[cahogbin]

All I can say is today was a GREAT DAY and was topped off when I got the mail.

My Dad's best friend retired from teaching in PA and moved to FL. He now works at WDW in security. I've called and have been e-mailing his wife asking some questions and I asked her about getting a few items for me to give to the kids before we get there. Like I wanted an autograph book BEFORE we get there so we wouldn't miss anyone when we walked through the gates.

I asked her to pick up for a friend whose going at the same time too and she said no problem. She was supposed to e-mail me with prices so I could send her a check.

WELL, today I got a box that I just assumed was what I had asked for and I would send her a check tomorrow. Besides the autograph books and fat pens for all 3 kids (my 2 and my friend's little boy) there were 2 lanyards for my kids filled with pins. A dozen pins each as a gift. I'm just so happy. She asked if they could be put in their Easter Baskets. I had told her at one point that the pin exchanging was out of my price range and I was going to just do the pressed pennies. Which I'm still going to do the pressed pennies but now the kids can do the pins too!! She even got a cast member only pin that is like their name badge that says "Minnie" on it. SO CUTE!!

Now I have to find out which pins NOT to trade because they are rare or special. AHHH more research. But this will be so much fun. She asked for the kids' favorite characters and most of the pins are their top 3 favorites.

This was so above and beyond what I expected I don't know how to thank her.

I still want to send her a check for the autograph books and the pens but the lanyards are just such a WOW!!

Can you tell I'm excited?!?!?

Anyway - just wanted to share.

All this after such a great shopping day!! Lots of sales and deals at the Disney Store and I got everything on my list I wanted for Easter and our upcoming trip to my parents for Spring Break.

I should have played the lottery today :D

[tigger]

That is so wonderfull...what a nice thing to have happen to you.

I'm so happy for you!

[Dana]

What a thoughtful gift for your kids! She must be one heck of a lady. Maybe you could make her up a basket or something of things you did on your trip to share with her. Pictures of the kids wearing their laynards and pictures of them getting autographs. Maybe add some of the mickey soaps and stuff you get from your resort and a nice T-shirt. It will be a thoughtful present that isn't over the top expensive and will show your thanks. Just a thought.

[disneyguy]

That is so cool!!! I really wanted to try my hand in the pin trading on my last trip but it was just way too expensive. Maybe next time I can have a set budget for it. :hmmm Good luck! I saw a lot of kids having a lot fun trading pins! :)

[cahogbin]

Originally posted by Dana
What a thoughtful gift for your kids! She must be one heck of a lady. Maybe you could make her up a basket or something of things you did on your trip to share with her. Pictures of the kids wearing their laynards and pictures of them getting autographs. Maybe add some of the mickey soaps and stuff you get from your resort and a nice T-shirt. It will be a thoughtful present that isn't over the top expensive and will show your thanks. Just a thought.

Thanks Dana!! Those are great ideas. I am going to put all the things in the kids' Easter Baskets like she asked then have them make her a thank you note.

[dznygrl]

Wow, that is so cool! I wish I had the money to surprise my friends like that!

[Dana]

Originally posted by cahogbin
Thanks Dana!! Those are great ideas. I am going to put all the things in the kids' Easter Baskets like she asked then have them make her a thank you note.

Chris -

You are welcome. PErhaps their thank-you notes could include a picture of them from their trip. I am a big time present giver...love to do it and love seeing the looks of their faces when they open a gift I spent time picking out. Hope you don't find me to forward for suggesting this. I was trying to give you ideas and I tend to get excited about presents in general.

[MerlinMatt]

I wouldn't worry so much about researching rare pins. I'm sure if any of them were rare, she would have told you.

Pin-trading with CM's throughout the park is VERY cool.

Donald got "mad" at our DS because he didn't have any Donald pins on him lanyard. He "forced" him to trade for one with his CM "handler" before he was willing to have his picture taken.

It was hysterical. :)

[DisneyHog6]

What a great story. How cool of your Dad's friend to have done that for you and your kids. Despite the fact that she is an obviously generous woman, I don't like her. She works for WDW, and I don't...:laugh But really, what a nice lady she must be.

Matt, Robin Hood did the same thing to my son and me. We went up to have out pic taken with him, and he looked at both of our lanyards and pointed to himself and put his hands in the air like "where is the Robin Hood pin?" I pointed at my wife and said "she wouldn't let me buy one." :laugh That got me off the hook, well, with Robin Hood anyway. I had somehow managed to get myself in trouble with my wife...;)

[MerlinMatt]

I love Disney!

You should special order a pin for your wife. ;)

[cahogbin]

Originally posted by DisneyHog6
What a great story. How cool of your Dad's friend to have done that for you and your kids. Despite the fact that she is an obviously generous woman, I don't like her. She works for WDW, and I don't...:laugh But really, what a nice lady she must be.

Well they DESERVE their retirement. They both taught Special Ed children for 25+ years. He actually retired before she did and moved down to a house they bought 15 minutes from WDW. Then she retired and joined him down there.

I'm still just sitting here with my jaw hanging open over this. It was such a generous gift and great surprise. The cool thing is she gave them ones that were their favorites plus some I could tell she knew they wouldn't mind trading for some better ones. So they won't to want to keep them all upfront and be upset to have to trade a few away.

[DisneyHog6]

Ok, if you say they deserve it, then I guess I'll take your word for it. I'm not mad anymore...but still waaaaaaay jealous. ;) Pin trading is pretty fun, and I'm a 29 year old, grown man. Just think how much fun your kids will have. :)

[cahogbin]

Originally posted by Matt McDonnell
I love Disney!

You should special order a pin for your wife. ;)

I agree - sounds like a good idea to make up for making her the heavy with Robin Hood :D


I know the kids are going to be thrilled with the lanyards and pins.