PTR for Noah's wish trip -MAW/GKTW- April 7th - 13th, 2010

[jenb1023]

Your trip will be here before you know it!

I have never been on a Wish trip but my advice to friends planning trips is always figure out the stuff that is a priority to you and plan to do that and anything else that fits in is a bonus. My other advice is to vary between short park days and long park days so everyone gets the down time they need whether at the resort, pool, in the room, etc.

Good luck planning!

 

[noahsketomom]

Hi, All!

First off I just want to thank all of you for sharing in the excitement of this trip. It is so much fun to get to "know" all of you, your families, your experiences, etc. It makes it even more special!

Also making the trip more special was the amazingly generous BIG GIVE package we got today from Lynn (cajunfan)!!! When they say "BIG GIVE"...they aren't kidding! THANK YOU LYNN!!!

It was like Christmas in March...complete with the wrapping paper! The kids were totally excited of course and Daddy was even home to watch this one!
There was something for everyone --- even my mother (aka Nanni) and my sister (aka Auntie)! They weren't here today, but I told them they was something here for them and they were so touched and honored to be included!! x 8!!!

First off ---- matching WISH SHIRTS!!! We absolutely love them!!

They all fit great, Lynn. Thank you! Even my 6'11" hubby's fits GREAT! I thought I had taken a pic of him in his, but it wasn't on the upload... But no worries about having to get a different shirt -- it fits perfectly!

Then, extra shirts for the Boys that they absolutely LOVE. I had to force them to take them off....straight to the luggage!! John's says "Greetings from the NUT HOUSE" (w/ Chip and Dale) and Noah's says "You! Off my planet!" (w/Buzz Lightyear). Fits both their sizes and personalities!

Next up -- GOODIES GALORE!
I'm talking tatoos, glow bracelets, pens, pencils, velvet doodle sets, activity pads, notebooks, playing cards, snack and lunch bags....all with their favorite characters!
We thank you --- and the other people who will be flying with us thank you...maybe there's a chance our kids will stay busy (and quiet) on the plane!! Here's to hoping at least!

Sorry about the fuzzies....

And the HIGHLIGHT of the GOODIES for the kids......
PARATROOPERS!! (in the form of bunnies and ducks and such!)

They spent the better part of an hour playing with them in our front hall, which served as a perfect "jump zone"!

I had more pics but had maxed out my limit.... but you get the idea --- up....jump....down....back up again!

Lynn, your generosity, your thoughtfulness, and the care that went into the package.....A whole hearted THANK YOU from the whole clan!!!

 

[Thumper321]

Awesome Big Give stuff!!! And it's just beginning! It makes the wait so much easier for the kids when they have stuff coming in the mail! And it makes packing so much easier when you have Big Give clothes! Thanks, Big Givers for bringing magic to yet another family!

 

[jenb1023]

Lynn is amazing! She is so generous on so many Big Gives!

I love all of the goodies and all of those smiles! I can see in their faces how excited they are getting.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Wow those Big Givers are amazing!!! They got lots of goodies!!!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Hurray for an awesome Big Give from Lynn! She spoiled us too! The kids look like they enjoyed it. And 6'11??? Wow.

Oh, I forgot to comment on Locks of Love! They are a great organization and one that is pretty easy to give to. I was so excited to learn about them when Phoebe had super long hair because she is often the recipient of kindness from strangers and it felt good to have her give something back. She doesn't care about her hair and it's so doggone gorgeous! I've been growing it out again and think we are getting close to another donation. Anyway, good for you guys for supporting a great cause!

 

[cajunfan]

And the HIGHLIGHT of the GOODIES for the kids......
PARATROOPERS!! (in the form of bunnies and ducks and such!)

They spent the better part of an hour playing with them in our front hall, which served as a perfect "jump zone"!

:

This is so funny! My now 16 year old has ALWAYS loved those paratroopers. I was laughing out loud at this and he asked what was so funny. I told him, his comment was..."I don't care how old you are, those will always be AWESOME!" So maybe I will have to start sending some for the adults too! Except I think we will tire of gonig up and down the stairs so much a lot faster than the kids!

Glad you guys enjoyed everything, and especially glad you DH's shirt fit...it just looked short to me.

Lynn

 

[pipersmom]

Isn't Lynn awesome? I love the shirts :love and I have to admit, my brother and I LOVED the paratroopers when we were growing up as well. Maybe it's the call of throwing something you're allowed to throw? Your plans look good! Just go with the flow though, not that you'll have a choice..we figured that out pretty quickly Less than a month to go..woohooo!

 

[noahsketomom]

Hurray for an awesome Big Give from Lynn! She spoiled us too! The kids look like they enjoyed it. And 6'11??? Wow.

Yes, I forget how tall he is -- then I see him next to somebody who's average height!! Everybody wonders how tall our kids will be, but so far it's apparent that Ella's got her daddy's genes!!

So maybe I will have to start sending some for the adults too! Except I think we will tire of gonig up and down the stairs so much a lot faster than the kids!

Absolutely! It made me tired just watching them!!

Isn't Lynn awesome? I love the shirts :love and I have to admit, my brother and I LOVED the paratroopers when we were growing up as well. Maybe it's the call of throwing something you're allowed to throw? Your plans look good! Just go with the flow though, not that you'll have a choice..we figured that out pretty quickly Less than a month to go..woohooo!

Yes, she is awesome! Thank you, Lynn and all you amazing BIG GIVERs!! You truly make the trip all the more special and EXCITING!!! The pixie dust you ladies send rivals TINK's!

Thank you to all for following along with our plans. WE can't believe it's just over 3 weeks --- woohoo is right!!!

Among the things I was able to check off this weekend:
**Found keto friendly sunscreen (some of them have sugar, sugar alcohols or other carbs in them -- can you believe THAT?!?)
**found decent sandals for the kids and me
**bought an extra gram scale (I'd be toast if Noah's scale broke and I've been meaning to buy one for a while. This was a good forced opportunity!)
**cleaned out all old summer clothes that did not fit! (LOTS for Ella and John who have both grown a lot in the past year!)

On tap for this week:
** get medical letter to travel with Noah's meds and foods
** buy new rechargable batteries and a super duper memory stick to hold gobs of photos!
** start printing out Noah's recipes and organizing into a binder. I usually depend on the using the online calculator for his meals, but I'm pretty sure there is no internet access in the villas -- RIGHT? I'm also considering coming up with my own excel based program for doing it and it shouldn't take too long, considering Noah's meals aren't too varied, but also wondering if this is a good use of my time or not, KWIM?

But the to do lists are growing....


And my new goal is to be packed by Easter, which is 3 days before we leave...OKAY YOU CAN ALL START LAUGHING NOW at this one!!!

 

[Thumper321]

** start printing out Noah's recipes and organizing into a binder. I usually depend on the using the online calculator for his meals, but I'm pretty sure there is no internet access in the villas -- RIGHT? I'm also considering coming up with my own excel based program for doing it and it shouldn't take too long, considering Noah's meals aren't too varied, but also wondering if this is a good use of my time or not, KWIM?

But the to do lists are growing....


And my new goal is to be packed by Easter, which is 3 days before we leave...OKAY YOU CAN ALL START LAUGHING NOW at this one!!!

Ooh, ooh, ooh! I know the answer to this one! From the GKTW Village Guide:

"Complimentary internet access is available from your personal laptop:
* Via WiFi which is available within the House of Hearts, Amberville,
and on the Avenue of Angels
* Via a high-speed direct connection in the House of Hearts Family Room
* Via dial-up in your villa."

(Sign on information is in the Village Guide as well.)

Now, don't laugh at me here as I'm a little technologically challenged, but they mentioned MiFi being available at orientation. I don't know what this is, but they said something about being able to get it for 3 days at a time. Just thought I'd mention it in case it helps.

 

[noahsketomom]

Ooh, ooh, ooh! I know the answer to this one! From the GKTW Village Guide:

"Complimentary internet access is available from your personal laptop:
* Via WiFi which is available within the House of Hearts, Amberville,
and on the Avenue of Angels
* Via a high-speed direct connection in the House of Hearts Family Room
* Via dial-up in your villa."

(Sign on information is in the Village Guide as well.)

Now, don't laugh at me here as I'm a little technologically challenged, but they mentioned MiFi being available at orientation. I don't know what this is, but they said something about being able to get it for 3 days at a time. Just thought I'd mention it in case it helps.

Wouldn't dream of laughing at you -- I'm the tech challenged photographer, remember!!

That DOES really really help! I don't care if it's dialup, being able to access the online recipe calculator will allow me to be more flexible....i.e. if I can't find the particular brand of something we use at the Walmart there, I could go online to change it to the brand name that I get while down there.

I promised myself I'd print out the ones we use all the time anyhow, since what would happen if we lost power or our internet went down even here at home?!? I was much better about printing out recipes when we started the diet, but I've gotten more lax over time and just lug the laptop over to the scale! It's a recipe for disaster -- say if something ever got spilled on the laptop or again, if we lost power for a while. This and buying a backup scale have been on my to do list for ages, and the trip is just making me get my butt in gear!

THANKS FOR the info!!!!

 

[cajunfan]

I would also consider getting a few smaller memory sticks for the camera. That way if something happens to one, you do not lose the pictures from the entire trip.

Lynn

 

[noahsketomom]

Thanks, Lynn. Will try to hit the store later this week. I'm surprised how big their making them now!!

I would also consider getting a few smaller memory sticks for the camera. That way if something happens to one, you do not lose the pictures from the entire trip.

Lynn

 

[yinyanggirls]

You've got quite a bit done. Looks like a buys couple of weeks coming up though. We're right behind you so I'm not laughing.

 

[noahsketomom]

You've got quite a bit done. Looks like a buys couple of weeks coming up though. We're right behind you so I'm not laughing.

Thanks, Melissa!

I forgot to add the following 2 things to my to do list:

** Find somebody to watch our mutts/our house! Our regular babysitter that would've done the dogs too is out of town that week. Can't believe I haven't mentioned "dumb and dumber" before. Here's a pic. As you can see they are GREAT with the kids...but borderline psychotic when a new person comes around!!!

** And contact Disney about Noah's foods! How could I actually forget about putting that on my "to do" list as it's all I've been able to think about since we got our dates! Crazy mom! Well, I did that yesterday and they were EXTREMELY helpful. The big bummer is that I cannot heat up his meals at the dining venues. (against health codes, I assume). So I can either use the microwave near first aid stations, bring cold meals/sandwiches, or try to order something off the menu and bring my portable scale. Not sure what option I'm going to use, but the individual chef's are contacting me. They've already given me the nutritional info on the hot dogs they use parkwide, which is extremely helpful since I can make an easy hot dog meal by ordering the hot dog plain, measuring it, and then just bringing the rest of the meal -- all of which are cold items (special ketchup, mayo, ranch dressing, chips). That would work. So I have faith that it will all come together!

I was just so amazed at so helpful they have been so far. I got 4-5 emails from them in one afternoon! WOW

Also wanted to post a picture of "Nanni" trying on her T-shirt!!!

She loved it and was so touched to be included. Thanks, Lynn!

"Auntie" -- even though they have other Aunties, Auntie Courtney is just known as "Auntie". She's the original, first to meet them and never misses a birthday or special event. -- Well Auntie is back in Boston until the trip, so she won't get hers until Easter. But she was so happy to hear about being included too!

In order to complete the cast of characters, here's the info:
My mom -- aka "Nanni" -- a grandmother who can match the kids in energy level! She still works full time and is never far from her cell phone, which usually is work calling. We are hoping it "mysteriously stops working" for the trip!

My sister -- aka "Auntie" -- 3 years younger than me and a WHOLE lot more fashionable! We have been growing closer and closer together with each passing year. We talk several times a week and she would do anything for any of us. She was able to witness both boys being born, but the girls just came too fast to make it down from Boston!! She is also my fashionista and I hardly buy any clothes without taking her with me!

Here's a picture of me with my mom and sister, taken around Christmas. Court and I gave my mom a girls day for Christmas -- lunch and tickets to "Wicked!". It was absolutely amazing and exceeded my expectations. Not to mention, it was fun to hang out with my mother and sister all day --- without the kids!!

So NOW the CAST is complete!!!

One more picture today, taken of the girls at Ella's friend's birthday party this weekend. The DAD painted the girls faces -- and did such a good job!! So I had to post it before I all got washed off!!

That's all, folks!

 

[Mtopher4]

I'm confused.. are you going on your wish trip soon? It says 2009?

 

[Mtopher4]

I read from the beginning.. opps. I haven't visited your PTR because I thought you already went.

I have subscribed and am looking forward to reading more about your trip

 

[noahsketomom]

I'm confused.. are you going on your wish trip soon? It says 2009?

Big Fat OOOPS!!!

I can't believe I didn't catch that before!! But it looks like I did try to change it sometime....Gosh, am I really that confused these days? I don't know which end is up and what I've done or not?!!!



I'm glad you caught that, Lisa......Duh!

NOTE: I think I fixed all of it. I guess I didn't know what I had changed and what I hadn't? I think I've done them all now -- even in my signature! Gosh, I really need to start getting more sleep!

 

[Mtopher4]

I do know how
Go to your first post and go to edit and then to advanced and it will allow you to change it

 

[Granna4679]

Just wanted to chime and say I think it is great that you both are donating to Locks of Love. My youngest (now 23) has done this 3 times in the last 6 or 7 years and it is just such an awesome feeling for her to be able to give something.

Sounds like your trip is taking shape. I love all of the Big Give shirts, outfits, and pixie dust. I am glad that the chefs are helping you out with Noah's food. We took DGD last October (who has milk allergies) and they were fantastic for us. Nothing near as important as Noah's diet, but still, just giving them props for being so helpful and accomodating.

I am following your PTR even though I don't often comment.

BTW - I received your little "thank you" note. What a special thought to send it. It made my day!!