It's Going To Be A Jolly Olly Holiday In Disney PTR I've got one foot out the door!!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

And...we're off! This is my first pre-trip report. (In fact, after this I will write my first trip report!) So, I guess this is my first report of any kind!
Anyway, there will be several chapters in this report. We are not going to WDW until Dec. 2, so I will have to keep you all in suspense until then! LOL I am going to try to make this as interresting and fun as possible for all of you. We have 126 days from today, but I think it will go kind of fast with everything else going on. In the meantime, I would appreciate any and all feedback, comments and suggestions or tips. As for complaints, keep them to yourself! Just kidding...I'm not above criticism or whatever! Bring it all on!
Ok. So. I figured where better to start than at the beginning, right? Then you all need to know who we are. The first section will be a blurb about each of us. I wrote these up ahead of time and they are a bit lengthy, so I think I will split them up into a couple of postings. I will start with myself and the hubby.

Erin - (that's me) I'm 32 years old. I am the one - that big Disney fan in the family! I don't think I can get enough trips there?? I am the oldest, wisest and soon to be shortest in the house. LOL Unfortunately for me, I came from two families that are "vertically challenged". (AKA - short) Fortunately for my kids, they all take after their father in that respect! Anyway...I stay home with my baby until August 31 when he's off to Kindergarten. (A day I expect many tears from myself - not him!) I also watch my 7 month old nephew , Kayden. He's adorable and a lot of fun. It really is fun to have them and be able to give them back at the end of the day! HeHe While home with them, I make and sell gourmet dog treats - everything from cannoli to truffles to different flavored bones to birthday cakes. Yes...people do have birthday parties for their dogs! Aside from those things, my loves are photography (or an attempt at it), scrapbooking, the beach and of course my family. My Disney favorites are Tink and Goofy, I think because I relate to both. I really am a princess, but not the elegant type - more the stomp my foot type!! I can admit it. I love Epcot the most while It's a Small World is my favorite ride. The meal I so far love the most there is the Ohana breakfast. In this trip I am excited to try Boma for breakfast, ride TSMM and feel that feeling I get at first sight of the castle, first smell of the food and sound of the different rides, shows, etc. It makes me feel like everything is perfect in my world...a child without a care...just like nothing besides my family and I having a wonderful time matters! What a great feeling to have!
So, onto Justin. The hubby. We fondly refer to him as J-Pa. (I gave him this nickname years ago when J-Lo was getting big. Get it?? It was funny and stuck even with friends.) He is 31 and is sort-of the un-Disney. It's not that he doesn't like it- in fact, he has a really good time when we are there. It's just that he wants to go somewhere else and see other things. (I just can't stay away from the world long enough to go somewhere else! Hence, the Tink arms-crossed, foot stomping attitude!) This year I'm throwing in some surprises for him to try to add to his excitement.
As I said earlier, he is really tall (alomst 6'5"). We look funny next to each other since I'm barely 5'4"! But, we fit together like a puzzle. J-Pa is a super-hard worker! He has his regular 40-hr-a-wk job with all the benefits and bells and whistles. (I think it's good he's the boss there or he may not want to keep going! LOL) In addition to that, he owns a landscaping business. That takes up another 25 hours a week. After all of that, he still manages to sit down for every dinner with us, make it to every event, game or function and take care of our own house repairs and maintainance. His motto is "Sleep is over-rated." So, because he is so great and is the reason we are able to go to Disney, I am surprising him with...you'll see in another chapter!! HAHAHA
When J-Pa can find the time, he is a simple guy to please. He likes disc golf. If you don't know, it's really like regular golf, but you play with a disc that is sort-of like a frisby. But, the discs are weighted and there is a driver, mid-range, putter, etc. You go along the course and at the end "putt" it into a chain basket. It really is fun and gets the family outdoors, so it's good. Otherwise, he watches as many Yankees games as he can and loves sitting outside around the fire pit in the summer. His Disney favorites are Donald Duck, Epcot and PotC. As for food, he can't do without a trip to Wolfgang Puck while we are there. He is excited to go on the rides again and try some new drinks throughout. And, that's him!
Up next: The kiddos!!!
Links to each installment:
Kids intro http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32936768#post32936768
What, when, where http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33004466#post33004466
Relaxing time for the hubby http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33046979#post33046979
ADR hopefuls http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2242537&page=4
A little Pixie Dust and airfare! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33407593&posted=1#post33407593
Little Extras http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2242537&page=10
Everyday life update http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33421888#post33421888
ADR's all secured!!!!!! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2242537&page=14
Eat, Drink and b....buy souvenirs!!!! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33522281&posted=1#post33522281
Surprise!!!!!! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33586241#post33586241
First day of kindergarten http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33616826#post33616826
Kids surprises http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33662971&posted=1#post33662971
Home countdown http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33690131#post33690131
Play ball! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33762479#post33762479
First two days' intineraries http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33867681#post33867681
Day 3 itinerary (2ND park day) http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33972581#post33972581
Pumpkin picking http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34013200#post34013200
Day 4 itinerary http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34023825#post34023825
Day 5 itinerary http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34082490#post34082490
Day 6 itinerary http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34112202#post34112202
Day 7 itinerary http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34301661#post34301661
Day 8 itinerary http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34366593&posted=1#post34366593
Day 9 and final day itinerary http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34395072&posted=1#post34395072
To-do list for final week http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34462887&posted=1#post34462887
Another surprise!!! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34509432&posted=1#post34509432

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Count me in! We can help each other make these 100+ days go by!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Count me in! We can help each other make these 100+ days go by!

Thanks for being the first! Yes...let's definitely help each other get through that wait!!! I subbed to your PTR last night!!

 

[KGH]

Hey there, another DECEMBER trip-planner here... I followed you over from MadilynnsMommas PTR.

I am curious about these suprises you are planning for your hubby!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Hey there, another DECEMBER trip-planner here... I followed you over from MadilynnsMommas PTR.

I am curious about these suprises you are planning for your hubby!

Ohhhhh! You'll have to keep reading and see! I'll come over to you PTR and follow along, too! We can all keep each other sane til the big trips!!!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

So, on to the lovely children!!

Our oldest child, James. We will refer to him as Gwad from now on. That's another nickname I made up. We call him that at home, but the reason shal remain a mystery as he would kill me if I told! Gwad just turned 13!! I can't believe I have a teenager! He makes me feel old. And, if you are following along and doing the math, yes... J-Pa and I were very young parents! It's ok. It all worked out fine! Gwad is a little taller than me already (there's a surprise)! He is now "cooler than Disney". You know the type: teenage-cell phone carrying-constant text messaging-shaggy haired-boy! But, as soon as he gets there the little boy inide will make his way out and show some Disney love! So, being the oldest, he gets to go out with his dad and learn the landscaping trade...an apprentice of sorts. James' other interests are his X-Box 360, baseball and most of all, wrestling. He is a great athlete overall, but wrestling is really his thing. He is going to start his 9th season this fall. I can't begin to count the number of trophies he has won, tournaments he did or proud moments J-Pa and I have had. He is great and we are hoping it pays off in the long run and gets him a scholarship to college. Gwad, like me, loves him some Goofy! His favorite park is MK and he loves to ride RnRC and eat at Chef Mickey's. For him the most exciting thing about going back is getting out of school for a bit. Such a boy!

Next, there's Lexi, or Lulubell as we sometimes call her. She just turned 10 and really has always been one of the sweetest kids in the world EVER! However, lately she has been discovering her inner female pre-teen attitude! LOVELY!!!!!!! It's the Jeckyl and Hyde syndrome...she is hugging you one minute and complaining about you the next. But, we love her! She is almost as tall as me already. (Seeing the pattern?) She is a princess, being a sister sandwich. Lulu is VERY GIRLY and likes all things girly! That is nice to not be the only girl in the house and do nails and hair, etc. She is still into Disney and not "cooler than thou". Now that school's out, she is spending many hours reading and soaking up the sun. She loves it! In school, she is soooo smart... like the scary smart?? Another passion of hers is going green. She really stays on top of us and our recycling and energy usage! Otherwise, the rest of her time is spent in dance. She does Irish dancing. We love it. Lulu loves it. It's her heritage. And, it's a little different than the normal dabce that girls take. She has been doing it for three years now and is becoming quite good. This activity will cost us close to what we will save on Gwad's college tuition in the long run! It is EXPENSIVE!! But, it is her thing and it is worth it. The picture of her is in her dance wig and school headband...in case anyone thought that was her real hair!
LuLu has more Disney favorites than her older brother. She loves RnRC (which happens to have been her first ever roller coaster), MK and Minnie Mouse, all the Princesses and the list goes on and on. As for food, she likes Chef Mickey's breakfast and can't wait to collect more pins and go to BBB. That's my girly girl!!

Last, but ABSOLUTELY not least, Logan. We always call him Poot. Pooty is the baby of the family and just turned 5. He has the best personality...some of the things he says would make you laugh til you cried! He is the only one not catching up to me in height...YET! (He's only 5. Give him time!) The doctor says she expects him to be taller than his father! For now, he is my little leprechaun. He has light hair, light eyes and the. most. adorable. freckles across his nose and cheeks. He refers to them as his "sprinkles". He used to hate them ask me to wash them off. I now have him convinced that they are so cute and he tells me daily how cute they are! We often refer to him as the Mayor, as he "holds court" and talks FOREVER to EVERYONE. He will, one day, be your President, people! Poot is as excited as me to go back to Disney! He is into so many things- Star Wars, Spiderman, X-Men...you get the idea! Him and I do workbooks and flash cards every day. I am trying to get him a jump start pn school. He will start to wrestle on the youth wrestling team this fall. He is excited to follow in his big brother's footsteps and tells him how he will be better than him! As for this summer, his goal is to ride his bike without falling...still working on that one! (Fingers crossed)
Poot's favorites change constantly. Today he likes Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Chip and Dale, MK, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, and Tower of Terror. He also likes Chef Mickey's...guess we better eat there! But, more than anything, he can't wait to go to the hotel. He likes them! Weirdo!!!!!
Well, that's the family. Collectively we refer to ourselves as P-Block. Yep, that's us, folks! There is often the sound of laughterin one room or another in our house. So, that's something that makes me happy. Without laughter, what fun is life? I hope you enjoy going on this adventure with us...it's sure to be a fun one!
Up next: The what, when and where of the big event!!!!!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Great update Erin! Your children are beautiful! I always wondered if that was real hair or a wig, thanks for filling me in

 

[Raecheal]

Count me in... Your family is adorable!!

 

[KGH]

ADORABLE kids... and you look SO young!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Great update Erin! Your children are beautiful! I always wondered if that was real hair or a wig, thanks for filling me in

Yep...a wig! It takes like a half an hour to get her hair prepped under and get it on!! Craziness! I'll post some pics of her in her whole outfit in a future posting.

Count me in... Your family is adorable!!

Thanks! And !!!!!!!!!!! We're going to have lots of fun! I see you have a PTR. I'll go check it out. Are you planning on doing a TR also?

ADORABLE kids... and you look SO young!

Thanks a bunch! I guess I'll keep 'em!! LOL I am young...too young to have kids that age I guess, but we made it work! I'm just not quite as young as you!! I loved it when I had a "2" in the front of my age! But, as long as I don't look like an old hag, it'll be ok! That's when I have to start looking into other avenues! LOL

 

[KGH]

Thanks a bunch! I guess I'll keep 'em!! LOL I am young...too young to have kids that age I guess, but we made it work! I'm just not quite as young as you!! I loved it when I had a "2" in the front of my age! But, as long as I don't look like an old hag, it'll be ok! That's when I have to start looking into other avenues! LOL

haha, I definately didn't mean to say you AREN'T young... you just look youngER than my... mental image of a mom of a teen...? Is that less rude? lol I mean it in a good way!!!

And I give you credit for raising such a beautful family at such a young age. At 22, I am just getting a hang of taking care of myself... it's impressive that you were raising kids by than! And they have to be happy kids... they get to go to Disney World...

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

haha, I definately didn't mean to say you AREN'T young... you just look youngER than my... mental image of a mom of a teen...? Is that less rude? lol I mean it in a good way!!!

And I give you credit for raising such a beautful family at such a young age. At 22, I am just getting a hang of taking care of myself... it's impressive that you were raising kids by than! And they have to be happy kids... they get to go to Disney World...

LOL No ...I didn't think you were being rude at all! I know that it's a compliment! He would say that you were crazy though! I AM old (and mean) to him! I was serious about the "tweeking"!! My cousin tells me that we spoil them by taking them to Disney. I feel that we can't take the money with us when we go (you know where), so why not spend it while we are here!! Plus, they are only kids once, sooo....... And, maybe one day they will want to take their parents along to watch their kids experience it......far in the future that is!!!! Anyway, no....don't take my response the wrong way. Sometimes it's hard on here to understand what is meant in writing without hearing the tone in someone's voice. We are a fun family...more jokes and sarcasm than anger!!

 

[creativeamanda]

I'm here and subscribing! I'll have to go back and read this afternoon after I am able to look at pictures. Unfortunately for me, photobucket is blocked from work. . .Nice to see another Christmas planner!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I'm here and subscribing! I'll have to go back and read this afternoon after I am able to look at pictures. Unfortunately for me, photobucket is blocked from work. . .Nice to see another Christmas planner!

Yay!! Thanks for joining! We are already having a good time and it's only going to get better the closer we get!!!!!

 

[Raecheal]

Thanks! And !!!!!!!!!!! We're going to have lots of fun! I see you have a PTR. I'll go check it out. Are you planning on doing a TR also?

Thanks for popping over to my PTRE.. yeppers.. I"ll probably start my TR the week we get back.. I"M so excited were leaving at 4am tomorrow mornign!!

I have taken dance lessons most of my childhood... I love the irish dancing!! I had a cousin who did it.. it's so uniqure. Dbf is irish and scottish, it would be nice to eventually put our daughter in it.. i'm sure dbf would appreciate it. I can't wait to hear about the rest of your plans.. but i may be MIA until Monday

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Thanks for popping over to my PTRE.. yeppers.. I"ll probably start my TR the week we get back.. I"M so excited were leaving at 4am tomorrow mornign!!

I have taken dance lessons most of my childhood... I love the irish dancing!! I had a cousin who did it.. it's so uniqure. Dbf is irish and scottish, it would be nice to eventually put our daughter in it.. i'm sure dbf would appreciate it. I can't wait to hear about the rest of your plans.. but i may be MIA until Monday

See you when you get back!! (well so to speak...chat with you!!!) She just got done with a week of dance camp...really intense. Her school had a teacher come over from Ireland and show some new steps. By the 5th day, all the blisters that she was collecting popped and she was whining!! She was even bleeding through her socks! Gross, I know. But, it goes to show how hard dancers really work! I never danced, but have an appreciation because of her. Her teacher says that bad feet are a sure sign of a true Irish dancer!! LOL I guess her foot modeling career is down the tubes!!

 

[raider97]

T-Rex will accept reservations 180 days out. Call the restaurant directly. Here is the #407-828-8739. Good luck.

Stephanie

 

[raider97]

I'm in.

You have a beautiful family. I look forward to hearing about all your planning. I can't wait to see where you are staying!

Stephanie

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I'm in.

You have a beautiful family. I look forward to hearing about all your planning. I can't wait to see where you are staying!

Stephanie

Thank you! That is part of hubby's surprise....That's all up next...probably tomorrow!

 

[creativeamanda]

Your kids are positively beautiful! And don't I know about the 10yo preteen girl attitude with a capital Tinkerbell!

So, where ya gonna sleep?