Packing -
I'm almost done packing all of our clothes. I could have finishes yesterday, but I wanted to talk to Michael about a few things and her went to and from New Mexico yesterday. I could probably have the clothes completely packed in a day or so. I'll have to pack masks last minute because I plan on bringing about a dozen and we still need plenty for this next week of school. I still need to pack our backpack, the kids' Backpacks full of fun, our first Aid Kit, and our bathroom bag. Sounds like a lot, but it's mostly just collecting little things. I might finish the first Aid Kit and bathroom bag after I finish this blog! I started making lists months ago and started packing a few things at a time about a month ago. I feel confident that we'll get everything. Leaving for 9 days means we'll need a decent amount of stuff. Michael and I are packing our stuff in our small suitcase, then putting it in our big suitcase, so have a second bag to come home with because of souvenirs! So far it's only at 42 lbs! Helps that we're going to have groceries delivered when we get there: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, Sunscreen, contact solution, etc. So we're saving some toiletry weight.
Shopping -
I think I have almost everything we need purchased for our trip. Michael would like a few more masks, and, like I said, we're going to order some groceries when we get there. I think we'll also order some breakfast foods to have in our room. Things to much on or grab and go on our way out in the morning. Things that are easy to eat on transportation on the way to the parks. I've joined several different Facebook groups about tips and tricks and having groceries delivered was a no brainer with many people. I can even place my order early in the day and have our groceries arrive right after we do. 😊 Should work well. I need to make Michael another shirt, but I got a t-shirt that was too dark, so maybe today I'll drag him to Michael's or Hobby Lobby with me to find him a new one. The vinyl is ready, so I just need a shirt and to iron it on. Mama is going to take the kids Snack shopping maybe Thursday or Friday after school. I think she's going to play it off like, let's just go have fun and get snacks, get some ideas for your trip. I should make a list so they don't come back with too much. As I'll have the kids' Backpacks full of entertainment for all of our flights, and ours full of first Aid and travel supplies, there won't be a ton of room for snacks. Only a few of the tastiest ones, then we'll get more snacks once we've landed in Orlando. Taking a plane is a lot more restrictive than when we drive and I can pack IT ALL! 🤣 Might still buy myself some new Sneakers. But if I want to, it needs to be fast, cause I've only got a week to break them in! 😳
*Started this blog yesterday, now only 6 days to Disney* 😁
Telling the kids -
No, we haven't told them yet. They know this vacation is coming, but it's months away. We're going to wake them up at 3am on Saturday morning with the news! To tell them about the trip, we have a gift for them (the box with our magic bands + a headband with ears for each of them) as well as a card with a poem I've written. I'm trying to figure out how to get my cricut to write the poem and cut out a card for me. I made thank you cards for the kids' tennis coaches a few months ago, but I used a pre-made card, didn't have to figure out how to make one on my own. But this is good practice! Less than a week to get it figured out! (And it will be a busy one) Here's the poem I wrote (unless I change it in the next 6 days...)
Good Morning, Kiddos,
Rub your eyes,
Your parents have a big surprise!
Brush your teeth,
And comb your hair,
Hurry, grab something to wear!
You've been patient,
Thanks for waiting,
Our trip you've been anticipating.
Your bags are packed,
The time has come,
Are you ready to have some fun?
We know it's early,
But don't be sour,
We're going to Disney in ONE HOUR!!
I hope they'll be excited! Neither of them are super great with early mornings, but hopefully when they see why they're up so early they'll be a little more energetic. 😉 We'll see. 😁 Also, of course, we'll video their reactions and them opening everything. I think it will turn out well!
The next week -
We have 6 days, and although the kids don't know it, there is plenty to get done! It will be a busy week! Today we're going to Towanda for the day, since Mama and Daddy have been gone the last week on vacation. It will be nice to see them and spend some more time with them before we leave on our own trip. We also have to stop in Andover to pick up some duck eggs from Bernadette and be home by 6 to pick up our groceries from Wal-Mart. I didn't order much, as I don't want the fridge full of food before we leave for 9 days. Meals may be creative this week. 😉
Tomorrow Glenn and Linda are coming to visit! They are going on a vacation as well, a bus trip, to the northwest to see National Parks and sights! Similar to the trip my folks took a couple years ago. Their bus is leaving out of Wichita, so they're staying the night before with us. That's also the day before Avery's birthday! 😱
Tuesday our baby girl turns 9!! I cannot believe it!! We'll have birthday pancakes in the morning, of course, then after school we'll open presents and go out to dinner. I'm not sure what type of dinner she'll be in the mood for, but usually she likes Japanese Hibachi places. We'll see. 😉 We didn't have big ideas for her birthday this year, and we have a trip planned days later, but I hope it's still a special day for her. ❤ Glenn and Linda will leave for their trip sometime on this day.
Wednesday should be a fairly normal day of work and school. I'm hoping that the book fair gets delivered so I can get started getting things ready for it. The fair will start the following Monday while we're on our trip, so I won't be there to help during the first week of the fair. Because of this, I'm trying to get the most work done that I can beforehand. Every day early that the fair arrives is helpful for me to get things done. I think Mama and Daddy are taking Avery out shopping for her birthday on Wednesday evening as well. This will mean we have some time with only one kiddo at home to finish packing and going over our lists and such.
Thursday I wouldn't normally be working, but as I'm missing 3 days the following week, I'm moving my hours to this week and the following week. Thursday I'll hopefully be working on getting the book fair set up all day. Again, it all depends on when it arrives. Hopefully it's Wednesday, because Thursday Karla is gone all day for our Redesign Team. So it will just be me and possibly some parent volunteers. Should be fun.... 😳😳😳 Thursday evening Mama might take the kids Snack shopping for our trip under the guise of "figuring out what snacks might be good to take on the trip when it gets here." That evening without them will give Michael and I kid-free time to put the final touches on the packing, and clean the house really well. I've been trying to keep up on the cleaning this last week in an effort to keep this week from being too much of a chore, but we'll see how the next week goes....
Friday is our last day before our trip! I'll be at work again, getting the book fair set up, Karla will be there on Friday, so any changes that need made she can instruct on. The kids will be at school like usual, but may come home with extra homework (for the 3 days the following week). That means Friday evening will be spent completing all of that homework. After they're done, I'll take everything over to Sis' house and give their work to Dayton to deliver to the teachers on Monday. Then, if we can talk them into it, off to bed early, because the morning will come quicker than they realize!
It's going to be a whirlwind of a week! I'm also hoping to get a massage Thursday or Friday, take a long lunch or something and gets some relaxing done before the craziness of vacation arrives. 😉 We've been planning this trip for so long, I hope it goes well and that we haven't set our expectations too high. I sure am excited! It's going to be such a fun trip, but I'm also so excited to see the looks on the kids' faces when they experience all that there is. It should be so much fun!
Giant thank you to Mama for house-sitting, dog-sitting, and picking up my slack in getting D² to and from school while we're gone. You are such a dependable helper and I so so so appreciate and love you!! Having you here at the house sets my kind at ease that it won't be empty for over a week. That seriously relieves some anxiety for me. And I know the dogs are always in good hands with you. Harlee and Gabby are pretty easy going. I hope Samson is well behaved for you as well. He's a handful, but mostly just high energy (and a little nibbly when his energy is too high). The kids should be pretty easy too, and you'll have my car, so hopefully you'll be pretty comfortable driving it for the week.
Almost time! I can't wait! I might post updates on the trip here on the blog, but I might not. Just depends on how we're feeling each day. Have a wonderful week and wish us rest this week, because next week we sure aren't getting any! 🤣
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