May 2011 Yo Ho Ho! Let Down Your Hair! (New 10/9 Lessons Learned #550)

[Marshay]

the Goodie bag​

So here are the goodies for the Take-Home Goodie bag for Rachel's Rapunzel party. The girls will decorate their own paper bags.

2 "smelly" markers
1 glitter glue pen
1 Rapunzel Sticker collection book with one set of stickers
2 purple jewels
1 plastic ring
1 brush
1 mirror
5 hair thingees
1 decorate your own foam princess tiara (not shown)
1 make your own wood beaded necklace (not shown)
Plus one take-home plastic Rapunzel cup

Total cost = right around $5 per girl for all of the above!! I was trying to go for a good mix of things they can actually use but are also Rapunzel related and crafts we can do during the party.

 

[mousescrapper]

Love the pix of AKV...it was so great to stay there w/ the Spectrum Mom's in Jan! we had a 2 BR villa but just w/ a parking lot view...but no worry though cause we'd walk over to the great observation area to peak at the animals...I am looking forward to staying there again in 2013 w/ my family and parents


yes the master bathroom is to die for! Kathy and Tracy shared that room, but the 2nd br bath in the 2 BR was just as spacious (not as big but still good) and nice! I'll be excited to shower in that master shower too when I stay w/ the family

moving onto to your rapaunzel party...great job on the other decor and goodie bags...those young ladies will have a great party

 

[cherbear]

sounds like the only thing that could've made that shower better is if you had the view of the savannah from it!

 

[Marshay]

Love the pix of AKV...it was so great to stay there w/ the Spectrum Mom's in Jan! we had a 2 BR villa but just w/ a parking lot view...but no worry though cause we'd walk over to the great observation area to peak at the animals...I am looking forward to staying there again in 2013 w/ my family and parents

yes the master bathroom is to die for! Kathy and Tracy shared that room, but the 2nd br bath in the 2 BR was just as spacious (not as big but still good) and nice! I'll be excited to shower in that master shower too when I stay w/ the family

moving onto to your rapaunzel party...great job on the other decor and goodie bags...those young ladies will have a great party

Oh, you guys will just love it! 2013...can't wait to see the new Fantasyland!! Are you going to get a savannah room? I tell you waking up in the morning and seeing the animals outside our room or at naptime was really cool.

sounds like the only thing that could've made that shower better is if you had the view of the savannah from it!

Oooh, now THAT would have been really good! Maybe a little fridge in there would be good too...could have a drink of wine to relax!!

 

[cherbear]

I also forgot to mention how much I LOVED those night-time savannah pics. Jerry got the settings just right...how awesome to see the zebras sleeping!

 

[Marshay]

I also forgot to mention how much I LOVED those night-time savannah pics. Jerry got the settings just right...how awesome to see the zebras sleeping!

thanks for him! He had to play around a lot...we got a bunch of ones that are completely black, too, and weird alien-planet ones, too. But then he got it!

 

[kaoden39]

The gift bag goodies are perfect. I love the rings. There isn't a little girl that isn't wild about those.

I love the picture that you took of the cups. Nice artistry on that.

 

[Trentmom]

The rooms are gorgeous. What a great view you had of all the animals

Good job to Jerry for getting great pics of Zebra

Love the goodies bag...perfect since it has all useful things

I hate when you got to a party and everything in there is junky

 

[Marshay]

The gift bag goodies are perfect. I love the rings. There isn't a little girl that isn't wild about those.

I love the picture that you took of the cups. Nice artistry on that.

Thanks for noticing the cups!!

The rooms are gorgeous. What a great view you had of all the animals

Good job to Jerry for getting great pics of Zebra

Love the goodies bag...perfect since it has all useful things

I hate when you got to a party and everything in there is junky

I was soooo excited when I found the mirror/brush and hair thingees for only $1. They are just perfect for the Rapunzel theme ... I knew we had to have a hair brush somewhere!

 

[lbuzz52]

I know! Remember the week before and all the weather forecasts were predicting rain, rain, rain every day!! We were thinking, oh, no, here it comes.

But other than that Saturday -- we never had rain again!!

The shelter was a great spot -- busy and crazy but perfect to meet the characters. Can't wait to see your pics with them, too!

i remember starting at those forecasts and praying that they changed. thank goodness they did!

you saw a great variety of characters at Pixar! i can't believe some of the line lengths though.

Incredible views from your room! i'm not sure i would be able to get James and Maya of fthe balcony to go to sleep!

Love all the Rapunzel items. the Brushes are perfect!

 

[betsywdw]

Was the party this weekend? I can't wait to hear all about it! I bet the girls had a blast! The favors were just perfect! Everything a little girl can use

 

[Trentmom]

Hey Marshay

Just checking in to see how the party went

 

[cherbear]

Was the party this weekend? I can't wait to hear all about it! I bet the girls had a blast! The favors were just perfect! Everything a little girl can use

Hey Marshay

Just checking in to see how the party went

I 3rd that

 

[Marshay]

Party was great! I just posted 2 pics on FB...still need to upload into photobucket...need to finish wrapping gifts for Rachel for tomorrow (we are giving hers on her birthday so she doesn't get a bunch all at once from grandparents/aunt/uncle).

I do have a question for you all -- when you get a gift you really can't use, do you ask the parents for the gift receipt, say nothing or just give it away?

Rachel got a create your own make-up kit but she is too young for makeup. Then she got these lanterns that go up about 1,000 feet in the air but you have to light them on fire and we are in a restrictive air zone with 2 airports right next to us, plus a dry summer. It was a cool idea but just not practical for our area. Don't want the police coming to our door or an airplane crash!

I'm just curious what you would do/have done. Rachel was sad to hear we won't let her have those presents (but we'll try to find out how much they cost and give her that to purchase something else). But I'd really just like to get the gift receipt from them so it doesn't end up costing me extra.

 

[kaoden39]

Oh that is a tough one. I totally get it on the make up. I was shocked when the girls were helping at a friends party for their 5 year old and someone gave her make up. That is just ridiculous.


I have never been in that situation so I am not sure how I would handle it. The lantern ones might be kind of fun to save and use at WDW. If they are good friends explain how you feel and hope that they understand.

 

[swwake]

Party was great! I just posted 2 pics on FB...still need to upload into photobucket...need to finish wrapping gifts for Rachel for tomorrow (we are giving hers on her birthday so she doesn't get a bunch all at once from grandparents/aunt/uncle).

I do have a question for you all -- when you get a gift you really can't use, do you ask the parents for the gift receipt, say nothing or just give it away?

Rachel got a create your own make-up kit but she is too young for makeup. Then she got these lanterns that go up about 1,000 feet in the air but you have to light them on fire and we are in a restrictive air zone with 2 airports right next to us, plus a dry summer. It was a cool idea but just not practical for our area. Don't want the police coming to our door or an airplane crash!

I'm just curious what you would do/have done. Rachel was sad to hear we won't let her have those presents (but we'll try to find out how much they cost and give her that to purchase something else). But I'd really just like to get the gift receipt from them so it doesn't end up costing me extra.

Can't wait to check out the pics on FB later. As for the gifts, can you store them away for the future? Maybe she can use the make-up kit when she's older, and perhaps you could take the lanterns with you on a vacation or long weekend somewhere that it's legal to let them go. I do like the idea of giving her something she can use now, but maybe you could do something less expensive (or no cost at all) that would be special for Rachel.

And.... happy birthday!!!!

 

[Marshay]

Oh that is a tough one. I totally get it on the make up. I was shocked when the girls were helping at a friends party for their 5 year old and someone gave her make up. That is just ridiculous.

I have never been in that situation so I am not sure how I would handle it. The lantern ones might be kind of fun to save and use at WDW. If they are good friends explain how you feel and hope that they understand.

Can't wait to check out the pics on FB later. As for the gifts, can you store them away for the future? Maybe she can use the make-up kit when she's older, and perhaps you could take the lanterns with you on a vacation or long weekend somewhere that it's legal to let them go. I do like the idea of giving her something she can use now, but maybe you could do something less expensive (or no cost at all) that would be special for Rachel.

And.... happy birthday!!!!

Thanks! I just opened up my gifts (jerry came home from work for lunch so we could do it then) and happy to report I got some cool things..will post pic! Rachel loves her gifts too (I got her a Rapunzel doll, placemat, Tinkerbell swimsuit & coverup, Minnie Mouse shirt and princess Leapster game).

For those of you who don't know, today is BOTH my birthday (41) and Rachel's (6) birthday!

So as for Rachel's "dud" gifts -- here's what I did...whether right or wrong, it all worked out.

Last night, I sent emails to the 2 moms, highlighting how thoughtful they were for giving Rachel a gift (esp the lanterns and how they matched the Rapunzel theme). Then I told them why we were not going to let her keep them. Yeah, it may be uncouth but I figured I'd go with honesty.

Then last night I returned all the gifts to Target (except the lanterns since that was ordered on-line), including the ones that I did not have a receipt. I admitted to the salesclerk that I dont' know if they are Target's or not. Guess what?

They all came up as Target and Rachel got $38.67 for everything (pool toys, makeup kit and a zooble). Now the small tower that she has her eye on was around $40 -- woo hoo!!

The mom of the lanterns gift emailed me back and said she agreed with me (she lives right around the corner). She was just so excited about getting a Rapunzel themed gift that she didn't think about the airports. She said she would gladly return them and offered to get something else for Rachel.

Soooo, now I'm very glad I sent the email. I figured the worst that could happen is that they think I'm uncouth (no problem) and the best was that we get a credit/money for the gifts for something Rachel really wanted!

Praise to God -- the latter came true!!

 

[lbuzz52]

Party was great! I just posted 2 pics on FB...still need to upload into photobucket...need to finish wrapping gifts for Rachel for tomorrow (we are giving hers on her birthday so she doesn't get a bunch all at once from grandparents/aunt/uncle).

I do have a question for you all -- when you get a gift you really can't use, do you ask the parents for the gift receipt, say nothing or just give it away?

Rachel got a create your own make-up kit but she is too young for makeup. Then she got these lanterns that go up about 1,000 feet in the air but you have to light them on fire and we are in a restrictive air zone with 2 airports right next to us, plus a dry summer. It was a cool idea but just not practical for our area. Don't want the police coming to our door or an airplane crash!

I'm just curious what you would do/have done. Rachel was sad to hear we won't let her have those presents (but we'll try to find out how much they cost and give her that to purchase something else). But I'd really just like to get the gift receipt from them so it doesn't end up costing me extra.

For me it depends on who they are from. my family or friends, sure i'd ask. MIL- no way, she takes it personally and makes me feel guilty and its not worth it. at any rate, if i dont ask then i do one of two things with them-
1) i hate walmart, but they have a great return policy and if there is any chance it could be carried there i return it there without a reciept for a giftcard to purchase a different gift. 2) put it in my donate pile. we have church functions we go to through out the year that require a toy donation as entrance fee.

 

[Trentmom]

Party was great! I just posted 2 pics on FB...still need to upload into photobucket...need to finish wrapping gifts for Rachel for tomorrow (we are giving hers on her birthday so she doesn't get a bunch all at once from grandparents/aunt/uncle).

I do have a question for you all -- when you get a gift you really can't use, do you ask the parents for the gift receipt, say nothing or just give it away?

Rachel got a create your own make-up kit but she is too young for makeup. Then she got these lanterns that go up about 1,000 feet in the air but you have to light them on fire and we are in a restrictive air zone with 2 airports right next to us, plus a dry summer. It was a cool idea but just not practical for our area. Don't want the police coming to our door or an airplane crash!

I'm just curious what you would do/have done. Rachel was sad to hear we won't let her have those presents (but we'll try to find out how much they cost and give her that to purchase something else). But I'd really just like to get the gift receipt from them so it doesn't end up costing me extra.

Thanks! I just opened up my gifts (jerry came home from work for lunch so we could do it then) and happy to report I got some cool things..will post pic! Rachel loves her gifts too (I got her a Rapunzel doll, placemat, Tinkerbell swimsuit & coverup, Minnie Mouse shirt and princess Leapster game).

For those of you who don't know, today is BOTH my birthday (41) and Rachel's (6) birthday!

So as for Rachel's "dud" gifts -- here's what I did...whether right or wrong, it all worked out.

Last night, I sent emails to the 2 moms, highlighting how thoughtful they were for giving Rachel a gift (esp the lanterns and how they matched the Rapunzel theme). Then I told them why we were not going to let her keep them. Yeah, it may be uncouth but I figured I'd go with honesty.

Then last night I returned all the gifts to Target (except the lanterns since that was ordered on-line), including the ones that I did not have a receipt. I admitted to the salesclerk that I dont' know if they are Target's or not. Guess what?

They all came up as Target and Rachel got $38.67 for everything (pool toys, makeup kit and a zooble). Now the small tower that she has her eye on was around $40 -- woo hoo!!

The mom of the lanterns gift emailed me back and said she agreed with me (she lives right around the corner). She was just so excited about getting a Rapunzel themed gift that she didn't think about the airports. She said she would gladly return them and offered to get something else for Rachel.

Soooo, now I'm very glad I sent the email. I figured the worst that could happen is that they think I'm uncouth (no problem) and the best was that we get a credit/money for the gifts for something Rachel really wanted!

Praise to God -- the latter came true!!

Happy Birthday to you both!!

I am glad it all worked out and Rachel was able to get a credit to get something she would like

 

[Queila]

Thank you for these beautiful Kidani pictures. It is really breathtaking, isn't it? We stayed at Jambo House and we could not get over the theming of the AK hotels.

That bathroom is huge! Next time you guys go, can I go too? I will be fine sleeping in that shower!

Cannot wait to read more.

Q