I thought we were going to D.C.? Suprise trip! UPDATE: Hilarious unveiling video!

[Crisgw]

Thanks Laura! I can't wait to read through it all and get some ideas and pointers...I really am the worlds worst BIG secret keeper...the Worst!

 

[Laura.bora]

LOL - Go read my trip report - you cannot possibly be worse than me and my husband!

 

[Crisgw]

Laura! I loved your KOTS post! The videos are great and the kids are too cute! I love that the baby decided right then to start to crawl haha...too cute. This secret is KILLING me. DH says I will not make it. Maybe we should place a bet!

 

[shordiebecka]

interesting! I'm in for keeping the secret can't wait to read more!

 

[Crisgw]

Oh, it's SO dreary and rainy here in Ohio (blah!)....I wish I were here

I've honestly been trying to get DH to MOVE to FL (or at least within reasonable driving distance of WDW!) and he's warming up to it...maybe in a few years!

Anyone have suggestions on the secret "revealing" ?? I'm stumped.

Here is a taste of pics to come....this is the boys' clothing for our Sept 2008 trip...I'm slightly OCD and yes, I am one of "those" mom's that makes my boys pretty much match the entire time we're there...hey, they let me (for now) and it's just SO cute!

I bought Disney Crocs (their feet grow like weeds!) in red with black straps and black with red straps for $10.99 EACH yesterday night (so they "match" but opposite colors!)
http://www.amazon.com/crocs-Toddler-Little-Mickey-Cayman/dp/B0017ZMC9Y/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1237990121&sr=8-3

 

[Crisgw]

I forgot to say Hi to you shordiebecka so Hello

 

[Crisgw]

I found a pic from the TOT in September of 08. I honestly question how my DH and I (who really are, I swear, intelligent and successful people ) thought it was a GOOD idea to take our 3.5 year old son (well, a little over 3.5) on TOT just because he was TALL enough Our brains were fried apparently. The face he is making is now called the TOT face and he uses it often. DH and I are laughing so hard we could barely breathe...He still REFUSES to even LOOK at the TOT (secretly that's ok because it scares the crap out of me too and I'm not a big fan).

Here is a shot of our group (from L to R) DH, Ben (youngest DS), Me, Nate (oldest DS) and Uncle Jake (my 21 yo BIL).

A close up of JUST how terrified Ben was oops...bad parenting on our part.

 

[Crisgw]

Here's the itinerary thus far...I'm SURE it'll change! I love AP's because of the "park hopping" ability!

Itinerary

Date Park
10-May Resort Day
11-May MK
13-May AK/Pool/Epcot (EMH AK PM)
14-May Pool/MK (EMH MK PM)
15-May DHS/Pool/Epcot (EMH Epcot PM)
16-May MK in the AM then leave at 4pm for airport

 

[Crisgw]

So I think I may have thought about how to tell the boys...I read about an idea on the KOTS thread...more info coming soon!

 

[goin2themouse]

OOOOH can't wait to hear!

 

[as dreamers do]

Dish it, Cristina! What's the plan?

 

[Crisgw]

Okay okay...here is the plan that I'm thinking of going with (well I've bought the "stuff" to do it!) thanks to an idea on the KOTS board!!!

I'm going to get a big box for the boys to open *right* before we go to the airport (or maybe at the airport???) and it will be wrapped in solid paper (blue or red). Inside will be a balloon (it's string will be taped to the bottom of the box and it will be filled with helium so when they open the box it'll pop out) with the invitation I made for them tied to the string as well. The box will be filled with confetti as well Here is the stuff I bought/made for it:

The balloons:

The confetti (ordered 4 bags )

And finally the invitation I made for the boys:

So, what do you think? Good plan? At home BEFORE we go to the airport or AT the airport???

 

[chskover]

Love your secret. The invitation is great.
As you are leaving and going back to Ohio, we will be arriving in sunny Fl to start our trip. My daughter turns 21 for this trip. I'm not sure I would do the surprise box at the airport. Think of the confetti.

 

[summermac]

Your PTR caught my eye. And then I realized you are from OHIO. I am too. I'm about 2 hours east of you! We're on AirTran for our June trip & we are flying out of CMH. The fares are killer!

Anyway, I'd tell the boys before you leave home - that way they have time to maybe grab a favorite Disney toy or something if they want. You know?

 

[Crisgw]

Hello fellow Ohioans

I think you all are right...home before we get into the car is probably best! I am struggling to keep the secret but I know it'll be worth it!

Summermac, I grew up about 3 hours NE of Columbus (Warren) and always SWORE I'd leave Ohio after college....hmph, here I am

 

[as dreamers do]

I love the last minute surprise of having them open it at the airport! The only thing is that they'd have to open it before the security check point and would have to ditch the balloons, which is no fun. I don't know if you have a morning flight or not, but you could always have them open it at breakfast, e.g. "I found this on the front porch. Someone must have left it for us during the night..."

I know you guys will pull it off no matter what you decide! You've made it this far, right?

 

[summermac]

Summermac, I grew up about 3 hours NE of Columbus (Warren) and always SWORE I'd leave Ohio after college....hmph, here I am

My college BF is from the Warren area - in fact her family's business is in Warren.

 

[Crisgw]

Ahhh, Warren...I went to HS there (private) then went on to college IN Ohio at Denison For someone who wanted to get OUT of Ohio, I did a pretty bad job at it!

I keep trying to convince DH to move within driving distance (GA/SC/FL) to WDW....he's not budging on this...yet! I haven't given up!

 

[summermac]

This is too funny. My BF also went to a private school up there (I think most do in that area - public schools up there are pretty scary) but I believe is closer to the city - Ursuline (sp)

 

[Crisgw]

I went to JFK, another Catholic school. I actually lived in Howland but raised in the Catholic schools (lucky ).