Sarilas' O-fficial Pre-Trip Report (a.k.a. Vacation, Take TWO!) - Jan. 30-Feb. 8, '09

[Sarilas]

I've been remiss in my updating you on recent purchases, so here's an overall post with some pics for you!

First of all, I don't THINK I posted that we received our customized park maps some time ago! We ordered one for each of the four main parks, customized with where we'll be eating, where we'd LIKE to be eating and our top ride choices- they're just too cute and the kids LOVE them!

Now, a couple (few?) weeks ago I hit up Macy's for some back to school shopping for the older kids (they wear uniforms to school) but I came across this $26 swimsuit in Anastasia's size (3T) that I could NOT pass up... because it was marked down to $3!

She looks SO cute in yellow...

Then this past weekend, after Anastasia's not-a-birthday party ( ) my DH and I ran away from home for a little shopping time. He needed school supplies (art school) from Michael's where I found these bargains!

There are some clear Mickey head bubble scrapbooking stickers, an embroidered 'Disney' scrapbooking sticker, an Evil Queen counted cross stitch, some fusible inkjet sheets (for t-shirts or bags or whatever), a Tink diary with a lock (for Tatiana) and a holographic princess notebook for Anastasia... almost everything was in the $1 range and they'll make great 'Tink' gifts!

I also bought a Mickey head paper punch which is in use so it didn't get photographed... (Stay tuned for a picture of the FINISHED 50 day countdown calendar!)

Then I forced DH to let me run through the dollar store (luckily there's a guitar store next door) where I scored these:

Four magic towels (one for each munchkin), some carabineer clips (for the laminated park maps which will be strapped to the stroller... all of which I have yet to make!), and the first of many glow bracelets (when I left the store I wondered WHY I only bought one pack, but hey, they're there all the time so no worries!).

 

[Sarilas]

Sounds like he grew a lot over the summer, both physically and emotionally!

He did!

Now WHEN are you going to start a PTR, hmmm? We're going within a week of one another and I want to read all about your plans too!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love your purchases!!

I want a cute yellow princess bathing suit but I bet I wouldn't look as cute in it.

 

[willwriteforears]

Yay for trip purchases! The customized maps are really cool, aren't they?

Anastasia's swimsuit is adorable! Gotta love those $3 finds.

Are you planning on using the scrapbook supplies for the trip binder or for the actual scrapbook? If they're for the scrapbook, I don't know if I could wait that long myself!

 

[Sarilas]

Yay for trip purchases! The customized maps are really cool, aren't they?

Anastasia's swimsuit is adorable! Gotta love those $3 finds.

Are you planning on using the scrapbook supplies for the trip binder or for the actual scrapbook? If they're for the scrapbook, I don't know if I could wait that long myself!

I have NO idea what I'll use them for! Essentially I pick things up as I find and fall in love with them, and store them in my gigantic scrapbooking desk till inspiration strikes!

I love your purchases!!

I want a cute yellow princess bathing suit but I bet I wouldn't look as cute in it.

Ditto. But something tells me I can't pull it off the way Stasia will!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Fun Disney purchases! That Princess bathing suit is darling!

I love the hooks for hanging laminated park maps on the stroller -- what a cool idea!

I own a Mickey head punch and it may have been my best scrapbooking investment.

Can't wait to see the Countdown Calendar!

 

[trixiequilts]

Now WHEN are you going to start a PTR, hmmm? We're going within a week of one another and I want to read all about your plans too!

I would love to do a PTR/TR, but I think my husband would file for divorce if I spent any more time on the computer.

 

[Sarilas]

I love the hooks for hanging laminated park maps on the stroller -- what a cool idea!

Totally not my own idea, but definitely worth stealing!

I would love to do a PTR/TR, but I think my husband would file for divorce if I spent any more time on the computer.

Well yeah, there is THAT... Alright then feel free to post what you're doing planning wise here on my own thread. And you MUST let me know how your trip goes when you get back (and I'm in the midst of my Disney depression)!

 

[Sarilas]

144 days and counting!

That sounds like an eternity! But I realize it's going to fly by and the next thing you know I'll have started my actual TR!

First thing's first: Here's the newest addition to our countdown family... the Mickey head countdown calendar!

Under each day is a picture of a Disney character (no stickers- I printed each one out from clip art, then cut them out and pasted them down so tons of different characters are represented). Special days are also marked, such as Christmas and Walt's birthday!

Designed for toddler half of my children, this calendar starts at the 50 day mark... which means I can't actually put it into use until the Friday before Thanksgiving but that's okay - it gives me a mini- countdown to look forward to! (Now to then!) It's currently hidden behind our ever growing box 'o Disney stuff, until the time I can put it up and start letting the little girls have at it!

And just because they were on my desktop when I was uploading pics... here's one of Stasia from the birthday party we went to on Sunday (Disney Princess party, thank God Stasia's favorite character was represented!)

And one of my only boy-child when we were out at sushi... how can he possibly be turning 13 next month?!

 

[willwriteforears]

Ooh, that new countdown calendar is sparkly! Metaphorically speaking. And what do you mean it's for the toddler group? I'd love a countdown calendar with Disney characters under each Mickey head!

Stasia and Kyle look great. You have such photogenic children!

 

[Lady Lallie]

That is such an awesome countdown calendar. I want one! That is one thing I never made. I felt silly since it's just DH and I.

 

[TarzansKat]

Lara, I'm always awed by your creativity. That countdown calendar is awesome!

And isn't weird to think of your baby boy as 13? I'm having meltdowns over my DS going into preschool, I can only imagine how you must feel!

 

[Sarilas]

Thank you all! I have never gotten THIS into a vacation before so I'm taking advantage of every countdown and photo op I can. It's like taking a 6 month long vaca! Okay not ACTUALLY... but close!

And seriously... It's entirely possible that I will have a full on nervous breakdown on Kyle's birthday (which is September 11th of all days). He's already taller than me by a good inch, and I'm 5' 6".

I'm going to take to my bed all day with a bottle of wine and bon bons moaning about how my little boy has grown up!

 

[TarzansKat]

Thank you all! I have never gotten THIS into a vacation before so I'm taking advantage of every countdown and photo op I can. It's like taking a 6 month long vaca! Okay not ACTUALLY... but close!

And seriously... It's entirely possible that I will have a full on nervous breakdown on Kyle's birthday (which is September 11th of all days). He's already taller than me by a good inch, and I'm 5' 6".

I'm going to take to my bed all day with a bottle of wine and bon bons moaning about how my little boy has grown up!

Oh, hon.

I'll be crying right along with you! DS starts preschool on the 9th, the 11th will be his second day.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Lara, I really am so wowed by your countdown calendar! You have such great ideas!!!

It is amazing how quickly they grow up, isn't it? I think the wine and bonbons will be well-deserved!

 

[Sarilas]

Honestly I just see something someone else has and make it work for our own family! It was SO much fun to make (but not easy to keep out of the little ones' hands!)

 

[trixiequilts]

Uh-oh, I think I see another trip to Home Depot in my very near future! I don't have nearly enough freed MHs to do anything fun yet!

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I am finally, FINALLY, completely caught up!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I love love love your countdown calendar....I wish I had used stickers for the numbers on the mickey heads on mine like you did...next time!

 

[Sarilas]

Uh-oh, I think I see another trip to Home Depot in my very near future! I don't have nearly enough freed MHs to do anything fun yet!

Go forth and LIBERATE!

I am finally, FINALLY, completely caught up!

We've missed you, Tink! (And by we I mean ME)

I love love love your countdown calendar....I wish I had used stickers for the numbers on the mickey heads on mine like you did...next time!

Extra scrapbooking stickers - I wanted the numbers to be uniform and bright so they'd all stand out- It's one of my favorite things about the calendar!