As with everyone when they go into Target, I literally went in for something specific, something specific that they did not have and walked out with all the Bullseye. Do I regret my decision no, would I have missed any of this had I not walked in....also no!
But here we are.
So we are doing an International Disney Cruise this Summer and I have been collecting things for the trip for the last year, both for the plane and for the actual cruise. I am not used to packing for colder climates, so my 'little bit of everything' has absolutely no rhyme or reason and I am sure I will have a blog when I return about all the things I regret bringing with me. But until that day, enjoy the snippets of what I am bringing. Apparently the big thing on Disney Cruise's are something referred to as Fish Extenders (you can read more about them HERE). Honestly, I didn't know much about them and we have never participated on the other Disney Cruises we have been on, so this was something new. We are on the Facebook Group for our cruise and apparently whoever has been the lead on it has all sorts of guidelines and stipulatons and now adults are involved, so we decided to just do it ourselves for the kids. Long story short, little treats are put into the pockets and when the kids get up, they wake up to little surprises every morning of the trip. My MIL and I split this up and we are getting five things for each kid for a total of the ten days and just keeping it to small treasures. I did get some cute Mickey and Minnie 50th merch when I was last at WDW, but that will be a whole other blog, in the meantime, check out my MIL's talent (I can only take credit for the vinyl portion).
As you can tell by the size of the pocket, it keeps you from going overboard, or at least it keeps this Mama from going overboard.
My kids love water and ultimately they love baths. It is always a full on debacle whenever we have to get them out no matter how prune-y they are. The Bullseye section at Target had these really cute 'duckies' for the bath that came in a couple of different animals and when they are in water they light up and strobe (if you are light-sensitive be aware as you cannot see what they do when in the store). I bought a bunch for their bath at the house, but because there is a really nice circular tub in the bathroom of the cruise, I got them two each for their bath on the ship and for their fish extender pockets. I am only showing the one below because I did not want the kids to come out and see them prior while I was taking pictures.
Also, shown are wooden numbers ($1) that I got. I was able to get all the numbers of our house number (obvioussuly not shown for reasons) which was great because there were not a lot of them left. I honestly have no clue what I am going to do with these, but I am sure someone is going to figure out something amazing on social media and I am going wish I had them. I actually have a 'bullseye' crafting organizer in the garage filled with things from the bullseye section that I have no idea what I am going to do with, but I am sure I will want it for something (darn you social media and Instagram...oh and my best friend Sarah). As I write this I am now regretting getting a 3 for the Commodore's birthday. Update: the mamala is on the case #bestgrandmaever
The blue plastic beach tote ($5) gave me all the throw-back feels. I had one of these for the beach when growing up in Maine, so I picked one up (and then went back for two more when the kids fell in love with it when I got home). I swear I have this crazy gene in me that I cannot get one of anything. Or if I do, I go back for multiple once I get home with said one thing.
Sean planned an amazing picnic for Mother's Day which we had the most fun with, so I figured getting a small picnic basket would be apropos for the kids and so that we can do more of this on the weekends.
I will say I feel that the picnic basket quality wise is more on the $3 line as it is not very sturdy, but it is super cute and I can either just put the kids juice boxes and snacks in here or when our outdoor movie nights resume I can use it for movie snacks and lounging outside for movie night. I obviously got the folding cheese charcuterie board for the same reason (something else I now apparently want another one of).
My all-time favorite time to get things at the Bullseye section will forever be Halloween and Summer. I love all the bright fun Summer items, but most of all, I love all the fun learning things that you can get the kiddos: activity books, flashcards, games, etc.
As with anything in the Bullseye section, ff you like it, you do have to snag it because it is not often do they restock of the educational items and they go really quickly as you can imagine. I have been working with EV on expanding just her day to day knowledge and having her be able to distinguish, what makes the difference, what are the differences, etc. I love all the educational items that ImagineInk comes out with for the same reason I am sure every parental figure does in that it is basically magic in a no mess/no fuss 'pen'. I thought the Same/Different would be fun and also educational for EV. I also snagged two Pre-School/Kindergarten books that I will more or less be saving for the plane (there is tracing. letters and reading in the book) since it it really slim and light.
Also for the plane, I purchased THIS Melissa and Doug Matching Game. EV and the Commodore are incredible at these as their memories are bar none (obviously with the length of the plane ride, losing interest and breaking down is a huge fear of mine). The memory game is made of a sturdy board material (think elementary board book but thicker) and a little heavier than I would like to take on the plane, so we will have to see if it makes it.
THESE Mondo LLama Neon Chalk Markers were on sale and I got two packs. I always take a holiday chalkboard to take pictures with when we are away to write sayings on or for their birthday and I thought that these would be really cool instead of the traditional chalk that I use. I did pack both in the Commodore's birthday bag in case of mishaps.
I literally have no use for this gigantic phone/tablet water pouch, but thought it was fun for $3. I actually have two from Amazon that I love and take with us when we go anywhere that will involve a pool or water. But again, there were only a few of these left and I was afraid to experience FOMO so into the cart it went. I figure if anything I can use this for other things that I might be afraid will get wet: ID, credit card, key fob, etc.
Both of my kiddos ADORE Bluey, so THIS coloring and sticker set I ordered two of for delivery since my store did not have them and I put them aside with our trip container for the cruise.
In keeping with all things Bluey and with Bluey being the Commodore's wind-down comfort show at night, THIS bed-in-a-bag popped up on Target and it was a do not look back, no brainer (especially since it has been coming in and selling out fairly quickly) kind of moment even though I had just bought him the Jurassic Park set as well. Any other crazy parents out there that cannot get enough of cute character bedding?! Am I alone in this obession?! I also scored THESE short-sleeved Bluey jammies which are perfect for Summer and I thought would be cute to give as a gift for his birthday with the bed in a bag (I had also got him a Bluey towel from the Jay Franco line on Amazon). But I will show all the birthday stuff on my packing blog.
EV has been really into Flamingos and the Commodore is into anything that EV is into so for $1 I thought the suncatchers were super cool to paint and any extra outdoor activity, I am always all in for. The kiddos love a good painting project that they can showcase in the house. Obviously, this is not coming on the plane.
Last but not least (we ended up ordering a different brand on Amazon for the Commodore so he wouldn't be left out) was THIS toddler video camera. EV has taken to wanting to use my phone to make videos. She starts each one with "hullloooooo EV fans!!" It is positively hilarious and I figured for the ship and the plane it would be so much fun for her to be able to make videos. It is perfect for small little hands and seems very durable. The video quality is obviously okay for a kiddo and overall it is easy to use. Quite satisfied and excited to see how she uses it.
The actual intention of the trip was to try and find extra decor stuff for the hotel for the Commodore's birthday...did that happen, that is a negative, ghost rider, but did I get the intended Father's Day card? Why yes, yes I did! Full transparency, this only happened because the card section is by the door that the car was parked at and you have to walk by which was the in your face reminder that I needed or else it would never have been acquired, so that is kind of a win, right?!
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