Recreating Memories- Surprise Mother & daughter trip

[princess&her4princes]

Happy birthday, Todd!!!

Good for you, training for the race! That is awesome!!!

Less than five months?? Yippee!!

Hi Christine!! Thanks for the birthday wishes for Todd, he had a nice day!! And thanks for cheering me on with my race...I just hope I can finish it, that's my ultimate goal, I don't care if I run it all, just want to finish!! Less than 5 months..woohoo!!

Nope, nothing special tonight, both boys had baseball practice, so we were split, DH being with DS13 and me with DS8. We had a dinner for family on Friday. DS got to pick the menu and open gifts from grandparents & aunts and uncles. In lieu of a big party with his friends this year, he opted for new bedroom furniture instead. He graduated from bunk beds to a queen, so he's in heaven!

I hope Todd's birthday celebration went well!

That will be me in a few years trying to figure out which way to go with which boy!! LOL!! Your DS bedroom furniture sounds so grown up, how nice, a great gift!! Todd had a nice little family celebration, itw as caotic, as anything is in our house these days with three little boys......

I am planning!!!! if i've got my dates right we leave 2 years today i'm going with my dd (she'll be 10) my mum and dad, my sister, BIL, nephew and neice. i'll turn 40 on the trip and my neice will turn 13. i've got 2 years to read every post on here and get all the inside info!! thanks for the offer of helping me plan, really appreciate that and will defiantely take you up on the offer i've been to DLRP 3 times recently (last trip March 2009) and just love it there xx

Yay for 2 more years!! Time flies and before you know it, it will be here....my baby is almost 2 and I don't know where those years went!! It will be a great trip with everyone and fun to plan...keep us posted! Never been to DLRP...fun!!!

Yup, I'm doing a PTR/TR- the link's in my siggie. And you got married on my birthday!! 9/24!

Will try and sneak a peak later on, thanks! Off to gymnastics now with the little boys.....

Hope your DH had a great Bday!!! It seems like you all have alot of bdays...they must all be between December and April...they must all be over with til next year?!?
That is so amazing about the 5K...I'm so proud of you!!! You'll have to tell me your secret for sticking with it! I've started doing that so many times and just can't seem to stick to it.
Your trip WILL be here before you know...summer is right around the corner!...that always goes by sooooo fast...and then it will be September!!! Better start packing! Actually, I better start packing...we're leaving in 13 hours...and I haven't started yet!

You're right Leighan, we do have a lot of birthdays! But unfortunately, we're not done! Cole will be 2 on 6/27, so one more to go!! LOL!! Ethan is in November, then Lucas in December, mine in January and then Todd.....and it starts all over.....heehee!! Thanks for your being proud of me for my training....it's tough but I'm SO glad I'm sticking with it, this is the longest I've stuck to anything and I'm pretty proud of myself. There are always a million excuses as to why I can't find time, but it's time I found time for myself, too. Which is a very hard thing to do as a Mom....as you well know!!! I hope I stick to it..it's been a great outlet for me, as well.

13 more hours!!! You better go pack girlie! Are you going to sneak in a quick TR within your TR so we can hear all about it? Pleeaaasseee? Have a wonderful time and safe travels!!!

Hope to update more later...off to Gymnastics for Lucas but Todd is home late toinght, so maybe after the kids go to bed. Hope you're all well!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

double post....

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Cute purchases! I bet they will love them! Did you get anything for yourself?? Oh and thanks... now I'm off to Disneyshopping.com.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Now I know my trip is over 4 months away, but I've been busy picking some things up for it....better to be prepared, right?

I made some purchases last night through Disneyshopping.com, they had some great sales plus I got a 25% off code, even off sale stuff, so figured I'd see if I could get some things. They had adults tshirts 3 for $20! I thought I would surprise Mom & Jodi with a little gift when we got there, not sure they will wear them to the parks or not, but even for bed, they are fun and the price was right!!

This is what I got for Mom...

Here is Jodi's....she's not a traditional kind of girl, so thought this was fitting for her....

and for myself....thought this was cute!

I also found some cute Mickey sweatshirts on clearance and decided to pick them up for the boys, these will be given to them when I get home from my trip. Saves me (a lot!) of money while on vacation, they are Disney and thought it was a nice inexpensive way to let them know Mommy was thinking of them while she was gone. I'll probably get them all something else small while there. They were only $6.99 on clearance!!

I also have picked myself up my 1st Vera Bradley bag for my trip....I bought the mini hipster in the Kennsington pattern, I thought it would match with most outfits (brown and black toned). Even though it's the mini version, it's fits SO much....I tried it out on a quick trip to Boston with my Mom about a month ago. It fits all the essentials...camera, cell phone, money, credit cards, sunglasses, chapstick, small bottle of sunscreen, gum...what else does a Mom need? Especially a Mom without kids on vacation!! I got this Ebay for about $15, bargain, huh?!!

And last but not least....my friend, LL, mentioned on her PTR that a store here in MA had Crocs on sale for $10 a pair!! So I made a quick trip out to see what was left....I ended up with these...not my first choice, but they have grown on me and thought they would look cute with capris, especially!! And although I haven't worn them out and about, in the house they were super comfy!! I have a pair of brown mary janes I bought for my 1st family trip and loved them, I wore them on my last two trips and loved them for Disney, they are pretty warn out at this point, so I may need to see whatelse I can find before September. Aren't they cute?

That's it so far, but off to a great start, huh? That's all for now....I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Cute purchases! I bet they will love them! Did you get anything for yourself?? Oh and thanks... now I'm off to Disneyshopping.com.

You're fast! I knew I had accidentally posted something and you caught me I wasn't done yet....oops!! Sorry!! CHeck out my new post...did you find anything cute there for yourself? You can't beat the prices...happy shopping!!

 

[pmama]

I have a pair of brown mary janes I bought for my 1st family trip and loved them, I wore them on my last two trips and loved them for Disney, they are pretty warn out at this point, so I may need to see whatelse I can find before September. Aren't they cute?

That's it so far, but off to a great start, huh? That's all for now....I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

SOOO cute! I may have to get some of those

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love the Crocs you got! Those will look very cute with capris. I have been eyeing that style for awhile now.

I had some kids I had to buy souvenirs for when I went in 2005. I ended up getting some stuffed animals on clearance at the Disney Store along with some towels and they never knew any different! Plus I didn't have to lug home souvenirs.

The tees are super cute! I love them, especially the Tink one for you.

 

[ILuvCrush]

HI Kristen!!

I'm not sure how I missed you starting this...but I'm here now!
I'm going to subscribe and get caught up tonite...I wanna go outside and play in the sunshine this morning

Paula

 

[2xcited2sleep]

You're fast! I knew I had accidentally posted something and you caught me I wasn't done yet....oops!! Sorry!! CHeck out my new post...did you find anything cute there for yourself? You can't beat the prices...happy shopping!!

Ooops. Too obsessed for my own good. Love the t-shirt you got for yourself. Score on the sweatshirts for the kids. I love your crocs- they're adorable! I didn't end up shopping yesterday but I think I may now...

 

[cdotla]

Congrats on signing up for your 1st 5k. Before you know it, you will be coming up with excuses to do Disney races - LOL!

The only races I have ever done were Disney races, and to be honest, the main (ok, only!) reason I signed up was because it was yet another Disney experience! Nothing like having yet another excuse to take a trip to WDW!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Your purchases are really cute! What a great deal on the shirts. I really like the Crocs, and for $10, you just can't go wrong.

I might have to go hit up Disneyshopping.com, we have a $40 gift card I am trying to resist on using to save for December...but....but...sales are so tempting!

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Love the new purchases, especially the mickey shirt and the crocs. I have got to get myself some cute crocs or something comfy to go with capris also. I'll have to see how much I can find those for around here. You're making me want to venture back over to disney shopping Speaking of which, someone told me you can get disney dollars on there and I can't find them. Do you by any chance know where to get them?

 

[LaurenMic]

Hi Kristen!
All the stuff you bought looks great! Love the Vera Bradley, I am a huge fan, I have 3-4 of her bags. That is a great pattern/style, and it will be easy to carry around the parks. What a bargain finder you are!

I love the idea of getting the kids something ahead of time! They will never know the difference so you save some money but still get them something nice They will look adorable in their new sweatshirts!

Kyle and I are heading up your way soon, well to Boston so sort of haha! We have Red Sox tickets for May 6th and 7th. I love it up there, I would move to your area if it wasn't for us being stuck in CT for Kyle's work. Oh well, maybe someday!

Have a great weekend!

 

[julezdisney]

CUTE purchases!

 

[joelp]

Arrival day Monday, 9/14
Mom & my flight leaves Boston about 7 a.m. due to land in Orlando about 10:30 a.m., breeze through ME, head to POP. Jodi will be driving up from SC and it's about a 5 hour trip to Orlando for her, so she'll plan to meet us at POP about noontime. We'll grab lunch at "Everything POP", tour the resort, hopefully get our room and clean up, monorail ride, we're planning on heading to DTD this afternoon/night to get into the spirit of things, have a nice dinner and head to be early so we're ready for the next day. I was thinking about having dinner at "The Wave" in the Contemporary, my Mom & sis like sushi, it's newer, anyone hear anything about it? Suggestions? Ideas?

Lots of traveling if you're gonna go to DTD and the Contemporary and ride the monorail ... You may want to consider doing DTD or a tour of the monorail resorts (and with good timing, you could watch the Electric Boat Pageant if you stick to the latter) ... Lots of good restaurant options in either case. Check out the menus on the All Ears web site ...

Tuesday, 9/15 Epcot day
lunch (Tanergine Cafe)
dinner (Le Celliar)

I've heard lots of good things about Tangerienne Cafe - it's on my short list ... Good luck with getting an ADR at Le Cellier!!


Wednesday, 9/16 MK day
Would love to make opening ceremonies this day, Mom & Jodi seem to care less either way, but I'm going to be there. I can't wait!!
lunch (Terrace Noodle)
dinner (Ohana)

You gotta be there for the opening!! And grab a spot directly in front of the train station ...



Thursday, 9/17 Epcot
lunch (Sunshine Seasons)
dinner (Teppan Edo)

Tappan Edo is great!!


Friday, 9/18 Departure day
We'll have our bags held at POP and head over to DHS for the morning.
breakfast (CS) at resort
lunch at DHS (TS) Anyone? Thinking Brown Derby....
back to resort, pickup from Magical Express about 3ish for our 7pm flight. Has anyone left at this time? Do you think it's doable to do DHS that morning and spend most of the day there? We usually fly out earlier in the day, so wasn't sure if this would work or not? Thoughts? Ideas?

No problem - and DHS is a nice, relaxing park to visit on your last day. However, you may want to stick to just a CS lunch to save time and use that 4th TS for a meal at Epcot (maybe an early breakfast with the princesses at Akershus? - or at the Crystal Palace in the MK?) - especially since you'll be spending two days at Epcot ...

We're trying to eat at some new places that we haven't been to. I did eat at Le Celliar and can't wait to go again but everything else (other than "Everything POP" will be new for us). We can't make dining ressies until the end of June, but it's good to be prepared and I'm starting to think I should have back up ideas of places to go to because of the free dining. So if anyone has any other dining ideas for me, I'd love to hear them!!

MK Counter Service - try Columbia Harbor House if you're in that area of the park instead of trekking over to Tomorrowland ... and go upstairs for a quieter meal ...

Does anyone think only one day in MK is not enough besides me? Is that enough as adults?

Should be enough - (yea - who am I kidding - one day is NEVER enough!!!) ... also consider taking advantage of evening EMH ...

Okay...off to catch up around here some, hope to hear from you all soon!!

I'm here ... and all caught up ...

Plans look good, but be sure to check the park calendars when they come out in early June. You may want to revise your plan based on EMH, Fantasmic! and Spectromagic schedule, anticipated crowd levels, etc.

And no visit to Animal Kingdom?? I think you may have more fun at AK than DHS ... (check with Mom ...)

And don't forget afternoon breaks - especially on the Epcot days (lots of walking) and if the weather's hot, hazy, humid (in other words, like it is here in NJ ... )

I'm going with my Mom, too in September ... and like yours, she's excited about being in WDW with all her boys and grandaughters - first family trip in about 30 years (when we all went to ... WDW!)

But it looks like our paths will only cross ... as we travel on busses to different parks!!

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

I'm in...


Good for you on the 5k. I was doing the Couch to 5k program and was on week six when my mom had to undergo emergency surgery and almost died.

She was diagnosed with stage 3 Colon Cancer and just finished her 9th Chemo treatment. She is doing great and just turned 73!!!

Anywho....needless to say that derailed the program....I plan to start again. It was great for beginners but it sounds like you are well underway. Good luck to you on that.

We will be staying at Pop for the first time Sept 4th through the 9th to celebrate out 10 year anniversary and my b-day. I couldn't resist free dining and we couldn't afford to recreate our honeymoon trip to Alaska.


As for getting your mom and sister into MK early....would you consider making an early ADR for Crystal Palace? Their breakfast is so yummy and I think it's so pretty inside.....I know you won't have the kiddos but I would do it without our son in a heartbeat. OR how about Kona Cafe for an early breakfast then Monorail to MK?

What about Boma for a breakfast or dinner? I can't remember if you went there on your last trip or not. Both are very good and it could be an option if you don't get your first picks. Plus you can look around AKL too.

I think both Boma and Crytal Palace are reasonable to pay out of pocket if you don't want to use credits.

Because it may be 1000 degrees our trip is going to be alot of water parks. I think we will breakfasts, water parks, rest a bit then parks at night. The one exception will be one day of MK with an early ADR at Crystal Palace.

Okay, now I am rambling....


Catch up soon


Oh and does your hubby ever get that he looks like the guy who won the first Apprentice? I think his name was Bill?? Reading your last trip report everytime I saw a pic that's who popped in my head

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

I'm in...


Good for you on the 5k. I was doing the Couch to 5k program and was on week six when my mom had to undergo emergency surgery and almost died.

She was diagnosed with stage 3 Colon Cancer and just finished her 9th Chemo treatment. She is doing great and just turned 73!!!

Anywho....needless to say that derailed the program....I plan to start again. It was great for beginners but it sounds like you are well underway. Good luck to you on that.

We will be staying at Pop for the first time Sept 4th through the 9th to celebrate out 10 year anniversary and my b-day. I couldn't resist free dining and we couldn't afford to recreate our honeymoon trip to Alaska.


As for getting your mom and sister into MK early....would you consider making an early ADR for Crystal Palace? Their breakfast is so yummy and I think it's so pretty inside.....I know you won't have the kiddos but I would do it without our son in a heartbeat. OR how about Kona Cafe for an early breakfast then Monorail to MK?

What about Boma for a breakfast or dinner? I can't remember if you went there on your last trip or not. Both are very good and it could be an option if you don't get your first picks. Plus you can look around AKL too.

I think both Boma and Crytal Palace are reasonable to pay out of pocket if you don't want to use credits.

Because it may be 1000 degrees our trip is going to be alot of water parks. I think we will breakfasts, water parks, rest a bit then parks at night. The one exception will be one day of MK with an early ADR at Crystal Palace.

Okay, now I am rambling....


Catch up soon


Oh and does your hubby ever get that he looks like the guy who won the first Apprentice? I think his name was Bill?? Reading your last trip report everytime I saw a pic that's who popped in my head

LOL That's funny! I never noticed it until you said it but, yes, his name is Bill and Todd really does look like him a lot!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

LOL That's funny! I never noticed it until you said it but, yes, his name is Bill and Todd really does look like him a lot!!

He really does!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

SOOO cute! I may have to get some of those

They are pretty cute, aren't they? And they come in a lot of colors...I've been looking them up online to see reviews and they are cute in color, too. But the white will be nice with everything this Summer and for my vacation. Plus, they are super comfy, just like my mary janes!!

I love the Crocs you got! Those will look very cute with capris. I have been eyeing that style for awhile now.

I had some kids I had to buy souvenirs for when I went in 2005. I ended up getting some stuffed animals on clearance at the Disney Store along with some towels and they never knew any different! Plus I didn't have to lug home souvenirs.

The tees are super cute! I love them, especially the Tink one for you.

Thanks for the tip, LL. They are cute, aren't they? I think I could wear them with capris, shorts, or even skirts, right? I've never seen that style before but that was the only pair Ocean State had in my size. So I said, why not for the price, and now I'm glad I got them!!!

That's what I was thinking to about the souvies...less for me to search for in the parks and less to carry home for the boys. I will most likely get them something else small like a pin or something but at least they will have a new sweatshirt going into our New England Fall!!

HI Kristen!!

I'm not sure how I missed you starting this...but I'm here now!
I'm going to subscribe and get caught up tonite...I wanna go outside and play in the sunshine this morning

Paula

Hi Paula! Thanks for finding me and joining along!! Glad to have you here!!! Hope you got to enjoy some of the nice weather this weekend!!

Ooops. Too obsessed for my own good. Love the t-shirt you got for yourself. Score on the sweatshirts for the kids. I love your crocs- they're adorable! I didn't end up shopping yesterday but I think I may now...

So..did you find anything shopping? Sorry!!

Congrats on signing up for your 1st 5k. Before you know it, you will be coming up with excuses to do Disney races - LOL!

The only races I have ever done were Disney races, and to be honest, the main (ok, only!) reason I signed up was because it was yet another Disney experience! Nothing like having yet another excuse to take a trip to WDW!!!

Shhh...don't tell Todd.....you may be onto something! It may be worth me always running to get into that marathon!! How long have you been running? It's a lot of work...when you're as out of shape as I am! I'm doing the "couch to 5K" training....so far so good, but just not sure how I'll do that day of the race!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Your purchases are really cute! What a great deal on the shirts. I really like the Crocs, and for $10, you just can't go wrong.

I might have to go hit up Disneyshopping.com, we have a $40 gift card I am trying to resist on using to save for December...but....but...sales are so tempting!

Ooo Brook, there are a lot of great deals on there right now...did you get a chance to take a look? What did you find, if so? There is a Disney store at a mall about 1/2 hour from here and this weekend we ended up there and I went into get my Disney fix, well, don't you know, they have the same deal in store, without shipping so I could have got the tshirts there BUT I had the 25% off coupon so even with shipping I thnk I did pretty well for myself! They haven't come yet, but seeing them in person this weekend I was happy with my choices.

Love the new purchases, especially the mickey shirt and the crocs. I have got to get myself some cute crocs or something comfy to go with capris also. I'll have to see how much I can find those for around here. You're making me want to venture back over to disney shopping Speaking of which, someone told me you can get disney dollars on there and I can't find them. Do you by any chance know where to get them?

Thanks Tracy, I made out well, did you check it out? Did you get anything? I'm not sure about the Disney Dollars online, never tried that before...do you have a Disney store near you? Maybe you could call Disney merchandising and get them?? Just an idea!

Hi Kristen!
All the stuff you bought looks great! Love the Vera Bradley, I am a huge fan, I have 3-4 of her bags. That is a great pattern/style, and it will be easy to carry around the parks. What a bargain finder you are!

I love the idea of getting the kids something ahead of time! They will never know the difference so you save some money but still get them something nice They will look adorable in their new sweatshirts!

Kyle and I are heading up your way soon, well to Boston so sort of haha! We have Red Sox tickets for May 6th and 7th. I love it up there, I would move to your area if it wasn't for us being stuck in CT for Kyle's work. Oh well, maybe someday!

Have a great weekend!

Thanks Lauren for your sweet comments. Yes, I'm a bargain shopper for sure! You have to be with three little ones and one income! But I love the challenge, too!! LOL! And do pretty well.

Yay for going to the Red Sox game!We just went to see the Paw Sox on Saturday afternoon with the boys in RI. It was fun and the right speed for the boys...plus, it was sooo nice out so it was fun!! Boston is a great city...hope you get to move there someday!!

CUTE purchases!

Thank you!!!! I made out pretty well, didn't I? And to think, I still have 4+ more months to go!!!