Makin' Memories... A PTR for a 2022 Thanksgiving Trip. (hopefully)

[Paulaparm]

Hi! I've been away for a while (a month in Florida but back now and all caught up!
I LOVE your birthday bingo game. That will be fun!
All of your gifts are so cute and thoughtful
I am kicking myself for not getting the orange bird shirt I saw that I liked
Regarding the girls new summer clothing, could you just take them shopping because they need new clothes for summer and you want to get them before the stores are all picked through? That way you could still keep the trip a secret.
Your dining plans look good. We ate at Homecomin' and really enjoyed it! We never did get back to try Polite Pig, or Earl of Sandwich, which we always do...
Sorry you've had to deal with so much flight drama! It's tough trying to plan when you know they are changing things so often. It's happening with Amtrak too. My parents booked the train to come down while we were there and ended up driving because of all the changes Amtrak made.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Hi! I've been away for a while (a month in Florida but back now and all caught up!

Welcome Back!!!! How was your trip!

Regarding the girls new summer clothing, could you just take them shopping because they need new clothes for summer and you want to get them before the stores are all picked through? That way you could still keep the trip a secret.

Unfortantly, both of my girls HATE shopping! HATE IT!!! And either they will put up a very big fight about it OR they will be on to me and why we are going.

Sorry you've had to deal with so much flight drama! It's tough trying to plan when you know they are changing things so often. It's happening with Amtrak too. My parents booked the train to come down while we were there and ended up driving because of all the changes Amtrak made.

I just hope it is all behind us! How far was the drive for your parents?

 

[Paulaparm]

Welcome Back!!!! How was your trip!

Our trip was great, thanks! We took our 5th wheel and stayed at Fort Wilderness for the first time and LOVED it! We were there 2 weeks with 10 day park hoppers. Weather was great. It was a little more crowded than I had hoped.

Unfortantly, both of my girls HATE shopping! HATE IT!!! And either they will put up a very big fight about it OR they will be on to me and why we are going.

I feel their pain...I am not a fan of shopping either.

I just hope it is all behind us! How far was the drive for your parents?

The drive is roughly 16 hours. (We are in NE PA) We always break it up into 2 days. Gary and I got in FL Jan 30 and stayed at a campground about 15 minutes from FW because I wanted to arrive at the Fort in the morning. (We checked in there Jan 31) My parents, aunt and uncle also drove and took 2 days. They got there on Feb 1 and stayed at POFQ for a week. We would just meet up with them in the parks, and we were there alone then our 2nd week.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Happy Sunday Everyone!

41 Days!!!

I am ready to see 30 something days! This week was a bit crazy and this coming week will be pretty busy for us as well. The girls have the actual play this coming weekend. So, lots of rehearsals and then a jam packed weekend!

I don't have too much to report. Our shirts for Andy's birthday came!
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Nifty 50! Andy picked out his shirt and then I found the nifty shirts to go with it. It isn't screaming it's my birthday but I think Andy likes that. We will get him a birthday button as well.

I also ordered these ears...and I love them!
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They came in this amazing box..

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The headband is perfect too! Not too tight. They will be perfect for Flower and Garden.

Oh! And my second set of Magic Band showed up!
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The Birthday one, is obviously for Andy. I will leave that out for Andy on his birthday.
I got the lavender Minnie one for Gwen, I think she will love that.
The black haunted mansion one is for Morgan, although I was tempted to get it for myself.
And then I went with the Chewie one! How cute is he on the falcon!!!

I have to start a list of random things that we need to get. External Charges, packing cubes, socks...

OH! I almost forgot, we bought a new suitcase yesterday! It is just one from Target, but it's bigger and has the 360 wheels on it. Hopefully, we can stay with 4 suitcases this way, we now how 2 LARGE suitcases and 3 semi-large suitcases. Worst case we will use 5, we are flying southwest, so at least we won't have to worry about an extra charge.

Speaking of packing... I was poking around amazon for extra packing cubes and I found these.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R1TZD9P/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A1NUXHOSG6J8RL&th=1Anybody use this compression type before? I think I am going to get a set. If nothing else they are packing cubes!

Today while the girls are at drama, I think I am going to work on the cheat sheet images we use. So, stay tuned for those!

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Watch out combining large suitcases and packing cubes! I have packed the large suitcases upwards of 70lb by packing my cubes tight and then filling a suitcase. I'd be worried about being too efficient with those compression ones!

My current packing strategy is to sure my big cases have a reasonable balance of things like jackets that take up more room for less weight.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

atch out combining large suitcases and packing cubes! I have packed the large suitcases upwards of 70lb by packing my cubes tight and then filling a suitcase. I'd be worried about being too efficient with those compression ones!

Very True!!!!! The goal is to have breathing room in each suitcase for all the stuff I assume we will buy!

 

[princessbelle2015]

I love the ears you got! They are so beautiful!

 

[vamassey1]

The shirts are cool, but I love the ears. They are perfect for Flower & Garden.

 

[amazingact21]

The Chewie magicband is really cute. I almost got it for Evie.

I like the birthday shirts. It's subtle yet still really fun.

I think @suse66 is about to use the compression cubes on her trip next week, maybe she can let you know what she thinks of them.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Happy Thursday!!!

It is officially 30 days till our trip!!! Woo Hoo!!!
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Let me tell you work has been CRAZY the last 2 weeks and I am READY for this vacation!

Morgan and Gwen survived the play!
Not sure if I mentioned what the girls were doing, but Gwen was a featured dancer and Morgan was on tech crew.
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Gwen is right in the front in the flower shirt.
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The Ballroom Dance, Gwen was the most excitied to learn the ballroom dance.
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Morgan did end up on stage at the end to hold an umbrella and be a tree.
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Those are Morgan's legs! Ha.

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But she really enjoyed the behind the scenes stuff. She was the "Prop Master" and was in charge of all of the props.

We were very proud of them, it was a long weekend but they both came out exhausted but loved it.

I got my last tinkerbell gifts! I ended up ordering these bags for the last day. Like a here is something to carry all your swag home in.
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And then I ordered these baithing suits for the girls
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I also finally picked out Easter Shirts but they have not arrived yet. they are all from Etsy, so hopefully they will get here in time.

So, now anything I buy is just extra... ha!

Gwen told Andy last night "When we go to Disney again, I want us to have matching Pew Pew Pew Shirts" So, now I need to order those..

I am keeping an eye on the park hours. They haven't extended any yet. I kind of hope they don't because that means that the crowds will be dying down. But we will see.

So, we decided we are going to tell the girls in 2 weeks. April 1st is going to be the day! It's 2 weeks from tomorrow. And it will give us 2 weeks before we leave. So, we still need to decide how we want to tell them. Andy wants to just say we are going to set up Easter decorations and just have a note in the box for them to find. But I don't really like that. I still like the idea of the board game with one of the cards saying we are going to Disney. BUT It just happens to be April Fools Day, so maybe we can come up with something with that... Not sure yet...

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Sounds like the girl’s show was a great success. You got some fabulous photos.
I like the bags (and swimsuits) and think they’re a great last day gift. As you say, they will be perfect for carrying all their swag home in.
It really isn’t long now until you go. I’m sure you are excited to tell the girls though they may not believe you when you do given that it’s April Fools Day

 

[amazingact21]

Great job to the girls for working so hard on the play! That endeavor takes a lot of time and work. (I partook in a local college play when I was a kid.) They should feel really proud of themselves.

You're down to weeks now! I'm so excited for you all. I know how long you've been waiting for this trip.
Be careful telling the girls on April Fools. Might take them awhile to really believe it's happening.

 

[alpal22]

April 1st is going to be the day!

Agreed with Alicia, Morgan and Gwen could definitely think that it's an April Fools joke.

 

[keh422]

Under 30 days! So exciting!! I love the play pictures. I have 2 kids currently in theater (at different schools). So much fun, but yes, SO exhausting. We had one play last month and the other one next month.

You could definitely have a lot of fun with an April Fool’s Day reveal… but I’m not sure how. My husband would probably have some great ideas.

 

[vamassey1]

Congrats to the girls on their play. What a great experience.

Great final gifts. I love the idea of telling them on April Fool’s Day. It will keep them guessing.

Are y’all coming in on the Friday or Saturday?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

BUT It just happens to be April Fools Day, so maybe we can come up with something with that... Not sure yet...

Oh man, the mean mom in me says you totally lean in to the April Fools. Maybe, like, "We're going to Disneyland! April fool's, I meant Disney World!" Or tell them on the first, let them think it's an April Fools, and then tell them again on the 2nd? I don't know where the line between funny and mean is with joking about a vacation after 2 years of pandemic miserableness.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Oh man, the mean mom in me says you totally lean in to the April Fools. Maybe, like, "We're going to Disneyland! April fool's, I meant Disney World!" Or tell them on the first, let them think it's an April Fools, and then tell them again on the 2nd? I don't know where the line between funny and mean is with joking about a vacation after 2 years of pandemic miserableness.

I am RIGHT there with you. I kind of like the idea of them thinking it's an April Fool's joke but just a little. But I think we have a new plan!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Happy Sunday Everyone!!!!

Also, Happy First Day of Spring! We made it, everyone!!!

Man, I hope this coming work week is a bit calmer for me. But I am in full on count down mode!

Speaking of which, I have 27 days to go!

So, I think we have a new plan for telling the girls. So, we have one of those letter boards that you can change the messages on it. Currently it has something about the month of March.

So, I think we are going to change the board to countdown to the trip on April 1st. We will make the switch when they are at school. And then just see how long it takes them to notice. I am hoping they notice when they get home.... And that they question if it's an April Fools joke or not. But there is also a good chance they don't... they are pretty observant kids but also pretty oblivious all at the same time.

It's simple but I think it will work. I am going to see if I can set up one of our phones to try and video them coming home. We will see.

So, does anyone listen to podcasts where they recap their trips? Well, I do, and a certain someone got picked to be on one for this coming trip!

I am not so patiently waiting for the rest of my Etsy stuff to be shipped. I got one of the Easter shirts, and 1 shipped but the other 2 still need to ship. And I have 2 random shirts I ordered that I am still waiting to ship as well. I am getting impatient!!!

I basically need this trip to come, so I stop buying things!!! Does anyone else have this problem? I usually don't but this trip... I just keep finding stuff now that I got going. Oye.

 

[SEAGULL59]

Happy Sunday Everyone!!!!

Also, Happy First Day of Spring! We made it, everyone!!!

Man, I hope this coming work week is a bit calmer for me. But I am in full on count down mode!

Speaking of which, I have 27 days to go!

So, I think we have a new plan for telling the girls. So, we have one of those letter boards that you can change the messages on it. Currently it has something about the month of March.

So, I think we are going to change the board to countdown to the trip on April 1st. We will make the switch when they are at school. And then just see how long it takes them to notice. I am hoping they notice when they get home.... And that they question if it's an April Fools joke or not. But there is also a good chance they don't... they are pretty observant kids but also pretty oblivious all at the same time.

It's simple but I think it will work. I am going to see if I can set up one of our phones to try and video them coming home. We will see.

So, does anyone listen to podcasts where they recap their trips? Well, I do, and a certain someone got picked to be on one for this coming trip!

I am not so patiently waiting for the rest of my Etsy stuff to be shipped. I got one of the Easter shirts, and 1 shipped but the other 2 still need to ship. And I have 2 random shirts I ordered that I am still waiting to ship as well. I am getting impatient!!!

I basically need this trip to come, so I stop buying things!!! Does anyone else have this problem? I usually don't but this trip... I just keep finding stuff now that I got going. Oye.

Congrats on the podcast! I’ve never listened to any of them that had to do with Disney but I love watching vloggers on YouTube.

The message board sounds like a fun idea! What did you end up getting on your Easter shirts?

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I think the message wall idea is great. Wonder how long it will take the girls to notice . I haven’t listened to the podcasts but I’d be up for yours so let us know how/where to find it. Exciting to be chosen