1 Mom, 2 Daughters and 3 Days of Wonder! **Completed 6/29!** About This Page:

[statelady01]

Cast of Characters:

Me, Maureen, age 35
DD, Katie, age 12
DD, Emily, age 7

The beginnings of our most magical adventure (at least I hope!) go back to a few days before Christmas. My MIL Beverly and I were scheming to plan a most terrifically awesome Christmas and 40th birthday gift for my DH Kevan. On Christmas morning, he would awaken to discover he would be cruising Alaska with me, my BIL Aaron and our son Matthew in July. He’s wanted to see Alaska since he was a kid and we figured turning 40 was a good enough reason to go. We are also celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary this year so there’s another. If I sit here long enough I can probably come up with more. When it comes to travel, I would celebrate cleaning my bathroom or balancing my checkbook if it meant I got to go somewhere.


One night right before Christmas Eve, my MIL Beverly and I headed up to Books A Million to plan Alaska armed with a latte and my laptop. She was giving Kevan his portion of the trip for his birthday, so she wanted to be in on the research and planning. We were surfing the net and pouring through Fodor’s guides when Beverly said, “You know, Matt and Aaron are getting a really nice trip somewhere with you and Kevan to Alaska- what about Kevin, Katie and Emily? Where would they like to go?” I agreed with her, but I couldn’t think of a destination that would really make the remaining three happy so I began to think of that in parts. What would make Kevin happiest? What about Katie? Emily? So we began to brainstorm.


Kevin, our eldest son is a train fanatic so we hit the Amtrak website and checked out on a weekend ride later in the summer. It was inexpensive and would be perfect for him. It would also make a great Dad and son trip. Perfect. Don’t you love it when stuff comes together like that?


That left Katie and Emily. And right away, I knew the answer. DCL. Both of the girls have asked several times to go aboard through the years and I have never taken them on a Mom-Daughter adventure- it all seemed to work. MIL offered to help with most of the cost, since she was doing the same for the others in the family. How could I say no?


We booked the Amtrak tickets and then I hit the Disney travel agents site. I priced it up and using the Kids Sail Free Offer, got a great rate for the three of us. As much as I ached to be in a verandah (that sounds so dramatic but you get the idea- I really wanted to have one…) it was just too much- more than we wanted to spend. So I booked the three of us in a Category 12 guarantee and decided to hope for the best- perhaps the cruising powers that be would move us up but if not, it was all good. In this day and age, we all were extremely blessed to be going anywhere on vacation. We paid the deposit right then and there and would do the rest a bit later. My heart was racing as we did it too. I book cruises a lot but rarely for myself! It was thrilling. I would soon be back aboard the Wonder and this time with my precious girls all to myself.


We left Books A Million with Alaska guidebooks, a few magazines and a whole bunch of travel memories in the making.. for the entire family!


It’s a little sad that our big family vacation this year is sort of broken up and we aren’t all traveling together at the same time- but it does have some pros-- it allows everyone to do what they like. And even more, it gives some of the numerous Austin children more one on one time with one or both of their parents. That’s a special thing when you have four siblings. The only person in the Austin family who did not open up a trip on Christmas morning was Connor. He was clueless as to what was in the packages he opened up Christmas morning. Actually, forget that. He was most impressed with wrapping paper and tried to eat it several times. Isn’t that a sign of genius?


We are actually ending up getting some nice family time together this summer- we’ll be spending a few days in the Ozark Mountains in a cabin after we move back to Arkansas in June. Now Connor can say he went somewhere at least. Actually, what he would say would sound something like “ goo goo bla abl Mama Dada.” But you get the idea.


I woke up Christmas Eve Day thinking I had better find a nice roll of duct tape for my mouth. The reason for this being I might need it to cover my mouth until Christmas morning- so as not to reveal some wonderful surprises.


Coming Up Next: Trips Revealed and the Anticipation begins!!

[tdandboys]

Great start, keep it coming.

[iloverags2]

Looking forward to hearing all about the big surprise reveal! And can't wait to find out if you got the magical upgrade.

[mcc0313]

Great start....how great that everyone is going on their own special adventure. Can't wait to hear all about the reveals.

[Grammy Grumpy]

What a wonderful summer of adventure the Austins have before them! Can't wait to hear about the reveal.

[chezp]

Great start!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Mo!!

[belle0517]

Great start! Can't wait to hear more!

[lauriep]

What a great trip you have planned. And the best thing is that everyone in the family gets a special treat.

[MontiMouse]

How awesome that you are able to cruise with your girls! I can't wait to hear about the big reveal so hurry back.

[ariel14]

Great start! I didn't realize that you guys were moving back to Arkansas. Are you happy to be moving back? Did you like living in FL?

[statelady01]

On Christmas Eve, Beverly and I made a run to Target first thing in the morning. I still hadn’t come up with a plan for revealing the cruise but on the way, Beverly suggested a travel bag for each of the girls. We headed to the luggage section and I couldn’t believe my luck- they had an adorable set of polka dot luggage. It came with the suitcase and a cute matching toiletry bag. The best part is there were just two left. And even better, they were on clearance from $49.99 to $15!!

So, three reveals to be wrapped up in some way, shape or form kept me very busy that night. Kevin got a model train with his Amtrak confirmation taped underneath. Kevan got a box with an Alaska guidebook and under that a Royal Caribbean brochure on Alaskan cruises. I slipped the confirmation in the inside cover. It was wrapped in Christmas paper but we attached a 40th birthday card.

For the girls, I simply put a note from Mickey, telling them they would be sailing with Mom on the Disney Wonder in May. It was placed in the front of the suitcase and it wasn’t so big we couldn’t wrap it, which was super.


Christmas morning came. Kevin Patrick went first and he was thrilled with his train and train trip. He’s in a stage where he’s not fond of pictures and asked me not to take any of him. One of the downsides of Aspergers- he’s so self conscious. But I respect his wishes so can’t give you a pic other than a mental image. He was one happy fella I assure you!


Next, came the girls. We gave them the cases at the same time and directed them to find the note. They both read the note and unfortunately, Katie jumped up when I took the shot so I actually only got Emily's immediate reaction:





Katie kept repeating Disney Cruise Line? Disney Cruise Line? One of Katie’s other gifts was a calendar and she immediately asked for a marker, found the month of May and circled the dates. There are times I honestly forget about autism in my life (and hers) - this was one of them. She kept saying Disney Cruise Line over and over on and off the entire day. That’s how you know with Katie, “you done good” as they say! The girl could not stop smiling!


Emily was a bit disappointed that it was a bit away but as I explained to her, it gave us time to save some money and plan our adventure. Post script- she spent Christmas afternoon calling several friends about “the best Christmas present ever!”


And if you are curious, Kevan’s reveal was amazing. He told me later he thought the gift was a new tv or something because he knew a birthday and Christmas gift combined had to be a big one- but he was totally shocked when he opened it. And I will insist I saw him mist up. He denies it and I promise you he did. This guy lets me travel all over the place, do so many things and get my me time- time and time again. He truly deserves it and I started to cry seeing him so surprised, overwhelmed and thrilled.


So with all of the so called cats out of the bag, planning began on all three trips- but this is where we leave Amtrak and Alaska behind and focus on this girls trip. (However I do promise a lovely trip report of Alaska and Las Vegas later this summer!)

Coming Up Next: Get to know the girls!

[Grammy Grumpy]

Thanks for the great description of the reveals Maureen. My mind's eye can see each one as clearly as Emily's picture. I am so happy for you guys and a bit on the jealous side. I am looking forward to this TR but also the one on Alaska! That trip is on my short list of things to do very, very soon!

[chezp]

What a wonderful reveal - I love Emily's reaction!

[Colexis Mom]

Wow, what great reveals!!