Disney Gift Baskets From the Dollar Tree

So I have made a pretty impressive child's gift basket from goodies I have found at the Dollar Tree.
This was for a girl at work for her little one....

Included is a Minnie Mouse night light, Shampoo, bar soap, antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, bath sponge, notebooks, crayons and coloring roll and a puzzle....ALL AT THE DOLLAR TREE!!!

I also gpt this cool sand pail there to complete the gift.

Disney trip shopping at the Dollar Tree

So I went to the Dollar tree today to stock up on supplies for my next Disney trip and I though I would share some of the things that I get from the DT to save some cash.
First things first.....

• HAND SOAP- The resorts and most hotels do not provide liquid hand soap. I am a HUGE germaphob so the idea of using the same bar of soap as someone else makes my skin crawl. It's also nice to have liquid soap available to rinse out bathing suits and my step daughters socks. I love the child to death but her feet smell horrific after a day in the parks. Rinsing them in the sink with a little soap at night helps keep my hotel room smelling much nicer. 

• HAMPER- some people swear by this so I have tried it and love it.  Bring a small folding hamper for everyone's dirty clothes. It keeps them all in one place, helps the room to not look trashed and keeps them separate from your clean clothes that you have not had the opportunity to make stinky yet :) And if you are one of those people who prefer to do your laundry at the facilities on site, its a nice carrier to get to and from the laundromat. 

SUCTION HOOKS- these bad boys are great for hanging up wet bathing suits in the shower. My girls LOVE the resort pools and would skip the parks to swim (cheap easy entertainment.....just saying) . But then they leave their wet suits on a pile on the floor and wet bathing suits are never fun to get into the next day. These guys suction right in your shower and lets them dry overnight. LIFE SAVER!

• NIGHT LIGHT- The DT has Disney night lights!!!! I have an Ariel one and I picked up a Minnie Mouse one today FOR $1!!! I love these. I always have to get up in the middle of the night for something and I HATE turning on lights (I hate lights in general but I am just weird.) Anyways..... These are great for middle of the night bathroom runs or trying to find a stuffed animal that fell on the floor. 
  

• TISSUES- I keep pocket tissues in my park bag ALWAYS. The four of us can be rather messy and it's nice to have something in my bag that I can grab quickly for a quick clean up.  Or if you are like me (Don't worry, you don't have to admit it)  and you cry like a baby during the fireworks or when you see the castle for the first time on the trip :D
  

• DRINK MIX- Florida water may not taste very good (who am I kidding, its tastes nasty) but buying water bottles in the parks can get very expensive. Save a lot of money by bringing your own water bottle and filling it at the water water fountain OR you can go up to any quick service food counter and request a FREE cup of ice water. Both are good options, but I prefer to go to the counter and get ice water. I am the queen of water fountain water tho, when I have a cranky kid because they are thirsty. Just fill up the bottle, pour in a flavor pouch and instant happiness :)

• ANTI-BACTERIAL WIPES- I FREAKING LOVE THESE!!!!!!!!! These are the best things since sliced bread! You can used them to wipe your hands, to wipe down the table at a restaurant, to wipe down a changing table (tho for some of these I do bring a travel pack of CLOROX wipes.) I prefer these over hand sanitizing gels because I can feel like I am getting the germs off of my hands. Nothing beats good ol' soap and water but for me and my family this is the next best thing.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   BATH TIME SOAP- What kid doesn't love being all Disney when they are on a Disney vacation? I buy my girls a Disney soap wither a liquid body wash or a bar. For us I like the liquid more but I know there are some families who prefer using the bars. Again I am a germaphob and can't stand the idea of touching soap that someone else used.
  
  
  
  
  

I hope this has been at least a little helpful. That's all I bought on this trip. I will do a part two next time I go and show you even more cool stuff I want to get :)

Disney Bucket List

So I LOVE LOVE LOVE all things Disney :) And I get rather bored at work sometimes, so to maximize my time I make spread sheets of Disney stuff because, well, I am a nerd.
So here is my bucket list for

STUFF TO DO

·         Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique              (407)939-7895    MK & DTD           Girls Dress up as - Hair, nails, make-up and clothes and accessories ·         Disney's Holiday D-Lights              (407)939-8687    EPCOT   Tour through MK, EPCOT & HS see the Osborn Family lights, candle light processional and enjoy a light Buffet ·         Disney's Yuletide Fantasy             (407)939-8687    MK         Tour through EPCOT, MK and a resort hotel ·         Festival of Seasons          NONE    DTD        Downtown Disney Christmas time Magic ·         Harmony Barber Shop   (407)939-7529    MK         Main Street USA ·         Holidays Around the World         EPCOT   How different countries celebrate the holidays. ·         Osborne Family Lights    None     HS           Millions of Christmas lights at Hollywood Studios ·         Jedi Training Academy   None     HS           Kids get to fight Darth Vader and Maul ·         Magic Kingdom Welcome Show                None     MK         "Rope Drop" The characters come out and officially open the park (15 Minutes before park opens) ·         Mickey's very Merry Christmas Party                      MK         Special event with limited access and you must buy a separate ticket. Far less crowds. ·         Animation Academy               HS           Draw something l0ke a Disney Pro.  Located in Magic of Disney Animation. ·         Pirate Adventure Cruise               (407)939-7529    4 Locations          Pirate adventure sailing around the lagoon and get to split the booty and have a snack ·         The Pirate League            (407)939-2739    MK         Get dressed up and made to look like a pirate ·         Flag Retreat        None     MK         5PM every day at the flag pole ·         Fort Wilderness Archery Experience                       Fort Wilderness                Learn how to use a compound bow and then you get to shoot ·         Camp Fire            None     14 Locations       Sing, tell stories and roast marshmallows ·         Parasailing           (407)939-0754    Contemporary Resort    Up to 6 people can ride along Sammyduvall.com ·         Pirates and Pals Firework Adventure      (407)939-0754    Contemporary Resort Watch the fireworks from the boat and hear the Peter Pan storey and get to visit with a Mystery guest you also get to see Ct. Hook and Mr. Smee

Disney Packing List

I got bored at work, and since I eat, sleep and live Disney, I created this packing list. Hope is helps :)

Graduation, Camping and THANKSGIVING :)

I haven't written anything recently so.......First and most importantly my love graduated from the Police academy at our local Community college the week before Thanksgiving. I am so freaking proud of him :) It has been a LONG 6 months. But it is finally over and it is now on to the pain in the butt search for a job. (in what I am sure is related news....I now have my first 3 grey hairs.) here is my little family. Don't judge me I look TERRIBLE

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Anyways......Right after the graduation ceremony we packed up and spent a weekend camping in the beautiful Hillsborough River State Park. I HIGHLY recommend it. We go the week before Thanksgiving every year and LOVE IT. Close to home and finally bearable temperatures for Florida.  It was so nice to finally get away and spend time as a family. The last 6 months have put a strain on us all and this trip has been much anticipated. 

Our family had to put a much loved member to rest days before we left. Our beloved horse Heidi went down early Wednesday morning and we had to make the tough choice to put her down. She was 32 and had knee problems for a little over a year so we felt, after several attempts to get her to her feet, that she was finally ready to rest. She had been with our family for 27 years and I very much missed. She was as ornery as they come when she was younger but she really was a great horse. I truly miss her.

After we got home from camping we started prepping for Thanksgiving!

My amazing mother hired my little ones and my cousins girls to come clean her house and then that evening she hosted a "baking party". All of the women in the family came over and prepped some of the dished that we would be serving for Thanksgiving. It was a great little get together and I think is will be a new family tradition. (Sorry i didn't take any pictures)

Thanksgiving morning the little ones and I got up and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade.  The girls and I had a good time watching it and I loved being able to just curl up on the couch and relax. after that we got ready and headed to my Grammy's house for a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner. As always the food was great and the company was even better.  I am done rambling for now but I thought I should update the world on my life. ha ha

Camping must haves!

Camping must haves! by brittany-janelle-fuller featuring Coleman