in her little way when we can go back to Disney. "Mommy? Princess castle? Mickey? Go now?"

Then: April 2011 Walt Disney World

Now: Goofy girl with a sweet tooth!

Ok, here's me, Lauren. And DH, Eric. We went to Disney World last year for a trip DH put together for the HS Band. The kids and I were lucky enough to tag along and we brought my mom to help out. We had so much fun but it was a lot of work too since it wasn't really a "family" vacation.

Then: Awwww... Aren't we cute?

One of my favorites. 3 generations of Princesses!

Now: Yup. That's more like it.

We are SOOOOO excited about this trip! We're celebrating EVERYTHING! Our Anniversary, DS's preschool "graduation" (my baby's going to Kindergarten! ), our first REAL family vacation (NOT visiting family and NOT working!!) and last but not least, my late father's birthday. I can't wait to say a special prayer for him. He loved Disney so much!

Ok, so here we are! Did I mention how EXCITED we all are??

Next up details... Where did DH book our rooms??

 

[Alysa]

Love it! What a wonderful surprise and what a beautiful family you have! My little boy is sitting beside me reading the Star Wars Encyclopedia to me right now and and he loves your son's hat! Plus my daughter's name is Evelyn too - great minds think alike!

 

[nannye]

That is so sweet!!!!! I'm onboard!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

What a great Mother's Day present!!

Looking forward to hearing more about your plans

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

Love it! What a wonderful surprise and what a beautiful family you have! My little boy is sitting beside me reading the Star Wars Encyclopedia to me right now and and he loves your son's hat! Plus my daughter's name is Evelyn too - great minds think alike!

Thank you! The Star Wars thing seemed to come out of nowhere! Its so much fun to see them so "into" something though. Congrats to you on your soon-to-be new addition!

That is so sweet!!!!! I'm onboard!

What a great Mother's Day present!!

Looking forward to hearing more about your plans

It was the best present ever & I am excited to share with everyone!

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

Well, I just called and booked the MAGICAL EXPRESS to pick us up at the air port and bring us to....

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort! And guess what else? DH booked us a Pirate room ! Oh my goodness, my son is so excited. He asks to see pictures of the room every day.

...And since we were staying in a Pirate room I just HAD to book....

The PIRATES LEAGUE! I honestly think I'm more excited about the Pirates Lague than DS is. If that's even possible. I think it has something to do with that secret treasure room. I just CAN'T STAND not knowing what's in there!

...And since DS is doing the Pirates League, and I couldn't leave DD out of the fun, I just HAD to book...

Her FIRST HAIR CUT! At Harmony Barber Shop. I always thought this looked like so much fun and I never thought we'd be able to do it. She's turning two on Wednesday so I figured we'd need to cut her hair before we got the chance to go back BUT I think I can hold out for another 2 months!! She'll just have to wear pony tails until then.

Next up... Mmmmm.... Disney Dining & ADR's

 

[jerzyzkat119]

what a great mothers day surprise!! super exciting! I'm in!

 

[MelMel11]

Count me in!

 

[disneychic2]

What a great surprise!

I'll be living vicariously through you since we already took our Disney trip this year and November 2013 is a looooong way away! Your family is adorable!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Well, I just called and booked the MAGICAL EXPRESS to pick us up at the air port and bring us to....

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort! And guess what else? DH booked us a Pirate room ! Oh my goodness, my son is so excited. He asks to see pictures of the room every day.

...And since we were staying in a Pirate room I just HAD to book....

The PIRATES LEAGUE! I honestly think I'm more excited about the Pirates Lague than DS is. If that's even possible. I think it has something to do with that secret treasure room. I just CAN'T STAND not knowing what's in there!

...And since DS is doing the Pirates League, and I couldn't leave DD out of the fun, I just HAD to book...

Her FIRST HAIR CUT! At Harmony Barber Shop. I always thought this looked like so much fun and I never thought we'd be able to do it. She's turning two on Wednesday so I figured we'd need to cut her hair before we got the chance to go back BUT I think I can hold out for another 2 months!! She'll just have to wear pony tails until then.

Next up... Mmmmm.... Disney Dining & ADR's

We stayed at CBR back in Aug 2008, I would like to see how the resort has changed since we were there last. They were doing so much work on the place.

How fun for Pirates Leage AND Harmony Barber Shop! Congrats on getting those!

Cant wait to see what you have planned for ADRs

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

what a great mothers day surprise!! super exciting! I'm in!

Count me in!

Thanks for joining in!

What a great surprise!

I'll be living vicariously through you since we already took our Disney trip this year and November 2013 is a looooong way away! Your family is adorable!

We are planning a trip for November 2013 too!! *Fingers crossed* We convinced three other families to join us so, I hope its still on! We were thinking sometime within the first two weeks of November to hopefully catch both the tail end of F&W and MVMCP.

Have you been in Nov before? When are you going?

We stayed at CBR back in Aug 2008, I would like to see how the resort has changed since we were there last. They were doing so much work on the place.

How fun for Pirates Leage AND Harmony Barber Shop! Congrats on getting those!

Cant wait to see what you have planned for ADRs

I am so excited to stay at CBR too! I stayed there AGES ago when I was a teenager and I don't remember much about it at all... you know, all that angst was just oozing out of every pore and I was much too "cool" for my family...

I am thrilled with getting Pirates League and Harmony. I even got both times I wanted!

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

A week and a half ago, I started WeightWatchers so I have to preface this my saying: I AM STARVING! But I'm NOT going to be on a diet when we are on VACATION! We really don't go out to eat very often so it is completely normal for me to look up a restaurant online and obsess over the menu for days. Naturally, I'm doing the same for Disney, only I have 2 months instead of 2 days!

After a lot of discussion we decided to do the DDP. We weren't going to at first but after DH realized we could go to all the character meals for 1 credit, he was all in. On our last trip we went to Chef Mickeys and had a blast but DH was working so he couldn't join us. I think he must have really felt deprived because character meals are ALL he wants to do!

I guess my dining style is pretty laid back. I was pretty fortunate growing up, my parents never hesitated to take me & my brother to nice restaurants when we were pretty young. (In fact, one of my earliest dining memories is my 4 year old brother SENDING BACK a kids pizza he ordered at the Space Needle! )I enjoy trying new things but I wouldn't say I'm "adventurous." I'm definitely not a food snob and not at all picky, except for seafood . I know, I know, how can I be from the Northwest and not love seafood. I am comfortable with a variety of cuisines and levels of service.

DH is more of the burger-joint kind of guy. While he's not picky, he's super predictable. We sort of have a joke that no matter what restaurant we go to, I can always order for him because he always has the same thing: *If its on the menu* a spicy or BBQ hamburger. *If its Mexican* Arroz con Pollo. *If we're anywhere else* Fettucini Alfredo with Chicken. Will he branch out this trip? Only time will tell!

Ok, the kids... are kids. I read somewhere that some people live to eat and others eat to live. I live to eat! My children eat to live. Oh well. Maybe they'll grow into their mother's vision of varied dining experiences. I think our main challenge for this trip will be to get nourished while keeping the kiddos entertained (hence all the character meals!). They're just not at all interested in food.

Anyway, for the most part, our dining plans are a lot less about FOOD and a whole heck of a lot more about experience So keep that in mind when you're thinking Ok? Here they are, our ADR's and other schemes:

Day 1: Hollywood Studios
Gotta get one of those spectacular cupcakes at Starring Rolls - Breakfast??
Lunch ADR: Play & Dine at Hollywood & Vine DH is really excited about this one! We're surprising the kids and they'll be ecstatic. Disney Jr. is a part of our daily lives so these are the characters they really know and identify with Disney.

Day 2: Epcot
CS Lunch at Sunshine Seasons. We really loved this place on our last trip! DH said he could eat every meal there!
Dinner ADR: Biergarten I'm kind of excited about this meal! We're easy to please; we can't go wrong with sausage and potatoes!

Day 3: Animal Kingdom
CS Lunch at Flametree BBQ I LOVE ribs! I could eat BBQ every day and we really enjoyed our lunch here on our last trip. It was so relaxing to sit in the shade right on the water. It was a super crowded day but it felt like we had the entire AK to our selves
Dinner ADR: Whispering Canyon Cafe I'm super excited about this ADR! I've read here that they've toned down but I hope we see some of the "antics." Also, did I mention I LOVE ribs? ...and bottomless milkshakes!

Day 4: Magic Kingdom
Early Breakfast ADR: Crystal Palace! I can't wait to see an empty Main Street! And if there's one thing my kids ARE interested in, its breakfast. They can fill up on Mickey waffles and meet Pooh. Its a good day when you start that way, I think.
Since we're having a big breakfast, I'm hoping we can skate by on a snack midday and do an early CS for dinner. Any suggestions?

Day 5: Epcot
I'm thinking a CS lunch in the WS but have no idea where. I'm thinking DH will like Mexico but I'd love to go to Japan or Morocco. I grew up in Seattle where Asian cuisine is a staple. When I moved to the East side, I can't find decent teriyaki anywhere! Sorry, Panda Express DOESNT CUT IT. Anyway, I guess we can just go with the flow... hopefully I can convince the fam to try something new!
Dinner ADR: The Garden Grill The menu looks good, its not a buffet and there's Mickey. Check, check, check.

Day 6: Magic Kingdom
We leave on this day! So we'll check out early, grab a CS breakfast and head to the MK.
Lunch ADR: Crystal Palace! Yes, again. The lunch buffet should sustain us for the flight home and we get to see Pooh one last time before we go home

So that's the plan so far. Thoughts?

 

[debrapagliasotti]

H&V...never have done lunch there, but it was fun when we did it for bkfst a few yrs ago. We are planning on bkfst there in Dec b/c my 2 little ones love Disney Jr.

Flame Tree BBQ...I SOOO want to eat here!

CS in WS...the only one we have ever eaten at is the CS in Mexico, perfect for your DH I suppose. He could always get food there and the rest of you could get something else

Garden Grill...thats on our Dec list too

MK CS...Pecos Bill is good. Cosmic Rays? CHH? Check out the menus on Allears.

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

H&V...never have done lunch there, but it was fun when we did it for bkfst a few yrs ago. We are planning on bkfst there in Dec b/c my 2 little ones love Disney Jr.

Flame Tree BBQ...I SOOO want to eat here!

CS in WS...the only one we have ever eaten at is the CS in Mexico, perfect for your DH I suppose. He could always get food there and the rest of you could get something else

Garden Grill...thats on our Dec list too

MK CS...Pecos Bill is good. Cosmic Rays? CHH? Check out the menus on Allears.

It's funny, I've scoured the internet and there's not much about the H&V lunch! I am hoping to do a TR as well so maybe I can do a little review

If you like BBQ, you will LOVE Flame tree! If you haven't read this before... follow the signs to "More seating" and it goes down to this little hidden area right on the water. There's a perfect view of Everest and its so quiet. We were there on a VERY crowded day and it was amazing; like we had the whole park to ourselves!

 

[JoshAndEvsMom]

I am seriously on with how much DH is getting into this whole Disney thing! He's played the part of the "resister" for the last year and I honestly thought I'd have to drag ol' grumpy-pants back to the World, not quite kicking & screaming, but more mumbling & grumbling.

Anyhow, after my big SURPRISE he comes up with this:

A countdown calendar! I added the hanging method and ribbons but the rest was all DH. I am so proud of him! He's becoming one of us!

We've been letting DS & DD add a sticker every day to the calendar and they love it. We're actually on day 60 now. I had intended to do a Disney Movie Night every 10 days... well it kinda snuck up on me. Soooooo... tonight we're watching Cars (DS's choice) and eating chicken tacos... maybe I'll make the tortillas into cones or something... I've gotta do better next time!