Lexi's pre-trip report for Dream Factory wish trip! June 18-24, 2009

[maroo]

It was a no-go for the dog daycare. She had to be spayed to attend.

So we were left with the choice of a small cage at the vet's office with minimal time outside of the cage or keeping her locked in our bathroom and hoping someone will come over a couple times a day to check on her etc.

We are opting for leaving her at home with a lot of doggy peewee pads

Now if she will only not chew my cabinet to shreads while we are away.

So now I am off to try to get some more things gathered and figure if I can find some kinda shield for our cabinet in the bathroom to keep that crazy dog from destroying it while she is unattended.

My dog (Muffin)...she will get the TP off the roll and rip it into shreds. But that is about all she would do. She has done this 3 times in 4 years...and the last time was when I left her to go to Disney for over a week. When I got home, I had to go somewhere for a few hours...and had only been home about 20 minutes...I guess she thought I left her again and "threw a fit" - as evidenced by the TP scraps in my floor when I got home. Poor Muffin!

** PS: Muffin stayed at my friends house...I didn't leave her alone in my house...I just re-read this and got worried that you guys thought she was at my house for 9 days by herself.

As long as you have someone coming to play with her and take her out, your dog should be fine. Might be a little irritable when you get back (or OVERJOYED) but should be fine. ???

I did get the photopass ordered today and it was a very trying event. Went to the website couldn't figure it out called the help # and was told that you had to book through an agency to order. Explained this was a wish trip, I had a discount code and other wishers had ordered. Was told it didn't matter.

That makes me very sad. Disney Photopass should know that wish families don't get "travel agents"... tsk. tsk. I might have to write a letter.

Then wonderful Maroo helped me with a link to go to. Maroo not only got me into ordering the cd and photobook but also gave a code that saved me alot of money. What would we do w/o her help

Aw...You are so sweet! I am just paying it forward for all of the help and encouragement we got from the DISboards when we were planning for our trip! I have made some wonderful friends and really enjoy being on here and glad to help as I am surfing around.

 

[sammie girl]

I was just going to mention PetsMart has a doggie hotel, but since you've mentioned that about spaying, maybe not. Maybe you can get her spayed within the next couple of days? Hope you get that figured out! I don't recommend leaving the doggy locked in a small room. Seems kind of cruel to me. Please reconsider. I hope you were just joking.

On the other hand.....your kids look great in their Big Give outfits. And I wanted to compliment Lexi on her pose in her tutu. Niiiiiiice.!

Good luck on your trip!

No I wasn't joking, but it really isn't that bad. She will be in the bathroom and the hallway. We baby gate the end of the hall and shut all of the doors to the 4 bedrooms. The bathroom is really pretty good sized. We do this when someone isn't home because she is so small and prone to not holding her bladder for more than a few hours. She usually doesn't have accidents but then again someone is always home at my house throughout the day.

I know my mom will go over 2 or 3 times a day between jobs but I meant to say I hope I can find someone to spend time with her. The vet will take her out a few times a day but otherwise she will be locked in a kennel (a small one) for the whole week. I couldn't bear for that to happen because she really is a needy dog (attention wise). I am thinking of hiring the neighbor kids to come and play with her everyday for a few hours. I just have to wait for their mom to come home from work to talk it over with her. The weekends are no prob because my mom will spend time at my house. My dog (the one who is 14) is old and cranky and won't have the "new" little dog around so my mom keeps my dog for me so we can keep Lexi's "Giselle".

Didn't mean to go on and on about the dog situation but it kinda messed up my plans with the daycare not taking her.



We recieved 3 more packages from the big give today. Had my camera out and ready and as the kiddos started opening and I was preparing to snap the first pic my camera went dead. I let them open the packages and am waiting for the camera to charge so I can get some pics on here. Thank you to everyone who sent today and I will put in more details when I post the pics. (hopefully tonight.)

 

[jessica52877]

I am glad you let the kids open the packages! I doubt they would have thought highly of waiting for the camera to charge!

 

[BeckySob]

Oh dear, I didn't realize that you had plans for someone to come over and check on puppy. My mistake. I was so worried.

Another Big Give?!? WOW. I totally missed out on that deal. Oh well.

Two words....

SUPER DUPER!

 

[sammie girl]

Oh dear, I didn't realize that you had plans for someone to come over and check on puppy. My mistake. I was so worried.

Another Big Give?!? WOW. I totally missed out on that deal. Oh well.

Two words....

SUPER DUPER!

It's o.k. I would have been worried also had I thought that. I really want someone to actually spend time with her. Like I said someone is usually at my house and if we are gone it is only for a couple hours at a time so "Giselle" will really be beside herself.

I do have the neighbors coming over for 2 of the days. The rest of the time they will be on vacation so Giselle will have to make do with only a couple quick visits a day from my mom.

My brother is coming to feed the snake so the animals are now mostly taken care of.

I am getting pics this morning of the packages so I will post in a few hours. We are heading to the store now.

 

[sammie girl]

We recieved 3 packages yesterday and 2 more today. I am posting pics of them all. I really really hope I give the correct credit to all of you. The kids were so excited today they didn't help keep the items seperate and as much as I tried some things may have been mixed up. If so please let me know and I will correct it. Thank all of you who have sent items to my family. The kids faces in these pics will show the enjoyment they are getting from it. And they really love all of the items.

This shirt is from April. Trenten loves this soooooo much. He also loves the mickey shirt but I couldn't get a picture of him in it because he refused to take off the pirates shirt. Thank you so much April. Trent feels just as special as Lexi through all of this and I truly appreciate all of you!

The next bunch of pics is from Enchante Princess. Lexi recieved a Minnie Mouse outfit and Trent recieved sticker books stickers and a cars book. I posted so many of these pics because I liked them all and couldn't decide which ones to take out. Bear with me through all these pics.

These next pics are very adorable roll-up crayon holders from kimmylaj. Thank you also for your note it brought tears to my eyes. I think I need to invest in some kleenex as I seem to be a leaking faucet lately. Don't worry though it is a good thing. Happy tears for once instead of sad Great idea for the plane ride. I won't have to be chasing colors all down the isle. Ha Ha. Love the princess and the pirate material. I also had to pack these to keep the kiddos out.

This is from Lisa and Maddie. I hope I get it all in here. My kids were wowed when they opened this up and looked in. (Really wish I had pics of them opening these last 3 entries.) They recieved Sticker coloring sets, frisbees, coloring bookmarks, velvet doodles, mini doodles, princess and star wars pez, Very Cool Autograph Books which are homemad. My kids really love these as they never met enough characters before to get autograph books. they are getting so excited and you can tell in the pics as our trip gets closer and closer.

This next package is form Princess Caitlin. Again my kids were overjoyed with excitement at all of their things. I am making Trent wait to open his games and he is wanting to get on the plane now just so he can play snap. Thank you so much. I guess I forgot to list what they recieved. Puzzles, princess jacks, Mermaid nightlite, coloring books, bubbles, tinkerbell game (Lexi wants to open this also), Go Fish, Snap and stickers.

 

[kdzbear]

Wow! Someone has some amazing sewing talents. Your kids look great in their new outfits. The trip is getting so close!

 

[jessica52877]

Wow! Look at the smiles on those kids faces!! They look so happy and excited to have received so many packages with such wonderful stuff inside! I love it when kids won't take off an outfit!! Means they like it atleast!

 

[Matt1026]

WOW!!! What special gifts. Your children looked so cute with all of their gifts. I really loved the pictues of the pirate outfit. How cute!!! The more I read your PTR the more exicted I got. I know you must be getting so excited.

We will be praying for good health for your family. HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!! Relax and enjoy!

 

[sammie girl]

Thank you everyone for the well wishes, questions answered, advice and gifts.

We are down to 5 full days before we leave
We are having a bbq at my house tonight so today will be spent cleaning. Tomorrow is church and a picnic at the park. I bought my dd a HSM 3 game last night at Kohl's. It was 24.99 but with the discounts and sell I bought it for only 8.00.
We tried to play last night but I was way to tired to figure it out. We are going to turn our bbq into a going away party and my dd invited 2 friends over for games (high school musical and disney scene it) My dd always wins at scene it, I swear she has Disney movies memorized. Lexi wants me to make the little mermaid dessert again. I am trying to figure out something else to do to make it more fun for the kids. (My brother, nieces, nephew, mom and grandparents are also coming over.) We will end the night with a fireworks show in our backyard.(Our backyard faces a ball stadium and they do fireworks every Saturday night. Perfect view from our deck.) I thought this would be cool for the bbq since MK ends their night with fireworks. My kids are kinda scared of the loud ones so they watch from our kitchen window.

Everything is coming up so fast and it is getting hard to fall asleep as we anticipate our trip.

Does anyone know if they do pin trading at GKTW? My kids really like doing this and I have all of thier pins packed.

Also does the Florida weather make it better or worse for asthma? Should I call ds' doctor and ask for an inhaler along with his breathing machine? He has been doing really good with it lately and the treatments are getting less and less.

Good news about dd is that her increase in basal rate insulin (2 increases this last week) has seemed to help alot. She woke up this morning at 103 and went to bed last night at 178 (a little high but not to bad). I hope it stays leveled throughout the trip. I love her doctor but don't want to spend the week on the phone with him.

Well I had better start cleaning and making food for tonight. I will try to post some pics of the bbq tonight.

 

[maroo]

Also does the Florida weather make it better or worse for asthma? Should I call ds' doctor and ask for an inhaler along with his breathing machine? He has been doing really good with it lately and the treatments are getting less and less.

Whether your son has any issues with his asthma will completely depend on him. But I would bring EVERYTHING you have in your house that could treat his asthma symptoms. And if you are out of something that you have used in the past, get the dr to refill it. That way, if you do have a problem, you can address it quickly.

I would bring any rescue meds to the parks and keep them with you at all times. Even on the rides.

The other meds...like maybe his neb machine...I would keep in the car. Just in case.

The reason I say to keep them on the rides, is you may need them...you never know. I really think he will be just fine and have no trouble at all. That is so important for you to get that from what I am saying... I really, really think he will be just fine!!! But I would be prepared anyway. A simple inhaler treatment could save you a lot of headache on your trip.

The heat is a trigger for some folks with asthma and there is fog/smoke used on some rides that could aggravate his asthma and cause symptoms. And you will all be seeing, smelling, and tasting things that are new to you guys, so you never know.

The reason I say to take them on the rides (in a fanny pack or small bag) is that I got stuck in two places where I needed it. I was fine and never was in any danger, but I am adult and I didn't panic - kids tend to panic if they get short of breath and are in a spot where they don't think they can get help.

I had two instances...one on Buzz Lightyear (one of my favorite rides and I have NEVER had a problem before this or since and I ride it several times each trip and will keep riding it) but on one instance the ride stopped moving (this happens all the time to load and unload wheelchairs) and I was stopped in front of a smoke machine that is blowing just a little bit of fog into the next room. But it was blowing that stuff right in my face for about 3 or 4 minutes and I am allergic to that stuff in large quantities. I did have a small issue with that and definitely had to concentrate to breathe. I never needed my inhaler and didn't have it with me (shame on me, right!)...it basically went away once I was out of that ride and in the fresh air for a little while. But if I was a child and panicked, it would have made a scene and could have ruined my trip for a few hours.

The other instance was in The Lion King show at Animal Kingdom. This is a great show and I will definitely do this again, too! They use a lot of that smoke in the show and I was in the middle of the whole section (and it is bench seating). I started coughing and I had to walk over a whole bunch of people to get out of there. I watched the show from the side of the benches where the smoke was not quite as concentrated. Same deal there, but that time I had my inhaler and I did fine.

So...I guess all that to say...my asthma symptoms are triggered by smoke and fog machines.

Your son's triggers may be completely non-existent in Disney! So he may have absolutely NO problems at all. There seem to few allergens in FL. In MS we have a lot of pollen and I definitely do better in FL with that. So, really, you may find FL to be much better for him. But it will definitely be best to be prepared.

You are going to have a great trip!!! Enjoy your time with your family.

 

[sammie girl]

Thanks for the advice Maroo. I never would have thought about having it on the rides. We don't really know what all of his triggers are yet because he is so newly diagnosed. My allergies go away in Florida so that is why I wondered about his asthma. I never would have thought about the stuff in the parks.

That brings in my next question. DS is highly allergic to cigarette smoke. Do they allow smoking in the parks or at GKTW. If they do I hope they are in designated areas. Don't want to offend any of you who do smoke just wanting to keep the little guy away from it.

I meant to tell this in my last post but I forgot with all the pics. My ds carries his letters from the big give with him everywhere.

It is sooooo cute. He will pretend to read them with his fav. being "Trent have fun in Disney World." It really is adorable. He won't let anyone else touch the letters. My dd tries to read them to him but he won't have it and tells her he already knows how to read them Drives dd crazy that he thinks he can read it.

Just something very funny and cute I wanted to pass along.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Dearest Trent and Family,

I am so happy you like your shirts Trent I had fun making them and thought of you the entire time. You look very nice in your shirt. Enjoy being at Disney and have fun.

Thank you Mom for posting your pre trip report and sharing your family with us.
I wish you and your family a very magical trip.

April

 

[sammie girl]

Dearest Trent and Family,

I am so happy you like your shirts Trent I had fun making them and thought of you the entire time. You look very nice in your shirt. Enjoy being at Disney and have fun.

Thank you Mom for posting your pre trip report and sharing your family with us.
I wish you and your family a very magical trip.

April

He really loves the shirts April. Thank you so much. He does carry his notes around all the time and loves the fact that some are just to "him".

 

[sammie girl]

4 days to go and my husband just told me his work won't let him off

My dd is so upset and is still crying.

I have to frantically try to find someone who can go on such short notice. Change tickets for the airline etc.

What horrible news to start the vacation off. We were so looking forward to this because DH has never been on a vacation with us before. It was also part of my DD's wish to have her dad go on vacation with her. Just heartbreaking........

 

[sammie girl]

We have absolutely been hit with some pixie dust

We recieved a phone call from my husbands work about 15 minutes after I posted. Another officer heard about his situation and that it was a Wish vacation and offered to give him his week off work. My husband will use his own time of course but this amazing person gave up his vacation spot for my daughter. I can't believe it!!!!! My DD is sooooo excited now. She went from tears to screams of joy. What an amazing person to do this for her.

 

[kdzbear]

Wow! I was just going to post about him not getting time off and now he is going again! I am so happy that the pixie dust came through and he can go! Have a fantastic trip and do not worry about anything!

 

[kimmylaj]

oh i just got chills going from so sad for your family not having dad on the trip to so happy in such a short time . woohoo

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

Love the pictures of the kids opening their gifts! I love the pirate shirt...they look so happy and so excited!

That brings in my next question. DS is highly allergic to cigarette smoke. Do they allow smoking in the parks or at GKTW. If they do I hope they are in designated areas. Don't want to offend any of you who do smoke just wanting to keep the little guy away from it.

I have not had any trouble with cigarette smokes in the parks. I have never seen anyone smoking in the parks or the resort, so I am pretty sure they have designated areas.

We have absolutely been hit with some pixie dust

We recieved a phone call from my husbands work about 15 minutes after I posted. Another officer heard about his situation and that it was a Wish vacation and offered to give him his week off work. My husband will use his own time of course but this amazing person gave up his vacation spot for my daughter. I can't believe it!!!!! My DD is sooooo excited now. She went from tears to screams of joy. What an amazing person to do this for her.

I am so, so glad that your dh is able to go on the Wish trip.

 

[Corrine 1973]

I am so glad that everything worked out. It wouldn't have been much of a wish trip if your DH wasn't there, so thank goodness for Pixie dust.