I am here from the October 2011 thread too. in fact, i realized i need to get started on my own PTR too!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=39670486#post39670486
What a great family you have, looks to be an awesome trip and having mom to help is always great! Good luck on securing AKL on rented points, hopefully something comes through for you! renting is a great option! Before we bought DVC, we stayed at POR a lot and it was nice for a moderate.
Your little puppy is so darn cute! Congrats! The kids are gorgeous too! You know my DH finally 'got' the disney magic after seeing our son on his first trip- that is what convinced him to buy DVC. I had never even considered it before, since I knew DH wasn't a disney fan. But seeing our son's eyes light up as he caught 'snow' in the Osborne lights, well I think that was enough to melt his heart and want to come back for years to come!

hopefully same will happen for you!