Pumpkin Pie with Loads of Whip Cream on Top TR UPDATED: 11/22 with PhotoPass Pictures About This Page:

[Cam22]

We are currently at 58 days a few hours before we leave for our first ever second trip in the same year, so I figure that is as good a time as any to begin my PTR.

Title: Pumpkin Pie with Loads of Whip Cream on Top

One of my favorite things about fall is pumpkin pie and the more whip cream on top the better. Luke jokes that I have a little pumpkin pie with my whip cream. In fact, I've been known to bake a pumpkin pie in the middle of July to help celebrate my birthday. I even call Stefanie "my sweet little pumpkin pie". When she was little, she asked me once why I called her that. My reply was that she was as sweet to me as pumpkin pie. She now understands how much I love it and adores being "my little pumpkin pie."

So as I began musing over possible titles and thinking about this fall trip to the World, pumpkin pie kept popping up. Then I realized today at work that this trip is as sweet to me as pumpkin pie, so what better name for a very special fall trip where we'll actually get to trick-or-treat with Mickey Mouse and try all kinds of incredible foods at the Food and Wine Festival. I would say that's beyond sweet!


Back Story: The Beginnings of the Trip

Luke and I have known about the possibility of this trip for about 3 years. He gets to attend a conference each fall with work. Twice now I've really wanted to go with him, but hated to lose a day's pay as I only have two personal days and the conference is usually a Sunday through Wednesday. The first time I wanted to join him was when he went to New Orleans (pre-Hurricane Katrina). We had visited New Orleans back in the 90s and loved the music and the food. He called me each night so I could hear the music as he had a balcony right over the French Quarter. Then two years ago when the conference was in Chicago (my second favorite place to visit right after Disney World), I really wanted to tag along because the Tutankhamen exhibit was at the Field Museum and the conference was having a private dinner and showing at the museum. Both times we opted to save the money, knowing that in 2009 the conference would finally be in Orlando.

Last year due to budget cuts his boss decided they wouldn't attend the conference. This spring it looked like with even more budget cuts that the conference would be a no-go again this year. Luke sent me tantalizing e-mails that included the dates and location for the conference. but we were afraid to plan, and definitely would not tell Stefanie because breaking her heart would just never work. Sometime in July, Luke's boss told him that she had gotten approval for them both to attend the conference. We began working the numbers and Luke figured that we could afford the airfare for both of us.

So now we both had to check with our bosses to get approval for the trip. I began the process first as unfortunately the dates of the conference fell the first three days after the end of our fall break. For teachers in my district to take off time right after time off, we have to get approval of both our principal and Director of Personnel. This is done by writing a persuasive letter explaining the circumstances. Before I wrote a letter, I talked with my principal to see if there would be any chance of getting the approval. He told me to just write the letter and I already had the approval. Later that night (Thursday) I composed the letter and had Luke review it. Then on Friday I took the letter to my principal and he signed off on it. He also told me he would personally deliver it to the Central Office that afternoon.

All weekend long I checked my school e-mail hoping for a response, but I knew it could take a bit of time for the final decision to be made. On Monday I reported to work for professional development and kept checking my e-mail on breaks. Then late Monday evening the e-mail finally arrived and I had gained complete approval -- the trip was a go on my end. I should add that the Director of Personnel adores Stefanie having been her principal when she was in middle school. But then who doesn't adore my "little pumpkin pie." [They're have been a few folks, but I never could figure them out.]

Letter to my Boss --

Dear Tom,

I would like to request off Monday, October 26, Tuesday, October 27, and Wednesday, October 28 (using my 2 personal days). I realize these days are immediately following our Fall Break, but I have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go with Luke to Orlando, Florida, when he attends a conference during that time. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as Luke cannot plan a vacation during our fall break, which has frustrated Stefanie as she has wanted to go to Walt Disney World to celebrate Halloween with Mickey for a very long time. I don’t know that I will have another chance to do this within the next 5+ years as retirement is not possible for awhile and part of the expenses would be covered this time, making the trip manageable. I don’t talk about it much, but I’ve already had my very special girl for 13 years beyond her life expectancy, and only God knows how much longer I will have her. I would love to be able to make one of her dreams come true.
Thanks for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,
Cam


Now Luke went to his boss to make sure his two girls could take along. She was fine with it. So we began to make some more definite plans. Stefanie was still in the dark as we wanted some key points decided before telling her. Some details were up in the air until we got some specifics from Luke's boss, e.g. where to fly from, when the rooms would be available (the conference starts Sunday, but Luke felt his boss would get rooms for Saturday night), and purchasing MNSSHP tickets.


Next: Pre-Stef Preps

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

Your letter made me cry

I am so glad that are letting you go!

How wonderful that Stephanie will get to celebrate Halloween with Mickey!

[amandal]

Well, Cam, you started earlier than I thought you would but I'm glad you did!!! Can't wait to hear about breaking it to Stefanie!!!

[bsblady01]

more please

[skateycat]

oh my gosh! i am just so happy about this! i did not realize i might get to see the three of you again so soon! can't wait for the next installment....

[dsteiny23]

What great luck that you could tag along and that you got the permission. But, after such a lovely letter, how could they have said no? We will be getting there on Oct. 30th. Looks like we will miss you by a couple of days. I would have loved to meet you and Luke and your "sweet little pumpkin pie". Looking forward to more.

[revral]

I need more pumpkin pie and heavy on the whipcream, please.

[iamgrumpy]

that was the best letter ever, so very touching, and I am glad they approved your time off. Stefanie will be so surprised I'm sure and I can picture her wonderful smile when she finds out.

Thank you for sharing this with us, I most definitely can't wait to hear all about it

[Luvsun]

This is so exciting! I wish we were there at the same time!
I would love to meet your sweet little pumpkin pie!
Your letter was so touching, who would have ever turned you down!
I just can't wait to find out how Stefanie took the great news!

[RoonieRooToo]

Mmmmmm...pumpkin pie with whip cream. Now I'm hungry. You also inspired me to actually do my PTR.

[heziggy]

i can't wait to hear how you break the surprise!!!

[elisa1006]

So here i sit, at midnight when I should be in bed, but instead I am stalking the boards. lol.

I am so happy you started your Pre TR. Though I have to admit, reading your letter made me cry, cry , cry!!! I am so happy you were approved for time off.

Looking forward for more plans!

[wvugrrrl]

Well, I'm writing this as big, fat tears plonk down on my keyboard. So congrats, Cam - you've managed to do what many have tried (and ultimately failed! ) to do for years - made me cry!

Seriously, though, what a touching letter. Anyone who'd read that and then deny your vacay has a heart of stone. But, you're already an inspiration - finished one TR, and then launched into another so quickly!

Can't wait to read what's in store for one of my favorite families! Hopefully those plans will include some time with the Crankies - tell Stephanie that Halloween's the perfect time to get into some "trouble" with Joey!

[lauriep]

Another reader mopping up the tears, Cam! I'm sooo happy that you get to make this trip. Can't wait to hear how you break the news to your little pumpkin pie... wonder what her costume will be for the trick-or-treating? She loves the meet-and-greets so much I can only imagine her joy at seeing the characters in halloween costumes. She'll have to get one of the limited edition T-shirts they sell at the party so she'll have a souvenir she can wear the rest of the year.

[chezp]

What a wonderful letter you wrote. I'm so glad this trip has come together for you - I can see what it means to you.