We're Happier than a Tornado in a Trailer Park/UPDATE--Makin a list, checkin it twice

[Smileybug]

What a cute way to celebrate your 45 day mark. Your hubby sounds like a keeper. I love your touring cards!! What an awesome job!!

 

[turning40withMickey]

Great update
you are one hard working mama!

I love your title and have been entertaining myself with cliche's all day!

Here are a few inspirational ones for you (with a title like that you seem like the kind of girl that would appreciate them)

don't finger your food
colder than a well diggers butt in Alaska
one sandwich shy of a picnic
you have to get up pretty early in the morning to pull the wool over my eyes

and a personal favorite

never underestimate the power of a woman!!

 

[creativeamanda]

What a cute way to celebrate your 45 day mark. Your hubby sounds like a keeper. I love your touring cards!! What an awesome job!!

He is.

Great update
you are one hard working mama!

I love your title and have been entertaining myself with cliche's all day!

Here are a few inspirational ones for you (with a title like that you seem like the kind of girl that would appreciate them)

don't finger your food
colder than a well diggers butt in Alaska
one sandwich shy of a picnic
you have to get up pretty early in the morning to pull the wool over my eyes

and a personal favorite

never underestimate the power of a woman!!

I love the bolded one!

My Daddy's favorite:

"Whistling girls and crowing hens always come to some bad end."

 

[LegoMom3]

Just checking in to let you know I haven't forgotten you!! Boy, I've been catching up on all sorts of DIS threads today!

I absolutely love your planner and your cards!! SO neat! We saw the fireworks from Bay Lake one night when there was MNSSHP.....they were AMAZING! You should have fun that night.

Show us the costumes when you can!

.

 

[creativeamanda]

Just checking in to let you know I haven't forgotten you!! Boy, I've been catching up on all sorts of DIS threads today!

I absolutely love your planner and your cards!! SO neat! We saw the fireworks from Bay Lake one night when there was MNSSHP.....they were AMAZING! You should have fun that night.

Show us the costumes when you can!

.

I figured you had not forgotten. . .just busy!

Isn't it funny how you need a vacation from a vacation? I'm actually excited about work when I get back from Disney: Oct 31 we are going to have a visiting speaker for the kids--I heard him last year at a conference and he is amazing. Then, Nov 3, we have him coming in to speak to the district staff for a Teacher/Staff workday. AND Halloween this year is November 1. (We reschedule Halloween on Sat when it falls on football Friday). So there will be plenty to keep me from the post-vacation depression I tend to get when I come home.

How do ya like my tags? I believe my scrollie is thanks to you. So. . .thanks to you.

And I can't wait until MNSSHP! But at the smae time, I can wait as it will be my last night. But I've seen so much good stuff about it, I'm psyched!

 

[creativeamanda]

Sooo. . .for those of you who have chatted with me a while, you know I got a new car in June. The car was a far cry from the roomy Ford Explorer I had, but I am nonetheless happy with the purchase. Now I know I have three kids, and most people like having lots of room for their kids, but I needed a smaller car. Frankly, big cars make me tired. I drove a Ford Fusion, and although I loved it, the best gas mileage I got from it was 27 mpg. Not good enough. If I was going to make the same car payment as my Explorer, I needed better gas mileage.
So, after a little frustration, and some unhappy moments (I really wanted that Fusion), I bought this: a 2008 Ford Focus.

The inside of my car, which is really roomier than I thought it would be.

And just a little proof to you. . .can you tell what it says the avg mpg are? Let me give you a hint. . .it’s a lot more than 27.

So, why does this episode belong on my PTR? Tomorrow I will be trying out how I will fit everything into the trunk. I know so far I have fit 2 rolling carts, a computer, and over 100 books in the trunk to move from my classroom to my office. I am thinking everything will fit, but I am just going to make sure. Pictures will follow tomorrow.

 

[creativeamanda]

Now, on to our costumes for the MNSSHP. Some friends have been asking me to post these, and they frankly probably think I’ve forgotten. I haven’t forgotten, just been busy.

I’ll start with mine and dh’s t-shirts, since we won’t be dressing up, but I thought it’d be nice to kind of get in the mood for the theme of the night.

My shirt:

Dh’s Shirt:

DD9 wanted to be Belle, and even though I felt like I was bleeding money at the Disney store, here it is.

She is going to be beautiful!

DD6’s costume came from the dress up section at WalMart: she’ll be the fairy Rosetta and honestly looks cute as a button in this:

Finally, ds is going to be a pirate for the third year in a row. He loves it, so if that’s what he wants. . .

And everything for the kids packed away. . .

We have a very little over a month left until our trip and it cannot come soon enough! I have loads of pictures as I finished packing for the kids today, but it will have to stop with this for tonight as it’s late and I have the kids tomorrow (no school, but dh has a conference in Columbia, SC).

BTW: 32 days!!!!!!!!

 

[creativeamanda]

So, last night, I showed everyone my car and how small it was. I have a lot to fit into it. This is the back of it and my trunk when empty. (Yes, I did empty it this morning.)

And no, my license plate usually is not some blue blob.

So, this is what I have to fit into the trunk:
2 Sterlite boxes, full
1 large suitcase
1 small suitcase
1 duffel bag
1 backpack (which will be in the front seat on the way down to Florida, but most likely in the trunk on the way home)
My WDW tote, which I filled with junk because I expect this to be full of souvies on the way home.
See, I’m really planning. . .I’m accounting for the fact that I will come home with more than I went there with!
So the verdict. Did it all fit? Scroll down to find out. . .

And just so you know, the closed trunk photo was taken after everything was put in. I always did like having junk in my trunk.

 

[creativeamanda]

Well, I went to the post office today. Guess what was in the mail?!?

Just look!

It's all coming together now!!!!

 

[Smileybug]

Well, I went to the post office today. Guess what was in the mail?!?

Just look!

It's all coming together now!!!!

I can't wait to see these in my mail.

I have to ask...why are you taking 2 sterlite boxes?

 

[creativeamanda]

I can't wait to see these in my mail.

I have to ask...why are you taking 2 sterlite boxes?

I discovered a long timt ago it was easier to load those into trunks and such than suitcases. So, our personal items (soaps, paperwork, etc.) go into one. The girls' bags of clothes in the other.

 

[Smileybug]

I discovered a long timt ago it was easier to load those into trunks and such than suitcases. So, our personal items (soaps, paperwork, etc.) go into one. The girls' bags of clothes in the other.

That does make since!! Good thinking.

 

[creativeamanda]

Well, since I left my PTR last, we found out dh's brother and his family are coming up from Miami to WDW with us!!!

They are staying at POP Century, but they are eating a couple of meals with us. We've rearranged our trip plans to accommodate them a bit. So, tonight I bring you the updated Dining reservations and some pictures of the family's t-shirts.

First of all dining. . .
Sat--11:30 Crystal Palace; 4:15 Liberty Tree (we are trying to replace LTT with dinner for 8 at Chef Mickey's)
Sun--8:20 Hollywood and Vine; 5:30 Hollywood Brown Derby
Mon--Guys only breakfast with BFF Cape May 8:00; Girls' only breakfast 9:50; Dinner Coral Reef 7:40
Tues--Lunch with family Le Cellier 11:35
Wed--Breakfast with family Boma 7:30
We still have three floating credits, which we will use to split breakfast and dinner cs meals on Tues around MNSSHP.

So, what do you all think?

Now, for the t-shirts/aka what we are wearing.

And the t-shirt collections. . .
Boo's (Her favorite color is purple. . .She want's Sweetie's Dress)

Sweetie's

Big Ole Boy's

Mine. . .

I'd show dh's, but how many variations of a Grumpy t-shirt does one need to see?

So. Now. We are going to be basically a split party of 8 (sometimes 11) all week. We are excited, but at the same time, hope we don't upset people when we tell them we need a little alone family time. So. . .my question to Disers. . .how do you do that? Approach that subject, that is? My hope is maybe the family will read the PTR and that be it. The BFF and his family are fine with it. . .I think they feel the same way. I just don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. But I also want to kind of do my own thing. After all, I've been planning since January!

 

[creativeamanda]

I've had a little time to think about last night's thoughts and now I have to ask my fellow DISers for help. . .

Dh's brother, his wife, and their daughter have all decided to visit WDW at the same time as us. Now, our first trip they were with us and we were grateful for their help as we knew nothing about WDW and what we wanted to do. However, now it appears they want to have the same schedule all around as us and although it's great we are going to be there at the same time, I want some family time together. Just me, dh, and our kids. I'm worried that I'm going to hurt her feelings. We have two meals planned together, but honestly, other than spending Tuesday all day and Wednesday breakfast together, I really want the family to spend time alone. I want our first day to be us together. I want to use the time I've spent so hard planning for us. But at the same time, I don't want to hurt feelings and don't want them to think I am disregarding their advice. They were great for our first trip, but now I just want us to spend some time alone.

Am I wrong, and if not, what should I do? I think talking to dh's brother would end up in less hurt feelings.

 

[PADISFAM]

Hi Amanda! Great updates! We're on the Count Down too!

As far as 'all the together time'..............we will also have a group w/ us, my SIL, her hubby, their daughter, her hubby & their two cherubs, also my Mom & Dad will be there as well. We emailed everyone our schedule (& I know you have a great one ) & included nap times, we are the only ones staying on-site, so we'll have EMH to ourselves. I think just be open & let them know you guys want some family time. Do you think they might want the same?

 

[creativeamanda]

Hi Amanda! Great updates! We're on the Count Down too!

As far as 'all the together time'..............we will also have a group w/ us, my SIL, her hubby, their daughter, her hubby & their two cherubs, also my Mom & Dad will be there as well. We emailed everyone our schedule (& I know you have a great one ) & included nap times, we are the only ones staying on-site, so we'll have EMH to ourselves. I think just be open & let them know you guys want some family time. Do you think they might want the same?

You know, I have done a little overview of out plans in MSWord. I think I'm going to email it with a notation on days I want it to be only us. IE: Tues, Oct 28: EPCOT with _________ family. I think that will be the best non-hurtful way of doing it. THanks I know the brother when his mom was alive wanted to spend alone time just with his mom. He made sure everyone knew that. I would think he'd understand us wanting alone time on our vacation. Really, it's just the full first day and the last half of the last day we want to ourselves.

 

[creativeamanda]

Well, I tried it the nice way. Sent an itinerary. The bff in Maryland, I know, will understand, as we have talked about the situation before. I even told them we were having a DIS meet on Sat. Family did not catch me. Said I had "too stringent a schedule" (I only listed Meal times, Touring times, rest times, and travel times), told me I forgot to schedule bathroom breaks, and said they'd call on Sat to tell us they were there.

Well, I think I was just more put off by the "stringent schedule" comment than anything. I teared up and cried for a few minutes over that. I mean, I've been planning this thing since January. And, uhm. She did not get a hold of my touring cards. I am on the DxDP, and I have three children. I am the mom who has to lay out the outfits for the kids the night before and pack my bag for work the night before because if I don't, the universe falls apart. I'm fine if I don't follow my schedule, I just have to have a plan. I have to go into every situation controling something (even if it is only what we are wearing.

So my reply? Well, it's something to the effect of, there are more stringent schedules than that and that although we are excited they are coming, we really want to spend some family time together the first and last days and they should really understand because when bil wanted to visit his mom, he did not want people encroaching on that time.

So, am I overreacting?

 

[Smileybug]

creativeamanda...you are not overreacting. This is YOUR vacation. You have put a lot of time and effort into it. Total togetherness doesn't always work anyway. We did a trip like that about 4 years ago. NEVER, NEVER again will I agree to something like that. Now whenever we talk to anyone about possibly joining us on a trip we all get excited... we know fun will be had by all. And SOME of it will together fun. Just let them know how much you are looking forward to spending SOME time with them and leave it at that.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I am loving your ADR's! i went to some of them and they are on my "favorites" list! As for Narcoosee's and changing, there are bathrooms off the lobby you can change into prior to going to the park!

As for family time do what I do. We put our phone on vibrate and claim to not have very good signal in the parks. LOLOL Then I say something like, "you are where? Oh great! That sounds fun. We will catch up to you this evening for drinks around 10 ok?"

 

[creativeamanda]

creativeamanda...you are not overreacting. This is YOUR vacation. You have put a lot of time and effort into it. Total togetherness doesn't always work anyway. We did a trip like that about 4 years ago. NEVER, NEVER again will I agree to something like that. Now whenever we talk to anyone about possibly joining us on a trip we all get excited... we know fun will be had by all. And SOME of it will together fun. Just let them know how much you are looking forward to spending SOME time with them and leave it at that.

Thanks. The BFF, as I predicted, understood completely. I have not heard from the family. My guess is they are going to talk to dh, not me. My plans are to cut them off at the pass and call them this afternoon.

I am loving your ADR's! i went to some of them and they are on my "favorites" list! As for Narcoosee's and changing, there are bathrooms off the lobby you can change into prior to going to the park!

As for family time do what I do. We put our phone on vibrate and claim to not have very good signal in the parks. LOLOL Then I say something like, "you are where? Oh great! That sounds fun. We will catch up to you this evening for drinks around 10 ok?"

Thanks for the advice about Narcoossee's! Good advice regarding the family time as well. I just have things in mind that I want to do just the five of us. MK is my favorite park; AK is dh's. Naturally, we want some aone time for the five of us in those parks. Also, last year, the tweens got sick of each other at the middle of the third day. It made our last days very tiresome for the eight of us.

I think they will understand. I am going to call the brother sometime.