Will TarzansKat meet Captain Jack? ~A Pirate's Life for 3 Pre-Trippie~ We're back!

[Lady Lallie]

Awww.
I got a little misty eyed reading that. *sniff sniff*
Very nice update, TK.

 

[TarzansKat]

Awww.
I got a little misty eyed reading that. *sniff sniff*
Very nice update, TK.

I'm quite misty myself. I think I may be boo-hooin' to DH later. Thanks for the hug.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Just wait...just wait...

Cherish every single moment -- even those that make you want to pull your hair out!

 

[TarzansKat]

Just wait...just wait...

Oh, I know. I thought about it when I read about your day today, and what Connor said. They grow up too fast for my taste.

Cherish every single moment -- even those that make you want to pull your hair out!

I really do. Because I know in my heart, that no matter how hard it may seem at the time, this is the easy part.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, I know. I thought about it when I read about your day today, and what Connor said. They grow up too fast for my taste.

I really do. Because I know in my heart, that no matter how hard it may seem at the time, this is the easy part.

On the flip side each age is fun in its own way -- it was really neat to talk to Chelsea about her day this afternoon. I think I have said every year that this is the year I like them best .

 

[Native NYer]

That was so sweet! Your son is so lucky to have such a loving mom!

It makes me want to have a baby right now.
Then I remember Voldemort is in Mexico

 

[TarzansKat]

On the flip side each age is fun in its own way -- it was really neat to talk to Chelsea about her day this afternoon. I think I have said every year that this is the year I like them best .

Awww. you're a sweet mommy.

That was so sweet! Your son is so lucky to have such a loving mom!

Thank you!

It makes me want to have a baby right now.
Then I remember Voldemort is in Mexico

All in good time, my dear. All in good time.

 

[willwriteforears]

What a lovely tribute for DS! TK, I think it'd be really cool if you saved that for his wedding day. Or high school/college graduation; whenever.

Yes, CP, Connor gets the picture of him sprawled on Chelsea's legs, and TK's DS gets the moving dedication.

And for DS going to preschool, though I know it's bittersweet for you. I'm sure he'll thrive an enjoy himself.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yes, CP, Connor gets the picture of him sprawled on Chelsea's legs, and TK's DS gets the moving dedication.

We are all too scared of showing our real feelings at my house, so we always opt for the humor!

Connor tonight had to find some pictures to show his class -- he wanted one of the dogs, but the only one I could find had Chelsea in it. He asked, "Can I cut Chelsea out of the picture?" Oh my, that caused a bit of a diva fit from his sister (and rightly so).

 

[willwriteforears]

We are all too scared of showing our real feelings at my house, so we always opt for the humor!

Connor tonight had to find some pictures to show his class -- he wanted one of the dogs, but the only one I could find had Chelsea in it. He asked, "Can I cut Chelsea out of the picture?" Oh my, that caused a bit of a diva fit from his sister (and rightly so).

But just to clarify, what I meant (and didn't express well) was my suggestion of TK reading her lovely tribute at DS's wedding, but my suggestion that Conor gets the photo of him sprawled over Chelsea.

I must admit, my family was (well, still is but I'm out of the house now) much like yours! For my HS graduation thing at my church, when my dad had to get up to talk about me (Mom doesn't like public speaking so she bowed out) I think there was just some generic "what a fine young woman she's turned out to be," a nod toward my love of writing, and then some funny stories. I don't remember it very well. Just that there was no crying.

 

[Princesskeyblade]

Congrats on the big step! I am sure he will love school!

 

[If U Had Wings]

That was very beautiful and so true! My younger niece is going to starting kindergarten this year. It's so hard to believe she's that big already.

 

[TarzansKat]

Remarkably easy to do I find. Given that we're already pre-disposed toward the same sort of rambling, seemingly non-sensical discourse when in fact we truly do have a logical train of thought that will succeed in helping us meet our ends.

Today, my friends, I thought like Jack. In an effort to get this vacation back on its proper course, I took a moment of pause...to reflect...and while reflecting, I stared at this...

I mean, seriously, did you really think the TK family would have a normal calendar?

So for the whole month of August, I get to stare at this lovely sight, and mentally mark down the days to a Pirate's Life for Three. Now DH was working late last night, and I didn't see the mail he brought in until this morning. And what to my wondering eyes should appear? Let's call it a gentle "slap me thrice and hand me to mama."

Oh, yes, dearies. Those are my trip docs! The good trip mascot heartily approves of us staying at a resort with its own boat...I mean, ship. And that adorable notebook you're looking at was made by one very savvy long last member of my brethren. I was so touched when I opened the package that contained that custom notebook. It has our dates on it, and everything! Check out the back too.

I mean, does that girl know me or what?

So what do actual trip docs do for ye ole TK? Well, they give me a swift kick in the rear, that's for sure! I decided Sunday morning was a fine time, to be sure, to check on all the things I'd been putting off.

Because now it's really real folks, and I have the docs to prove it. Which are now residing in my happy trip binder. Which since the trip is officially official, was finally graced with this.

I think it breathed a sigh of relief. And said, TK, you do love me after all. Yes, Trip Binder, keeper of all things Pirate's Life for Three. Indeed we do love that you keep our non-itinerary itinerary and various bits of DIS-info safe.

And for those of you who can't read the teensy tiny print, here's what it says:

A Pirate's Life for Three

We set sail - September Fourteenth - September Twenty-First in the Year Two Thousand and Eight

Destination - Walt Disney World
The Wilderness Lodge Resort

Objective - Family Fun and Revelry of a Pirate Sort

I blocked out our names here, but it reads Cast of Characters - TK, DH, & DS

Words to Live by on a Pirates Life for Three-

"The only rules that really matter are these. What a man can do and what a man can't do."

"I think we've all arrived at a very special place. Spiritually, ecumincally, grammatically."

"This is either madness or brilliance. It's amazing how often those two traits coincide."

"We are very much alike, you and I, I and you...us."

"One word love: curiousity. You long for freedom. You long to do what you want to do because you want it. To act on selfish impulse. You want to see what it's like. One day you won't be able to resist."
​

And now our trip binder is pretty much complete.

Except for one little detail, a token, really a trifle.

The packing lists!

It's amazing, truly, to go back every year and look at the list from the year before and see how we've changed.

There are a few things on our lists that are constants: camera, portable dvd player, Pirate Costumes. You know, every normal family needs those.

But the things that won't be coming with us this year make me happy and a little nostalgic all at the same time. Like DS' binkie. We broke that habit in the past year. No more pacifier. Diapers. Tons and tons of diapers! We still will have the overnights with us, and the swim ones (even if he can hold it, I just think it's respectful to other guests to have your 3 year old wear these just in case, you know), but we won't be taking up half a suitcase with diapers. It's a weird feeling, but good at the same time.

And while thinking upon our packing lists it occured to me that I hadn't gone through the toiletries yet to see how things were doing on that front.

So I took a gander and found this...

Actually, we are suprisingly well stocked. We were low on DH's shampoo, and dishwashing liquid (I like to bring DS' straw cups from home and handwash in the sink), so I refilled those, took a look at everything else, stocked up on whatnots like q-tips and toothpaste and made a tidy list of what else we need.

Which really isn't much, truthfully. Between free samples I've scored from the budget board freebie thread, and going to the dentist (new toothbrushes and toothpaste) our toiletry bag is fairly well stocked.

But just in case you're really really really interested, here's my list (I know LL is just beside herself with joy right now) of things we still need to get.

We'll start with the one I took care of this morning

Yes, we will be doing laundry on vacation. I just don't know if DS will be totally accident free on this trip. At home, he mostly is (the potty prize chart is full of stickers and we actually have retired it) but he does sometimes have accidents upon waking up from his nap. Just that he can't make it in time. I know this will dissipate over time, but I need to be prepared. I absolutely will not let soiled clothing sit that whole time, and I could handwash in the sink, but I'd rather just be prepared to do a full load, and then we may actually be able to bring some clothes home clean! What a novelty!

So these Dropps are great. Dye and scent free (we need that because of our allergies), and only cost $4.97, plus I got them from Wal-Mart and was able to ship them site to store, thereby saving me about $3 in shipping fees. There's a Wal-mart in very close proximity to my work, so it's easy for me to swing by and pick this up. It contains enough dropps to do twenty loads, so that's plenty. Price was good, convenience is good. I also took some of our Bounce dryer sheets and packed those in with the toiletries as well, so that's all set.

The official list, with the Dropps crossed off, is as follows:

AAA Batteries
Camera Batteries
Swim Diapers
Overnight Diapers
Wipes (although we don't change diapers anymore, these are great for sticky little hands)
Shave Cream

Now, there are some other things that I need to get done, like transfer funds from the ING account to our bank so that we can get our trip budget more accessible and make my tip envelopes. Last night I went ahead and ordered my rewards card from my disney visa, so that's all set. I have quite a bit of reward dollars from funneling through all our ordinary bills, and charging airfare and our vacation package. We pay our bill in full every month, so no finance charges, and great rewards! I'll also need to pre-order the photopass CD soon, as I plan on making full use of that in the parks.

Back to the trip docs briefly.

I have something to show you.

Something that makes me happy and nostalgic again.

Check that out folks.

Notice the amount. That's three sets of luggage tags. Three. This is the first year that DS is old enough to have his very own luggage tag. :::sigh:::

The boy is growing up. But that was the last chapter, so moving onward.

As I was proof-reading this, I thought of something else that needs to be done and promptly forgot it.

Ah the beauty of the list. I'm sure I'll think of it again, and next time, I'll write it down!

So right now, I'm off to rifle through our bags and see if anything can be done about the busted backpack or if it really, really needs to be retired. I'll test out the messenger bag and see if everything fits better and doesn't weigh a ton.

I'll try to remember whatever it was that I forgot in the hopes that it won't stay totally forgotten since it was obviously something I needed to remember.

And I'll get ready.

For a Pirate's Life for Three.

Because in a little over a month, we'll all have arrived at a very special place. Spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I am awed and amazed at your organization, which makes me feel so inadequete because I have been fretting this morning that I have much to do before we leave, I feel a list coming in the very near future because in 2 weeks and 6 days we will be leaving, in case you haven't noticed my ticker. I think those long sentences are starting to rub off on me.

I love your trip binder and your quotes, it is so adorable and it makes me look at my sad trip binder and weep a little bit. The poor little guy is just so sad and not full.

You have futher motivated me to get going and finalize my trip details and start packing!! I also realized something that I have overlooked.....I .....do not.....have......a.............packing...................LIST. I am ashamed to call myself Lady Listy.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Your list of things to buy is pretty short! I'm impressed!

I think it is a WONDERFUL idea to still put the swim diapers on your DS. I admit that I am very suspicious of 3 to 4 years olds who don't wear swim diapers in public pools.

Your trip is quickly approaching!

 

[TarzansKat]

I am awed and amazed at your organization

Betcha ya didn't even guess I had it in me.

You have futher motivated me to get going and finalize my trip details and start packing!! I also realized something that I have overlooked.....I .....do not.....have......a.............packing...................LIST. I am ashamed to call myself Lady Listy.

Oh, hon, you'll be fine! Your listy ways will kick into overdrive, and soon enough, you'll be all squared away and ready to go!

Your list of things to buy is pretty short! I'm impressed!

Truthfully, I was shocked! I do know I need to get us some snacks for the plane, but I won't do that until the week before, because we'd eat them all!

I think it is a WONDERFUL idea to still put the swim diapers on your DS. I admit that I am very suspicious of 3 to 4 years olds who don't wear swim diapers in public pools.

We still use them when we go swimming at my nana's as well. We just tell him it's swim undies. And I would hate to be the mother of the kid who was the reason the pool had to be shut down, you know?

Your trip is quickly approaching!

I can't wait, I feel more prepared now.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Very neat trip binder cover!!!

Hurray for trip documents!!! You are getting closer every day!

I am impressed with how organized you are!!! You are pretty much on track for being ready!

I am so excited for you!

 

[TarzansKat]

Very neat trip binder cover!!!

Thanks!

Hurray for trip documents!!! You are getting closer every day!

So close I can almost taste the Dole Whip Float!!!

I am impressed with how organized you are!!! You are pretty much on track for being ready!

You all seem so surprised. Should I be offended?

 

[Charleston Princess]

You all seem so surprised. Should I be offended?

Nah, I was simply thinking of how rattled I felt prior to the trip and you seem so organized, calm, and collected.

 

[TarzansKat]

Nah, I was simply thinking of how rattled I felt prior to the trip and you seem so organized, calm, and collected.

Hee hee. No, I had my internal freak out last week. This morning I awoke with a renewed purpose. That, and DH is home, enabling me to get things done!

We still have a couple other things, finish making the tees, and I thought of what I didn't write on my list! It was getting a roll or two of quarters for the laundry.