LAH LAH's Dec '10 PTR & WDW Trivia Extravaganza! *new 1/2/11*

[inkedupmomma]

I love the picture of your kids in that hammock!

thank you so much! We joined another Dis member (and now close friend ) on her photo shoot at the poly last year! This was by far my fav shot! don't they look all sweet and innocent lol! I plan on going back on my own to get the same shot year after year!

 

[LAH LAH]

Guess where we went last night?​

Yup! We trekked on over to Home Depot. Our closest one just happens to be about an hour away. One of the babies was feeling punky and we thought the car ride would be soothing seeing as he refused to take a nap. It wasn't and he didn't bother to take one in the car either. Thankfully by the time we got home it was bedtime for the wee little ones and they slept great!

So now I just need to create our countdown.

I am kind of waiting for my computer to start screaming "OVERLOAD, OVERLOAD, OVERLOAD" and then get up and run away. I've been doing a bit of research lately:

Each of those tabs across the top are DisBoard links. I am always on the lookout for cheap treats, hidden gems, and ways to save...and now that we are visiting WDW in all of its Christmas glory I just want to make sure I am prepared!

Next up: Getting to know us better...Melissa

 

[DisneyCP08]

Guess where we went last night?​

Yup! We trekked on over to Home Depot. Our closest one just happens to be about an hour away. One of the babies was feeling punky and we thought the car ride would be soothing seeing as he refused to take a nap. It wasn't and he didn't bother to take one in the car either. Thankfully by the time we got home it was bedtime for the wee little ones and they slept great!

So now I just need to create our countdown.

I am kind of waiting for my computer to start screaming "OVERLOAD, OVERLOAD, OVERLOAD" and then get up and run away. I've been doing a bit of research lately:

Each of those tabs across the top are DisBoard links. I am always on the lookout for cheap treats, hidden gems, and ways to save...and now that we are visiting WDW in all of its Christmas glory I just want to make sure I am prepared!

Yay for a home depot trip! I am planning on going today to get some. My screen looks like that everytime I come on the disboard.

 

[LAH LAH]

Getting to know us better!
*this will be a three part series*

Melissa:

I am the mama. I love being the mama...99% of the time. I am 35 years old and am hoping that when God sends me my prince charming that he loves WDW as much as I do.

To call me talkative would be an understatement. Things must be in order for me and I often hear Elsa say: "Mama, it doesn't have to be perfect."

I spend my days taking care of all 4 kids, cleaning, and searching for a job. I spent 3 years leading worship at our church and 5+ years as an office manager for a physical therapist. I am hoping to get a job at our local school as I am qualified as a level three teachers assistant.

My back surgery in August 2009 was my second and hopefully my last! In 2005 I started loosing the function of my right leg and one thing quickly led to another and BAM! back surgery. I am so thankful I feel so strong after my second surgery (discectomy and fusion). This will be my first Disney trip post-op.

If I could choose to be anywhere it would be Disney (I know you all can relate). My favorite food is Disney Pizza (seriously). My favorite character is Mary Poppins!

I tend to get very excited and focused on things (ie Disney, LOST, Harry Potter, cleaning). Some might call it obsessed...I call it being full of life!

Being a foster family has been life changing for us. I love it, and couldn't really imagine not having the boys with us. They are so loveable and have stolen our hearts. There is a lot of outside frustrations that go along with it but we try to keep a healthy balance.

I don't like cooking...but I do it 'cause I have to

I love to smile, I love to laugh, I love to love, and am a pretty happy gal!

Next up: Getting to know us better...Michael!

 

[LAH LAH]

Getting to know us better!

Michael:

Michael is 13. It pains me to even type that. I wonder where all the time went... *big sigh*

My Michael Bicycle (you try to find something that rhymes with Michael) is a wonderfully complex package. He is so full of smiles, laughs, jokes, and major smarts! Michael was diagnosed with PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder...a functional autism), Tourettes, and ADHD at the age of 7. He tends to struggle in social situations, has many irrational fears, often has sensory overloads, and is a stickler for rules. This is only a small part of who he is though. It does not define him, but is helpful in beginning to understand the inner workings of his mind.

Michael loves video games. I mean loves, loves them. He has worn out our full collection of Calvin and Hobbes books and our house is littered with Pokemon paraphernalia. The kids get one souvenir at Disney and he has already decided it will be something from Japan, from the Pokemon section. To each his own!

He counted down the days till his 13 birthday...waiting for his chance to open a facebook account. He loves it! His favorite is Happy Aquarium. His least favorite part is that I monitor every step he takes on there.

One of my favorite things about Michael is his wit and the way he phrases things...he is such a cracker! He has brought me so much joy in the past 13 years!

He recently was a hyena in his school production of Lion King!

Michael with his newest cousin, Baby Jack Speedracer:

Next up: Getting to know us better...Elsa!

 

[LAH LAH]

Getting to know us better!​

Elsa:

Elsa Kates is 11 (just turned actually) and loves to go, go, go. Her goals in life are to run her way into the Olympics, star on broadway, star on her own TV show, and work hard enough to get a full scholarship to our local private Christian college. I think when I was 11 my biggest goal was to build a fort.

She loves animals and if she had her way we would have a Saint Bernard and every stray kitty we have ever come across.

One of my favorite things about Elsa is her amazing confidence! She has more confidence at 11 than I do at 35. She inspires me.

Elsa loves to sing and act and recently starred in the High School production of Annie (yes, she did have her hair permed and dyed into the classic red afro...she is a committed girl)

2 months later she played Simba in the Middle School production of Lion King. Would we do 2 plays that have overlapping practices again? NO!

Elsa and her newest cousin Baby Jack Speedracer:

Next up: We have a countdown!

 

[LAH LAH]

We have a countdown!​

We have 31 days till we start crossing off some Mickey heads, but we have a countdown none-the-less:

It has taken up residence in our living room, of course.

Next up: Where did I go?

Ok, I know these posts are one right after another, but my OCD says I have to link them. Who am I to argue with such a powerful voice?

 

[LAH LAH]

Where have I been?​

Good question. (not that anyone really noticed my absence )

The babies and I have been down and out with fevers and deep coughs. I am currently trying to sneak in a nap so my energy level might rise and I can conquer the rest of the day.

So far the internet is beating out my nap. I will regret this desicions once the babies wake up.


During all the croupy coughs, doses of tylenol, tissues, thermometors, and MD visits we did manage to pull out our trading pins. They are proudly hanging from one of our lanterns in our living room!

We even managed to get in a little bit of pin trading too!

Next up: Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!

 

[LAH LAH]

Oh my, Oh my, Oh, my, Oh my!!​

I am going to have to admit I have been a bit saddened that we will be missing Spectro this visit. We are all creatures of habit and it's what we know and love.

I fiddled around on YouTube today and found this. MSEP!!! While watching, it triggered some deep rooted memory for me. I think I have seen this before!!! Maybe as a little girl in the early 80's...maybe a new teen in the late 80's?

Either way I am so excited to share this experience with my kids in 3 months!!!

2008

Next up: Why am I so excited?

 

[LAH LAH]

Why am I so excited?

Because we are leaving for Disney in 85 days!!!!

2008


​

Next up: One more reason to be super excited for this vacation!

 

[Tinkerbell1989]

Hi Melissa,

Just thought I'd drop by to say hi!

You're kids are gorgeous - you are a beautiful family.
I loved your TR , and I am looking forward to more on your PTR

Congratulations on surviving a hectic year

xxx

 

[DisneyCP08]

Love the disney countdown and glad to hear that you guys are feeling better.

 

[LAH LAH]

Hey! People I love people.



I'm going to post now.

Hi Melissa,

Just thought I'd drop by to say hi!

You're kids are gorgeous - you are a beautiful family.
I loved your TR , and I am looking forward to more on your PTR

Congratulations on surviving a hectic year

xxx

Thank you...it's about to get a little more hectic (check the next post)

Love the disney countdown and glad to hear that you guys are feeling better.

Thank you! We are on the mend...finally!

 

[LAH LAH]

One more reason to be super excited for this vacation!​

We have Michael...13 and thankfully healthy

We have Elsa...11 and thankfully healthy

We have Baby E...just turned 2 and mostly healthy

We have Baby C...about to turn 1 (and the reason for this post):

Baby C has had serious lung issues since before coming into our care at 3 months old. He sees a few specialists and the one from the Lung and Cystic Fibrosis Center has restricted him from leaving the house for this winter season. Apparently the doctor is mistaken about the seasons as our family winter season started Monday.

* When my kids get home from school they have to change their shirts and wash their hands. If they feel ill they can not touch the baby.

* Anyone who has to come in must be completely illness free and have the flu shot and wash their hands. Oh, did I forget to mention we already had our flu shots? Who gets flu shots in September? sick people, I guess.

* No outings (except MD visits), no crowds, no nothing for the bubby till mid-April.

It's a lot, but he is totally worth it. If we can keep him healthy this winter I will be so very happy.

Baby C, Talulah, and me...catching a nap in his early days of care:

Michael and Baby C:

Baby C's first teeth!

I don't seem to have a lot of no-face Baby C pics​

I know that when December 10th hits I will be sooooooooooooooooo ready for a break from our house, but I also know that when December 17th arrives I will be soooooooooooooooooooooooo ready to see the babies!

DSS is working now to find an acceptable place for the babies to go to respite for our vacation. With so many restrictions it will be a tough one, but I am super excited to spend this time with Michael and Elsa!

Our new restrictions have severly amped up my excitement for our trip!!!! (and that is saying something as I am a super excited person as it is) I feel like if we can just get to the vacation I can make it through the rest of the isolation!

Next up: ADRs!!!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I just spent some delightful time at work reading your PTR. I'm joining in!

Your family is beautiful. I worked for a foster care agency a few years ago and I know how hard it is to be a foster family and dealing with all that comes with it.

I can't wait to hear more about your plans.

 

[LAH LAH]

I just spent some delightful time at work reading your PTR. I'm joining in!

Your family is beautiful. I worked for a foster care agency a few years ago and I know how hard it is to be a foster family and dealing with all that comes with it.

I can't wait to hear more about your plans.

Thank you!

I just jumped over to your trip report and you both look fantastic! What a great journey you two can walk together

We love taking care of the babies, they are precious...it's all the outside stuff that is a pain in the rear!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Thank you!

I just jumped over to your trip report and you both look fantastic! What a great journey you two can walk together

We love taking care of the babies, they are precious...it's all the outside stuff that is a pain in the rear!

Thank you!

I remember that outside stuff all too well. It is not fun at all. My husband actually is the overnight supervisor at Residential program for children, which is really hard.

 

[LAH LAH]

ADR's​

Ok, so I completed my ADR's today.

You ready? Is the suspense killing you? Can you handle it?

Day 1: Packed noms for breakfast...lunch and dinner will be whatever counter service we are closest to when we all agree we are hungry.

Day 2: Just like day 1

Day 3: See above

Day 4: Do you see a pattern?

Day 5: Is it all becoming clear?

Alright...it must be obvious. We are on the basic dining plan, and it works fine with us as we go, go, go all day and don't have enough time to stop!

This is our first time not paying out of pocket for our meals and I think I am the most excited about the 2 snacks each day. I really never buy us snacks so you can understand my excitement!!

​

Next up: Our first week of seclusion!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Sounds like you know what works for your family. I think the quick service dining plan is such a great deal for what it costs per day per person.

 

[LAH LAH]

It's an even better deal when it's free! YAY!

Sounds like you know what works for your family. I think the quick service dining plan is such a great deal for what it costs per day per person.