Oct 2011:The Best Laid Plans of Mice & Kids: Itinerary 2.0 Updated 8/17

[exwdwcm]

I LOVE your theme night- so cute! thanks for posting all the great pics. I'll definitely use some of your ideas for our Pirates in the CBR movie party with my family. Not sure when we are planning it yet, but my mom has already gone crazy buying up some prizes and pirate gear! I'll have to find and post some pics from an Alice and Peter Pan inspired party we did a few years ago before a trip with the entire family- i'll post up in my PTR if i find them.

 

[Villainess]

I'm boarding the ship! I have a DD, 4, and a DS, 3, and at this age they are so much fun to be around! DS especially likes Jake and the Neverland Pirates too!

 

[Minnie_Mom]

Hi Emily- consider me subscribed!

Your plans look so great and what an absolutely gorgeous family you have!

Thank you and welcome! So glad to have you!

I am one of the others having the same issue on the P&P cruise, i am still being told they won't offer it on the night i want (Friday, 10/21), so we are stuck with Monday, 10/17 for now. I plan to keep calling every week or so and see if that changes or not.

Yes! I found your PTR from the Oct 2011 thread! I looked like we have a lot of the same plans, so I wanted to check it out. So glad you found your way over here! Maybe we will be able to help each other!

I love your plans for Porter's bday! We are also celebrating my son, William's 4th bday on our trip, although his bday is Oct 30th (we are there 10/14-10/22). We are doing PL too, but on a different day than the cruise.

Two very special 4th birthday celebrations for two very special little boys! That is a good idea to do PPFV and PL on separate days... spread out the pirate experience! Porter is doing PL on the same day and the firework cruise. Primarily because I am planning a scavenger hunt for him and PL is one of his stops!

I think he is going to be Peter Pan for the party, we have a costume my mom got on clearance last year TDS. And he was Capt Hook already 2 years ago. He is totally into Capt Hook and also the Neverland pirates show too! We are definitely checking them out at Playhouse Disney/Disney Jr. show at DHS (whatever they are calling it now?)

Hooray for TDS clearance! I love getting a good deal! We are on the lookout for a Capt. Hook costume.

I can't wait to see the changes to the show at DHS. Porter will be so excited when he sees they've added Jake and pals.

on the stroller issue- sorry not much help there. I am not a stroller expert by any means- we just buy the basic stuff. We had a chicco cortina travel system when i loved, but for our last two trips we used a combi stroller that we really like. just picked it up at Babies r Us. it folds so easy and has the long strap so that I can actually put it over my shoulder to carry it. It reclines some, but doesn't have good storage (I use a supplemental storage system on the handles instead). it has no tray, but works well for our little guy for WDW. i would have to say out of the ones you show, i would say #1 or #2 look like the best option to me, but again, take my opinion with a grain of salt since i am a pretty standard stroller person.

Thank you so much for your thoughts. Not so much worried about storage or trays... mainly size and comfort. It is SO hard to find a good double stroller!

I LOVE your theme night- so cute! thanks for posting all the great pics. I'll definitely use some of your ideas for our Pirates in the CBR movie party with my family. Not sure when we are planning it yet, but my mom has already gone crazy buying up some prizes and pirate gear! I'll have to find and post some pics from an Alice and Peter Pan inspired party we did a few years ago before a trip with the entire family- i'll post up in my PTR if i find them.

Glad you liked it. Ooooh, it sounds like your party will be so much fun! Can I come? Has Will seen any of the POTC movies? Porter has not seen any of them. I can't decide if they might be a little too intense. I wish my parent's lived a little closer so that they could participate. I would love to see your pictures from the Alice and Peter Pan party. I love getting ideas from other dis'ers, and Peter Pan is Porter's favorite Disney movie!

I'm boarding the ship! I have a DD, 4, and a DS, 3, and at this age they are so much fun to be around! DS especially likes Jake and the Neverland Pirates too!

Welcome, aboard! So glad you decided to join in! Wow, a 3-year old and a 4-year old... you must be really busy! Isn't Jake and the Neverland Pirates fantastic? I really love that Disney finally has a show geared to little boys!

As a mom of two preschoolers, do you have a recommendation for a double stroller that would work well for WDW? Trying to make a decision!

 

[Minnie_Mom]

Weather Update

The rain is gone and the sun is shining! Despite all the heavy rains, our yard handled the rain fabulously and the drain never backed up! Thank you so much for all the prayers!

 

[Minnie_Mom]

Disney Clearance on the Easter Aisle?!?!?

I finally got a chance to upload a few photographs after work yesterday and am excited to share with you the good deals I found on the Easter clearance aisle. But be forewarned, these pale in comparisons to the deals I found today... Maybe I will try to post these later in the week!


As I was leisurely shopping at my local discount mega store (leisurely= ran in on my 30-minute lunch break), I made the impulse decision of walking through the massive Easter Clearance aisles... I was on the hunt for some cheap candy that I could eat for lunch. As I turned the corner, I saw a small treasure trove of small toys. I am always on the hunt for small toys to take on trips, so of course I had to stop and look!


First, I spotted some Thomas and Friends Easter Eggs which have small trains inside, and Next to these eggs was a Thomas board book.

Wooo Hooo, I love it when I find coordinating items!


I also spotted this small mirror that will go perfectly with Audrey Anne’s princess-themed treat bag.

Then in the far back corner, I saw it... the Disney logo!


So I dug to the very back of the shelf and pulled out these...

Now, I’ll be honest. Other than seeing a young girl with a similar set of these at church, I have no idea what they are. Maybe they pop onto jewelry?


I plan on using them as mini play sets. I think they will play together nicely together with the sets and there are plenty of pieces to share.

These are smaller toys than I would normally buy for Audrey Anne. But she doesn’t put toys in her mouth and she will be closely monitored while playing, so I went ahead and bought 3 sets... Cinderella, Snow White, and Belle.


I also found this small tea set.

They love to play tea and “restaurant.” Plus, all the pieces fit inside the tea pot!



So what was my total spent?
Thomas Easter Egg: $0.50
James Easter Egg: $0.50
Thomas and Friends Book $1.00
Pink Mirror $0.25
Princess Squinkies $4.22 x 3 (Noticed today that these had been moved back to the toy section and were priced at $9.97! )
Beauty and the Beast Tea set $2.50 (Also, noticed that this had been relocated to the toy section and was priced at $5)
Total spent: ~$18... Not bad for 8 different toys if you ask me!


I was really excited about finding some good buys on “trip toys.” And don’t worry I also found a good buy on a little candy for lunch!


As previously promised, here are Porter’s thoughts on Aladdin...

Background: Last Friday Porter was dying to play outside, but of course, it was raining. I suggested that he watch Aladdin. Maybe when the movie was over the rain would be gone and he could go outside.

Porter: “Mommy, Aladdin is a short movie, right?”
Me: “Ummm, not really, Port. It is kinda long.”
Porter: “Well, I don’t really need to watch it. I will just tell it to you instead.”
Me (wanting to know where is was going with this): “Sure, I would love for you to tell it to me.”
Porter: “Ok. There is Aladdin and a Genie and a castle and a monkey. They fly in the sky. The Genie picks up the castle. The mean man goes away and they all live happily ever after! Oh, and the monkey eats bananas. (Deep breath...) Aladdin is over. Can we go outside, now?”

Gotta love the reasoning of a 3-year old!

Today’s final thought... Good-bye rain! Hello, sunshine!

Coming up next... Update on Pirate and Pals Firework Voyage. Was I able to book the cruise on Porter's birthday or did MNSSHP foil my plans?

 

[Villainess]

Welcome, aboard! So glad you decided to join in! Wow, a 3-year old and a 4-year old... you must be really busy! Isn't Jake and the Neverland Pirates fantastic? I really love that Disney finally has a show geared to little boys!

As a mom of two preschoolers, do you have a recommendation for a double stroller that would work well for WDW? Trying to make a decision!

Oh yes, I love the boys TV programming! And DD enjoys the short poems that the celebrities read! for Disney Junior in our house!

As for a stroller ... I had the Valco Twin Runabout Stroller which I loved! I brought it on our 2008 trip (DD 1 1/2, DS 7 months) and summer 2009 trip ((DD 2 3/4, DS 1 3/4). For the 2008 trip, my dad had the folding down to an art and was in charge of carrying it on/off the bus. My mom and I were in charge of carrying the kids and bags. Summer 2009 I went with exDH and he couldn't be bothered learning to fold the stroller so I folded the stroller, carried the bags and a child, sometimes helping the other on/off the bus. This was unquestionably the most comfy stroller for the kids but the most bulky to fold.

In spring 2009, I purchased a Peg Perego Aria Twin
Worked great! Lightweight, kids could recline, basket storage space for all my photography and tripod stuff. So why did I go back to the Valco a few months later? Well, a CM broke my stroller while moving it from its happy parking spot. I have no idea why or what he did but I saw him standing there with the side of my stroller and a look on his face. Luckily, there were only 2 days left of the trip, but still ...

Last year I sold the Valco bc, at home, the kids are not in the stroller much at all. I purchased 2 single umbrella strollers (the generic type brand about $40 each, nothing fancy) which we took on a trial run to NYC during Christmas. One person could easily carry both & they fold up to practically nothing. I would park them in a central area, we would do the shows/attractions around there letting the kids walk and then when we would move on they knew to get in the stroller. If they napped, it was quick and in the stroller while in the park (I never went back to the room for naps)

This year I am contemplating what to do, my gut says take one since DD will be 5 and DS 4, but my mom is urging me to bring both.

So, that might not help much, but my experience in a rather long-winded nutshell!

Weather Update

The rain is gone and the sun is shining! Despite all the heavy rains, our yard handled the rain fabulously and the drain never backed up! Thank you so much for all the prayers!

Glad to here your yard and home are ok from the rains!!!! Sending (((sunny))) vibes your way!

 

[TeresaG]

Movie night looks like a lot of fun! I think I have the only DS around who is not into pirates AT ALL. We've watched Jake and the Neverland Pirates a couple times, but he hasn't been thrilled with it. Some times he asks me to change the channel because he doesn't like pirates. lol. Silly boy.

Awesome score on the clearence toys! Woo! I love picking up small things for them to play with on vacation. Having it Disney themed makes it so much more macigal.

 

[exwdwcm]

responses in red

Thank you and welcome!

Two very special 4th birthday celebrations for two very special little boys! That is a good idea to do PPFV and PL on separate days... spread out the pirate experience! Porter is doing PL on the same day and the firework cruise. Primarily because I am planning a scavenger hunt for him and PL is one of his stops!so cool- i can't wait to hear what you have planned for the scavenger hunt!!!!


Glad you liked it. Ooooh, it sounds like your party will be so much fun! Can I come? Has Will seen any of the POTC movies? Porter has not seen any of them. I can't decide if they might be a little too intense. I wish my parent's lived a little closer so that they could participate. I would love to see your pictures from the Alice and Peter Pan party. I love getting ideas from other dis'ers, and Peter Pan is Porter's favorite Disney movie!He hasn't seen but a few minutes here or there of POTC. The kid wouldn't watch more than 10 minutes of tv to save his life prior to this year. Now he will watch some, but I can't get him to watch regular movies really - he only wants cartoons. I need to get him watching all of the Disney movies though- he sticks with his faves over and over.....cinderella and mickey mouse clubhouse videos! Peter pan is my fave- we did his nursery in peter Pan theme and my DH painted a mural even for it!

 

[All7OfUs]

Just thought I'd pop in and let you know I'll try to read and get caught up soon! I"m here!

 

[Minnie_Mom]

Oh yes, I love the boys TV programming! And DD enjoys the short poems that the celebrities read! for Disney Junior in our house!

I don't know about my kiddos, but I LOVE the short poems on Disney Jr. I would be lying if I said that the poem Jennifer Gardner reads doesn't bring a tear to my eye! Here is the link just in case you haven't seen it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=326AiHUs4H0

As for a stroller ... I had the Valco Twin Runabout Stroller which I loved! I brought it on our 2008 trip (DD 1 1/2, DS 7 months) and summer 2009 trip ((DD 2 3/4, DS 1 3/4). For the 2008 trip, my dad had the folding down to an art and was in charge of carrying it on/off the bus. My mom and I were in charge of carrying the kids and bags. Summer 2009 I went with exDH and he couldn't be bothered learning to fold the stroller so I folded the stroller, carried the bags and a child, sometimes helping the other on/off the bus. This was unquestionably the most comfy stroller for the kids but the most bulky to fold.

In spring 2009, I purchased a Peg Perego Aria Twin
Worked great! Lightweight, kids could recline, basket storage space for all my photography and tripod stuff. So why did I go back to the Valco a few months later? Well, a CM broke my stroller while moving it from its happy parking spot. I have no idea why or what he did but I saw him standing there with the side of my stroller and a look on his face. Luckily, there were only 2 days left of the trip, but still ...

Last year I sold the Valco bc, at home, the kids are not in the stroller much at all. I purchased 2 single umbrella strollers (the generic type brand about $40 each, nothing fancy) which we took on a trial run to NYC during Christmas. One person could easily carry both & they fold up to practically nothing. I would park them in a central area, we would do the shows/attractions around there letting the kids walk and then when we would move on they knew to get in the stroller. If they napped, it was quick and in the stroller while in the park (I never went back to the room for naps)

This year I am contemplating what to do, my gut says take one since DD will be 5 and DS 4, but my mom is urging me to bring both.

So, that might not help much, but my experience in a rather long-winded nutshell!

Sounds like we are *almost* in the same boat! I was only planning on bringing my single Mac, but I am afraid with our long days/nights Porter might want to rest more than normal. So, I am on the hunt...

Thanks for you advice!

Glad to here your yard and home are ok from the rains!!!! Sending (((sunny))) vibes your way!

Thank you! I am SO enjoying the beautiful sunshine. Tomorrow we are going to the zoo!

Movie night looks like a lot of fun! I think I have the only DS around who is not into pirates AT ALL. We've watched Jake and the Neverland Pirates a couple times, but he hasn't been thrilled with it. Some times he asks me to change the channel because he doesn't like pirates. lol. Silly boy.

Well, pirates aren't for everybody. I think it is so cute that Porter loves pirates and I am excited about the release of POTC because I am already noticing more and more pirate items becoming available, BUT I am a little worried about him picking up "pirate behavior" Maybe your DS will be like his daddy and develop a love for Star Wars... that way you will have an excuse to go to Disney every year!

Awesome score on the clearence toys! Woo! I love picking up small things for them to play with on vacation. Having it Disney themed makes it so much more macigal.

Thanks! There are even better deals coming soon!

Just thought I'd pop in and let you know I'll try to read and get caught up soon! I"m here!

Welcome... So glad you made your way over! We are just getting started over here so it shouldn't take you long to get caught up! I am hoping to start a sewing project soon, so I may need you to become my resident sewing expert!

 

[Minnie_Mom]

so cool- i can't wait to hear what you have planned for the scavenger hunt!!!!

I can't wait to see what I have planned either! I should probably get started! I have to get my cruise day planned and as soon as I get my timelines together I can start putting the hunt together! I will probably need lots of help... specifically on timing, how many clues, picture vs written clues, presentation of clues, etc. I am really excited about it, but I am a terrible decision maker, so deciding on everything is going to be so hard.

he hasn't seen but a few minutes here or there of POTC. The kid wouldn't watch more than 10 minutes of tv to save his life prior to this year. Now he will watch some, but I can't get him to watch regular movies really - he only wants cartoons. I need to get him watching all of the Disney movies though- he sticks with his faves over and over.....cinderella and mickey mouse clubhouse videos! Peter pan is my fave- we did his nursery in peter Pan theme and my DH painted a mural even for it!

Porter has been the same way. He still doesn't watch a lot of TV, mainly just Jake and Mickey along with the Disney movies we show on movie nights. When he is "watching" TV it is mainly him playing in the same room as the TV. Oh well, I'm not complaining!

I love Peter Pan, too. It is just so classic and fun. I would love to see pictures of the mural. It's awesome your DH painted it... I thought my DH did good painting stripes in Porter and Audrey Anne's nursery!

 

[Minnie_Mom]

Mickey Mail

Just dropping in to say... WE GOT MICKEY MAIL! What a great surprise after a long, long emotional day of work!

It was fantastic to see this waiting for me in the mailbox when I got home...

Front of postcard

As if I needed another place to visit for help planning...

Back of postcard

Magic... Yes, please. Who doesn't want that!

Yes, the Mickey Mail wasn’t much, but it was enough to help cheer me up after a hard day!


Math lesson for the day... Long day + Mickey Mail= Good day!

Hooray for Mickey Mail... New update coming tomorrow!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I can't wait to see what I have planned either!

Yay for mickey mail!! Can't wait for that update!

 

[exwdwcm]

yeah for mickey mail!!!

Porter has been the same way. He still doesn't watch a lot of TV, mainly just Jake and Mickey along with the Disney movies we show on movie nights. When he is "watching" TV it is mainly him playing in the same room as the TV. Oh well, I'm not complaining!

I love Peter Pan, too. It is just so classic and fun. I would love to see pictures of the mural. It's awesome your DH painted it... I thought my DH did good painting stripes in Porter and Audrey Anne's nursery!

yeah, William usually plays with a movie on in the background in his playroom upstairs. sometimes he will sit and actually watch. He likes watching the old "Have a laugh" cartoons online though sitting in my hubby's lap! He watches mickey and jake in the mornings before heading to school. He likes Phineas and Ferb too. I guess you are right, i shouldn't complain- it is good he isn't a tv junkie!!!

here is his nursery. we've since moved him out of that room into another one- he is in a full size bed now. But the mural remains on the wall in the old nursery- i guess we will paint over if we are lucky enough to have a second!

for some reason i don't have a pic handy of the final painted side on this one:

 

[Minnie_Mom]

Life Update

Sorry to have been MIA lately. I am very happy to be able to tell you that I started a NEW JOB on Monday! My new work environment is much more professional than I have been used to at my old position, so I spent the weekend shopping for new clothes/shoes/work bag! Monday and Tuesday were spent in orientation.

For those of you who are interested, here is a little information about my new job...

If you read the first entry of this PTR, then you know that I described myself like this..
“I am a full-time mommy, a part-time pharmacist, and an all-the-time disney lover.”
I define myself as a mom, but to pay the bills, I work as a pharmacist.

Here is a little of my pharmacy-career background.

In a life that that seems like a million years ago, I was a very career-driven person. After pharmacy school, I completed a residency to qualify myself to work in the realm of clinical pharmacy. After my residency, I split my time working NICU, clinical inpatient pharmacy, and in a clinic where I was responsible for managing my patients blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, cholesterol, etc. Then, I became a mommy and I gave it all up. But, bills still needed to be paid, so I accepted a retail pharmacist position at a mega-chain. This job allowed me to work 2, 12-hour shifts a week and be home with my family the other 5 days. While I wasn’t as passionate about my job, I was passionate about being a mommy!

Then about a month ago, I got an email that changed everything. The hospital I worked at in my pre-mommy days had a part-time admin/clinical position open and they had me on their minds! After lots of careful consideration, I accepted to position. Not only does this position allow me to work in an area I love, but the schedule is also more flexible!

The next week or so will be very hectic, but I promise I that will be around. And, after everything settles down at work, I will be back at this 100%!

 

[Minnie_Mom]

here is his nursery. we've since moved him out of that room into another one- he is in a full size bed now. But the mural remains on the wall in the old nursery- i guess we will paint over if we are lucky enough to have a second!

for some reason i don't have a pic handy of the final painted side on this one:

Ummmmm, his room is absolutely adorable! Your hubby is super-talented. I would not have the heart to ever paint over it... LOVE IT!

 

[nicole3202]

Congratulations on the new/old job! It sounds like it is going to work out great for your family. I've been mia lately but mainly because I can't get on here with the kids are home since we are going to surprise them and they can read way too good now! LOL!

 

[Minnie_Mom]

October 10: Pirate and Pals Fireworks Voyage... To Be or Not To Be, that is the question...

It looks like it is NOT to be

As you all know, I had been waiting and waiting for the dates for MNSSHP to be released on the hope that once the party dates were announced a Pirate and Pals Firework Voyage would be opened for Porter’s birthday, October 10. Well, dates were released last Sunday and I immediately began calling to see if my date for the fireworks cruise was opened. After a week of no’s, I think it is time to start on that back-up plan.I am not totally scrapping my original plan. I am just tucking it away for now and will continue to call just in case the firework voyage opens up between now and October. I don’t think this will happen, but a girl can hope, right?


Fitting the Pirate and Pals Voyage into our itinerary will be easy, we have an open evening on Saturday, a night which there happens to be a Pirate and Pals Voyage.

Saturday night did look like this...
Saturday, October 8
Morning:
Breakfast: Granola bars in the room
Animal Kingdom for rope drop

Afternoon:
Lunch: Flame Tree, one of my favorite CS places!
Rest at the resort. Maybe swim?

Evening:
Dinner: Whispering Canyon at 5 pm
Chip and Dale’s Sing-a-Long or Miniature Golf
Go to bed early and rest for a busy Sunday

But, now Saturday looks like this (changes are noted in red)...

Morning:
Breakfast: Granola bars in the room
Animal Kingdom for rope drop

Afternoon:
Lunch: Flame Tree, one of my favorite CS places!
Back to CSR for SWIM TIME

Evening:
The Treasure Hunt begins

After swimming and getting dressed, Porter will hopefully find a clue that will be the beginning of a treasure hunt which will lead him to and around MK, then the Pirates League, and ultimately to the Pirate and Pals Firework Cruise.

Pirates League at 3:30
Dinner: Casey’s in the MK.
Pirate and Pals Firework Cruise

So, that was an easy change. Well, maybe not easy, I was pretty emotionally attached to the scavenger hunt/firework voyage happening on Porter’s actual birthday. But once I let the idea go, rearranging this portion of the itinerary was easy.

I’ve shown you the easy part, now let’s examine the hard part...

PORTER’S BIRTHDAY

Here is Monday’s old plan...

Monday, October 10: Happy Birthday, Porter!
Morning:
Breakfast: Granola bars
Epcot: Future World

Afternoon:
Lunch: Le Cellier at 12:00
Back to CSR for SWIM TIME

Evening:
The Treasure Hunt begins

After swimming and getting dressed,
Porter will hopefully find a clue that will be the beginning of a treasure hunt which will lead him to MK, then the Pirates League, and ultimately to the

Pirate and Pals Firework Cruise.
Pirates League at 3:30
Dinner: Casey’s in the MK.
Pirate and Pals Firework Cruise

Here is Monday’s new plan (changes are noted in red)...

Monday, October 10: Happy Birthday, Porter!
Morning:
Breakfast: Granola bars
Epcot: Future World
We will explore Future World and do whatever Porter want to do!

Afternoon:
Lunch: Le Cellier at 12:00
We have never eaten here and really wanted to try it. Some might think this is an unusual place to take a 4 year old for his birthday, but Porter loves “fancy” resturants!
Back to CSR for SWIM TIME
Porter loves to swim so this afternoon will be devoted to the pool and the fun water slide at CSR!

Evening:
Ummmm.... at this point there are no plans
??? Help, anyone ???


This day in general has been a difficult day to plan. It is Columbus Day so I am really afraid of crowds. Now that there is no firework voyage this evening, I have to find something now only to plug into our itinerary, but it also has to be worthy of a 4th birthday celebration.

Here are the challenges I am facing for each park on Monday evening...
- Magic Kingdom: This would be the logical park to visit, but it closes at 7pm due to a MNSSHP that evening. I am afraid that the day crowd + party crowd= Birthday Disaster. I have thought about just making this our MNSSHP but I would really like to separate the halloween party from the birthday celebration. Also, I am a little concerned over the party crowd since it is a holiday.
- Animal Kingdom: Closes at 5pm
- Hollywood Studios: MNSSHP at MK + AK closed + DHS PM EMH= Crowded
- Epcot: Our only “green” park of the evening, but I am not sure how much birthday fun Porter would have at Epcot.

I am open to not doing a park this evening but would like something exciting to do... Any thoughts or suggestions?

Coming up next... Our group of 6 becomes 8?

 

[All7OfUs]

Welcome... So glad you made your way over! We are just getting started over here so it shouldn't take you long to get caught up! I am hoping to start a sewing project soon, so I may need you to become my resident sewing expert!

Thanks for the warm welcome!! It's always exciting to see others' plans!!

First off congrats on the new position! That's awsome to have more flexibility in a job!

As to Monday's plans, the only thing I can think of is maybe going to DTD? You could get an ADR at T-Rex if they are still open, or letting him to into Once Upon a Toy and letting him build a light saber? OR how about going over to Fort Wilderness and seeing the horse barn? and a show at Hoop de doo? There's also Mickey's Backyard BBQ there that might be fun.

 

[TeresaG]

Congrats on the new job! That's great that it's a better fit for you! Flexibility can mean the world when it comes to work.

I think Saturday's plans look great. Not sure what to do on Monday evening though. I love the idea of looking into Mickey's BBQ. Friends of ours did it and said their son loved it.