Disney World Prep: Lodging

If you HAVE to turn 30, you might as well do it at the Happiest Place on Earth. When I turn 30 I want to be at the happiest place on earth surrounded by some of my most favorite people on earth.
So we're doing it!
Geoff and I are packing up the mini-van and the boys to head down to Orlando. We'll hopefully get to have dinner with Chuck, Lisa, Jenny, Katie, Jim and Reese who will happen to be in town and then we get to spend a week with Rory, Dagny and even Joe and Frankie for a few days as we celebrate all things fabulous, whether thats Buzz lightyear's lasers for Grant, 'Queen for Carter or the princesses for Dagny (and Rory... and me!)
We are determined to make our week long trip to Disney (T-32days) filled with memories but without breaking the bank, so I'm going to document costs and all since I know a lot of people want to do the same. usually finances/costs/money in general is not a topic that I like to talk to anyone about, so personal! I have had a number of people ask just how much a Disney vacation costs or the best ways to do it and while I certainly don't have all the answers, I can at least write down what we spend on our week.
We are not going as cheap as possible. We are not saying "money is no object". We're trying to balance having a great time with being smart about the money spent... we'll see how it goes.

The ONLY thing we knew before starting to plan the trip is that we were going to get the Military Salute tickets because Disney rocks and has an awesome deal for service members and their families. A 4day Ticket with Park Hopper option (you can visit more than one park in a give day) for $156 each. -usually for this exact ticket Adults would be $256 each and Grant would have been $239, Carter under 3 is free-

I called up Disney and asked about a week at a Disney resort in March with Military discounts.
We were quoted Sun-Saturday at the Art of Animation resort in a family suite (small kitchenette, seperate master bed/bath) with the Disney standard dining plan for $2536.00 SAY WHAT?!?!?!
The same days and meal plan at the Caribbean Beach resort in more of a classic hotel room with just a fridge and 2 queen beds was quoted at $1899.00
Now, the Art of Animation was in a Cars themed room which would have had Carter over-the-moon but he's 2 and we're not rich so that wasn't even an option. The Caribbean beach room would be pirate themed which would have both boys saying "cool"and "arrrrr" all week long but is still a lot of money.

We called up Shades of Green, an MWR facility on Disney property that is only for military. It is a hotel but enjoys the perks of Disney resorts such as Extra Magic Hours (when parks open earlier/close later for Disney Resort properties' guests) and shuttles to the parks. It is a basic hotel room with 2 queen beds and fridge, like the Caribbean beach room but the pool is "just" a pool, not a fancy pirate water park (keep in mind, we're going in March though resort pools are heated) and the hotel itself is "just" a hotel, not filled with Disney magic. The rate for Geoff's rank was $133 a night, $800 total.

So then we had to see if the dining plan was worth the $1,100 difference...

Alive and kicking

Did you think the blog was dying a slow, painful death?
me too.

Not much time to sit on the computer and blog. most emails are read off my phone in the preschool parking lot these days. Oh, I can't even imagine how CRAZY life is going to get when we have THREE LITTLE BOYS crawling/toddling/running around screaming like banshees all over the house.

(but I love it)

finally a Silent Night

3 for the Price of 1

Pum'kin Paintin'

(and if you wonder why I don't blog much any more, the past few entries should show you.... I H@TE the new blogger formating and can't get ANYTHING to work... so frustrating)

Geoff's EGGcellent Day!

Geoff has been coveting a Big Green Egg for a while now. He has really gotten into grilling and wanted to venture into smoking. After researching a while this big green thing became his obsession.  We were pretty set that this was going to be his Christmas gift but somehow he always lucks into stuff early!

Through his research he learned that they celebrate Egg-toberfest and held rallies/cook offs, the main one being in Atlanta next weekend. At the rally you can buy an egg that they used one time for that day as a demo for a huge discount. More research unveiled other stores in the Atlanta area matching the demo packages and prices! so after a morning recon trip out to our local dealer to actually see the thing with our own eyes we were trying to figure out an Atlanta trip.
Fast forward a few hours later and this PsyOp officer extraordinaire had convinced the local shop to pretty much match the deal too! (save us a 10 hour trip to Atlanta, gas money and the lovely "quality" time that Carter makes long car rides)
Need less to say, Geoff was as happy as a kid in a candy store, or should I say a Kid on Christmas (despite the torrential downpours that were happening- we still has grilled shrimp for dinner)
Merry Christmas Geoff!!!

Ahoy Mateys

 
In case you don't have a 5 year old (and aren't forced to watch Nick Jr where they stream the same commercials over and over every 7 minutes) you might not know that today is "Talk Like A Pirate" Day! -seriously, it's a thing-
Add to that a promotion from Krispy Kreme that offered anyone who showed up today dressed as a Pirate a free dozen doughnuts and you better believe we were Pirates today!
The ad specifically said "not just an eye patch" so we HAD to go all out! We've got the cutest crew on all the seven seas!!
(The extra hooligan is our friend Griffin)

Camden Childs

yesterday was a pretty monumental day at the Childs house... we brought home a 2 month old lab puppy we named Camden!

Night one went pretty well, she's getting good about pottying outside when we take her- the poor thing is just exasuted because the boys won't let her sleep! Carter keeps bringing her offerings of his toys and Grant just keeps saying "you know who's the happiest guy ever...me"

video of the boys reaction: https://vimeo.com/48451855 

Carter is 2!

If you've wondered where the blog went...

Self Help from a 2-Year Old

1. Challenge yourself every day. Try climbing the stairs carrying two soccer balls while wearing your father's shoes. Remember, failure IS an option.
2. De-clutter! Start by throwing all your dishes in the garbage. After that I suggest toothbrushes and important paper work.
3. Pee on the floor and stomp in it like a puddle. You'll be shocked how much better you feel.
4. Whether the glass is half empty or half full is irrelevant if you dump it out on the sofa. You're welcome.
5. If you're feeling aggressive, or just bored, scream in a cat's face.
6. Don't ever be afraid to hand someone an ice cube while they're on the toilet. That stuff is cold. You don't have to be in pain!
7. Socks are poison. Trust me, don't wear them! Happiness will soon follow!
8. Pound on a computer keyboard like Jerry Lee Lewis playing the piano. Feel better? I thought so. Great Balls of Fire!
9. If you fall down, stay down. Someone will pick you up eventually.
10. Quick thrills fuel the heart. Have you learned to delete things off the DVR yet? DO IT. It's AwWwWwEsOmE.
11. Seize the day and the night and the middle of the night and the early morning. Seize everything, y'all! Never stop seizing stuff.
12. Tired of looking at yourself in the mirror? So was I until I met my friend permanent marker. FACE TATTOOS ARE RAD.
13. This might be a tough one, but you gotta trust me: Take a crap in the tub. It's surreal.
14. Live in the moment because there is nothing else. Seriously, there isn't. Not that I'm aware of at least.
15. If you're gonna run, do it at top speed, man. Life is too short to walk in the mall.
16. I've seen God, and his name is iPad. Let us pray.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-good/selfhelp-from-a-2-yearold_b_1536873.html

Grant's Pledge

Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.  

~Daniel Webster