2 Days and Counting!!

Packing, Packing, and more Packing.  I feel like I have been packing for weeks...ok, I have for 2 weeks.  Trying to be really organized and thorough with this packing, as I do not want to do what we have done in the past, and that is buy things that we either forgot or could have purchased cheaper before the trip.  I think we are there :)

I cannot wait for our vacation to start. I am even looking forward to the drive down to Florida.  It is a nice change for us to relax and take our time, stop along the way.  I cannot wait for all of it.  

Ringo will be in boarding and hopefully have a great time.  Our great neighbors will be house sitting for us, too!  A great vacation is awaiting us!  Cannot wait!

Getting ready for DISNEY!!!

I cannot believe that we leave for Disney on Friday...that is in 5 days!  I love having our big vacation at the end of summer vacation.  That way, while we are sad that summer is coming to end, we are excited for our big trip.  What a way to end our summer.

We have been to Disney 3 times before as a family, all 3 times with Morgan.  It has been at least 7 years since our last trip.  This time, we have decided to things a bit different.

• We are staying at a moderate resort that has tons of stuff to do
• We purchased the meal plan and made reservations for dinner for all nights
• Our visit is 8 days, yet we are spending 4 days in the parks.  The other days we will relax at the resort.
• I have done tons of reading to gather tips and tricks to help make our trip awesome.  Gotta love pinterest.
• We are leaving on Friday, yet our Disney vacation starts on Sunday.  This way we can take our time driving down and stop when we want to.
• I bought Bella fairy gifts.  Every day when we leave the room, I will place a special Disney trinket int he room for her to find when we return that day.  Cute little surprises to help deter her from asking for things at the parks all day.  Morgan said she doesn't want any trinkets ;)
• In the past,  Morgan has brought one princess dress to wear at the parks.  Bella, "Belle," is a princess and does not hesitate to tell you every day, all day.  This visit, we are bringing several princess dresses and minnie/disney outfits for Bella to wear at the parks.

What have I learned through reading?

• Rent a stroller from an outside vendor.  The price is better than Disney's.  The stroller is more comfortable than Disney's.  There are lots of free things you get with some of the stroller rentals, like rain guards, cup holders, and coolers!

• Buy a Mister instead of buying a fan sprayer at Disney.  They got great reviews and keep you much cooler than the ones you buy at the parks.

• Buy runners body glide to prevent chafing, lots of bandaids, and moleskin for blisters.
• Don't use a roof top carrier, as it creates too much drag when driving, and costs more in gas, in the long run.  Instead use a saddlebag car carrier.  We bought this and I cannot wait to use it!

I have kept a large bag in the living room to drop things in as I remember, like Morgan's Disney lanyards from previous years, autograph book, room deodorizer, etc.

We cannot wait for our vacation.  I will post throughout the vacation on the blog, and of course update on facebook.

Summer is flying by!

I cannot believe that summer is coming to a close.  3-4  more weeks and I go back to school and then the kids do.  But it has been a great summer!  What have we done so far?

1.  Gone to NJ for 4th of July visit...hung out on the beach, went to the boardwalk, saw cousins.....

2.  Gone to Bohrer Waterpark in Gaithersburg 2 times!  Lot's of fun!

3.  Spent many days at the pool!

4.  Had a great birthday party for Bella!

5.  Visited Green Meadows Petting Farm.
6.  2 parades (one in NJ and one Damascus Days)
7.  2 sets of fireworks!

Morgan has been in camp all summer.  2 weeks of horseback riding camp as a counselor and 4 weeks of camp as a Jr. Counselor at the Department of Recreation.  She is talking about applying for a paying counselor job for next summer!  My baby is growing up.  She is working with the 5-6 year old group at camp and says she loves it.  Her weekends are spent resting after her long weeks!

Bella went to dance camp at District Dance Company and had the opportunity to try tap, ballet, and jazz/hip hop.   She made some new friends and decided she wants to take dance lessons in the fall!  She also tried some swim lessons....was not a fan of dunking her head under water in the beginning of the summer but now does it continuously.  Who knows?  Maybe we will try porpoise swim team next year???  Bella celebrated her 5th birthday with friends and family on July 21 with a princess themed birthday pool party.  The weather turned out great and most of her friends came!  On her actual birthday, on July 23, it was mommy and Bella time.  We went to the American Girl Doll store, out to lunch, LLbean for school supplies, and then the movies with Morgan!

We are now preparing for our much anticipated trip to Disney World.  We plan on leaving on Friday, August 2, and taking our time driving down.  Our reservations at the resort start on Sunday.  So nice to be able to take our time getting there.  SO EXCITED!!!!