Life With 2 (+ 1) Redheads

I mentioned before that I researched the mess out of this trip.  In my research, I found some really fun ideas to personalize our trip.  I cannot take credit for the design of most of this because I copied the idea.  I think they boys will love having these though!  The formatting messed up a little when I saved these documents as images, but you get the idea!

This year, we spent Thanksgiving at our home and hosted Josh's side of the family.  Even in the midst of utter chaos and stress, it was a nice change to be at home and even learn how to cook all of Josh's mom's dishes that her kids rave over!  We even got a surprise from Josh's sister who still lives in New Jersey who showed up to surprise all of us!  The weather was a beautiful 70 degrees outside, the food was awesome, and I finally got to pull out some of my "nice dishes" from our wedding :) 

When we booked our Disney trip three months ago, I already felt so behind.  There are people who plan these trips up to a year in advance.  And in addition, I really felt like I just didn't understand Disney World.  The only time I ever really went was when I was very young.  The other two times I went was to perform in high school.  I just didn't remember a lot about it.

So fortunately for my family, the following is true:  1) I'm a natural born organizer when I want to be and 2) There is more than enough information online about how to prepare for a Disney trip!  I figured I'd share what has been helpful for me along the way.

First, there are several websites that have helped me learn general information, tips and tricks, and even read reviews.  My favorites are:

www.mousesavers.com
www.tipsfromthedisneydiva.com
www.wdwprepschool.com
www.dadsguidetowdw.com

There are two websites that I've used to get touring plans and to get information about which order to ride the rides in, crowd levels expected, etc.

www.touringplans.com
www.tourguidemike.com

Also, after much discussion from others we decided to rent the mother of all double strollers and used an Orlando stroller rental company.  They deliver it free to our resort upon our arrival!

www.kingdomstrollers.com

We used a great travel agency out of New Jersey who handled all of our reservations.  It was nice to hand it all over!

www.travelmagic.com

 I'll post separately about what I've done to specifically make the trip special for the boys!

Yesterday while talking with a neighbor, I realized that I would be out of town both the last weekend of November and the first weekend of December.  That would mean I wouldn't have a chance to decorate for Christmas until the weekend of December 7...which would make me pretty sad!  So, we decided to Christmas-fy the LeConey casa this weekend!  Tyler was beyond estactic.  He could not wait to help me decorate the tree!  Ryan loved coming downstairs and seeing the Christmas tree.  His exact words were, "Wow, I like it!"  This is such a fun time of year, and it's even more special in a new home this year!  Here are a few pictures from our weekend!

I met this morning with Tyler's teacher.  I really do like her a lot.  She seems so enthusiastic about teaching and is so approachable during the week!  Tyler is doing great.  He has a clear divide between math and English/language arts skills.  It was no surprise to me how he enjoys and excels at math.  He always wants to do his math worksheets first.  And let me tell you that the equations that they are doing are mind blowing for a first grader!!  He is doing good in reading and writing, however his reading comprehension is a little slower.  I'm afraid he might have gotten that from me!  He is also struggling a bit with organizing his stories on paper.  Again, it's so advanced compared to kindergarten.  I suppose this is partly due to the new common core requirements. So, we will have to work with him on reading more and writing better.  I can help with the latter.  The first is a challenge for me as well!

In exactly three weeks, we will be at Disney!  And I have a feeling that those three weeks are going to fly by because life is still flying by at a rapid speed!  Photography sessions are still going strong right up until we leave.  Work (my real job) has recently gotten super busy. We've stopped swimming, but Tyler is still doing Ju Jitsu twice a week.  He is also doing Y Guides twice a month which is a father/son program through the YMCA.   His homework is always challenging to get done each night.  And then our social lives in general have just exploded since living here!  To say our weeks are literally never relaxed is an understatement!

But in the midst of all the chaos, I've been planning and researching for this trip since we booked it three months ago.  I might have spreadsheets and itineraries.  I might have watched YouTube videos of rides and shows to get an idea of what to do and see.  And, I might have a Disney binder.  Maybe...

Since I didn't discuss details when I first announced our trip, I'll say that we are going to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.  We have reservations for restaurants and for character dining.  We used a great Disney agent to help us do these things.  We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge which is in the Magic Kingdom area.  I just recently rented the biggest double stroller there is from an ouside Florida rental place at the suggestion of many friends.  I have a list of things I'm planning to stock up on to bring to the parks.  Believe me, if there is a website or blog about Disney, I have read it!  The boys still do not have a clue that we are going.  I'm still not exactly sure how we are going to do it, but I think we will pull them out of bed in the middle of the night and put them in the car when we leave (around 3am).  When Tyler wakes and asks (because I know he will), we'll say we are going to New Jersey.  I'm thinking maybe 30 mins before we anticipate arriving, I'll video tape telling the boys that we aren't going to NJ but we are going to Disney! 
 
I've started the vitamins for the boys and the EmergenC for me because there is no time for anyone to get sick!  I'm paranoid!