For any trip during the school year other than a spring break trip to the beach, I tend to make it a surprise for her. Shed drive her teacher up the wall otherwise and not really be focused on school. During her 1st grade year I got notes home every day during the week leading up to her birthday party about her not staying on task.
i think this is very smart thinking. i have not decided yet if i will tell her teacher where we are going or not. in our district, teachers do not have to allow make up work for unexcused absenses, which it would be. we actually pick teachers at her school. well, sort of- you choose your top four in order. Then you write about your childs learning style, and their current teacher does the same. Anyway, if i get my top choice, she is very education oriented so i'm not sure what i will do when it comes to that.
She knows about our upcoming trip, but its well after school is over. Surprise trips are fun. Thankfully I have a good size walk-in closet that when clean can house the bags laid out open for packing. Hard part was shopping, so I ended up doing quite a bit online.
i can't say the same. i'm not really happy with the layout of my house when it comes to sneaking around for gifts or surprises.
Our first trip to Disney World was a surprise. What a whirlwind that was compared to the process of planning for this one. I booked it at the end of August when I found out my daughter had the entire week of Thanksgiving off from school. I told her the day before we left. She went on a play date and when she got home, I had her walk into the family room with her eyes covered. When she opened her eyes this is what she saw.
After the loud squeal, I handed her the card on the display to read. It was a note from princess Tiana telling her what a wonderful little girl she was and how much I loved her and that I felt we needed a vacation so I was bringing her and her brother to see her and all of her friends that week. It ended with the bags are packed and the plane leaves tomorrow. I cant wait to meet you.
It took her a minute. I asked her if she knew where she was going. She asked if it started with a D. I said yes and the party was on. She tossed the card into the air and yelled, Disney World, here we come! Then she hugged me and thanked me over and over. Then she hugged her baby brother and said, Were going to Disney voo voo (nickname she gave him) and danced around the room singing Were going to Disney, were going to Disney! Her brother was just 10 months old and oblivious to what the excitement was about, but did clap and rock to her singing.
Our last trip to Orlando was also a surprise. I planned a short get-away for fall break. It was just supposed to be 3 days at Sea World, but we ended up at Magic Kingdom the last day of the trip. This time I picked her up at school and we went from there to the airport. Hardest parts were getting the bags in the back of the van without her noticing and getting her princess Tiana (as a little girl) doll into the van. I wasnt going to have time to return home after working a few hours. Fortunately I was able to hid the bags pretty well and since I have to get to work pretty early, it was still a bit dark when we left home. The light of day was just beginning to reveal the shape of the large suitcase when I got back in the van after leaving her in before school care. As to Tiana, it was

. Every Friday they have Friday fun day where they can take out a toy in the afternoon. Since it was fall break, they moved it to Wedesday. At the last minute, she changed her mind about what toy she wanted to take. I quickly suggested she take Tiana and she agreed.
We had a 5:05pm flight. I picked her up at 2:00, an hour before dismissal, but most instruction is over. As we were walking to the van, she said she realized it was only 4 days, but she wished we could take a trip for fall break. I told her I did too so I did plan something. She asked what and I told her I put a sign on her window and when she closed her door (we have a mini-van so its a sliding door) there would be a sign telling her where we were going. She was nervous so moved slower instead of faster as I thought she might. She eventually got in and closed the door to see this sign I downloaded from the design forum.
More loud squealing. You never have to wonder how that child is feeling. Glad I picked her up first.