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

[hhockman]

SEP 2009 ALMOST HERE!!
JUNE 2010
2011
GREAT PLANNING!!!

That does sound like a fun 35th...fit and healthy and Disney World

I sure hope it will be!

Heather! That is exciting news! I'm going to do the half in 2010 and if everything goes as planned I want to do the full in 2011. I've done the Disneyland Half before and Disney races are so much fun!!! They have characters you can stop and get pictures with along the way and all the runners are so nice and friendly. (Though I've found runners to be nice and friendly in whatever race I've done.) That is such exciting news. Take a gander over to the WISH boards and you'll find lots of company!

What are the WISH boards? I'll have to go try to find them. I am so bad about going to any other boards besides the PTR/TR. I can't ever seem to find anything.

If you end up doing the marathon in 2011 I'll cheer you on! It sounds like you've been doing this for a while. I haven't run in a race since elementary school. I've been walking/jogging every weekday (with a couple of exceptions) since mid-June and I really enjoy it (I've always really enjoyed running, just couldn't ever get motivated). I'm not planning to place, I just want to finish. But I think it will be fun.

I think it's awesome that you're planning to do the full marathon. I can't even fathom 26 miles!

I can't wait to hear about the half after you do it!

Cool, Heather! That's quite a goal and what better place to do a marathon than at Disney World???

(or half marathon, as the case may be)
Exactly what I was thinking! It actually sounds like fun.

What a great goal! I love it!

I wonder if I could get my dad to do the Disney World Marathon - since he does the Chicago Marathon every year anyway!!

He should do it. I've heard it's really a lot of fun. I am in awe of people who can run a marathon. I'm just hoping to finish the half. And giving myself a year and a half to prepare!

Heather that is totally awesome. You can do it. I'm really proud of you for setting a goal. That is so important to give yourself something to work for.

Your time is getting so close. Missed everyone today. Tomorrow will be a better day.

Ginny

That's what I was thinking Ginny. I wanted a goal. At first I figured I'd look for some 5k around here. They have them all the time. And I probably will. But then I remembered that Jenny (dismagiclover) was doing the Donald and I thought "wouldn't THAT be cool!" I'm determined now. Wait till you see my facebook update today. But I'm also realistically giving myself a year and a half to get ready.

I'm at 22 days by the Lisa' countdown. Still seems too long.

Hope you're able to be around more today! We missed you too!

 

[DisneymoonJess07]

I mentioned the idea to my dad for 2011, and he seemed to think it was interesting. I think he wanted to find out what the route is before agreeing - I think he wants to say he ran a marathon through the Magic Kindom

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Hi Heather! I'm caught up once again! UGH!! I hate being so far behind!

I'm so sorry about the Cole/friends/baseball situation. What a shame that adults can act that way. And too bad for Cole...it's good he didn't know about the trip. We are dealing with a similar situation with "friends" right now. It really is very hurtful. My prayers are with you and also with Cole's family. Sometimes putting the past in your behind (as Pumbaa would say) is best, but those relationships are never really the same.

I can't believe your boys are so clueless! I could never pull off a surprise like that...but only because I couldn't keep my mouth shut!! I get so excited! I can't wait to see their reactions!

I know what you mean about NEEDING this vacation. That is exactly how we felt before our 2007 trip. I felt slightly guilty about how much we were spending, but when it came right down to it, we needed that family time. You can't put a price on that.

Your shirts, backpacks, notebooks, etc are amazing! Nice job! And the surprise at the resort sounds FANTASTIC!

You're getting so close!! I'm looking forward to counting down with you!!

 

[hhockman]

I mentioned the idea to my dad for 2011, and he seemed to think it was interesting. I think he wanted to find out what the route is before agreeing - I think he wants to say he ran a marathon through the Magic Kindom

Jess, from what I read the half goes through Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The full marathon goes through all four parks. At least that what I think I read. Jenny would probably know better. Isn't that cool?!

Hi Heather! I'm caught up once again! UGH!! I hate being so far behind!

I'm so sorry about the Cole/friends/baseball situation. What a shame that adults can act that way. And too bad for Cole...it's good he didn't know about the trip. We are dealing with a similar situation with "friends" right now. It really is very hurtful. My prayers are with you and also with Cole's family. Sometimes putting the past in your behind (as Pumbaa would say) is best, but those relationships are never really the same.

I can't believe your boys are so clueless! I could never pull off a surprise like that...but only because I couldn't keep my mouth shut!! I get so excited! I can't wait to see their reactions!

I know what you mean about NEEDING this vacation. That is exactly how we felt before our 2007 trip. I felt slightly guilty about how much we were spending, but when it came right down to it, we needed that family time. You can't put a price on that.

Your shirts, backpacks, notebooks, etc are amazing! Nice job! And the surprise at the resort sounds FANTASTIC!

You're getting so close!! I'm looking forward to counting down with you!!

Missy, I know you've been busy. It's okay, but I missed you! I'm going to eat lunch now but as soon as I get back I'm headed to your update.

I haven't really kept my mouth shut. I've literally talked about the water parks with my mom with the kids in the room. They are just CLUELESS. Which is SO fun. I just hope we make it all the way to the gates. I'm thinking of making them close their eyes when we turn off of the exit (because I'm afraid Will will recognize the windey exit) until we're almost to the gate.

And I totally see this vacation as priceless. And the one we're taking in June (for a completely different reason-I'm really looking forward to meeting my friends and to not having a ton of family. Totally different trip).

Thanks for the compliments. I got most of the surprise ideas from jaycns. She's amazing.

Thanks for counting down with me. It seems to be taking FOREVER, but seriously, I'll be in the teens in just a couple of days, so I guess time is actually moving!

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Heather. 2 things. Good for you for making the commitment to do the Donald and being so close to time. It will be time for you to go and you will be saying 'but, I didn't get this or this or this done'. Then you will say, 'oh well, we are going to Disney who cares?' It will all work out.

Ginny

 

[dismagiclover]

:What are the WISH boards? I'll have to go try to find them. I am so bad about going to any other boards besides the PTR/TR. I can't ever seem to find anything.

If you end up doing the marathon in 2011 I'll cheer you on! It sounds like you've been doing this for a while. I haven't run in a race since elementary school. I've been walking/jogging every weekday (with a couple of exceptions) since mid-June and I really enjoy it (I've always really enjoyed running, just couldn't ever get motivated). I'm not planning to place, I just want to finish. But I think it will be fun.

I think it's awesome that you're planning to do the full marathon. I can't even fathom 26 miles!

I can't wait to hear about the half after you do it!

The WISH boards are in the Just for Fun section of the DIS. You have to scroll down aways to find them. I think it stands for We're inspired to Stay Healthy? The events board in that section has lots of people training for the Disney races. Another cool site is disneyrunnng.com I also highly recommend the book Marathoning for Mortals. It has some great info and training plans that include walking, running or a combination of both. I've been dabbling in running since 2001 or so, but I'm super slow and take plenty of walk breaks. I've done a couple of half marathons. I really enjoy the alone time out there just running and thinking during training. And then race days are always so much fun! But so tiring as well. I always need a nap after a long race
As far as the full marathon for me it's pretty hard for me to fathom 26 miles But I remember feeling that way about 13 before I did a half. Hopefully I can find the time for the training. That is the tricky part.
Your trip is coming soon!

Jess, from what I read the half goes through Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The full marathon goes through all four parks. At least that what I think I read. Jenny would probably know better. Isn't that cool?!

That's right. Both races run thru the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, thought the half barely runs thru Epcot. The full goes thru all 4 parks including around the World Showcase. You can find a map of the race route on the Disney Sports website or at Disneyrunning.com

 

[DisneymoonJess07]

That is super cool! I totally need to talk to my parents about this one - if it's Jan. 2011, we will have moved and then we could do a get together at WDW with my parents and us....now I'm dreaming

 

[mickeystoontown]

What a fantastic goal to set for yourself! I used to run or walk all the time. It just made me feel so much better. Now my running is basically non-existent and my walking is on a treadmill.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

I'm so sorry to hear about the friend situation...that's not fun at all...

but you are getting closer to your trip and that's awesome....

All of this talk of running marathons and half marathons has me inspired...

I think though I should start with a 5K-you have to crawl before you walk right?

 

[hhockman]

Heather. 2 things. Good for you for making the commitment to do the Donald and being so close to time. It will be time for you to go and you will be saying 'but, I didn't get this or this or this done'. Then you will say, 'oh well, we are going to Disney who cares?' It will all work out.

Ginny

I'm totally going to be saying "But I didn't get this done" if I don't get busy. I'm getting somewhere on the boys' books, so I think that will be done, but it seems like I still have stuff to buy and I know there are other things I need to do. I want to start packing. Might do that next week. Just the stuff we won't need between now and then. At least then I can start marking stuff off the list.

The WISH boards are in the Just for Fun section of the DIS. You have to scroll down aways to find them. I think it stands for We're inspired to Stay Healthy? The events board in that section has lots of people training for the Disney races. Another cool site is disneyrunnng.com I also highly recommend the book Marathoning for Mortals. It has some great info and training plans that include walking, running or a combination of both. I've been dabbling in running since 2001 or so, but I'm super slow and take plenty of walk breaks. I've done a couple of half marathons. I really enjoy the alone time out there just running and thinking during training. And then race days are always so much fun! But so tiring as well. I always need a nap after a long race
As far as the full marathon for me it's pretty hard for me to fathom 26 miles But I remember feeling that way about 13 before I did a half. Hopefully I can find the time for the training. That is the tricky part.
Your trip is coming soon!


That's right. Both races run thru the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, thought the half barely runs thru Epcot. The full goes thru all 4 parks including around the World Showcase. You can find a map of the race route on the Disney Sports website or at Disneyrunning.com

I'm going to have to check out those WISH boards. I'd really like to know what I've gotten myself into! I'd love to one day do the whole thing. It must be SO fun to go through all of the parks. I'm pretty sure I could do the half now if I walked most of it. I usually walk faster than a 16 minute mile. But I'd like to look like I'm kind of running...uh, some of it! Plenty of time left to get in better shape! I enjoy the running (if you can call it that-DH doesn't) for the same reason. I like the "thinking time". I'm going to see if I can find that book. Now that I've been doing this for almost 3 months I can see that I will stay commited so I don't mind investing a little. I'm even planning to ask for some shorts, shirts, and sports bras for Christmas (I MUST be crazy). Thanks for all the info. I know where to go if (when) I have more questions!

That is super cool! I totally need to talk to my parents about this one - if it's Jan. 2011, we will have moved and then we could do a get together at WDW with my parents and us....now I'm dreaming

It would be really cool if you could go. We could all have a DISmeet before the races!

What a fantastic goal to set for yourself! I used to run or walk all the time. It just made me feel so much better. Now my running is basically non-existent and my walking is on a treadmill.

I'm getting to where I really enjoy it. I started because I had a bit of a health scare in June (it was really nothing-more my over active imagination than anything), but I tend to have anxiety issues and sometimes my heart would do funny things when I lay on my left side. I had high blood pressure with both my pregnancies and it's still a little "up there" so I decided I wanted to do something about all that. We have heart issues in my family too (in addition to cancer issues) so I thought one Monday "I'm just going to start" and I kept going. Like Forrest Gump. Except I only did it for a little while every day. Like I said, I really enjoy it. And it's fun to post what I did each day on facebook too. I like to go back and see where I was just a couple of months ago! And, hey, walking on the treadmill is certainly better than nothing at all!

I'm so sorry to hear about the friend situation...that's not fun at all...

but you are getting closer to your trip and that's awesome....

All of this talk of running marathons and half marathons has me inspired...

I think though I should start with a 5K-you have to crawl before you walk right?

I am TOTALLY going to do a 5k first....probably several! If I still lived in Florida I'd do the 5k they have on Friday of the race weekend in January, and also the one that goes with the Princess thing in March. That would be FUN. But it's a little far to drive now for a 5k. So I'll find some around here to "practice" on. You should do it! We can all be a support for each other.

I'm loving your TR (what there is so far). The Alice statue in NYC is amazing.

I AM getting closer...but it sure does seem like a far-away close. Oh well, one more day to mark off in just a few hours. And I still want to PM you at some point about the "issues" stuff. Possibly not until after my trip though. We'll see.

 

[DisneymoonJess07]

3 weeks from today!!!

And I am totally up for a DISmeet beforehand!

 

[hhockman]

3 weeks from today!!!

And I am totally up for a DISmeet beforehand!

I KNOW I KNOW!!!! Thanks.

But it's only THREE DAYS for you!!! How crazy is that? Are you packed?!

 

[hhockman]

Okay, so I have to go out and run some errands so I'll be back to catch up with everyone in a little while, but I just had to let you all know this FIRST (like, I literally haven't even told Matt the time)

I got the boys into

THE PIRATE LEAGUE

and it gets better...well, just a little bit. I got a 9:25am appointment (on Tuesday, the 22nd-which is our pretty much all day MK day)...and we have to be there 15 minutes early...so you know what that means!

YES! We get to walk through the Magic Kingdom BEFORE Rope Drop. At least I think we do. Maybe just a couple minutes before, but before. I mean, it's taken more than 10 minutes to walk from the front to POC, right? And we have to BE THERE 15 minutes early (so, 9:10). So we get to walk through the WHOLE park before anyone else.

I know, I'm probably more excited about that part than the kids will be, but I am about walking through the park before rope drop. All the way to the back, baby!

Just had to share. I'll be back in a little while...

 

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I'm a big dummy, but what is the Pirate League?

That sounds like something my little boy would just love to do! I'm with you, I'd love to walk through the whole park before it opens, so you can really soak in the splendor that is Disney!

 

[DisneyMomLiz]

Congratulations on your new goal The Disney marathon is really neat...at least watching it was great and my sister, who ran it in Jan '05 loved it. She said it was cool to run through the parks and stuff.

My DSis does a marathon almost yearly and now she is doing triathlons definitely didn't get the running bug from her older sis, me However, since I've been working on my health, dieting for the last 10 months now and have been doing pretty well...adding in exercise, my Dsis has convinced me to do a 5K - walking, I told her !! DSis, DMom and I will be doing the Royal Family 5K in March.

just realized I think I told you about the 5K already!? oops, sorry. But still wanted to note that my sis reallly did enjoy the Disney Marathon

for the Pirate's League! I think I'll wait a bit to do that for my DS, he likes Pirates but I don't know how much he'd get out of it just yet?! and would he sit still while they put on the make-up...NOT

for the PP - Pirate's League is (copied from wdw info...) it's the Pirate version of BBB

"The Pirates League allows boys and girls to transform themselves into Pirates, and allows their dreams to come true as they join Captain Jack Sparrow's crew. Participants receive a pirate identity, are transformed into a pirate by a WDW Pirate Master, and have access to a secret treasure room. They are also able to unlock clues to additional pirate encounters in Magic Kingdom."

 

[hhockman]

Congratulations on your new goal The Disney marathon is really neat...at least watching it was great and my sister, who ran it in Jan '05 loved it. She said it was cool to run through the parks and stuff.

My DSis does a marathon almost yearly and now she is doing triathlons definitely didn't get the running bug from her older sis, me However, since I've been working on my health, dieting for the last 10 months now and have been doing pretty well...adding in exercise, my Dsis has convinced me to do a 5K - walking, I told her !! DSis, DMom and I will be doing the Royal Family 5K in March.

just realized I think I told you about the 5K already!? oops, sorry. But still wanted to note that my sis reallly did enjoy the Disney Marathon

for the Pirate's League! I think I'll wait a bit to do that for my DS, he likes Pirates but I don't know how much he'd get out of it just yet?! and would he sit still while they put on the make-up...NOT

for the PP - Pirate's League is (copied from wdw info...) it's the Pirate version of BBB

"The Pirates League allows boys and girls to transform themselves into Pirates, and allows their dreams to come true as they join Captain Jack Sparrow's crew. Participants receive a pirate identity, are transformed into a pirate by a WDW Pirate Master, and have access to a secret treasure room. They are also able to unlock clues to additional pirate encounters in Magic Kingdom."

I think you told me you guys were doing the Princess one, but not all the stuff about your sister. Maybe by 2011 you'll want to do the Donald with me!

I know they can do the Pirate League starting at 3, but I don't know whether a 3 year old would sit still for it either. Christian is a pretty old 4 (though he just turned 4 in June, he's "old for his age") and I know he is going to have the time of his life! I think Will will like it too...especially since there won't be anyone with us to tell us it's uncool for 7 year olds (not saying Cole would say that-Cole might even like it-just that there ARE 7 year olds that would say it). I am SUPER excited about it.

I'm a big dummy, but what is the Pirate League?

That sounds like something my little boy would just love to do! I'm with you, I'd love to walk through the whole park before it opens, so you can really soak in the splendor that is Disney!

Liz explained it somewhat for you. Here's the link to the Disney World site:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/pirates-league/

Like Liz said, it's basically a Pirate version of BBB.

 

[hhockman]

The Crocs website is having a cool sale with B1G1F plus free shipping plus I found a 25% off code. So I got Matt some new flip flops which he desperately needed, PLUS MICKEY crocs (just like the boys'). I never thought he'd wear them, but he wanted them. Paid $22.49 total.

So now Matt's got shoes.

Things are falling into place. Hope the next three weeks goes by fast (for me, not for any of you going before me...for you I hope the time until your trip goes fast and the time during your trip goes S-L-O-W).

Okay, off to do errands and have lunch with Matt. Mmmmm buffalo chicken tacos!

 

[mickeystoontown]

We saw some boys who had done the Pirate's League makeover while we were in Disney. They looked really cool. I wish they had of had something like that a few years ago. I don't think Hunter would want to walk around dressed up all day at his age. Now, if we were going during Halloween, absolutely!

Great deal on the Crocs! John is in desperate need of new ones so I may just have to check out their site.

Buffalo Chicken Tacos sound great right now.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm a big dummy, but what is the Pirate League?

That sounds like something my little boy would just love to do! I'm with you, I'd love to walk through the whole park before it opens, so you can really soak in the splendor that is Disney!

It's like a BBB for boys. They give them pirate makeovers.

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Heather that is great. I really think your boys are going to like it. Good deal on the crocs. Things are just kinda falling into place for you.

Ginny