My countdown idea

[ms.ojo]

OK, Disney is only 14 days away for us and I just can't believe it! Usually I'm doing a countdown from 30 or 20 days but this year it's been nip and tuck all the way. Kids sick, me sick, work issues, you name it. Today it's no turning back....full speed ahead! Both school principal's have been notified...we're going!

So then I thought, I have to spark this up a bit. I started yrs ago w/ a basic countdown calendar (lift the flap Advent type) handmade by me w/ pics from Disney literature of the parks/rides/hotels. This evolved into a countdown calendar w/ those pics plus some candid photos of our family mixed in. Then we were big into pin trading so I did a countdown w/ trading pins. Each day the kids reached into a basket and pulled out a pin to keep or to trade on the next trip. Believe me, this is as much fun for me planning as it is for the kids! LOL and even DH has been really interested to see each picture or pin as we counted down.

Well, back to the story, this year I started doing the trading pins again as I just felt I had done so much w/ pics already. But it just hasn't been that special. SO TODAY, I had a brainstorm. I've pulled together 2 countdown calendars while they were at school. I took pictures that had obscure views or misprints and never made it into our family albums and used these under the flaps. The idea will be to guess where in the world they are. i.e. spinning on Astro Orbitor...or recognizing ASMo from a bright green circle w/ an eye (Large Rex). I had SO MUCH FUN cropping pics and putting this together. Some are really tough...others are easier. In some they are in the pic from when they were much younger (2 or 3) They're now almost 7 & 10.

Does anyone else do crazy countdowns to build the magic??? Well, just wanted to share....I'm so happy!!!!!!!

 

[TwoGirlsandDisney]

That sounds like so much fun. What a great fun Mom you are. My kids are 4, 2, and 11weeks, so I will have to remember that idea for when they get older. Have a fantastic trip and countdown.

 

[ms.ojo]

Thanks for replying. I'm bursting at the seams. Can't believe no one else has posted on my thread.

Oh well, I am REALLY happy. The kids have now seen them on the wall and are soooooo excited! Have to wait until Dad comes home though to lift the 1st flap and find out what's special about these calendars!

 

[calnmace]

We're leaving in 14 days too!! I love your countdown idea.

 

[briannesmom]

Great idea! I think my DD is a bit young for it this year but I will have to remember it. I have been wanting to do a countdown but didn't have any ideas other than a paperchain. I think I will combine your ideas of advent calandar and pins.

 

[ms.ojo]

We just came upstairs and did the first flap. Everyone loves the partial pics. DD could identify her 1st one. It was the statue of a huge dalmation from ASMO which only showed a large green base up to the beginning of the hind paws. I showed her how if I had cropped it more (no paws) would she have been able to guess it? DH felt the green base looked like a large Pooh honey pot!

DS9 was so excited that while we were waiting for Dad to get home he went through his room secretly and found 3 Disney things to share w/ me, Dad and his ds ! He wrapped them and had us open them after the calendar!

The joy of giving...

 

[charming]

How cute is that. We are going in March and we have 2 families going with kids from 3 to 16 and we want to do some kinda countdown. Great idea!

 

[thebeesknees]

Love your idea!

 

[Pearle1]

Hey Ms OJO ~ we leave in 14 days too and live in Connecticut also!! What airport are you flying out of?? Love your ideas! Are you going to the MNSSHP at all?? Hope you have a great trip!!

 

[cmusschoot]

I love building the excitement for my kids with a 10 day countdown. I have Xed boxes, cut paper chains, put stickers in boxes, this time...we started today (10 more days!!)

This time, I made a puzzle (out of a 8 x 10 photograph I printed ontpo cardstock), and cut it into 10 pieces. Each day they get to put a piece of the puzzle on the "chart".

Can't wait for the puzzle to be complete.

Keep the great ideas coming!

 

[ms.ojo]

Hey Ms OJO ~ we leave in 14 days too and live in Connecticut also!! What airport are you flying out of?? Love your ideas! Are you going to the MNSSHP at all?? Hope you have a great trip!!

Small world. We're flying out of Bradley. Not doing MNSSHP this year but have been before and LOVE it. Are you going?

 

[mickeymaker2003]

We bought Disney Dollars and taped them together to form a row. Every night at bedtime we took one dollar down and put it into my DD2 purse and counted how many are left. When she takes the last dollar down, it is time to go to Disney World. The last one will come down at about 4 pm tomorrow! Then we go pick up Daddy at work and start driving to FL. The Disney Dollars are also her spending money for Disney.

 

[jeni1382]

Great ideas!!!

 

[Pearle1]

Ms ojo - Yes, we are going to the MNSSHP on Oct 6th ~ went one other time and loved it. We are flying out of White Plains - found a good deal on a direct flight from there, and from where we live in Ct White Plains is not a bad drive at all. Well, I hope you all have a wonderful trip! BTW, I can see that you have been to disney a lot - so maybe you know about this - have you ever eaten at BOMA buffet dinner?? if so, did you like it?? Thanks and have a great trip!

 

[littlbugmom]

I love these countdown ideas. So creative.


I'm going to use Ms.ojo's cropped pics idea for a countdown. The kids will enjoy that.

I'm also going to do the puzzle picture. I think it would make a nice "Disney Night" activity.

Thanks!