Our Grand Gathering Adventure:Surprising the Boys! 9/17 WE LEAVE TOMORROW!!!

[hhockman]

Hi Heather! I didn't realize how long I had been MIA on your PTR....so sorry! I'm all caught up now!

LOVE all the Disney shirts you purchased! You are going to be the best dressed family at Disney!

I enjoyed the pics of your boys celebrating the end of summer. We always try to do something special too. Bowling is always fun! Your boys are very cute...and I personally love their haircuts!

First day of school pics...AWWW!! Mine don't go back until September 8 so we have a way to go but I have one starting 3rd grade, one starting 7th (jr. high!!) and one starting 9th (HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!) Oh my!

Your journal is fabulous! You are very talented! I am thinking of doing a digital scrapbook for this last trip to Disney...I have had not time to even think about that yet, so I still haven't really decided.

Now that I'm caught up I can't wait to hear more about your plans! Only a little more than a month to go! WOO-HOO!!

Missy! No problem. I know you had a lot of catching up to do, and you've been just a little busy.

We did have a lot of fun bowling and I can hardly believe the first week of school is over. But that also means only 6 weeks until our trip. By the time your kids start school, we will only be 10 days away! WOW!

You should definitely do a digital scrapbook. I'm doing a lot more digital than paper lately, because I spend so much time at the computer, it's just easier to do it digital. I am going to a "crop" with a friend on Friday. It's the first time I'll have gone to one in about 3 years. I'm trying to get some stuff together to do. I just have too much to choose from.

I can't even imagine my boys starting middle and high school. I don't even want to think about 3rd grade! Is your Jr. High just 7-8 grade (there are so many different versions, I never know)?

I'm hoping to post a little something tonight, but who knows.

Thanks for catching up! I hope VBS goes well next week.

 

[hhockman]

I just wanted to mention quickly, for your entertainment, how completely CLUELESS my kids are...

-I am on this website and other Disney related sites almost constantly, and don't bother to close the window when they come into the room.
-I carry the Unauthorized Guide around every where I go so I can read it and although both kids have asked what I'm reading, they have taken the vague answer I gave them (Christian thought it was a safari book-AK is on the cover-and I just told Will "a book" and he took that answer)
-There are two large Disneystore.com boxes on my computer room floor that are packed with stuff (almost all of which is Disney-themed). Neither child has asked about anything in the box
-They were with us when we bought their swimsuits and sunglasses. Neither has ever asked for the swimsuits (I think they forgot about them) and they only asked for the sunglasses that day (and never again after I put them off)
-The stuff to make their books is laying all over my scrap table (which is right next to the computer). Neither has asked about any of it
-Matt and I talk about the trip almost daily.

Seriously, all that around them and neither one has said a world. They are 4 and 7 (nearly 7 1/2). I would totally be guessing something was up at Will's age. I think this is definitely the last time we'll be able to surprise them like this, but it sure has been easy.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Too funny...
I couldn't do it I am horrible at surprises and I always figure it out before someone can get me

 

[hhockman]

Connie, I just have to tell you this. When I first saw your username I thought it was
Longing to bat Disney

I could not for the life of me figure that out. I've since figured out that it's supposed to be

Longing to BE at Disney (hence the captial "B")

but for some reason I still think "longing to bat Disney" whenever I see your name. Sorry, but I think that's kinda funny, so I just had to tell you.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Connie, I just have to tell you this. When I first saw your username I thought it was
Longing to bat Disney

I could not for the life of me figure that out. I've since figured out that it's supposed to be

Longing to BE at Disney (hence the captial "B")

but for some reason I still think "longing to bat Disney" whenever I see your name. Sorry, but I think that's kinda funny, so I just had to tell you.

now that is funny!!!! and here I was thinking I had done a good job with a play on words and letters

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I'm glad they don't know yet. There is nothing better than surpising your children with something so fun

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

now that is funny!!!! and here I was thinking I had done a good job with a play on words and letters

That is my current method of shorthand. Interchanging letters and numbers.

 

[dismagiclover]

Of course your kids are clueless. They are 7 and 4 year old BOYS. If either one was a girl, they would have figured it out long ago. If it doesn't involve a video game or food my boys have absolutely no interest

 

[hhockman]

Of course your kids are clueless. They are 7 and 4 year old BOYS. If either one was a girl, they would have figured it out long ago. If it doesn't involve a video game or food my boys have absolutely no interest

EXACTLY! Video games and food. Well, that's Will anyway. I can't even get Christian interested in food. They have been ALL about Pokemon (the DS game) the last couple weeks though. To the point of driving me crazy. Thank goodness Will doesn't know there's a card game (I'm afraid all that will change when we hit the Japan store). Pokemon, Star Wars, and G-Force (which we saw yesterday). What's funny is when they try to combine them.

If it had been me at 7...but then I'm a girl.

It's more fun this way, though. It's definitely going to be a surprise.

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I'm not sure what photo albums you're talking about, but I'll be looking for them! I'm all about anything that has to do with pictures. I buy the scrapbook with the year on it every time I'm there (I have 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007-and only 2004 actually has anything in it ). I'll be looking for the photo albums too.

We are all staying at POR, but my immediate family has to stay in the Bayou because we're a group of 5. I know my brother wants the mansions, so I'm hoping my parents and grandparents get the mansions too. My parents and grandparents will probably ask for adjoining rooms.

As far as the money, as soon as we're there you're darn right I won't care. I'd be spending it there anyway. I'm just not sure how much spending money I'm going to actually end up with. Not much, but as long as the boys have theirs I'm good.

As much grief as my mom gives me, I don't think my dad even wants us to leave. He loves having my kids around every day. The year and a half we were on our own when we first moved here, it was a little weird. I've lived with my parents more of my adult life than on my own...but it's so nice to have our own space and to not hear "When are you going to remember that this is still MY house" from my mom all the time.

Someday.

Those albums are 4 with each park on the binder and front. Small to hold 50 4x6 photos, then they slip in a case that says something about the parks with a Mickey doodad on the front. I will take a picture and attach it tomorrow.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I bought the 2009 photo album this year; it holds 200 photos it's blue w/2009 and the main Characters on it...in fact its on the same link that I gave you for the bag; I bought the album and the 2009 picture frame (that I wish I wouldn't have--I like it but when I got it home and found photos to fit each of the 4 openings I found it just didn't do it for me any longer

 

[hhockman]

I'll be getting the 2009 scrapbook. I get the "year" scrapbook every time we go. I have a feeling it will be similar to the photo album you go. I know what it looks like. It's on the Disney Store website.

I got a collage frame last time we went that I really liked. But I've since learned how to make templates in Photoshop, so I don't think that will be necessary this time.

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Here is the pictures of the album. Cell phone, sorry.

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[hhockman]

Those look cool! Thanks.

Incidentally, it's interesting that they still have all that "Four Parks One World" stuff. I found some of the pressed penny coin holders that we got on one trip or another that say that ("Four Parks, One World"). There are four of them, so each of the boys can have their own. Something else I don't have to buy. Of course, I am going to have to get them some pennies and quarters...

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Those look cool! Thanks.

Incidentally, it's interesting that they still have all that "Four Parks One World" stuff. I found some of the pressed penny coin holders that we got on one trip or another that say that ("Four Parks, One World"). There are four of them, so each of the boys can have their own. Something else I don't have to buy. Of course, I am going to have to get them some pennies and quarters...

That will be fun for them to do. A little secret. I put the pic in last night before I took the pic and there is not another pic in the books. I have about 300 prints just havn't put them in yet. That is why I don't scrapbook. I am the best procrastinator in the world.

 

[hhockman]

I'll bet I could give you a run for your money. I'm horrible about actually getting projects finished. That's why I like this book I made. It will be almost finished when I get home...if I ever get the pictures printed for it.

I love to scrapbook, but it takes me forever to start anything. I love kits and projects. Something where someone says "Use x,y, and z and you need pictures of this, this, and this". That I can do.

 

[mousescrapper]

I SOOOO need to use my stock, but I discovered Digi Scrapping in December and I've been doing a lot more of that. One of these days I want to actually do hybrid. I think that's what I'd like best because I miss the 3D-ness when I do Digi.

Of course I don't do any scrapping at all on a regular basis. I don't buy stuff very often either...cause I know I'm not using it. I have bought a few Disney things lately for the boys' books though. And I have yet to take the Bind It All out of the package. I almost took it back. I got a good deal, though. Got it at Hobby Lobby (which is cheaper than Archivers anyway) with a 40% off coupon. Just need to take it out.

I hinted to anyone that would listen that I wanted Archivers GCs for Christmas and I didn't get one. I think my mom said something about "I meant to get there..." At least she got me Photoshop Elements. Maybe they'll remember this year.

Does Aldine scrap at all?

I have not done Digi scrapping...I'm not techi enough for that...besides I spend way to much time in front of this computer as it is

OOHHH Hobby Lobby, we do have one not to far from us...have to keep that in mind. The not spending factor also helps since my closet Archivers closed down ealier this yr...so I really have to want to go there...

Aldine...yes she dabbles w/ me mostly. But we haven't actually finished anything. We started working on a small 4 x 6 album that I bought her (& the other 2 older kids) from Disney in 08 but haven't finished it, but I'm thinking of suggesting she add some pictures from 09 now too. Plus we are working on her Josefina book from this trip. I'm hoping to do some more of that this week, plus it get's me down in my room too and it's nice to sit and chat too together.

 

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Those are cool pics, Ginny! I love that there are four albums, one for each park.

Yes, Heather, you'll definitely need your pennies and quarters. Mitchell wanted to stop at every penny machine we saw! When we went to Six Flags, that was the first thing he wanted to do. He's totally hooked!

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

I'll bet I could give you a run for your money. I'm horrible about actually getting projects finished. That's why I like this book I made. It will be almost finished when I get home...if I ever get the pictures printed for it.

I love to scrapbook, but it takes me forever to start anything. I love kits and projects. Something where someone says "Use x,y, and z and you need pictures of this, this, and this". That I can do.

I can so top that. When I was pregnant with Sandi in 1969 I started to crochet a dress for her. So cute. I had it almost done but not quite. In 1973 when Sheri was 2 I ripped it up and made her a poncho. I used to be quite crafty. I did make the girls a lot of matching outfits. Sandi was smaller than Sheri even tho she is 2 1/2 year older so everyone thought they were twins. Then I did a lot of needlework after I quit sewing. I think the last thing I actually made was an embroidered quilt for my mom's 60th birthday. I did half, my sis did half. We put it together and had it machine quilted. My mom is now 85 so what does that tell you. A few years ago mom gave the quilt back to me cause she was downsizing some of her stuff. It has been in my attic for 3 years.

I did make a new photobucke account last night for all my cousins to post family pictures on and tag so we can share what is going on in our lives. Pretty crafty, huh?

 

[longing2Batdisney]

HI! Heather,
sounds like a lot of work; but, I bet it is so rewarding when complete. I have a photo album for Gwendolyn, started on for Dayne (did not take as many photos) and Ashton is on his third, not to mention he family albums. I don't scrapbook! Probably would like it just never tried.

Well, hope packing and getting things to together is flowing...
have a great day!