Disney Oopsies and Reviews

Looking back to before our trip, I tried to prepare for it...and Isaac's needs too. I forgot shirts, I didn't pack enough juice, and it still came out wonderful. Do I think I over thought? Over planned? Over did it? No. When it comes to taking little ones to Disney, especially for as long as we did, it needs to be planned out. Almost by the hour. As my mom said though, you just have to roll with any punches that come your way. Like D getting sick. Thankfully we didn't fly and didn't lose the day and had the opportunity to stay another day.
Some new things that I absolutely love...magic bands. You get used to them after about a day and a half, link your credit card up...and other than diapers and extra clothes we didn't need to carry tons of crap. Like wallets. If I had actually read the stuff I could've linked our photopass thing to it. You have to have a pin, and can regulate if the kids can charge anything on it, so if you lose it, no one can rack up tons of bills or use your dining plan unless they know your pin.
Fast pass plus. Wonderful for reasons of can plan your day out. Example: Hollywood studios.... get fast pass of tower of terror at 10 (months in advance) get there are 9 and book it for rockin roller coaster. You'll be right there for when you get off for your fast pass at Tower. Always, Always always get fast pass for Toy Story Mania. That line is beyond scary. First thing in the morning, stand by line is 40 min. By afternoon it's 120 min. No joke.
Bad news on fast pass plus, and regrettably I had an argument with cast member over this...when setting them up on internet (or there in the park on ipads) you can only pick 3 per day. (NOT PER PARK. 3 PER DAY EVEN IF PARK HOPPING). Now, since people still actually had paper tickets (keycards) and could get paper fast passes, I was livid. They could still get an new fast pass ever hour and half. So if they planned their day right they could get up to 5 or 6. Hence the "not so nice" conversation I had with cast member. Another downside we really only came to in HS and not another park...they now have the rides to choose from on Fast Pass in categories. That's right... if you fast pass Toy Story you can't fast pass Rockin Roller coaster in the same day...but you can do Toy Story and Tower of Terror in same day. Choose wisely my friends if you only have one day at a park. There were times when Tower's line was only 20 min, so not bad at all. You cannot get another fastpass signup even once you use one. Boo.
All in all, even though it was really expensive and rough on the little ones...we had just the right amount of time on this trip. I really don't know if I could try to go for under 10 days if we were taking the kids. We really do have to plan to do a big kid thing, then a little kid thing, and then every once in a while we did a mommy thing. Too bad I'm too old for the Bibbity Boppity Boutique...cause I sure would have gone.
Photopass plus. Just do it. Wonderful photos, we are all in them, they are almost everywhere. Wait times for taking pics is about 2 min or none (not including Osbourne Light photos...sheesh!)
Guests with disabilities...like autism: if they are young...get the red tag for the stroller. Saved us more than once. Isaac does not like being still or rather not moving. Waiting in the character lines or trying to hold 37 lbs of non stop wiggling for shows is frustrating, painful, and will downright drive you nuts. With the stroller is wheelchair tag we were able to keep him in the stroller til the last min or for the entire show when strollers normally aren't allowed. We did not use this for Landon's stroller. We parked his for everything and he walked like every normal child. The first 2 times, we parked Isaac's stroller and put him in the monkey harness....we learned really quick this is a bad idea. I just wish that one of us could've stayed in the line while the other pushed isaac around then came to the exit when it was our turn. He still wasn't too happy in the stroller, with it not moving, but it was better than him being out. I don't know why Disney couldn't do this. After all, we'd be waiting our turn in line, just like everyone else...only the stroller wouldn't have to go through the line too. Happier Isaac. We did the best we could, and it worked out cause he loved the characters! Best bet of all...character dining. For our next trip, all character dining I can plan or we can pay for in addition to the dining plan...so we won't have to stand in the lines for those characters and we can plan on only going to see those who we can't see in character dining. Also...Garden Grill wouldn't let me seat all of us together...only one that wouldn't...so no more of that place. Chip and Dale have the shortest lines of all in the parks, especially Epcot.
After going twice during the Christmas Holiday season, and once getting to go to the Very Merry Christmas Party, I am not sure I can quite bring myself to plan to take the kids any other time of the year. It is absolutely fabulous. I'm sure Disney is always magical, but y'all....absolutely amazing. The scents, the seasonal snacks...oh my. And the Very Merry Christmas Party is worth it. The crowd is not that much thinner than normal...the parade is scent/sight/sound overload on the best level possible. I cried. Now, for my little man who loves Toy Story...the dancing with Woody and Jessie were the best. They have Woody's dance party during the Christmas party. There are at any given time about 20 little ones in there dancing with them and they make sure to get to everybody. And Landon danced with Jessie for a while! He loved it! Woody tried to get him to dance with him, but Landon needed to warm up first. Woody is larger than life too. In our pics on FB you can see just how tall Woody is...his hip is as tall as D's shoulder. So he talks more now about getting to dance with Jessie. :)

Although I'm wanting D and me to go for the Not so scary Halloween party, as I love the Villians, I do think in 2 years it's back at Christmas time!

Disney really can be magical!

We've been back from our trip for almost 2 weeks, and I already miss Disney terribly! We had such a great time, I cried on the way home. Total we were gone for 13 days, 3 total days traveling, 2 half days at Downtown Disney (One down day unplanned, for D got sick again on this trip), 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 1 night at the Very Merry Christmas Party, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at Animal Kingdom, and 3 days at Hollywood Studios! The trip was a bit too long for Landon and Isaac, but they held on like champs! I think B was getting antsy to get back home too. D and I could've stayed another week!
It was hard on Isaac, being the one who needs his schedule and he is not really a fan of taking naps and falling asleep in the stroller. When we took Landon 2 years ago, he would sleep just fine in the stroller, but as every child is different Isaac didn't take to this very well. Despite short naps, he did great on going to sleep late and being a happy baby when we woke him up early! He loved meeting all the characters, except when eating...which is the easiest for us to meet them (Dining with characters).
Landon had a great time! He was so excited, he loved dancing for all the characters! He loved the rides (except for the "elemater" or better known as Tower of Terror!). He loved the lights, he loved the parades. He wasn't too sure about the shows though. Isaac...would fall asleep during these loud, flashy, wonderful shows. Note for next trip...schedule in shows when it's naptime!! Landon actually did great, even when he didn't get naps in!
We had a few issues with B on the trip, which is why we finally told him that when we got home he wouldn't get Christmas til Sunday after. It was either not listening, or hurting his sister. I'm over that. At one point, D and I wished we had the money to hire a sitter and make him stay at the hotel. But, as broke as we always are...we couldn't. So we decided to put him back on his medicine. Grrrrr. We either get out of control, not listening B, or we get zombie B. You can see in the pics when he had his medicine if you really look. Tired looking, sullen, not really caring B. And he doesn't eat. So we only gave it to him for 2 days. He loved the rides, loved meeting Pluto, Goofy and Buzz.
Jessica, she loved it all I think :) She was in chicken tender heaven, considering it seems like that's all she ate! She loved meeting the characters...especially stitch. She loved the rides! Since this was her year to actually be able to get on them...she went on all the rides and seemed so happy! She and B both helped out alot with the little ones as far as taking them potty or watching them while we did, and they also pushed the strollers alot! Synchronized stroller dancing was even created at the resort!!
Like I said, D did end up getting sick for about half a day, so we had to wiggle in some down time for him. After that, he seemed to have a great time too! As soon as he found that Sorcerer hat, we knew he had to have it! He wore it most of the time on the trip and it really brings out the kid in him!
We decided our next trip to Disney would be just us. We love taking the kids, and we love seeing the joy and wonder of the magic on their faces! While we did manage to fit "most" of the things you can do in on this trip...there are a few left. And in 2 years we plan on taking everyone back! I am shooting for my birthday this year for just me and D to go. I think everyone, even with kids, needs to go to Disney as an adult, without kids. 3 days, 4 days...whatever you can swing. Just GO! I am planning on about a week. D already said that we should just plan on a down day for him to get sick. So, we'll build in some time for that. D says "we'll see" for my bday, but I'm just planning it!
I'll do some more blogs about the changes we had going on...like the magic band stuff... but for now...I'm going to plan!

Dreaming of Disney...

As most of you know we are leaving very soon for Disney World. **Giggle** I am in full on panic mode. What if I forget something...something important...like diapers, or tickets?!?!? I have checked and rechecked lists and written notes in the packing lists and all kinds of "ok....yeah I did pack that...right?!?!" to myself...out loud. I'm going bonkers! It hasn't really helped that between D being in Nashville, and then at work here with all the "ice" crap, I have been doing almost everything myself. I miss D terribly. When he finally got home last night, he went right to sleep. My poor hubby. Think he needs a vacation more than anybody! And even with him being gone more than him being home this past week, he still found time to record Modern Marvels, Disney World Tech for me as a surprise! In my world...that's romance and love right there. ;)
So, I'm sitting here watching it, blogging, and waiting on the washer, dryer, and dog treat dough to beep at me that something is done and I can move my rear to more packing! Y'all... in Cinderella's castle there are more than 300,000 hand laid tiles..just in the walkway! HAND LAID. If I could whistle, I would. ( Yes, I really cannot whistle, I've tried many different ways)
The big kids are really big into Disney pin trading, so for an additional present we got them each 20 pins (used and cheap in comparison to retail/new prices) to be able to trade when we get there. We got Landon 10...even though it will be a good social thing for him we're hoping he warms up to it too. If not, he'll probably just love having them and being like his Sissy and Bubby!
I wish my mom would go with us. She said she wouldn't go to Disney if we paid her...I just don't think she's gone with the right people! Or at the right time! But, maybe in a few years....I'll start working on her so maybe she'll go with us next time!
The Christmas cards are all addressed and ready to go, so as soon as we get back I can just send the pics to print, pick them up, shove them in the envelopes...make Jessica lick and close them, and stick in mailbox! Some might be a little late, but I'm hoping most will make it! Don't think it's not coming if I have your address, it is!
I'm still praying every day, sometimes multiple times a day, for the kids to be healthy. This is our family vacation, but it's also their Christmas present. Landon and Isaac don't really understand too much, but the big kids know that this is their present. I think most people put alot on vacation expectations, and most people put on huge expectations for Disney. It feels like I have soooo much riding on this one. Family vacation, Disney family vacation, hopefully Jessica's Disney vacation when she can ride rides and not be in wheelchair, not knowing when next vacation is since we have a whirlwind coming up with Isaac, D needing a vacation, and overall....IT'S DISNEY!!!
Seriously...we're like the Griswold's...only plus 2 more kids. I swear. I think when we are all loaded up in the truck and out of Memphis I will finally take a deep breath!
I was going to go get my phone fixed today, but ran out of time. I will be posting pics on facebook when we take them with my phone, or I'll make Jess or D. Sometimes my phone takes great pics, sometimes it fails. We'll see what happens! Landon knows we are going to Mickey Mouse's house (that's what we're telling him) but I don't think he remembers, so I can't wait to see his face when we go! Less than 48 hours...less than 48 hours...less than 48 hours... :)

Manic Monday

Week from today we leave for Disney!!! 7 days!!!! I've already started packing the little ones stuff, and packing random stuff (cameras, phone chargers, tickets, bands etc.). I cannot freaking wait!!!
We had Isaac's first speech therapy appointment today, or evaluation. They are going to want him to come 2 times a week. She estimated (we'll get the full written report in the next week or two) that his receptive communication is at 12 months old. She estimated his expressive communication at 6 months old. Now, when your child is 25 months old...it sounds bad. So...whatever they recommend, we'll do.
I have been doing so much lately, I am so ready for vacation!!! 7 days!! We've got Carol and Jack's Christmas Happy Hour on Friday...which is also Eli's birthday. Thankfully, his party is Sunday and we will be here for that!
I am not looking forward to this possible ice. For anyone who read the earlier blog, when it does that...hubby has to go to work and pretty much not come home until it's melting. Well, I'm not too happy about not having him here that much this week, due to meetings anyway...but now I'll be missing him to work for ice. IT NEEDS TO  BE OUTTA HERE BEFORE MONDAY PLEASE...I HAVE TO LEAVE FOR DISNEY!!!!
So...since he's working late tonight, I'll be doing laundry and cleaning, and catching up on Long Island Medium and Hotel Impossible.
Then...I'll be digging through the big kids' closets and packing their clothes too! I am so ready...so ready to go.
I know, I know...I'm rambling, but that's how scattered my brain is lately trying to get everything together for this trip, and trying to set up Isaac's appointments. We have someone from TEIS (Tennessee Early Intervention Services) coming Wed afternoon to evaluate Isaac here. We'll see how that goes. It has been, mentally at least, a manic Monday for me. How was your Monday?!

Black Friday thoughts...

As Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and I will be warm and cozy at Momma's for dinner (I will only be able to hang out at Carol's for a while and won't be able to stay for lunch) and hanging out with my awesome family...I will be thinking about Black Friday. For many mixed feelings and reasons. Last year I was blessed enough to be able to finish dinner and hang out for a while before needing to head up to Walmart to catch their deal on Ipad for Jess. This year, since we have the giant money sucking trip coming up, I will not be participating in Black Friday. I am sad I won't be because again Walmart, and even Best Buy have some super awesome deals. For those with kids old enough to tell you what they want...and nothing else will do basically, the final price (either by discount or gift card bonus) of $199 for an Ipad mini is too good. Sale starts at 6pm? What in the hell were they thinking on that. Unfortunately, if it wasn't a trip year, I would find a way to be that shitty daughter who didn't come to Thanksgiving dinner and be in line for that.

Sad, yes. I think that it is horrible that companies would start sales that early. As a broke mom of 4, looking down the long tunnel of therapies and years of brokeness (heh...that sounds funny) I would sooooo be in that line to try to get my kids something they truly wanted and make them happy. As always, we have budgets for each kid, and if I can get it used...I do. I know Jess and B would be freaking ecstatic if I could pull that off. I am sad that I can't try to get in that deal for them ( I sooooo would take over her Ipad....) and get them the minis. Maybe looking towards next year, when I do get to participate in Black Friday, and can grab some deals there will be one as good...and not so dang early on Thursday. I'm also super upset with Old Navy this year...last year I was able to grab so many clothes for D and Jess on super sale...and this year cause of their million dollar give away...their deals suck. Totally suck. Since running across the Kroger parking lot and having my jeans fall completely down..I am in a position to need new jeans... and unlike last year, they're only going to be 50 percent off. Now...under everyday circumstances...that rocks..on Black Friday...not so much. No doorbusters (other than the million dollar thing) no staggering deals, nada. Just 50 percent across the board. Boooo I tell you. Give me a better reason to be at your store in the middle of the night freezing my rear off in jeans that are too big and may fall down any minute! Oh wait...that's right..y'all are starting at like 7 on Thursday too. Boo again. So..maybe they should all drop the term Black Friday in general...maybe call it...You really don't need time with your fam Thursday?! Like I titled this post, I am both sad I can't catch any deals this year (some needed, others just wished for) and relieved that I'll be at momma's trying not to scare the nephew. He is scared to death of me... but that's ok...D already made the pumpkin pies! OOOOOOoooooo I can almost taste it now...and might...if he doesn't move them in the fridge.....

Tis the season to be baking!

As my oven is now acting better (thank you internet for reset tips and tricks) D and I are in full baking/cooking mode! I love LOVE love it! I absolutely love watching him cook (or grill) and most of the time don't even mind cleaning up the disaster he creates in the kitchen when he does! This year, as always, he will be smoking the turkey for his parents house, and I get to roast (bake, whatever you want to call it) the turkey for mom's house. I did this for the first time last year, and it worked out pretty good so doing it again. Makes me so happy to actually be able to help mom with Thanksgiving dinner!
D and I really love to cook and bake stuff. Over the years I have realized some things that aren't my friend (crescent rolls, or trying to roll them and cut them cute)...as well as homemade cookies. Alot of people mention to D that he should have learned how to make homemade biscuits from his Dad, and I'm sure it has to hit a nerve. He probably thought he had more time to, and so I have been trying to get written down all of the things that my mom makes that I can't find recipes for, or she makes a different way...stuff like that. I have about 4 of 20 right now.
We love watching Food Network. Love it. We watch something, want to make it, and it normally falls between the 2 of us. Either we know that's for D or me, as we are better at different things. When it comes right down to it, we haven't tried alot of them just for money reasons...but still making a list is still fun!
Some of my favorites are Triple D (Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives) and any live shows. I am absolutely a fan of Restaurant Impossible, and Iron Chef when I can catch it. D and I both love Good Eats. Sometimes they show it on Food, but alot of the episodes we can record are on Cooking.
In my quest for recipes to try and file away for better money days, I was watching Triple D and they had the Memphis BBQ tour (focused more on where locals go) and I was super excited! Watched it, and in it was featured Cozy Corner... now I have not personally ever been there, and cannot say it is on my list anytime soon (being broke and all) BUT this little lady of fire was cooking and saying something about the chicken.. I had to rewind. She told Guy, you cook it til it's done. Now when I watch these shows they always tend to give a round about time. Not this feisty lady. And I mean that in the best terms possible. She sounded JUST LIKE MY MOM!!! If I'm trying to get a recipe, ANY RECIPE, from my mom it always ends with cook until it's done!!!!! This is too funny to me, because if I'm cooking it for the first time...I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT'S DONE!!!  I had to rewind that about 3 times, I was laughing so hard and to the point of tears!!!
I honestly thought before watching this...only my mom...then she said it...anybody else's mom do this?!?!
Well, time for me to get back to chores and baking. This year, the furbabies in my life are getting homemade doggie treats! Got about 12 recipes off the internet, tried 2, one came out fantastic! Owen and Cj are super happy about them, and the other...kinda flopped. Time to try out some others! Happy Monday everyone!

Isaac's neurologist visit....

Isaac had his visit today with the pediatric neurologist. Here's what we got:
Diagnosis 1: Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Diagnosis 2: Autism

If you google Sensory Integration Dysfunction..it corrects to Sensory Processing Disorder.
Apparently, Sensory Processing Disorder is NOT an Autism Spectrum Disorder. It's a disorder all on it's own.

What we have next:
~Speech Therapy: Starts Dec 2 at Germantown Language
~Appt with Psychologist
~Occupational Therapy, the in a hurry lady at Methodist Germantown told me to just fax that prescription over. Didn't want name,number or anything. This leads me to believe we'll be added to a wait list. This would be for Sensory Processing Disorder.
~ABA Therapy, or Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy. Since this is covered by the mental part of the our insurance, not the standard like everything else, I have to call back in the morning and find out where he can go for this. And I do anticipate some kind of wait list for that too.

That's 3 different places for 3 different therapies. My wallet just cried, as I'm sure I will later.

I have read through some sites already, and am thoroughly overwhelmed at what I, in all honesty, need to know like right now. I'm extremely tired today and will just have to stop and try to do some more reading tomorrow, maybe. Sounds bad I know, but I have read a few things to try to prepare me some for how Isaac may react or do at Disney. Could be no big deal, or he could be so overwhelmed by all the people, sights, sounds and smells that he might not eat. I've also read a post or two tonight about how even with all of the senses on complete overload, children with autism have actual had miracles happen at Disney...like saying a first word. I would sob instantly if Isaac actually spoke a word. One word. It could even be "Daddy" ;) I don't plan on changing our schedule at Disney, even after today. I do however plan on taking extra things, like a big blanket that covers most of the stroller to block everything out if he gets overwhelmed, and tons of oatmeal creme pies. His favorite.

What I don't know:
~How often/frequency of any of the above mentioned therapies. Twice a week? Once a week? Every other week? Who knows. No one is giving clues.
~If he falls under high functioning, middle functioning, or low functioning. I'm hoping that the psychologist can help out with this one.
~How we're going to pay for all these appointments, one timers, or reoccurring.
~Potty training. It does not appear that Isaac will be potty training anytime soon. We were just advised by his pediatrician to not even think about it right now. Good thing I just found out that Pampers makes a size 7. It could happen in a few months...might be a year or two or ...
~How D is doing with all of this news? I don't know. He won't really talk to me about it. At all. Yeah, yeah, he doesn't talk most of the time anyway to most people, but with me it's different. When I start to talk about it, he changes the subject or doesn't say anything, or I don't know what. He's processing I guess ;)

At this point I am taking it one appt at a time, and will be doing more reading, or research if you want to call it that, as I get a few minutes. In the meantime, I will be preparing and packing to take my Autistic, fabulous, sensory issue, cute as all get out, chunky, curly haired, looks just like daddy, and full of life little man to Disney...to see his favorite...MICKEY MOUSE! 17 days. Yay!!