WOW - it's been a while!  Our crazy schedules and homeschool drama has made our lives so hectic lately - but I have promised myself that I will update this blog in the next couple of days!  lol 
  
I have to share...  The week before we left for our Disney trip, I entered the Disney Parks Moms Panel search and found out last week that I advanced to round 2. 

Don't know if I will make it any further, but I have to say, it was so exciting to have made it that far!  I actually cried
when I read the e-mail.  (Now you guys know I'm a crazy person!)  

Keeping my fingers crossed for round 3!  

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.