We can't only go once in 2015!! The Cruise doesn't count.

[cogero]

Hi Everyone

My name is Chiara and I am a Disney Addict. I haven't done a PTR in a while and I missed it so I decided to do one for this trip.

We became DVC members in 2008 and have always had multiple trips planned but this year we didn't. I mean we do have a cruise on the Magic in August but that doesn't count as WDW. It also mean we had no AP renewals planned which led to a depression and anxiety on my part. It made me sad. So DH and I started talking and debating the point.

Well I was out and about on day and DH called me and Said he found a 2BR standard View for November 24-29 at Kidani Village. My words were book it. LOL HE did take the initiative to look for a trip. I wasn't letting that go.

So let me introduce our cast of characters for our November trip. I will introduce our fellow cruisers in another post.

ME and DH Gerard (this is one of my favorites for 2014)



and from our April 2015 trip

Next is our Kiddos Chiara (oldest) Jimmy and Sami (the baby)


and us all together on Sami's first trip in 2013

Our son is Autistic so going to Disney makes lots of sense to us. He is turning into a thrill ride Junkie.

 

[cogero]

Now a bit about the cruise. We are cruising on the Disney Magic from August 22-29 leaving from Barcelona and going to Italy and France. This will be our first time in Europe and we are kind of excited.

Going with us are my parents,they are getting older and we want to cherish our time together. This is from their 50th Anniversary party last year.


Also going with us are my Sister Franni and her husband Ed. This is from when they came with us in 2013


The cruise has been paid off and we now need to find flights, which has been giving me headaches and anxiety.

 

[cogero]

So I figured I should tell you more about us.

I am Chiara, a 40 something mom to 3. I work for my parents managing realestate and a construction office. and am a Beachbody Coach. I also love to sew for my kiddos. Though only the youngest really wears customs on our trip. I have been married to my fabulous husband Gerard for 18 years and we have been together for 20.

Gerard is a 40 something police officer, who is stuck working for 4 more years while our oldest goes to high school here in NY. Then he is retiring and we are moving our of NYC. We are getting to old for the cold winters.

Our oldest is Chiara Michelle, yes she is named after me. She is in the 8th grade and is going to high school in september. She is getting to old. She is such an awesome kid. She is excited about graduating from Middle school in June and going to high school where she will be in honors classes. She also received a partial scholarship for high school. She is also finishing up her 10th year of dance. Yesterday was a competition day.

Next is Jimmy. He is 7 and he has it a bit rough. He is non-verbal and autistic with a side of ADHD. He goes to a special school and we are trying to give him a little bit more independence. (There may be a poop story or two thrown in here)

and lastly is our surprise. Sami or rather Samantha. She is almost 2. She was a huge surprise to DH and I. She was born in 2013 and is showing us a whole new side to parenthood. I will say it is lucky she is so cute because she is a sassy and bratty 2 year old. She knows she is the youngest and spoiled beyond all get out.

So that is a bit about us.

 

[cajunfan]

I'm here! Can't wait to read more!

 

[jessica52877]

Me too!!

 

[cogero]

Me too!!

yeah Welcome

I'm here! Can't wait to read more!

yeah welcome.

So glad to have you all here.

I joined a couple of cruise groups last night for my cruise. Thinking about the FE

Also I seriously need to try all of Sami's customs on her to see what I can have work for the cruise. I do not want to be waiting for the last minute.

It is Monday and DH and I are starting a new workout routine which ought to be interesting. I have an order to work on because the weekend was spent at a dance competition. So we shall see what actually gets done.I also want to make a list for a patio garden that I am going to put on the balcony outside my bedroom. I want to grow some tomatoes and cucumbers and see what else will work.

Time to get moving because my car is running on empty.

 

[cajunfan]

Ohhh...can't wait to see what you come up with for FE gifts..you are sooo creative. I have a friend going on a cruise in Sept...I have had fun seeing her gifts. She is another creative creature! Have a good week!

 

[cogero]

Well the Cruise extender gifts are going to have to be something light because we are flying to Spain. I need to really figure out what everyone wants to do.

traveling with others always sounds like a good idea until the details have to be planned.

In other news we had an awesome Saturday at the dance competition Cs group scored a couple overall trophies which is great. I bought a new bathing suit in a smaller size and Red.

yesterday I did some work but I have been slacking and am under the gun to finish an order today but thankfully the cutting is done and the bodice is almost finished. Maybe a I will post a picture later as it is for my cousins daughter and it is cute. I took the easy way out and decided on no appliqué because it was character fabric.

well I need to go make a lunch, get Sami up, drive the oldest to school and then work out. I may be back because I have to start planning our dining and we only have one restaurant nailed down for November.

 

[MrsDrewsky]

Reading along! I am excited to read about your cruise and your November trip.

Sami is getting so big, and oh my word, she is so cute!

 

[cogero]

Start sharing your favorite Dining at WDW.

The only place I know we are going for sure is Biergarten as it is Jimmy's Favorite.

 

[cogero]

I went to lunch with my Dad on Thursday or was it Wednesday and we discussed a couple things to do on our Cruise. Rome seems to be the place everyone wants to do something so we will need to figure it out.

As for our November trip I am working on trying to preliminary plan our days. Need to Schedule those dining ADRs.

I also seriously need to hang up the old customs and the ones I have been accumulating and see what we need for both trips.

There doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day for all I want to do.

For those of you that don't know me I became a new mom for the 3rd time at 41, it was a rough pregnancy with huge weight gain and a tough recovery. Well since I had Samantha in June of 2013 I have lost 75 pounds and am working towards being healthier and fitter. It is a huge part of my life to the point that i gave up some other things to get on this track. It is still a struggle for me to get the nutrition right but I am happy with the direction I am going.

 

[cogero]

So new real news to update. We have Biergarten and I think Jiko planned. I just can't figure out what else we should do.

I am thinking Crystal Palace for a character meal.

I did officially extend an invitation to my parents but we will se what happens with that.

 

[cogero]

So how about some pictures of my cute kids. We are in fallout crazy end of the year mode and we still have 6 weeks of school left.

Lets Start with Jimmy Pajama Day is Monday and Jimmy wears special pjs that zip up the back to prevent poop messes. Yeah well they don't work any more and I don't think they are a great fit for school so I will be making him a new set this weekend. Here he is in the last set of PJs I made him.


and how about a favorite picture of mine from our last trip of C.


I love flower and garden. Hoping to go back next year but our trips are all screwy because C is in high school and has a different vacation from J.

And how about a fun photo of me and Sami, she is a wiggle worm and always on the go.


I need to get busy as I have to work on a gift and those PJs today. Along with some other things and C has dance this afternoon.

Have an awesome day and PS if you have a favorite restuaraunt post it here

 

[cogero]

Yesterday was ADR day and I had reports of there being no availability and it hard to book things.

We had very little trouble the only thing we couldn't get was LeCellier but that is okay.

11.24 Les Chefs de France Dinner
11.25 Biergarten (jimmy's favorite)
11.26 Tutto Italia (we tend to eat a lot of holiday dinners here)
1127 Breakfast Crystal Palace (we haven't done this one in a very long time)
Dinner Akerhaus
11.28 Breakfast Play and Dine (this one gave us a tiny bit of trouble but we were able to get it)
Dinner Jiko

I also booked our flights down on Jet Blue I was able to get our favorite Flight down at 6am for about $185 a person. Now I need to keep a look out for flight home. I am hoping for under $300 per person since it is Thanksgiving weekend.

Also going to be watching car rental rates as it works better for us to have the car.


I want to post pictures later today.