One Family, One Year - An AP finale & June 2010 PTR! - 7/6 TR STARTED!!!

[eandesmom]

I ordered shorts, they should be here this week. The bermudas are too long, the short shorts too short! JCrew has a 7 inch that is perfect for me. Hate spending that for shorts, but I was tired of looking. Gap had some too, for less. So I am trying both. Will return whatever doesn't work, hopefully I will like the less expensive ones!

I hear you. I found a 7" from Athleta that works well, the bermudas from there were bleh! Which was funny as I actually liked the 5" pair from there that are the same but not the bermudas at all. I may order another pair of the 7" after I wear them a bit if I really like them.

But I'm taller than you (I think?) so the JCrew Bermuda's are fine, not so fine I want more than one pair but a good basic pair. I didn't see a 7" at the Jcrew store but I figure now I've got one pair at every length between the various stores so I ought to be ok. I didn't try gap, historically those don't fit me well at all.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that they work well!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Love the big reveal. They look so excited!! Hang in there this week. Can't wait for Mickey brunch next weekend!!

 

[MeMom]

Well, that was a fun read!

So glad the big reveal went over well. You have a busy couple of weeks ahead. You are right. It will fly by!

Those boys are both such cuties!

 

[Charleston Princess]

While his older brother reads, DS5 now understands what is being said and the realization is dawning on him!

Look at him perking right up!!! The excitement is written all over his face!

About now, DS8 clicks with the Ticket and the invitation to spend 10 days at Disney!

Disney makes me jump around like a lunatic, too!

You always have the best reveals!!! Can't wait to see the close-ups of the calendar -- from what I can see, it looks really cute!

Also, looking forward to all the other goodies you are going to share with us this last week before you head down to N'awlins!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Yay! I'm glad you decided to countdown early. Now you can enjoy the fun.

 

[SoonerGirl]

What a fun reveal! The boys look pumped - I'm glad you decided to do it early so that you could join in on the fun

Love the poster you made!

 

[gallmcduck]

Your reveal sounded great Your eldest looks so happy when he discover what is going on Look forward to seeing your close up pics.

 

[stace208]

Great reveal!! I love how excited the boys look!

You got a great pin lot...still have that on my to do list! My list is growing faster than I can cross stuff off!

 

[Happydog]

So thanks for hanging in there with me the past few days! I definitely got my steam back a bit, but indeed I am going to "just keep swimming" so I don't think too much about everything that has to happen in the next week!

So last night I shared some photos for the surprise when we shared the news with our two boys, and so here is the detailed pics from the calendar/poster I made (with the help of MeMom btw, and SoonerGirl, for pics!)

Here is the whole poster in one shot.

Now, a few details... Basically, I printed photos of them being silly, or just smiling and made them smaller, then cut them out and pasted them on top of other "scene" or "ride" photos... SO, for instance...

Here they are at the WDW Mecca Gate....

And here they are on their speeder, escaping the AT-AT -- or whatever that thing is called!!

This is DS7 ready to ride RNRC!!!! Woot!!!

And a couple of DS5, as he takes on Zurg, and is the "Giant" outside TSM...

And the one I laughed at a lot... DS7 and Cindy's Castle...

There are others, for each, but I didn't want to bore you. Then, filling in the gaps are just pics of things they like, Nemo, Kim Possible, Everest, for instance. AND, also, squares of card stock that I cut out and put my Mickey Heads on with Disney Stickers. I should have used the stickers as our "counting" technique, but instead we are going to use a sharpie and put a number next to each one. There were 14.

It was just fun to make. I don't know if you can see what the "Ticket" reads, but is says:

Get Set Griffin and Nolyn! This is your ticket for fun! We are on our way to another Magical Disney Adventure! Hold onto your hats! We are spending ten days in Disney! Your vacation begins on June 19th when you board a train headed for Bay Lake Towers and The Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World. See you Real Soon!

Now on to OTHER good news. The shorts I ordered from Old Navy, not Gap, came in today! They are cute! One pair is "lavender" though -- thought they were more blue, but the tan ones are great. I am probably going to keep the others I ordered from J Crew (if I like them) because I was really in love with the colors. I am relieved I at least have these!

I am spending a good portion of the evening tonight doing laundry, and filling suitcases with stuff I know I can get away with packing in advance. I bought all the snacks and such for the trip I will bring (the non-perishable stuff ) and I will send DH on a grocery mission for fruit the day before they leave... These items pack into a blue Rubbermaid tub that goes in the volvo.

Here are the snacks I am bringing and have brought more or less on the past four trips this year:

1. Pirate Booty (two packages of single bags) -- Don't know if you have ever seen this, or know of it. But it is basically white cheese covered puffed corn (like cheetos).

2. Juices -- Honest Kids juice bags in punch and berry lemonade (1 box of each) and Orange Juice boxes

3. Horizon Milk boxes -- Chocolate and Vanilla (8 each)

4. Annie's Cheddar Bunnies ( 2 boxes... I take them out of the box, and put the still sealed bags in big ziplocks)

5. Fruit -- Six Golden Delicious Apples and a pint of strawberries

6. Two bags of mini carrots

7. Fruit snacks (the not remotely made of fruit, fruit snacks)

8. Case of water

9. Bag of Tortilla chips

10. Four avacados

11. Hummus

12. Bottle of chardonnay

13. six pack of Mike's Lemonade

14. Big box of multi-grain or honeynut Cherrios


With us having the 1 bedroom villa the final 5 nights, I am sure we will use the kitchen for wine and snacks for us. So a few dips and chips do the trick.

I always bring cereal and some snacks for the kids, because the drink selection for them in the park is always limited and I don't like using my snack credits for a kid's beverage, unless it is a slushie or something like a dolewhip! They get by in the AM before lunch with the stuff I bring, and then they are ready for a real meal if we have QS or TS for lunch.
Of course, while we are in the park, they like popcorn and pretzels, too, but the pirate booty are single serving bags, and easy to toss in my park bag for that minute we need a distraction or have a whining kid the "fruit snacks" too...
DS7 is very picky about juice -- so it is orange, or lemonade, but that is about it -- so I bring the boxes I know he will drink. He HATES apple juice, and that tends to be the offering for most kid options. I always bring something to go with our TS meals at Dinner, b/c unfortunately the boys are just particular about what they will eat in the fruit and veggie categories, and carrots and apples go a long way and pack well!

So off to do some reading now, some laundry, and dinner! Then I will be back tonight

 

[Happydog]

I'm so excited they get to be excited ahead of time this time! It's going to be a fun 2 weeks

I hear you. I found a 7" from Athleta that works well, the bermudas from there were bleh! Which was funny as I actually liked the 5" pair from there that are the same but not the bermudas at all. I may order another pair of the 7" after I wear them a bit if I really like them.

But I'm taller than you (I think?) so the JCrew Bermuda's are fine, not so fine I want more than one pair but a good basic pair. I didn't see a 7" at the Jcrew store but I figure now I've got one pair at every length between the various stores so I ought to be ok. I didn't try gap, historically those don't fit me well at all.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that they work well!

Yes, I decided one week was not enough fun for me!!!

Thanks! I think the shorts will work out for me. I just have to wait for them to get here!

 

[Happydog]

YAY for the big reveal!! What a cute way to do it and I love the poster in the picture!!

The boys look so excited!!! You guys are going to have a great 10 days at Disney!!!!!

YAY for a Toy Story Marathon sounds like a great wait to spend some family time together!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Jen! Yes, I am really excited. I think it is going to be great! I gotta get over to your thread to see what your little Memorial day escape to Disney was all about!!!

I am looking forward to our TSM night, too!!!!!

Love the big reveal. They look so excited!! Hang in there this week. Can't wait for Mickey brunch next weekend!!

Thanks, Christine! Yep, it will be fun, I just gotta get all the loose ends tied up without getting tangled up myself!!!!

Mickey brunch it is!!!

Well, that was a fun read!

So glad the big reveal went over well. You have a busy couple of weeks ahead. You are right. It will fly by!

Those boys are both such cuties!

Aww, thanks MeMom! Yep, it was fun to set up and watch! AND thanks so much for the pics, they were perfect!!! Trent got a great one of the Star Tours display!!!!

Look at him perking right up!!! The excitement is written all over his face!


Disney makes me jump around like a lunatic, too!

That is sooo funny. I can totally see why you relate!!!

MISS "IamgoingtothebeachbutnotreallybecauseIloveDisneytoomuch"

You always have the best reveals!!! Can't wait to see the close-ups of the calendar -- from what I can see, it looks really cute!

Also, looking forward to all the other goodies you are going to share with us this last week before you head down to N'awlins!

Thanks CP!!! It was fun to do. It made me laugh!

Yes, trying to share as much as I can, before I head out. But I will have internet I know there, so I will have something to do at night, since one can only eat so many benigets!!!!! Or should....

Yay! I'm glad you decided to countdown early. Now you can enjoy the fun.

THANK YOU LL!! I gotta get over to catch up on your PTR tonight!!!

What a fun reveal! The boys look pumped - I'm glad you decided to do it early so that you could join in on the fun

Love the poster you made!

Thanks! Yep, I am glad too. I am enjoying your TR! Gotta go get caught up!

Your reveal sounded great Your eldest looks so happy when he discover what is going on Look forward to seeing your close up pics.

Yes, they both were! Very excited. Had a good conversation about the trip today, they are all a chatter about what they want to do...

Great reveal!! I love how excited the boys look!

You got a great pin lot...still have that on my to do list! My list is growing faster than I can cross stuff off!

Thanks! YES, I am familiar wit that list getting longer syndrome! I have the same issue!!! I bet you are getting excited too!!!!

 

[Native NYer]

Great reveal! And I love your countdown calendar.
Such a great idea to bring pack the car with lots of snacks for the villa. Pirate's Booty is so yummy!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Love that a bottle of chardonnay makes the snack list. Y'all are my kind of people! Believe it or not I've had some boxed wines recently that aren't half bad. Something to consider as it allows you to bring ~3 bottles and it is packaged so well there is minimal worry about spilling.

So super excited for you guys!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

That is such a great countdown poster! I love how you used the boys' photos! Very cute. What a good mommy you are.

 

[Charleston Princess]

That is sooo funny. I can totally see why you relate!!!

MISS "IamgoingtothebeachbutnotreallybecauseIloveDisneytoomuch"

This would so be my new screen name if it didn't exceed the character limit!

Yes, trying to share as much as I can, before I head out. But I will have internet I know there, so I will have something to do at night, since one can only eat so many benigets!!!!! Or should....

Oh, but don't forget -- there are Hurricanes down there of the rum variety.

The countdown calendar is such a hoot! I was laughing away at some of the shots of the boys -- especially the ones in front of Cinderella Castle and the WDW sign.

My turn now -- I may just be borrowing that snack list. The wine is a very good idea! I am also going to have to make a concerted effort to get breakfast stuff for the room this year, so we don't have to scramble for something to eat each morning. One or two mornings I want to do a Disney breakfast so I can get my Mickey waffles, but other than that, we'll be eating something quick in the room.

 

[Happydog]

Great reveal! And I love your countdown calendar.
Such a great idea to bring pack the car with lots of snacks for the villa. Pirate's Booty is so yummy!

Hey thanks! Yes, it was fun to make. I wish I spent more time doing it, but I had to squeeze what I could in to the time I had! We always bring some stuff on our trip and you can't get Pirate Booty at Disney.

Love that a bottle of chardonnay makes the snack list. Y'all are my kind of people! Believe it or not I've had some boxed wines recently that aren't half bad. Something to consider as it allows you to bring ~3 bottles and it is packaged so well there is minimal worry about spilling.

So super excited for you guys!!!

YOU forget who you are dealing with.... Gotta have the wine! I like the idea of a box, I have had a few boxed wines, I am not a wine snob Crazy getting to the end of this week... it is only Tuesday but I am afraid it is going to come a lot sooner than I think!

That is such a great countdown poster! I love how you used the boys' photos! Very cute. What a good mommy you are.

Thanks! It was great fun to make. I try to be a fun parent, I do, but like CP, I get the "mean mommy" at least once a week...

This would so be my new screen name if it didn't exceed the character limit!

Oh, but don't forget -- there are Hurricanes down there of the rum variety.

The countdown calendar is such a hoot! I was laughing away at some of the shots of the boys -- especially the ones in front of Cinderella Castle and the WDW sign.

My turn now -- I may just be borrowing that snack list. The wine is a very good idea! I am also going to have to make a concerted effort to get breakfast stuff for the room this year, so we don't have to scramble for something to eat each morning. One or two mornings I want to do a Disney breakfast so I can get my Mickey waffles, but other than that, we'll be eating something quick in the room.

Oh yes, I am right there with you on the Disney breakfast! We just do brunch, as you know, and then we have the appetites! I just can't eat a full breakfast before 10am! That way I get my fill of Mickey waffles, the breakfast pizza etc. etc. etc. !!!! We buy milk at the resort store. And I bring coffee. It works well for us.

Thanks on the calendar! It was fun to make and silly. Yeah, those two are my favorites, those and DS5 and the Buzz lightyear ride! The expressions are funny. You know I have never had one of those drinks in New Orleans!!! I might have to try one out... I remember all the frozen drink machines on the street the last time we were there, so I will check it out... summer and frozen drinks seem to be appropriate!

 

[stace208]

I love your countdown calendar poster! How very cute and creative!

Great snack list! We were making ours this weekend too!!
Have you had Mike's Black Cherry Lemonade??? We're big fans of Mike's here and got that one this weekend because we hadn't seen it before...YUMMO!! My favorite of all is the limeade but this one is a close second!

I hear ya on the "just keep swimming" but you are doing so much better than me at keeping up on your PTR. I'm so bogged down with school/grades/report cards/end of the year paperwork that I'm lucky to pop into one or two TR's a day and they are not usually my own!

 

[jenjolt]

Love the Countdown Poster...what details and those pictures are great!!

Love your list of snacks, you are very well prepared!!

LOL I need to find some time to be able to get started on my TR for Memorial Day life is just BUSY BUSY!! LOL!!!!

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

Better late than never right?!?! I just saw your PTR link in your signature and have read the whole thing. I can't believe we are going to miss you guys by a few hours. Your boys are super cute. I promise I won't be this late to your trip report (just wait 11 days after you get home since I'll be on my vacation!).

 

[eandesmom]

mnnnnn pirate booty!

I just polished of the last of a bag, not a good thing to have around when you are starving!



your calendar is adorable!!!!!!