Disney Countdown:  0 Days

With one day to go, I was very proud that I had everything in order.  Usually, I have a ton of last minute things to do.  And then....
 
My daughter Julia woke up and said..."I have a sore throat."   Ah, the best laid plans...
 
So our day began at Urgent Care and praying that Hope would not follow her big sister ad get sick.  Since Hope does not communicate with us, her being sick is always a guessing game. 
 
Going to Urgent Care brought back a nightmare from last year's trip - but I will save that for a flashback moment.
 
Thankfully, Julia is feeling better and we have a prescription - just in case.  So right now we are all settling in at my sister's house. She is driving us to Newark in the AM.  I can't believe our trip is here. 
 
And away we go...

Disney Countdown:  8 Days

Our homeschool group had a field trip today to go apple picking.  I actually got the dates wrong - I don't know what I was thinking with only 8 days to our trip.  But I figured this may be our only shot at picking apples this season, so away we went.  The morning started off cloudy and cool so we threw our sweatshirts over our tee-shirts. 

Since it was close to our house, I left a message for Hope's therapist to meet us there.  Would this be a stroller free trip?

At first I took the stroller out of the car and walked over to meet everyone.  But when Hope's therapist arrived, she gave me the extra courage to have a go at it without it in tow. 

Hope started out great - she even wanted to have her picture taken:

I think this is the first time I let go of her hand to take a picture of her without someone ready to "go get her" when she ran off.  But she didn't!

She even stood for a group shot.  Another first!

We had a very cool demo of a machine that peeled apples:

Then it was off to the orchard to pick our apples.

After, we returned to the store for some doughnuts and cider.  There Hope had yet another first!  She has been working with her OT all summer on drinking from a cup. Up until now, she can only drink with a straw or she chokes.  Well, today she did it all by herself!

It was a great day! 

If you asked me a year and a half ago if I thought Hope would potty train - I would have probably teared up and said - "I don't know."  Not even the neurologist could say for sure.    This year, she has done so well in most areas  - but it seemed that the "switch" that made her realize "I have to go." wasn't working.  If I didn't bring her to the bathroom, she would just have an accident.  And she didn't care. 

A week or so ago - she amazed me when she actually walked into the bathroom, got herself on the potty seat and went.  Unfortunately , she forgot to pull her pants down.   But that did not stop me from doing a huge HAPPY DANCE!

Well, today you can only imagine my joy when I heard her go into the bathroom all by herself and she remembered everything!  I cried - I think you really have to be a mom of a special needs kid to understand what kind of accomplishment it is. 

It was one of those "WOW - all that hard work paid off!"  kind of moments.  It makes me want to scream out - There's no stopping her!

Disney Countdown:  9 Days

Disney may be 9 days away, but this week is a full school week.  I will admit that the everyone's focus level is not the best, but work needs to get done.  Overall, it was a pretty good day. 

While the girls were working on independent stuff, I was able to sneak upstairs and get some packing done.  We are flying Jet Blue which allows each one of us to have one checked item fly free.  So we will have 4 suitcases total.

Suitcase number one holds all of out toiletries.  I put all the items in Ziplock bags just in case anything leaks. 

At the top are my Purex laundry sheets.  They are great to do laundry with.  

Suitcase number 2 holds all of our swim gear and bedding items.  Hope will not sleep in hotel beds - she hates them.  So we have to set her up on the floor.  She prefers the floor even at home sometimes.  So I have her pillows, blanket and comforter. 

Suitcase number 3 has our snacks, diapers & wipes and also Julia's and Hope's clothes.  Yes - this one is massive! 
When my husband weighed it, it registered 49 pounds.  Since you are only allowed up to 50 pounds before being charged, I needed to move a couple things around.  Just to be
on the safe side!

Finally, the last suitcase will hold my husband's and my clothes and any last minute "I forgot...". 

Carry-on's and outfits for travel day are the only packing I have left! 

Cinderella was the movie of the day - it played on the Disney Channel.

Countdown To Disney:  10 Days

Well, with 10 days to go, I've been checking the height requirements for Splash Mountain and Soarin.  Both have a height requirement of 40 inches.  I have been trying to measure Hope to see if she will make it.  It is so close, I can't tell!  I think Disney will have to make the call.   

I pre-ordered Photopass+ for our trip.  Last year was the first time I splurged and bought it.  I was really happy I did.  The pre-purchase price is $149.00.  They send you a certificate to redeem at WDW for the Photopass+ card and also a code to order the photo CD when you return home.  In addition to having all the photos taken in the parks by Disney Photographers, you can also have all your ride photos added (where applicable).  Plus if you are eating at any meal that offers a photo package - like Chef Mickey's, those are included too - as well as the photos added to the card.!   

Since I am the family photographer, I also enjoy being able to "be" in the pictures.

We have also begun our family Disney Movie Marathon.  I have read on other people's blogs how they watch their favorite Disney Movies before leaving for their trip.  I have never done it before but it seems like fun so I thought I would give it a try. 

One of our family's top favorite ride experience is Splash Mountain. 

Julia always asks about the characters - Brer Fox & Brer Rabbit.  I told her about the movie "Song of The South" and Uncle Remus.  I remember watching the movie as a child in theaters.   But since the movie is not available in the U.S., she has never seen it.  Well,  I managed to find a copy!  We watched it today.  She recognized not only the songs, but the characters and  scenes from Splash Mountain.   

As we spoke about the controversy of the movie it also brought up the topic of the Civil War.  So I know what our next history unit will be on. 

Countdown to Disney: 11 Days

Waking up this morning was a subtle reminder that the end of summer is upon us in the Northeast.  It was a brisk 44 degrees outside and the house was a bit chilly. 

Now that State Fair and Rosh Hashanah  are behind me, my focus can now be on Disney!  Yeah!

My morning was spent near the washing machine.  I took down the girls fall clothes and began our "packing piles".  Since the weather changed so fast, I can gather together most of our summer clothes to pack while keeping just a couple of short outfits out for the next 11 days.  Julia graciously donated her bookshelves in her room for the designated "Disney Packing Station" 

Our luggage tags are ready to go along with our resort ID tags.  I have to say Disney makes traveling super easy with their Magical Express Service. 

Next - time to get the suitcases ready.

Disney Countdown: 12 Days

Well, I survived 16 in-laws and my very first Rosh Hashanah that I hosted.  I think it went pretty well.  No complaints on the food - which is good because when my brother-in laws do not like your cooking, you know about it!    However, I will admit my matzos balls were a matzos mess.  I didn't realize that they expand so much well you put them in the pot of water!  So a bunch of them just disintegrated.  But all in all, not a bad job for a Catholic, Italian girl!  Special thanks to The Food Yenta - a fantastic website that provided me with most of my recipes.   http://thefoodyenta.com/wp/

The weather held out and we were able to eat outside on the patio.  No pictures though - I was too busy to even snap one. 

I was thrilled that my sister in-law, Jen,  almost broke out in tears when she saw Hope.  She hasn't seen her since April and she commented that she was like a different child.  That is HUGE to me.  I know this past year has been so successful for Hope, but I am with her everyday so I don't see changes the way others can who do not see her for a long time.  I know when I am having a bad day - you know, those kind of days when you, as a homeschooler and mom doubt yourself or wonder are you doing the right thing?  I can think back to her face and know that I am on the right path.

My niece and nephew are both starting Kindergarten on Monday.  My nephew is 4 turning 5 in November - one month older than Hope.  While my niece is 5 turning 6 in January.  He will be the youngest in his class while she will be the oldest.   I am curious to follow their "building" school journey alongside of Hope's homeschooling journey.