Someday: the Sequel! A Dec 2013 PTR

[stephielela]

I am so glad the box was a hit! It's always nice to know you made someone's day, or that you made them ugly cry HAPPY TEARS!

 

[KatMark]

Okay I'm laying in bed and the tears are streaming down my face. What wonderful surprises for you and the kids.

Enjoy!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Tammy, thanks so much for posting the story and the photos. I felt like I was right there. You have such a lovely family with such sweet, gracious spirits that it is a joy to be a part of your lives.

 

[mrsksomeday]

I needed the tissues. Your family means so much to us, we love spreading pixie dust.

The pictures were just so precious. I love that Gavin and Brenda liked what we sent and your picture with the bag is priceless.

It was so wonderful to see all the goodies you received that day. Loved the Glow with the Show ears picture. Great surprises ladies!!

We can't wait to see you.

 

[Tinker_Tam]

December 6 plans sound great, Tammy.

This is our Studios day for the Osborne Lights, but we might be at Epcot later that evening for EMH's.

I hope you get a few of the Storybook tellers in...they truly are wonderful.

I want to make sure we hit a few. If the kids are too into rides on this day we have another Epcot day that they may be more calm. I think if I find them a snack to have they will watch the storytellers!

We still need to figure out what day we are meeting up!!!!

Great plans!! I am bummed about the tiered system, and when I did our FP's for January, Illuminations viewing wasn't listed

Edit: NOW it's listed but it's still a tier 1 option and we need to get Soarin FP's

We lucked out in the FP department. Being that I am so into Disney I did them as soon as I could. I do feel badly though for those that missed out. At first I was completely upset about it. Then I reminded myself that I was going to Disney World. While I get upset that the prices continue to go up and up and the "perks" seem to be going down, I am just looking forward to the magic. I also got a little sad when I saw that we will not get a KTTW card at Pop. I think I am most upset that its JUST Pop that is losing them.... It almost makes you feel like a second class citizen in Disney's eyes. The least they should have done was pulled all Values at once. Oh my, look at me... off on a tangent.

OMG, our trip that year was SO COLD!!!!! What was UP with that?!!? I can tell you, going last year in Nov, it was so nice to not have to worry about hats/gloves/coats! It was still cool- but some days we were quite warm!



I was there in Dec 2010, pregnant and it was so cold. I'm praying for good weather in March!

I am hoping to leave the winter gear packed in the car! It takes up too much space in the room. We will have it since we are leaving in the dead of winter in PA. I'll pray you have good weather in March! It has to be better than Dec 2010 was!!

Oops! I forgot to ask! What loom does Brenda use for her bracelets? I'm thinking of getting Cortlyn one- she LOVES projects and I think that this would be a good creative outlet for her!

Brenda has the "real" Rainbow Loom. I have seen some of the knock offs and while Brenda is not rough, I am not sure they would hold up very well for her. There are some braceletes where you have to take the loom apart and put it together in a different way. Some of the other's seem to have flimsy plastic. The Rainbow Loom brand is nice and sturdy!

The countdowns are great.

Day 7 sounds great. That is our first rest day.

Rest day??? What is that???

 

[Tinker_Tam]

I am so glad the box was a hit! It's always nice to know you made someone's day, or that you made them ugly cry HAPPY TEARS!

It was a HUGE hit!!! I have a funny story I am going to post about something in the box... as soon as I do replies. It's a quick story so stay glues here!!

Okay I'm laying in bed and the tears are streaming down my face. What wonderful surprises for you and the kids.

Enjoy!

Sorry to make you cry, but I think I mentioned somewhere you would need tissues!

It was a wonderful surprise. Both of the boxes were filled with so many goodies... the kids thought it was Christmas!

Tammy, thanks so much for posting the story and the photos. I felt like I was right there. You have such a lovely family with such sweet, gracious spirits that it is a joy to be a part of your lives.

Lenora, I so wish we had video taped us opening both boxes. The only video we could do was on the regular camera and unfortunately I didn't have it charged from when we went to Girl Scout camp. That will teach me. I did take a ton of pictures to help the story along. Besides, I would have been the one running it and you would have only been able to hear my sobs.
Thank you for your kind words about my family. We are the ones that are truly blessed.

I needed the tissues. Your family means so much to us, we love spreading pixie dust.

The pictures were just so precious. I love that Gavin and Brenda liked what we sent and your picture with the bag is priceless.

It was so wonderful to see all the goodies you received that day. Loved the Glow with the Show ears picture. Great surprises ladies!!

We can't wait to see you.

I knew you would need the tissues! I can't really remember what brought me to the DIS... I know a trip, but I mean I can't remember why SPECIFICALLY the DIS, but I am so thankful that whatever it was happened. Going to stop there before we are both crying again.

The kids LOVED the things in their bags. Both pester me EVERYDAY to where their new shirts... and everyday I tell them after DISNEY. Gavin must take a water bottle to school everyday for health reasons... to keep him well hydrated. When he is not hydrated well enough it starts to shut down his body. It is in the 504. Well, yesterday I had to inspect the backpack because he was trying to hide it from me. He had sneaked the water bottle in his backpack!

You'll get the chance to see many up close view of the Glow with the Show ears! After all, I am sure they will wear them at the dessert party. My best guess is I will be wresting them off their heads at bedtime.

We will see you in 15 Day!!! I can't wait to see the kids faces when they see you and Bill at Pop! I guess I should pick up extra napkins when we get our desserts... I will be crying I am sure!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Lenora PMed me this morning and wanted to make sure we had gotten the Visa card that was in their package and not tossed with the packaging. It was part of a card from Jennifer. It's then I had to go back and re-read the post I made. Remember that I posted without proof reading last night. We had gotten it... and there is a funny story about it that I meant to share.

The cards were at the bottom of all the goodies. The kids are started to play... Gavin was playing with his cars and getting them in the cars wallet (That he LOVES--I did let him take it to the drs yesterday!) and Brenda was starting to get the dolls around to be transformed into Belle. (She gave each doll a turn to wear the new clothes). Jon and I were reading the cards... or I should say reading them the best we could through choked up tears. I didn't really know the kids were even listening but they would chime in with a comment here or there.

So we get to Jennifer's. Inside there is a Visa card. Jon immediately starts to well up and hands it over. Brenda asks what it was. I told her it was a Visa card to use in Disney World. Without missing a beat she says "Oh, it's our Balloon money!" I also replied, as fast as I could, "No, it's OUR Lapu Lapu fund!" Then I had to explain to her what a Lapu Lapu is!!! Yes, one of my goals is to have a Lapu Lapu while we are at dinner at O'hanas. I love Pinapple... LOVE tropical drinks... and just think it is the coolest to be drinking a tropical drink out of a coconut! I bet it tastes better then delicious!!!

 

[mrsksomeday]

I love Pinapple... LOVE tropical drinks... and just think it is the coolest to be drinking a tropical drink out of a coconut! I bet it tastes better then delicious!!!

Oh my dear I need to teach you so much about Disney's alcoholic drinks. Pete's Fire Punch at the Spirit of Aloha show comes in a coconut.

The glorious Lapu Lapu comes in a pineapple.



I have failed you. I will begin our lessons soon after I arrive, a piña colava perhaps from Pop's pool bar?

 

[emmysmommy]

Oh my gosh!!! I'm in tears and I've not had the pleasure to meet any of you lovely people!! How incredibly blessed are you to have these Dis friends! Definitely enjoy that lapu lapu!! It will be all the sweeter since you'll think of your Dis friends!

 

[jenseib]

I am so glad you enjoyed everything! We really were working to figure out what would be best to get the kids. We kept throwing out ideas and most all of them were good and it was hard to narrow it down. But when we came up with the light up hats, it was a winner as we knew the kids wanted those and it was something that would get use! We did some sneaky asking of friends to get your address and the kids favorite characters, etc.
I am glad you found the visa too. I was worried in all the ugly crying with blurry eyes it got missed and perhaps thrown away with paper! Have fun and enjoy it!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

Oh my dear I need to teach you so much about Disney's alcoholic drinks. Pete's Fire Punch at the Spirit of Aloha show comes in a coconut.

The glorious Lapu Lapu comes in a pineapple.



I have failed you. I will begin our lessons soon after I arrive, a piña colava perhaps from Pop's pool bar?

I am guessing Pina Colavas from Petals will be a must do on our first night we meet! LOL It will be the end of our second day so I think it will be much needed at that point!

Oh my gosh!!! I'm in tears and I've not had the pleasure to meet any of you lovely people!! How incredibly blessed are you to have these Dis friends! Definitely enjoy that lapu lapu!! It will be all the sweeter since you'll think of your Dis friends!

I am truly blessed. As I have said before, I am not sure what pointed me to the Dis originally but I am so glad that I found it. I have met some truly amazing people on here.

I might have to get a picture of my drinking my Lapu Lapu and send them all! Although, that might be a little mean!!!

I am so glad you enjoyed everything! We really were working to figure out what would be best to get the kids. We kept throwing out ideas and most all of them were good and it was hard to narrow it down. But when we came up with the light up hats, it was a winner as we knew the kids wanted those and it was something that would get use! We did some sneaky asking of friends to get your address and the kids favorite characters, etc.
I am glad you found the visa too. I was worried in all the ugly crying with blurry eyes it got missed and perhaps thrown away with paper! Have fun and enjoy it!

You all did a great job! I can't think of anything that would have made the kids any happier than the things you sent. When Gavin is having a rough day, much the way he has been, I can turn the ears on and set them in front of him and he stares at them. After a while, even though he is feeling miserable, I will see the smile start to sneak in and know everything is alright.

I am so glad I am on the same side as all you ladies. I would hate to be on an opposing team, as sneaky as you guys were!!

I was sad that I forgot to tell the story of the Visa card. That will teach me not to write on my PTR with tired eyes! Come to think of it...I only have 11days till we leave so I best get moving on this PTR!

************************
Sorry I haven't been on the last few days to post an update. Heck, I might have to finish this from Disney! No, I do promise to get a move on here soon!

Both kiddos have been sick the last few days and that has tied me to them more than normal. Brenda just got a nasty cough/ cold thing over the weekend. And of course, Gavin is still battling hand, foot and mouth disease... now a cold that is irratating the "wet" lung he saw the dr for a few days ago. He is on antibiotic so there isn't a lot they can do till the see if he is going to respond. He just started a second go around of the Amox in addition to a new one... and 3 new inhalers. So, as you can see, they have me stepping! I will try to gt another post soon! Hopefully tomorrow! I am running out of time!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm playing catch-up again and in order to not forget (I'll probably still forget something.), I'll comment as I read an update.

The countdown calendars are fantastic! I especially like the car countdown calendar. It'll surely help pass those miles and minutes.

Okay, back to read some more.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Read one more so I need to comment before moving on. You really did luck upon the Fastpasses! Yay for getting them before they changed the rule/system. Hopefully Gavin will be tall enough to ride everything that he wants.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oh have mercy! I just read the posts about the gifts that you received from your wonderful friends. The picture of Jon with his hand on his head said it all....overwhelmed at the generosity of others and such joy and disbelief. I'd be crying ugly tears too if I were you!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Again, how very kind of your friends! The Visa card was a nice "addition" to the box. I've had a lapu lapu and it was super strong. But, I don't drink so what do I know?

Okie dokie, I'm all caught up again.

 

[Tinker_Tam]

I'm playing catch-up again and in order to not forget (I'll probably still forget something.), I'll comment as I read an update.

The countdown calendars are fantastic! I especially like the car countdown calendar. It'll surely help pass those miles and minutes.

Okay, back to read some more.

It seems I am always playing catch up! Always one step behind on things!

I am hoping that the kids are sound asleep for a few of those states! If not, I am going to have 2 super grumpy butts that first day!

Read one more so I need to comment before moving on. You really did luck upon the Fastpasses! Yay for getting them before they changed the rule/system. Hopefully Gavin will be tall enough to ride everything that he wants.

I have wanted to change a few that I have read I don't need FP for, but they seem to all be in Epcot and DHS... so I guess they stay the same so I can keep the good ones. Oh well! I am happy just to be there!

When we had Gavin to the drs last week he was right at 40 inches without shoes. It would be nice if he got 1 more inch so that it wasn't a question, but I think for the most part he will be good... I hope! Pixie Dust wouldn't even be enough to help us if Gavin is turned down for some of the rides he wants to do.

Oh have mercy! I just read the posts about the gifts that you received from your wonderful friends. The picture of Jon with his hand on his head said it all....overwhelmed at the generosity of others and such joy and disbelief. I'd be crying ugly tears too if I were you!

We were completely surprised and blown away. As I said, I knew Tracy and Bill's box was coming... but I had no idea of the awesomeness inside it... and then when Natalie, Lenora, Stephanie, and Jennifer's box arrived the same day... I had no idea! So very sweet of all of them. But I must tell you, I have NEVER met a bad DISer!!

Again, how very kind of your friends! The Visa card was a nice "addition" to the box. I've had a lapu lapu and it was super strong. But, I don't drink so what do I know?

Okie dokie, I'm all caught up again.

Yeah, I am not normally much of a drinker either. There usually isn't the chance with everything that goes on with Gavin. 1 Lapu lapu might knock my socks off!

Congrats on being all caught up... I am off to post an update!

 

[Tinker_Tam]

As I promised, I am back. I can't guarantee for how long... but for now I am back. Today is the first day in a while that BOTH kids have been in school. Although, the day is still young so you never know if they will stay. In any case, I really need to get this PTR rolling. I can not believe that we leave this cold tundra state of PA in just 10 measly days!! I have no idea where the last 8-ish months have gone. I am just hoping that time starts to slow down as soon as we see that Mickey sign. I really doubt that happens though. Isn't Mickey time like 5 minutes= 1 real time minute. It will be over before we know it... But we will savor EVERY MINUTE we have!! Including that I have told some, aka my DAD that I will NOT be answering the phone while I am in Disney. Now, for those of you that I gave my number for a meet up (or will get my number before we go) there are just a select few that I will answer for... all my DIS friends are including in that list. I wonder what we all did before Caller ID... Heck, I still remember my first cell phone... It was a HUGE HEAVY thing that you had to keep plugged into the car lighter. There was no charging it and NO ONE ever thought about carrying it around. It was called a"BAG PHONE" back then!!! Anyone else remember that??? Now I have really gotten off topic. Sorry about that. In that rant you may have gotten that I have stood up to my dad lately. I have already told him I will not be answering his calls while I am on vacation... much the same he doesn't call me when he is home or on vacation. I am not giving him the option of ruining a good day!!! So proud of me!!!

So this day might see my family sleeping in... well, for at least a little bit. We do have a FP window for Soarin from 11 to 12. Yes, I am sure the kids will want to ride this more than 1 time on this trip and I really did luck out in making the FP before the tiered system went into place. Finally, I did something right!

The next FP I am told was not really worthy of a FP. The FP is for Character Spot. I guess since they redid the area it is not much of a wait. I just remember the last trip we waited in line for what felt like FOREVER to see the characters here. I know the kids are at the age where, the next trip... a LONG LONG time from now (in Jon's words) they won't be as into seeing the characters. Besides, I have to make use of that PP I pre-purchased! The really funny thing now is that I CAN'T change it. If I were to do that I would lose one of the awesome FP we have for this day.

Our last FP is for Test Track! I am sure Gavin will love this. He is all about the cars and speed! I really am hoping that he doesn't shrink. Sometimes he goes backwards an inch or two. He does pick it back up the next month but he will be so disappointed to miss this! I think I am going to start hanging him on the wall at night to sleep... encouraging him to grow. (For the record, I am NOT going to hang my son on the wall to stretch him!)

I am sure that we will hit many other things this day since it is our last Epcot day. I have been kicking around the thought of taking Brenda to Pick a Pearl. I got mine the last time and I cherish it so much. Here is another flash back memory... There once was a Sea World on Ohio. My family made regular stops there EVERY summer. It was a trip that wasn't too far from home and we had an aunt (mom's aunt) that lived there. So, each summer, growing up we would pack as many family members in the car (way before seat belt rules! )and we would head off for a few days to see my mom's aunt Sis. While we were at Aunt Sis' house we would do tons of things but my favorite was always the days we went to Sea World. And each trip would not be complete without my mom getting a pearl. See now, back in those days there was a woman that would dive to the bottom of the pool. You would be given a bucket and you would send it over the ledge and she would put the oyster into your bucket. You would then take your bucket to a counter where they would open and clean you pearl. Now remember, this is how I remember things... and since I was knee high to a grasshopper at the time, it might have been different. It was always great when mom's pearl would be revealed. She NEVER got any of them set, which I thought was odd but in the end I realized it was the memory of us doing that, that made that special for her. When she died her baggy of pearls was in her jewelry box. I think dad has them now. I know when I got my pearl last trip, it was one of my favorite things to do at Epcot. I loved it!!! I just think that Brenda would have a great time with this and I could get her a pearl carriage from Ebay, like I did for mine... and heck if we are going to get her one, I might just need another! I do think this would be a lot of fun for her, but I also think its going to depend on what else she decides she wants this trip. Any one done this lately??? I am wondering how much it costs now.

So, again, I start off trying to tell you one thing and relive a favorite memory of my mom. Hope you all didn't get too bored during all that. I think the only thing that gets me a little sad every once in a while, about the trip, is that my mom would have LOVED doing this with the kids! There is nothing in the world that would have stopped her from coming along with the kids... and in the end they would be spoiled rotten! I just find comfort in the fact that I am sure she looks down on them while they are doing these fun things... and probably egging them on the best she can from up there.

After all of the FP and possibly pick a pearl... and some countries are studied (got to get that educational side filled for school), we are having dinner at a new place for us... at least new for dinner. We are headed to Ohana for dinner. Now I must tell you, I hear good things and bad things about Ohana so I am hoping for a good experience. The last trip (look at me saying the last trip like we have had so many trips! )we did breakfast and LOVED it... so it was Jon's choice to try dinner... unless it was good and then it was ALL MY IDEA! I am sure we will love it though. So after our bellies are full we have a few options. We have thought about going back to Epcot. We have thought about DTD, since we are nearing the end of the trip. We have thought about going back to the hotel to rest. In the end, we decided... to play it by ear! Yes, can you believe we are leaving any minute unplanned?? If there is more we would like to do we will most likely head back to Epcot.... but it is no big deal if we want to do something else since we are doing Illuminations the night before. The other part of me says that we didn't spend much time at all in DTD. I am sure Gavin will want to make a last stop at the LEGO store... and Brenda at every other store in DTD! So we are just going to wait and see what we want to do... and the fact is, we may be so tired at this point that a resort evening might sound good.

So there you have it... Day number 8! So hard to believe that at this points we will be starting to wind down the trip. I am hoping the trip last as long as it has taken me to write about the trip in this PTR!

I do hope to wrap this PTR up this week. I only have 2 days to go so it shouldn't be too bad! I still have a million things on the list to do... including all of our matchy-match shirts! And I have only started the packing lists... nothing in the bags yet! Not sure what I am waiting for. I am sure we won't be needing capris or shorts till we leave! Especially if the snow starts flying again!!

 

[NiniMorris]

We will be in Epcot that day too!


Having dinner at Biergarten (I think)



Nini

 

[stephielela]

Your plans sound great! I did pick a pearl last year but I can't remember how much it was... I let Jack pick it out for me My parents got me a pearl in Hawaii that they are setting for my birthday so I am hoping to have them set together... What a great memory of your mom! She sounds just like you, absolutely the best mom!

 

[KatMark]

That is our last day there. But we will be in Epcot from around 1 p.m. until closing. So I am sure we will run into each other there at some point.

I try not to answer my phone on vacation either. If it's something urgent, Andy will text me. Markie just texts me to annoy me.

I can't believe how fast the trips are coming up.