Writing in my Dreams

     As we approach our next departure to Disney World (another surprise trip), I realize how long it has been since I posted. Job change, family and health issues piled up for a while and my time and energy were overwhelmed so that habit was lost. I literally had a dream the other night that I was a published author, a legitimate published author, and woke up ready to write my novel! It did make me realize how much I have missed writing. It is time consuming sometimes. Life happens and writing gets pushed to the side because it isn't a requirement. My family isn't dependent on writing, it isn't my job and I don't HAVE to do it. I realize though that maybe I NEED to do it. Maybe I need to prioritize writing. It helps me in so many ways. Writing for myself feels somewhat selfish, I guess that's why I feel like it isn't required. 

It is May though, which is always an overly busy time of year.  I told my coworkers that May is busier than Christmas for me. They didn't understand, they don't have children yet. ;) May is awards day, graduations, parties, Mother's Day, field trips, birthdays, we have lots of (April and) May birthdays, Dance Recital Rehearsal and the Recital itself, tryouts for next year's activities and everything getting crammed into the end of the school year. There's just a lot going on in May. All that to say, May is crazy enough on its own but I am crazy enough to cap it off with a surprise trip to Disney World. Our first trip as Annual Passholders and I can't wait! 

Countdown to Disney.....We did it!

 We did it. We actually managed to make it to Disney without the children figuring it out. It was a LONG rainy drive from Atlanta to Orlando and every one of us was pretty tired but we got lots of renewed energy when the kids saw that famous sign! There was a lot of squealing and disbelief and a whole lot of happy smiles and laughter. That moment made it all worth it to me. The sheer joy in that vehicle made everything worth it and it still makes me smile just thinking about it. 

It was such a wonderful vacation. Everyone had the best time. We did almost all of the things that we wanted to do. We did things we hadn't even planned. We wore all of the shirts. We ate all of the food. We rode all of the rides. We did new attractions and old favorites. We even went antiquing! It was definitely one of our very best family vacations ever and we brought home some great souvenirs but most importantly....fantastic memories! I can't wait to dig in to each day's event and document those memories right here.

From the beautiful immersive Van Gogh Experience that was such a hit with all of us to the Lakeland Antique Mall that we stopped at on the way back home, the entire trip was full of fun and new adventures. 

Countdown to Disney......packing

    Packing for a vacation literally takes me weeks. I have already started packing for this trip. I like to keep Rubbermaid containers in my bedroom and as I am doing laundry come across things that I KNOW need to go with us, I place them in the container. I have a second container that I use for other things, ponchos, fans, park bags, etc. As I come across those things (or as Amazon delivers things), I mark them off my list and they go in the container. Since this trip is a surprise, I am packing for everyone, not just the littlest of littles.  I decided to use Gallon Ziploc bags to organize everyone's clothes each day. This is helping me make sure I have an outfit per person per day and I can label the bag for the kids to grab each day on their own as they are getting ready for the day. I am excited to see how this works out for us. 

My packing list does keep getting longer and longer somehow. Every time I think I have thought about it all, I see another idea about something Disney vacation related that I add to the list. But my work in progress is going well so far:

Clothing

• 1 outfit per person per day + one spare outfit
• underwear, bras, socks for each person 
• shoes (tennis shoes x2, flip flops, sandals)

Toiletries

• toothbrush/toothpaste/floss/mouthwash
• shampoo/conditioner
• dry shampoo
• deodorant
• soap/body wash
• makeup
• makeup remover/face wash/moisturizer/toner
• sunscreen (spray and face stick)
• aloe lotion
• wipes
• brushes/combos/hair ties
• hair spray/mouse/volumizer/curl spray

Electronics        

• Camera/batteries/chargers/gimbal
• Phones
• Phone Chargers    
• Electronic wipes
• Kids games (switch, 3DS, etc) and chargers
• laptops/chargers
• extra memory cards

Medicines

• tylenol
• ibuprofen
• vitamins
• ACV
• Ashwaganda
• pepto
• colon cleanse
• allergy meds
• bandaids/ointment
• eczema cream
• ice packs
• compression we

Other

• Ponchos
• park sling bags
• hand santizer
• masks
• ears
• hairbows
• snacks/drinks for the room
• cleaning wipes for the room

For the Ride

• books
• coloring books/crayons/art supplies
• food/drinks/snacks
• blankets
• pillows
• stuffed animals

What am I still forgetting? What are your must haves for traveling with the family?

Countdown to Disney....souvenirs

 Souvenirs are a big deal in Walt Disney World. So many options to choice from and so many places to purchase and so many high prices! Do we pick ears, Loungeflys, shirts, pins!? Which parks? Which Stores? All of them!? 

Each child usually gets a couple of souvenirs of their choosing. Pretty wide open, as long as it isn't too pricey. No Light Sabers that cost $300 over here !Typically, we use leftover Dining Credits at the end of our trip and get snacks that double as souvenirs. I love that we are able to do so. It let's the magic take use home, to school, wherever we go for a little while longer. The kids love a Mickey shaped snack from the trip to pop up in their lunchbox at school! So again, I really miss Disney Dining Plans! 

Another new adventure for this trip leaves me thinking about what to do on the last day before we leave the parks. Our tradition of trading in snack credits isn't an option. How do we cap off the trip and make sure we bring a little magic home? For one thing, I have decided to pick souvenirs very carefully. 

When I think back on my favorite souvenir, it is from our second family trip to disney. Our youngest was 4 years old and fell in love with "Chip & Dip"  while we were there. She would get so excited every time that we saw them. She had never so much as mentioned them before that trip. We searched and searched and finally found a Mickey hat with a little Chip & Dale plush set. It documented the year on the ears and had Chip & Dip to help us remember those moments. It was a little tough to find but was the perfect represenation of that memory. Every time we clean the playroom and I see it, it makes my heart happy. I can see her sweet little 4 year old smile and her that cute litte voice, "It's Chip  & Dip!" 

I can't wait to see what we experience this year that becomes our favorite memory. And, I look forward to searching stores for that 'just right' souvenir to help us remember that moment for years to come. This is what Disney Magic is all about. 

I also have done a lot of thinking about ways to keep the magic flowing. I love the idea of a Disney puzzle to put together as a family after we return home. Maybe a Disney cookbook so we can recreate some of our favorite meals and snacks. I have also considered stopping by one of the local antique malls and bringing home a legitiate piece of Disney! I really hope that time allows for that option. A pillow from the Grand Floridian or a Lamp from the Polynesian. Wouldn't that just be the coolest!?

What's your favorite Disney Souvenir?

Countdown to Disney.....shopping

 Shopping....ugh. I am not a big fan of shopping but I have been doing a lot of it for this trip. It has been a few years since our last trip in 2018 so kids have outgrown Disney gear. Plus, with the lack of Disney Dining Plan, we are taking Breakfast foods to have breakfast in the room and we won't have our refillable mugs. I feel like there are so many extra things that we need for this visit. I may overthink things a little but I have been shopping around for months. Shirts, ears, water bottles, backpacks, chargers, etc. 'Save for Later' has been my friend lately.  I am so indecisive about the silliest things, like shirts and always think I can find something better or cheaper. I worry about whether the kids will like them or my husband will think they are silly. The majority of things I place in the cart, usually end up in save for later. I did that this time and then ended up ordering it all at once. I actually think I prefer this method. It gave me time to look around and order with no regrets because I knew I had really searched the ends of the interwebs! I even have some items saved for the next trip. I orignally planned to share my purchases with you now but ultimately, I think the better option is to wait until our trip is over. I will be able to give great reviews and feedback on lots of great new Disney themed merch. Glad I can do all of the overthinking for you! 😂

Up next....souvenirs.....