We went from 5people to 14 to 10, 9, 8??!?! PTR 1 WEEK TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[starann]

That's right, I just had a baby (he was a month old yesterday) and am already planning his 1st trip to WDW....never too young to start an obession...errrr LOVE of the Mouse!!!!

I'm battling some post partum depression and a wise friend suggested focusing on planning a trip. Now I just need to get DH on board! Our last trip was Sept/Oct 2010 and he said that was IT for awhile. Our 111 year old house needs a new roof and since the trees in the yard have yet to produce money, our tax return will be spent on a new roof, unless we refinance the house before then and take some of the re-fi money to do it.

I am thinking of surprising DH with this as a b-day gift. His b-day is in Nov and next year he will be 39 (there is no way I can wait until he is 40!!!). But I doubt I will be able to keep my excitement from him in the planning of it, so he will end up finding out.

How will I pay for this you ask.......by busting my bootie off at work to bonus each month. I am a visiting nurse but only work weekends (which saves us a TON on daycare). We are required to see a certain number of patients each day (I work 12 hours) but often are busy and we can see more patients if we like, which is figured into our statictis for the month and if we are over our required amount we get a bonus for the ones beyond that. That money is extra money so I will take half of my bonus and put it away each month. I hope to do this for a few months THEN present DH with the idea of another trip!!!!!

Sounds good, right!

up next...who we are and pictures!

 

[starann]

Before I start, I had a "YAY" moment just now. DH and I are sitting on the couch, watching tv together. We are talking about if our OBX vacation falls through (more on that later) if he will bank the vaction time or stay at home, his response was "Save money and we will go to WDW at the end of the year" WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I really hope that doesn't happen as we are really looking forward to our OBX vacation, but it was nice to hear mr grumpy say that!!!!


Ok, Introductions....................

Me: Star (yup, that's really my name!). I am a 31 year old wife, mom and nurse. I work 12 hours on Sat and 12 on Sun as a visiting nurse (I go into peoples homes to treat them). I used to work mon-fri but with the 3 kids daycare was CRAZY so I switched to weekends and LOVE it. I have been to WDW at age 7, multiple times as a late teen then again in 2006, 2008 and 2010. I LOVE it there and would prefer to vacation at WDW over any other place.

DH: Randy. Randy is a former Dept of Defense firefighter now mon-fri building/fire inspector. He is going to be 38 this year. He has an antique firetruck which he enters into car and truck shows and parades. He had never been to WDW before 2006, stating "Why would I want to see some over priced, over grown RAT!" Needless to say he has been in 2006, 2008 and 2010!!!

DS1: Cody is 7 and is just finishing up 1st grade. He is a really bright boy, LOVES to read but has some emotional immaturity issues that often causes meltdowns. He loves POTC and Star Wars. He has been to WDW 3 times now and is asking when can we go back!

DS2: Shane is 6 and is finishing up Kindergarten. He is a sweet boy who knows how to push all of my buttons lately!!! He does GREAT in school and is looking forward to buying lunch next year in the cafeteria! He also LOVES Sar Wars.

DS3: Casey....aka CJ. He was born Friday May 13th and is overall a good baby..except that he has his days and nights mixed up, which makes for a REALLY tired Mommy! We found out I was preggo a few weeks before our last trip in Sept (which meant no drinks for me!). Thankfully I was feeling ok that trip, but when I came home, it all started to fall apart....I ended up getting so sick I lost 20 pounds in 3 weeks, was diagnosed with hyperemesis (severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy), was put on a pump of medicine (Zofran) to help the nausea stop, the pump gave me an infection. Finally got rid of the pump around Thanksgiving time and the middle of December I started having issues with a super fast heart beat (tachycardia) and then passed out at work, so I was admitted to the hospital over New Years. That continued to be an issue, along with high blood pressure until the end of the pregnancy when I started having kidney issues and pre-eclampsia. So it was not an easy pregnancy! I was induced and 3 hours and 55 minutes later we found out baby #3 was baby boy #3!!!!!!!! Other than as an embryo, he has never been to WDW, but I am itching to take him to meet Mickey!

Newborn

Just the 3 of us

1 Month

Our last trip was nice, and when I came back I really didn't have the normal "I gotta plan my next trip urges" but I think my pregnancy was the reason....but now that he is here, it is all I can think about.

Another of the "Big Boys"

Up next the other trips...the good, the bad, and the ugly!

 

[starann]

As I mentioned we have gone in 2006, 2008 and 2010. Each time we stayed at ASMo, in a Dalmatian building.

2006 was the boys and DH's 1st trip. My grandmother had passed away and my dad offered to take us all, all expenses paid, to WDW. It was me, DH, the 2 boys (who were 1.5 and 2.5), my 19yo brother, my 10yo neice, my then best friend (who was a friend of the family) my dad, his wife and their 6mo old twins. We all drove in a 15 passenger van. We did the DDP (my dad is a foodie) and had a nice time. It was a lot hurry up and wait as different people wanted to do different things. But it got my DH to see that 'overgrown, overpriced RAT!' and he had a great time and was talking about bringing his parents back (as they had never been).

2008 we took my inlaws, my neice (she lived with us), me, DH and the 2 boys who were 3 and 4. We rented a 12 passenger van and all drove down together. We had a decent time, but my MIL was happy to stay in the room the entire time, it's like it was a bother for her to be there or do anythign with her ONLY grandchildren. This in turn aggravated my DH and made him a little moody!

2010 it was just the 4 of us, the boys were 5 and 6 (almost 6 and 7). We flew for the 1st time and stayed 10 days!!!! We had such a nice trip. I actually came home and felt it was enough for awhile...afterall it had to be, I was preggo.


Well now I am no longer preggo and I can't wait to go back. Adn since DH mentioned it last night, I know the only thing keeping him from going back is $$$, so I think if I solve the money issue with my bonuses, we are good to go.


up next....where we might stay...oh and when we are going!

 

[starann]

I took these the other day and finally uploaded them to my computer!!!!

Casey is already 1 mo old!!!

 

[StephaniexMarie]

Awwww your boys are just precious!
Can't wait to read more about the future trip.

 

[starann]

Where are we staying and when are we going...really good question because I am not 100% sure! It will sadly not be this year, as it is usually every other year that we go and we were just there in 2010. So I am looking at 2012. Which leave more time to plan and save!

I would love to go in Early Dec, to see the Christmas decorations, but part of me worries about the normal holiday stress with money and shopping and running out of time to get all the holiday stuff done. We have always gone in fall so we have seen the Halloween stuff, but have yet to go to MNSSHP. I also have to see when the boys will have State testing, as you may not pull them out of school at that time. So we will either go in Sept/Oct like in the past, or early December.

Fall Pros:
MNSSHP
Weather is hit or miss with the rain, but the storms only last a short while
Pool!

Dec Pros:
MVMCP
Christmas decorations
Cooler temps

I'm not going to list any cons, because, lets face it, there are no cons to going to WDW!

Either way the boys will be pulled out of school. I know a lot of people think this is wrong, but this is how *I* justify it. My child will not remember what they learned that week of school in years to come, but they will remember a week in WDW forever. We work with their teachers to get their missed work before our trip and make sure they do a little bit each night. Thankfully our school district has been very accomadating when it comes to vacations.

Now Where.........oh the choices!

We like ot go for 10 days, so I priced out the trip for a value, mod and deluxe for 9 nights, DDP, 10day park hoppers

ASMo- preferred room
$3,500 for the 5 of us, paying full price (no discounts)

POFQ- waterview
$4,300

AKL- savanna view (cause DH wants to see the animals)
$6,100

AK- SV (renting DVC points)
$4,100


All of these prices are based on no discounts, so looking at it all, it makes sense, right now, to go with renting points, but if a deal comes out (40% off Deluxe, free dining) it may make more sense to stay Mod or value. Lets face it though, I have stayed value every other trip and would love to 'upgrade'!


As far as how we will get there...drive or fly? That will depend on airline prices. I would love to fly, as it is so easy, but I worry with all that Casey will need (diapers, stroller, carseat, milk, bottles) that flying would be too much with luggage. If we fly we will use DME, which means no stops to the store to pick up what we need. And I REFUSE to pay WDW prices for those type of things!

 

[dizney chick]

Joining in. I can't wait to hear more. I have gone preggo twice and I took DS6 at five and twenty three months, so hearing about your plans brings back memories. But don't worry about flying you can either send stuff down by mail or order it and have it delivered.

And I am all for renting points. We are doing that in September!!!

 

[mrssmith06]

Just sat and read through your PTR. Your boys are so cute. Looking forward to more on your plans!

 

[starann]

Awwww your boys are just precious!
Can't wait to read more about the future trip.

Thanks! Your trip is coming up!!!

Joining in. I can't wait to hear more. I have gone preggo twice and I took DS6 at five and twenty three months, so hearing about your plans brings back memories. But don't worry about flying you can either send stuff down by mail or order it and have it delivered.

And I am all for renting points. We are doing that in September!!!

Our boys were 1.5 and 2.5 the 1st time they went, so I know it is possible, and thankfully my kids tend not to be bashful or scared of large 'critters' so we even have some cute picts of the trip!

Just sat and read through your PTR. Your boys are so cute. Looking forward to more on your plans!

Thanks for joining in!!!! I think I have cute boys too, but I am more than a little biased!! LOL!

 

[starann]

That's right, I cheated on Disney!!!! Well not really, as we didn't have a trip to WDW planned, we did have a trip to OBX planned! We have friends who live in Avon, NC all year round. They are such special people. They are retired, have a son my age who has just started to become responsilable, and are just sweet people. Joe is retired from Camden, NJ fire department and a few years ago beat stage 4 head and neck cancer!!!!! Casey is named after Joe (Casey Joseph) becuase not only have Joe and Sue been good to our family, but Joe has overcome some amazing things, so we were honored to name our last baby after him.

We left at 2am on June 25th and stayed the longest we ever have, 10 days!!! We came home on July 5th. Joe and Sue have a big house and when we go we have our own 'wing' (don't get carried away with your imagination, they have a nice house, but when I say wing, I mean the end of a hall!!!) with a full bath and 2 bedroom, although we only use the one room (it has a queen bed and twin bunks as well as a tv and plenty of room for the pack n play). We come and go as we please and they have all the beach stuff we could need (chairs, umbrellas, kites, boogie boards). It was wonderfully relaxing to be there, the ocean was warm and the sand clean. I may do a mini TR on it in this one, if I can remember what all we did. The picts are amazing!!!! I have to get them loaded into photobucket.

We came home on a Tuesday, Wednesday the kids and I ran some errands and then Thurs we picked up my neice and headed to CT for a long weekend. I belong to a support group for mom who lost children (my 1st son Christopher) and for the last 9 years we have gotten together in CT for what we have named The Gathering. Most of us have gone on and had other children and it is amazing how each year they pick up right where they left off and play like they jsut saw each other last week!

Now we are home and I have nothing to look forward to...nothing written in stone that is! I did post on FB about how bummed I was and that it was either time to plan a trip to WDW or have anther baby......it took DH 1 hour to post "NO...to both" LOL!!!!! Little does he know.

We have a town pool that is 2 blocks from our house, so we got a membership for the family in hopes to keep me sane the rest of the summer!

I hope to do a PTR update with some ideas I have for 1.making money and 2. getting a darn roof on this house so DH can't say no to another WDW trip!

 

[starann]

Ah, yes...the matter of money. Life would be SO much easier if we had a tree in the yard that grew it for us, or wealthy parents. But this is not hte case, so the money needs to be earned. So this is jsut an overview of how I plan on earing enough money for a trip to WDW, without DH knowing a thing about it........hmmmmmmmmmmm


I currently stay home during the week and work on weekends while DH stays home with the kids which means no more daycare bills!!!!!!! This does however, mean I am with the kids all week, which makes picking up extra wok difficult as they can't come with me! So I need to come up with some other plans on how to make some $$$.

I have emailed a mom whos daughter is in my 6yo's class. We have known each other since the kids were in pre-school (and then went to daycare together). She is a teacher and had mentioned how she needed someone in the morning for her daughter but no longer needed afternoon care, so I sent her an email last night and offered to watch her daughter for an hour in the morning for $5 a day, and if school was closed or a half day and she needed care $25 for the day. It is a lot cheaper than what she was paying at daycare, so I'm hoping she will take me up on the offer. If she comes only mornings it will make us about $900 (180 school days x $5). Wow, that is a nice chunck of money for an hour a day work, which really isn't work since I have to be up at that time to take my own kids to school. And dealing with 1 more on a half day or whatever really isn't much more either! I'm still waiting to hear from her, but it would be nice to have that extra $$$.


My jobs offers a bonus based on how many patients you see in a day, the more you see, the more your bonus is. My bonus in April was $750+!!!! However we are now required to see more patients in a day which means the bonus will not be as nice as it was before (becuase we have to see more patients to make the same amount of money as we had in June, this has started in July).

I have the option of seeing patients on a per diem (as needed) basis. This will work if my mom can come over and watch the kids and if work needs someone to see extra patients.

Also I have already started the 'fund' with a $50 Disney gift card. I did this for the last trip, would but $25 or $50 GC as we had the extra money and we used that for spending money. This way the money was not 'dipped into' for other things. The only thing I will do differntly this trip is ADD money to the card I already have. Going with a bunch of $25 GC made for a long check out at the front desk!


Now to 'hide' this money from DH as he would want to use it on home repairs... we do need something done at home, but 'we' can save for those, 'I" will be saving for vacation!

 

[loveysbydesign]

joining the fun!

 

[starann]

joining the fun!

Thanks Neighbor!!!!

 

[starann]

Well, now he is 2.5 mo old!!!!

Here is this months picture

Up next....momma's moving to Vegas and I might have hit the jackpot!!!

 

[starann]

By Mamma I mean my mom which makes me REALLY sad. My mom lives in NY, about 1.5 hours away. We talk EVERYDAY, sometimes more than once a day. She has been there for all three boys' births, and is now retired (early) and was able to come and stay with me for a week after Casey was born to help out (and it was a HUGE help). The thought of her being a 5 hour PLANE ride makes me stay awake at night thinking about how far away she will be....

She has had this move to Vegas planned for YEARS, although I was doubtful it would ever come to pass, but she went out there last month and put an offer in on a house. She was telling me about a conversation her and my stepfather had (they are not married, but he is my childrens grandfather, so it is just easier to call him my stepfather). He had asked her if she planned on giving us kids any money when she sold her house in Staten Island (which will be at a NICE profit!!!). She said she would like to, but has to see how much she ends up getting for her house. She then mentioned that you can give your child a 'gift' of $10,000 without it getting taxed.

Now IF Ma gave me $10,000 we would get caught up on some stupid bills (you know, the ones that pop up, like medical bills from having a baby that you are paying the minimum on) and then put a roof on this house, which means any money in savings would go toward a trip (or our tax return!!).

I am NOT happy about mom's move...at all, but at least there is a happy lining. That and a really cheap trip to LV every year!

I also will be going into work for 4 hours next Wed for a class, my stepmom (her and my dad are divorced, but she helped raise me) will come over and watch the boys for FREE (she loves spending time with her only grandkids), so that will be extra money in my pay, which means moeny for WDW!!!



up next......I only get how many days vacation a year?!?!?!?!

 

[starann]

Totally off topic...well not really.

This past week we have gotten 3 'surprise' checks in the mail. One was a payment for a myster shop (ok, that one was expected)...another check for $64 from a class action lawsuit against Countrywide Home Loans, and then yesterday in the mail we got a check from DH's insurance company for overpayment of medications for $54!!!!!

So I had DH sign the checks and they will be put into our Vacation fund!!!!

 

[starann]

Wow, this thread is a hoppin!!! LOL!

Still not sure the exact date of when we are going....I would LOVE to go in December to see all the holiday decorations, but it jsut doesn't seem like the best of ideas.

1.December is a CRAZY time. Cody's Birthday, the holidays, it is just insane, not to mention the money.

2.December is usually a tight month with the holiday and I like to buy souvies on vacation and not worry about it.

3. I only get 6 days of vacation/sick time a year. I only work weekends so it comes out to 3 weekends off and most (who am I kidding, all) of it is planned. I got to CT for a weekend in July, a day of shopping in Nov with a group of great friends, my mom is Vegas and wants us to come out there for 2 weeks (come on a monday, leave the following Thurs, so jsut under 2 weeks) and we usually go to the anks to see friends so right there I am 'over' in days off (although I can work the friday before our shopping trip to have Sat off and not use a day!)

So now I am thinking spring of 2013....wow, that is SOOOO far away. Casey will be 2 or almost 2 and it would be a great way to spend his b-day!!! Just sayin! And it allows me to save longer.


So now my choices are Fall of 2012 or Spring 2013. Fall is still over a year away..ugh, it all seems so far!!!

I'm leaning toward fall because I would love to do activites with the kids over the summer to count down to our trip. This summer was our 1st with us all being at home and it was a challenge to keep them busy without wearing myself out. But we still run into the vaction time issue.


On another note the big boys have been with my mom for a few days, which means it has just been me, hubby and CJ. And yesterday I had Casey watch some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!!!! Never too soon to start his Disney obsession!

 

[starann]

I am hoping that Disney will smarten up and have a BOY themed character meal...Either Pirates or Toy Story would be great. Yes there are those who say what about Crystal Palace or CM or Cape May, but those are really for everyone and since the 'girls' have princes meals it would only be fair (and would make them a ton of money!!!)

I have been looking at my Passporter and cehcking off places I would like to try, places I want to go back and places I am 'over'

Try List
Ohana for dinner
we had ressies here last time but didn't get to go. The food looks so yummy and now that I found out the boys can still get chicken nuggets or something (from Kona) I can't wait to go.

CP for bfast
we did dinner here and enjoyed it. DH loves B'fast buffets, I am not a big breakfast eater, but if it makes him happy. I like the idea of getting a ressie before the park opens so we can see a uncrowded main street, and I can RUN to get some fast passes for Buzz or something.

Yatchtsman for dinner
I think this would be a date night for hubby and I if I can swing it. We would have KNO come for the kids and we would have a dinner all to ourselves. I have to do some more to think about this one as the cost for KNO for the 3 kids wouldn't be cheap! I have seen so many yummy looking picts from there.

Repeats
Cape May Dinner
We really enjoyed this buffet for dinner although it was a PITA to get there, the food was good and I love me some crab legs!

Hollywood and Vine lunch
By the time we go Casey will really be into the characters that they have there. We went several times with the boys when they were younger and were happy with the meal for the most part.

TRex
The big boys loved it here. I thought it was expensive but if we are doing a place for Casey, it is only fair to do it for the big boys as well

WCC
We usually do this meal our 1st night as tradiaiton. After traveling it is a place that is loud enough that if the boys feel rowdy they can be rowdy and while others don't, we enjoy the skillet.

Done

I am over Chef Mickey..the food is jsut eh. Mayby DH will disagree but we will see

9 Dragons The food was good but I have learned that it is a meal you have to be in the mood for to enjoy...last time I Was not in a 'Chinese' mood and really didn't enjoy it. The food was fine, but I was not feeling it.



So what are some MUST DOs on your trips?

 

[dizney chick]

I am hoping that Disney will smarten up and have a BOY themed character meal...Either Pirates or Toy Story would be great. Yes there are those who say what about Crystal Palace or CM or Cape May, but those are really for everyone and since the 'girls' have princes meals it would only be fair (and would make them a ton of money!!!)

I have been looking at my Passporter and cehcking off places I would like to try, places I want to go back and places I am 'over'

Try List
Ohana for dinner
we had ressies here last time but didn't get to go. The food looks so yummy and now that I found out the boys can still get chicken nuggets or something (from Kona) I can't wait to go.

CP for bfast
we did dinner here and enjoyed it. DH loves B'fast buffets, I am not a big breakfast eater, but if it makes him happy. I like the idea of getting a ressie before the park opens so we can see a uncrowded main street, and I can RUN to get some fast passes for Buzz or something.

Yatchtsman for dinner
I think this would be a date night for hubby and I if I can swing it. We would have KNO come for the kids and we would have a dinner all to ourselves. I have to do some more to think about this one as the cost for KNO for the 3 kids wouldn't be cheap! I have seen so many yummy looking picts from there.

Repeats
Cape May Dinner
We really enjoyed this buffet for dinner although it was a PITA to get there, the food was good and I love me some crab legs!

Hollywood and Vine lunch
By the time we go Casey will really be into the characters that they have there. We went several times with the boys when they were younger and were happy with the meal for the most part.

TRex
The big boys loved it here. I thought it was expensive but if we are doing a place for Casey, it is only fair to do it for the big boys as well

WCC
We usually do this meal our 1st night as tradiaiton. After traveling it is a place that is loud enough that if the boys feel rowdy they can be rowdy and while others don't, we enjoy the skillet.

Done

I am over Chef Mickey..the food is jsut eh. Mayby DH will disagree but we will see

9 Dragons The food was good but I have learned that it is a meal you have to be in the mood for to enjoy...last time I Was not in a 'Chinese' mood and really didn't enjoy it. The food was fine, but I was not feeling it.



So what are some MUST DOs on your trips?

I would go for Fall 2012. I have gone is the spring and fall. Both times are good but Fall 2012 is closer

As for dining:

Ohana's: it's one of our must do's every trip

CP: we always do CP for breakfast another must do

Yatchtsman: I would love to try it but I'm to cheap to spring for KNO (I'm jealous that might do it)

Cape May: my DS10's all time favorite restaurant.We celebrated his 7th birthday there. He has already been asking me which night will we be eating there next trip. So I will always visit this restaurant, good thing I don't mind.

Hollywood and Vine: not my favorite but I have never been for a character meal.

T Rex: I liked but when I asked my boys to chose between t rex and Rain Forest Cafe, they chose RFC. I was shocked. I think DS10 just loves the fish tank at RFC.

WCC: We are not going to WCC our next trip and I am sad about that but we had to make room for new places.

Chef Mickey's: We are going for the first time. I am nervous about the reviews.

Nine Dragons: another new one for us. Hope my group is in the mood for Chinese.

Well that's my 2 cents worth

 

[RooRach0906]

Joining in. I think I saw you post on the mommy board. I will say more tomorrow right now im on my phone and its late.

Ohana~ was good and we really liked the atmosphere
CP~ LOVED it and will do it again, one day
Yachtsman~ MMMMM so Yummy! I am not a steak eater out, I would rather have it at home will here I did have steak and it was really good, DH loved his steak.