Finally getting to see the lights! Nov '11 Anniversary/Holiday/F&W PTR-New 11/4 p50

[Lovemy3babes]

Amy, you are seriously soooooo organized! Kudos!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

You're really making progress on that to-do list.....nice! I have no idea how you are able to keep all that planning a secret!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Amy, you are seriously soooooo organized! Kudos!

Thanks!! It helps pass the time.

You're really making progress on that to-do list.....nice! I have no idea how you are able to keep all that planning a secret!

I don't know how I'm keeping it a secret either! Luckily my boys aren't all that observant so I can plan without them really noticing what I'm doing. I washed & was folding a bunch of Disney t-shirts in the livingroom next to Zach & he didn't even notice! And spending the majority of my down time on Disney websites wouldn't really raise a red flag since I do that all the time anyways! Also, the fake trip story has helped. I've been able to pull out the suitcases without any questions.

 

[disneyfan61]

Amy I made some notes since we are leaving in less than 2 weeks. I am glad you are so organized so I can steal some ideas.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Amy I made some notes since we are leaving in less than 2 weeks. I am glad you are so organized so I can steal some ideas.

Glad to help!

 

[MEK]

Congrats on 22 days!!!! You are seriously making progress on that list. You go girl! I wish I was half as organized as you!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Amy, your list is getting smaller!

I'll have another update to post tomorrow about the big reveal for the surprise! I've been working on that & need to take some pictures to share with you.

Can't wait to see!

 

[irish dancer]

Wow, you are cruising on that to-do list. Congrats on getting so much done!

Can't wait to read all about the big reveal. We just watched our reveal and trip video the other night, it was so much fun!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Congrats on 22 days!!!! You are seriously making progress on that list. You go girl! I wish I was half as organized as you!

Thanks Mary Ellen!

Amy, your list is getting smaller!

Can't wait to see!

Updte coming up!

Wow, you are cruising on that to-do list. Congrats on getting so much done!

Can't wait to read all about the big reveal. We just watched our reveal and trip video the other night, it was so much fun!

Thanks AM! That must have been a fun night at your house!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Earlier this week, I got to meet up with Heidi (MRYPPNS) & her daughter Danica, at the Mall of NH. We had one important stop on our list... The Disney Store! It's the nearest Disney store to both of us, so it's a treat when we are able to go there. After shopping, we headed to Ruby Tuesday's for lunch. So what did I buy at the Disney store?

Adult shirts were two for $28… I got this one for Tim:

I couldn't find any that I loved for our upcoming trip but I thought this one was cute & would be good for Halloween:

Kids shirts were two for $20 kids… I got this one for Alex:

And this one for Zach:

Plus I got a couple items for the goody bags – playing cards for Alex & a fan for Zach. (You'll see pictures below.)

It was a fun morning & we'll be meeting up at the mall again soon!

On to the big surprise... After going back & forth, we’ve decided to have the big reveal on Saturday morning, 11/5, just before we are due to leave for the airport. It will start out with a scavenger hunt, which will lead them to a box. I’ll probably have the box hiding amongst the luggage in the living room ready to go. The box will have balloons & goody bags for each of the boys.

I cut & pasted the scavenger hunt clues onto these cards:

These are the clues (we’ll hand them the first one):
Mom & Dad are celebrating their anniversary
And have invited you to go along!
But they haven’t told you the whole story
They’ve had a secret for oh so long!
Clues will lead you to something good.
Look for the next one where you hang up your hood. (Hooks by our door)


This is so much fun! We hope it makes you glad!
Where would Alex keep a shirt that’s plaid? (Alex’s closet)


To find out what we are REALLY doing,
Go to where we keep the supplies for cutting & gluing. (Shelves in our dining room)


You’re doing great! You’re hot on the trail!
Go see the two little creatures who each have a tail. (Gerbils)


When it’s rainy, some people go to the mall,
But you guys go down there to play ball. (Basement playroom)


On his ice cream, Zach likes jimmies,
Go to the place where he shimmies.
(Doorway in our dining room - Zach likes to climb like a monkey!)


We can put food here to keep it from getting old,
It also keeps popsicles & ice cream cold. (Freezer)


We do it every morning, we do it every night,
This is where mom & dad brush their teeth to keep them white. (Bathroom)


You’re almost done, just one more clue,
Look by the suitcases, red & blue
To find out what surprise we have for you! (Living room)


You know it’s a trip but it’s not North Carolina!
Maybe it’s Mexico, Canada, Germany or China?
We’re going away but you don’t know where…
It’s a place where magic & happiness fill the air,
Make sure you have packed your crocs,
You’ll find out why inside the box!


Here are the goody bags:

Zach’s stuff:

(That is his lanyard in the plastic bag, there are also some new pins for trading that I got from ebay.)

Alex’s goody bag:

I am so excited to share the exciting news with the boys! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures & video. Now I just have to figure out how to post videos...

And last but not least... we're leaving in 3 weeks!!!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Great scavenger hunt! The surprise is going to be so fun!

Very cute finds at the Disney Store. I wish we had one close...all of the local ones closed.

 

[disneyfan61]

Wow even rhyming

I love it!!!

I cannot wait to see their reaction & the video. So fun!!!

 

[Angies1274]

Hi Amy!

Wow! I can't believe how close your trip is! You must be so excited!!!

You're doing great on your to-do list! Ooohh...and I love the scavenger hunt! They are going to have so much fun!

on the Disney Store finds!! We are going tomorrow...can't wait to see what I can find. It's been so long since I've been able to do a little Disney shopping!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Woo hoo Disney Store stuff!

I absolutely love the scavenger hunt -- awesome clues! Such fun, I can't wait to see how they react!

 

[DisFanEY]

Hi Amy,

I have been following along ever since I learned you were planning a nearly identical anniversary/surprise trip! DH and I haven't decided on our reveal yet, but we love your scavenger hunt, and could steal your whole first clue!
I am more and more worried about how our youngest will handle the transitions at WDW, and have read tons that you and other moms with those with ASD have posted. What's funny is that since youngest DD can't communicate very well, I know that all the social stories and prep work I have been doing will go unnoticed by her older sisters. Although when she just celebrated her 3rd birthday, and her sisters asked what she wanted, she said she wanted to go to Disney World! The big girls just tossed it aside since mommy talks about WDW so often! Our secret was safe!

Hope the planning continues to be so fun...my closet is full right now of clothes to pack...it feels like Christmas at my house!

Erin

 

[irish dancer]

Yay for a Dis meet and shopping trip! Cute t-shirt finds. Deirdre was asking today to go to TDS. Luckily we have one at our local mall.

Amazing scavenger hunt clues, love that they rhyme! The boys are going to have so much fun with it!

Can't believe it's only 3wks, where does the time go?!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great scavenger hunt! The surprise is going to be so fun!

Very cute finds at the Disney Store. I wish we had one close...all of the local ones closed.

I can't wait... I hope it goes off like I imagine it will! Our closest Disney store closed a few years ago but at least we still have one in Manchester, which is about 40 minutes away.

Wow even rhyming

I love it!!!

I cannot wait to see their reaction & the video. So fun!!!

Thanks Doreen! I'm really happy how the clues turned out. I can't wait to share it with you!

Hi Amy!

Wow! I can't believe how close your trip is! You must be so excited!!!

You're doing great on your to-do list! Ooohh...and I love the scavenger hunt! They are going to have so much fun!

on the Disney Store finds!! We are going tomorrow...can't wait to see what I can find. It's been so long since I've been able to do a little Disney shopping!

3 weeks! I can't believe it! Have fun shopping tomorrow!!

Woo hoo Disney Store stuff!

I absolutely love the scavenger hunt -- awesome clues! Such fun, I can't wait to see how they react!

I just love walking into the Disney store... even if there isn't anything that I have to buy. I can't wait to share the surprise!!

Yay for a Dis meet and shopping trip! Cute t-shirt finds. Deirdre was asking today to go to TDS. Luckily we have one at our local mall.

Amazing scavenger hunt clues, love that they rhyme! The boys are going to have so much fun with it!

Can't believe it's only 3wks, where does the time go?!

It was great to see Heidi again! You are so lucky to have a Disney store close by!

I've been working on the clues for a while...

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Amy,

I have been following along ever since I learned you were planning a nearly identical anniversary/surprise trip! DH and I haven't decided on our reveal yet, but we love your scavenger hunt, and could steal your whole first clue!
I am more and more worried about how our youngest will handle the transitions at WDW, and have read tons that you and other moms with those with ASD have posted. What's funny is that since youngest DD can't communicate very well, I know that all the social stories and prep work I have been doing will go unnoticed by her older sisters. Although when she just celebrated her 3rd birthday, and her sisters asked what she wanted, she said she wanted to go to Disney World! The big girls just tossed it aside since mommy talks about WDW so often! Our secret was safe!

Hope the planning continues to be so fun...my closet is full right now of clothes to pack...it feels like Christmas at my house!

Erin

Hi Erin!

How cool is it that we're planning the same type of trip for the same time!! Where are you staying? What are your dates?

So you've been talking about your trip with your little one but not her bigger sisters? How fun is that! It's like you two have your own little secret! How old are your kids? Does your little one have an ASD diagnosis?

Sorry so many questions... I'm so glad you came out of lurkdome & said hello!!

Happy Planning!

 

[MEK]

Oh Amy - those clues and the goody bags look amazing! I love all the cute T's you got at the Disney store! I love your Halloween T. That is too cute. Makes me want to go there right now!

My nephews are heading to Disney world with us in June (4 boys ages 5 to 13). I think I will hit up ebay and try to find them pins and a lanyard. It would be so fun to surprise them.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Oh Amy - those clues and the goody bags look amazing! I love all the cute T's you got at the Disney store! I love your Halloween T. That is too cute. Makes me want to go there right now!

My nephews are heading to Disney world with us in June (4 boys ages 5 to 13). I think I will hit up ebay and try to find them pins and a lanyard. It would be so fun to surprise them.

I think your nephews will really enjoy pin trading.

You can get some great deals on pins on ebay. The only thing is that Zach won't wear the girly ones (the ones he wants to trade) on his lanyard. He makes me keep them in my pocket/purse to give to him when he's ready to trade!