The 9 hour surprise

Bryan and I got the girls to bed early Sunday night and started packing the car for our surprise trip. We woke up at 4:45, got ready and had everything in the car. Then picked up the girls one by one from their beds, put them on the potty (still asleep). Bryan got Emory up first and put her in the car. She asked what he was doing- he just said "it's a secret."

Then we picked CC up and we wouldn't tell her what we were going- just put her in the car. She kept saying "What are we doing? This isn't normal!"

At this point, the girls were wide awake and wondering what we were doing. We told them we were taking a surprise trip and they had 11 presents to open that would give them hints.

 The first present (seatbelt pet): CC guessed we were going fishing b/c we were up early and Bryan had on a fishing shirt. Emory thought Daddy was putting her in the car to tell her a secret (b/c that is what he told her) then we were going back in the house- ha!

The 2nd present (a zoobie animal blanket- they guessed the zoo b/c both of the presents were animals.

 We drove through Alex City and they guess we were going to Gran and PawPaw's house. It was a PERFECT guess b/c we were making a quick stop by their house for a bathroom break! They were SO excited and thought that was the surprise. About 15 minutes of being there, we told them to get back in the car. They were SOOOO confused-hehehe!!
Once in the car they opened the backpack of car activities- they still thought the zoo.
Present 4 (bag of candy): CC was completely stressed out -"JUST TELL ME. I just need to know!"

 They opened a present every hour - we set the timer on our phones and every time it went off they would scream!
Present 5 (camera)- they guessed beach. This was about 5 hours into the trip and they hadn't even fought, watched TV, or play the iPad. They were completely occupied with guessing and playing with their new surprises.

 Present 6: wallets with money. Emory said we were going to the grocery store! (shows what an exciting life we live on a normal day-ha! She is right... that is where we spend most of our money:):)

    We had lunch and took a quick nap. 

 We had to wake them up b/c we were starting to see signs about Disney World, so we had to start opening more clues! 

Present 7 (video camera): they had no guess but were so excited. And the $20 video camera worked pretty well for them! I've watch a few of their videos- very funny!

Present 8 (and the real clues began!!!- Minnie Mouse shirt)- CC instantly guessed Disney and almost wet her pants. She was so excited and Emory didn't have a clue what was going on.

 Present 9 (purse): Look at their faces- CC knew and kept explaining to Emory HOW she knew ("Look, it's a castle and a crown. They have that at Disney") and Emory just knew she should be excited b/c of CC's reaction (she was so lost as to what was going on!!!)

(we still have not confirmed anything!!!)

 Aren't these faces priceless!!

Present 10: Autograph books with stickers of each Disney character.  CC explained to Emory how you get the princesses to sign a book when you meet them. 

(still no confirmation from us!!only 45 minutes left of the trip!!) 

They were both screaming and freaking out (but Emory had no idea why b/c we wouldn't say anything and CC was talking so fast you couldn't understand her))

So, we had to hurry and open the final clue b/c we were so close! 

 When CC saw the book, I looked over at Emory and she was just sitting there in silence b/c she had NO idea what it said! Then CC opened the book. Look at that face- like she's thinking "OH SH*T, we're really going to Disney World!" 

 We finally confirmed it and Emory finally screamed with real excitement b/c she knew what was going on. 

I had put so much into these little presents and clues to where they wouldn't figure it out right away. I was so excited b/c I knew they would be so excited, but wanted it to work out the way I planned it in my head(which RARELY happens for me!!). And everything was perfect and worth all the months and months I had put into making their little gifts (can you tell I got plenty of use of my Cricut machine?!), shopping, planning, wrapping, etc.  

 Horrible picture, but we made it! 

Our hotel was so nice and our room overlooked the pool with a perfect view of the Epcot fireworks each night. Of course, with the view of the pool we had to go right down within minutes of being there! You would have never known that we were in the car for over 10 hours by looking at our girls. Bryan and I were a different story! We were exhausted but kept going b/c they were so excited! We didn't slow down the entire time we were there. Finally home and the girls are still wired from the week! 

HANDS DOWN - the best time of our lives!

 I hope they remember this forever (and sleep late tomorrow- ha!!) 

Clues

 I have A LOT of catching up to do, but I'm starting with this!

Soon, we are taking a trip.

The girls don't know where we are going. We are just waking them up one morning, putting them in the car with all these clue to open. 11 gifts to open throughout our 9 hour drive (maybe it will cut down on the "are we there yet?")

1- seat belt pet (a silly stuff animal on a commercial that they have been dying to have). 

2- Zoobie- yet another silly stuff animal thing they had to have....will keep them warm on the long car drive.

3- backpacks with fun car activities

 4- candy for the car ride

5- cameras to document their trip!

6. wallets with money to spend on our trip!!!

7. camcorders for even more documentation (so cheap they might break on the first day- we'll see!)

8. shirts- this might be the first 'real' clue! Still not spilling the beans until all 11 are open!

9. purses- to use during our trip!

10. autograph books in case they need to get people's autographs on our trip....still not spilling the beans!

11. Scrapbook to put all their pictures in!

 Inside is the official announcement of where we are going! 

I am beyond excited about this trip! I have been working on this since November and slowly making all their clues. We have been collecting coins and trying to fill our piggy bank so we can go to Disney. We are no where close to filling it, which will make it an even bigger surprise. It has been so hard packing and planning all this with them with me all the time. But it's done and I can't wait to see their faces and hear their screams when they figure it out! 

Our plan is to have the car packed the night before and we will just pick them up out of bed super early in the morning and put them in the car. Hopefully they will sleep a little bit longer, then wake up wondering what is going on! My problem will be not letting them open each present within the first hour- ha!
Our first day there we are eating breakfast with all the princesses in Cinderella's castle! Just another surprise for them! All princess dresses are packed and ready! Aahhhhh- I'm so excited!