MAKING OUR OWN MAGIC – The Christmas Surprise - Updated 08/30 - Pictures Throughout!

[disney-inspired]

I'm so sorry your tricycle was stolen
I hope they can recover, that'd be some real magic!

 

[natale1980]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ocXSqupDpoc&feature=related

This reminded me of you.

-nat

 

[Whipperwhirl]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ocXSqupDpoc&feature=related

This reminded me of you.

-nat

Thanks so much for tht Nat - Im hoping we get a similar reaction!

 

[MelanieC]

I'm so sorry your tricyle was stolen. That totally sucks and people are horrible. Please don't let it ruin your vacation. Have a fabulous trip.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

We are back from Cape Cod - our "COVER" vacation for this year.

I would love to be able to say we had the time of our lives but - in all reality - I was miserable. Besides the bike being stolen before we leave, the semi-lousy weather and me getting ill on day one . . . I’m a over-planning, control hungry, researcher by nature. I’m a do-er, incapable of total relaxation. I came to terms with who I am many years ago. I’m at my most happy making things happen - planning vacations, entertaining, monitoring budgets, cleaning, etc. - - - - I don’t care as long as I am accomplishing something. The last thing I want to do is relax. I never would have chosen a beach vacation but the money really wasn’t there to do anything else this year.

Normally Cape Cod would not be an “inexpensive” vacation but it just so happens my MIL and her husband own a cottage on the national seashore in North Eastham, MA. It has been in her husband’s family for generations. I had never been there in the 20 years they have been married. While the cabin is a nice location, about 40 steps to the Nauset Light beach (The one on the bag of Cape cod potato chips), to me, Cabin living isn’t a vacation – you have to cook, clean up after yourselves, worry about the kids breaking things – etc.

Besides my MIL never inviting us (a whole other story) - I never pushed to go because the thought of sitting on a beach for hours doing nothing but watching waves is not even the least bit appealing. It did however occur to me earlier this year that while watching waves may not be fun - - - it is cheap - and so I set the ball set in motion . . .

DH promptly caught the ball and put the kybosh on any extensive planning. Other than packing clothes and buying our tricycles – I planned nothing. No activities, no advanced dining reservations – not even driving directions. We simply punched it into the GPS and off we went. I will never vacation like this again. Had I planned properly I could have found all the free things to do on the Cape - instead we just hung around the cottage and played monopoly or went to the beach. We rode our bikes one day on the rail trail - but I was really sad when on Wednesday - halfway through our "vacation" I found out the park service plans all kinds of free programs - we could have stayed busy all week.

My mother and sister - Experienced Cape Vacationers - did take us around one day - and I was really upset with my husband that there was a whole other side to the cape than route 6. Had I been allowed to plan we could have seen all the neat stuff.

I did finally start to have some fun when I realized the beach sand was alot like clay and I could make whatever I wanted out of it. I must have looked like a nut sitting for hours by myself making sand animals. I should have made a mickey mouse - now Im thinking Ill save that for the CBR sand!

At least I know there is something at the beach that can hold my attention now - SAND!

Ultimately whats really important is the kids feel like they got their vacation this year. They will be completely unsuspecting on Christmas morning when we spring the ultimate planned vacation on them - action packed - I CANT WAIT TO SEE THE LOOK ON MY DAUGHTERS FACE!!!

BTW - The police located my tricycle - it even made the paper while we were gone. I guess it has some damage - we cant pick it up untill tommorrow - but Im really glad its comming home and its not a total loss. Thanks for your happy thoughts - Im sure that made a difference. WHIP

 

[Whipperwhirl]

people are horrible

Arent they though - thanks for your well wishes - I tried real hard to not let it dampen spirits - but I failed. Im back into dis-planning mode now though so Im happy.

 

[askelton]

I'm so glad the police found your tricycle. At least it's unique so there's no hiding it. I have never been to Cape Cod but in my mind, I think I would love it. All that sand, seafood and relaxation. I, unlike you, am most content with a book near the water. I love the fake countdown idea. Your daughter is going to love all the cool things you have planned for her special day. What an awesome mom! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Whipperwhirl]

I'm so glad the police found your tricycle. At least it's unique so there's no hiding it. I have never been to Cape Cod but in my mind, I think I would love it. All that sand, seafood and relaxation. I, unlike you, am most content with a book near the water. I love the fake countdown idea. Your daughter is going to love all the cool things you have planned for her special day. What an awesome mom! Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks for you comments - I cant wait to break the surprise.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

So recently I decided to take a break from the boards to spend time planning - executing - my kids joint birthday party. It was a wonderful event complete with a glow in the dark birthday cake!

Now Im back - addicted to planning our trip again. I have several updates to share.

1. Staying with the Cake theme - I ordered the cake thats so important to us! The following is the note I recieved back from the GF bakery -

"After speaking with our Pastry Chef, she is going to create a very special Tinkerbelle cake for you. The cost of $___ will include fondant icing with special Tinkerbelle theming decoration. Please let me know if you wish to proceed with the order. We will need to know the cake flavor and filling you would like. We will need to have a credit card to process the order. Please let me know if you have any further questions."

Im sure this cake is going to add some extra magic to our trip. Im hoping other resturant guests will want to help us finish it.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

2. Ive been working on the fake countdown calendar for breaking our surprise to the kids. Recently DH and I decided to add another layer to the rouse. I know, I know the more we add - the more likely something will go wrong but I can't resist. My BIL is going to show up Christmas morning with a Cat carrier. Then we are going to give the kids a gift containing the following note and we are going to ask my daughter to read it aloud for the camera

Good Morning and Merry Christmas to the most wonderful children two parents could ever have . . .
_ _ and _ _ _ _ _!

This Christmas - Mommy and Daddy - wanted to give you something extra special for your big gift!

We gave it a lot of serious thought. We came up with many options and finally decided to give you something we know, both of you, have always dreamed of . . .

We are finally going to let you get a SKUNK for a pet!

As I said - We know this is something both of you have always wanted – So our new pet skunk is waiting outside for you.

WAIT – BEFORE YOU RUN OFF TO MEET HIM - You may want to find a clothespin for your nose.

The skunk farmer we bought him from named him “Stink-kay” but Daddy and I think we can come up with something a bit more appealing like – Whiffy, Stripe or maybe even Flower . . . you know . . . like in Bambi.

Im going to pick up a stuffed skunk (flower) when I go on my pre-shopping trip . . . uh I mean business trip . . . in early December. As soon as the skunk prank is complete - we will move to the countdown calendar prank - - - - I love dragging the surprise out . . .

 

[Whipperwhirl]

3. SO . . . After the skunk rouse has been completed (The skunk is going to be a recurring theme throughout our stay) - we will have them open a giant present that includes the fake countdown calendar and all the disney goodies. The following is going to be the Top page of the Calendar - - -

You guessed it – we are JUST KIDDING . . .

While getting a skunk for a pet does sound like a pretty cool idea – we thought instead you might like to go see a mouse. NOT a gray mouse, NOT a white mouse, NOT even a hairless mouse from Mexico - but . . . “THE MOUSE” . . . as in Mickey Mouse.

Yes - YOU ARE RIGHT – For your Christmas gift – all of us will spend a lot of time today planning our Vacation into next year and that vacation will be . . . going to WALT DISNEY WORLD in Orlando Florida . . . to see MICKETY MOUSE!!!

I know you have a lot of questions – but let’s start by answering the first question – WHEN??? When are we going??? The following pages are a COUNT DOWN calendar that will help you by counting down the days until our ultra Fabulous, Super Fantastic . . .
WALT DISNEY WORLD Vacation.

Love, Now, Always and Forever . . .
Mommy and Daddy

Start Here By Ripping Off This Page Right Now
Every Day we will rip off ONE page more until its time to go!!!

 

[Whipperwhirl]

4. I heard back from Jane at Gifts of a Lifetime - Im so excited. I had an idea for our park event and she says it should be doable! I cant wait to hear all about the details when they send the proposal in October. Ive asked that they include the recurring Skunk theme - I know - pretty goofy - but my kids are going to find it hysterical.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

I finished the count-down Calendar today - its not as polished as I hoped - No one at the DISign board offered to help - I think it will get the job done - Im happy! Whip

 

[ThePin Princess]

Heyy what a coincidence i'm from new england too, I just got back from Disney and I stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort. My parents surprised me the sunday before we went. It was a great trip. Make sure that you go on Toy Story Mania it was awesome the lines are long but worth it. I'm thirteen and I still wanted to go to the BBB so I think you daughter will love it. When my mom told me, I seriously didnt believe her I have to admit that a surprise is the best way to go. Something special you could do as part of their surprise is get a pair of Mickey mouse ears for the both with they're names stitched on the back. I hope they're as excited as i was, have fun on your trip.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

I didnt think to get their names stiched - Thanks for the tip!

 

[askelton]

You're so sneaky. I love it!

 

[S'sMom]

I came across yout PTR

I am in on the ride. We are going to DW (Dec. 21-28, 2008). DW 12/21-24 then the Disney Cruise 12/24-28.

As you can see, I did my TR recently, about the SURPRISE we gave for our oldest.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

I just bought the greatest stroller on e-bay - I’m so excited about it and need to share. I haven’t used a stroller for either of my kids in a while but we bring a wagon to fairs and such because both have lazy legs syndrome. After a couple hours of walking they collapse into a ball of miserable kid. Since our surprise trip will be more walking than either would be comfortable with, Disney World doesn’t allow wagons and the thought of paying to rent a double stroller for 10 days was obnoxiously expensive - I started to look into alternatives. Since one of my kids is older - I thought perhaps one of those new-fangled sit stand strollers or a pull behind boogie board would be appropriate. Then I stuck gold on e-bay. A brand new “twin’s” stroller from approximately 1960. It’s built like a tank but compact and surprisingly light. It has springs for a smooth ride and leather “like” seats. The handle is a comfortable rubber grip – mint condition – I picked it up yesterday and took the kids for a spin – it’s fabulous. It never occurred to me to look for an antique – this one suits our needs perfectly – and it was only 50.00!