California - Day 4

Our second day at Disneyland was packed!

There were a few rides that we ran out of time for yesterday that we made sure to get to today.  Our family was at California Adventure before the park opened and got to be there for the rope drop to get into the heart of the park.

Today was all about strategy.  What did we want to ride?  Which rides have long lines or late Fast Pass return times?  M really, really wanted to ride The Hollywood Tower of Terror to remedy the horror she had last year when we pretty much forced her to ride it.  I thought she'd love it.  Boy, oh boy, was I wrong.

An oldie but a goodie from last year.  She was scarred for life.

We grabbed a fast pass for The Hollywood Tower of Terror and made our way over to California Screamin' again.  Matt and M got in the short line while G and I went to Toy Story Mania.  Although the park opened only fifteen minutes prior, the line for Toy Story Mania was already at 40 minutes.  This line was the test for G.  Thank goodness Mr. Potato Head was doing a little stand-up gig while we waited.  G groped and poked just about everyone around us.  It's a good thing he's cute otherwise we might have been kicked out of the park for lewd acts. 

M & M joined us in the Toy Story line when Screamin' was done.  This is one of our new family favorite rides.

One more carousel ride before heading back to the Bug's Life area of the park.

The weather these last few days has been a little hot for California standards, so the kids were thrilled to find Princess Dot's Puddle Park.

Thankfully I packed a spare set of clothes for both kids today.  After a quick change in the bathroom it was time to go back for The Hollywood Tower of Terror.  On the way there we found out what was behind the World Grand Prix door from yesterday.  Look it!

Mater and McQueen!

The most disappointing part was that there was no door.

G was in utter amazement over these guys.  He talked about Mayer and AQueen for the rest of the day.

Now was the time we had been waiting for - The Tower of Terror.  The plan was to do a kid swap so M could ride twice while one of us waited with G.  The hotel bellman indicated that the only way to do so was for one of us to wait outside the gates and then walk in again.  G and I had a snack while M & M went on the ride.

I saw Matt's head above the crowd as they rounded the corner.  He had a small smirk on his face while he shook his head, "No."  Then I saw M's face, and it was not a happy one.  Apparently a year away did not help her.  I opted not to ride this one solo and we made our way out for a nap. 

By the time G woke up it was dinner time.  We remembered that there is a Portillo's in Buena Park.

Not the greatest photo, but they have a great outdoor patio.

After dinner we meandered our way back to Disneyland.  M & M went to California Adventure to ride California Screamin one more time while G and I rode Peter Pan and the Carousel.  We met back up as a family in line for Pirates of the Caribbean.

The best part of theme parks is being smart about how you do it.  Many people were starting to stake out their spots for the Illuminations and fireworks shows.  This meant not very many people were in line for rides.  We went between The Haunted Mansion and Pirates at least twice and walked right on to both rides.  We finished up just in time for fireworks.

Instead of fighting the crowds out of the park we decided to do a little shopping and get some ice cream.

When the time came to leave we spotted Goofy, or as G calls him "Doofy"

The plan for our last day in California is much more low key.  Stay tuned!

California Vacation - Day 3

We're going to Disneyland!

Now, I am a little concerned about going to Disneyland today since we are so close to the 4th of July weekend.  Historical attendance numbers show that the summer, Christmas, and 4th of July weekend are the busiest times of the year.  I am not a fan of the theme park goers that choose to use their strollers as ankle killers because the crowds aren't moving fast enough.  So I had trepidation in committing to a two day ticket.  The gal at the ticket counter said if we purchased a one-day ticket we could always add another day to the ticket before leaving for the evening.  I liked her non-committal answer.

By the time we got through the gates, the park had been open for an hour.  That's pretty good for us because we usually blow it on the first day and sleep until 10.  We first wanted to see about getting a Fast Pass for Star Wars, but at 9AM the Fast Pass return time was already for 9:30PM.  Yes, in the evening.  The stand by line was also obnoxious at 90 minutes.  M was disappointed but she was OK with it remembering how long we had to wait for the Finding Nemo Submarine ride back in 2008.  Maybe next year the line will be manageable.

Right across from Star Wars was the family favorite - Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (a.k.a. Buzz Light Year Space Ranger Spin to you Disney World fans). Buzz is one more of G's BFFs.  They are on a first name basis.

Dad, Look It!  Look It, Dad!  Buzz!

I rode with G while Matt & M rode together.  They get pretty competitive so I was happy to let them duke it out in the car behind us.

Knowing the kids are at different heights and stages the decision was made to split up for a bit.  G and I got in line for the Storybook Boats while M and Matt rode Space Mountain.  We met back up to ride Casey's Circus Train and the Carousel.  Then things got crazy.  The plan was to do a kid swap at the top of the Matterhorn, but when we got to the front of the line we saw that G was tall enough to ride it.  Without hesitation, all four of us jumped into Bobsleds and were off!  G didn't say much when he got off the ride other than, "Whoa."

Well over the height requirement

We had lunch on Main Street then M and I rode the Davey Crockett Canoes, another family favorite, while Matt tried to get G to nap in the stroller.

Not that we are expert canoers at all, but man some people are not good canoers.  Inevitably the kid in front of me thought the paddle was a spoon and deposited a hefty amount of water on my lap.  Thankfully the warm Cali sun dried my shorts in no time.  Around 4:00 we zipped back to our hotel for G's nap.

That evening we returned to enjoy California Adventure.  This park is the best of both worlds for our kids.  Roller coasters for those tall enough and a kids' area for those who are height challenged.  The rides in the Bug's Life area were perfect for G and still appropriate for M.

Francis' Ladybug Boogie

We discovered a new area to open in 2012 that has has to do with Cars.  There was not anything to see today other than a doorway.

What's behind the door?

M was feeling quite brave tonight and told Matt she wanted to ride the California Screamin' roller coaster.  Clearly G was too short for this, and I was thankful because there's no way I would ride it.  While they rode the roller coaster, G and I waited in line for Mickey's Fun Wheel Ferris Wheel (the non-swinging line).  Apparently this line moves much slower than the swinging line so Matt & M joined us after their ride.  M was exhilarated after riding California Screamin', and she could not stop talking how she wanted to ride again.

Matt and M rode California Screamin' one more time while I took G on the King Triton Carousel.  The sun was going down, and we had yet to eat dinner.  We ran into some obstacles because California Adventure was getting ready for their night show.  People were lining up on the street and certain pathways were closed.  Once we made it near the park entrance, we found a place for a quick bite and then planned to go back to Disneyland for fireworks.  On our walk back we decided to stop at the ticket window to add another day to our ticket.  It took a bit longer than we hoped, so we watched the fireworks outside the park gates on our way back to the car.

G made sure our shoes were ready for tomorrow.

California Vacation - Day 2

Since we got in so late the night before, we knew today would not be an up and at 'em kind of day.  We had to get a few provisions at Target before starting our vacation.  We decided to pack only enough diapers to get us through a day and buy some when we got there.  The goal was to not waste precious luggage space with diapers.  We also needed to get some milk and snacks for the kids.

G taking my picture and M playing a game at Target

Our one goal for the day was to see the movie Cars 2.  G loves the original Cars.  McQueen and Mater (a.k.a A Queen and Mayer) are his favorites.  M saw her first movie when she was two, so we figured G would be good to go especially seeing his two BFFs.  The best part for us was a free ticket from a lady outside the theater who had been stood up by her friend.  She was going to see the show and wasn't going to let a ticket go to waste - Score!

Well, that was not the case.  He was more interested in climbing the stairs and running in the hallway outside the theater than actually watching the show.  Matt and I tag teamed him so we could each see a decent bit of the movie.  Luckily Matt was able to get a good hold on him while they were at the bottom of the stadium seating and he was finally enamored with the show.  I guess we will have to go see it on a date night without the kids :)

Can it be more beautiful?

 After the movie we were starving for lunch.  Where else does one go for lunch in Cali but the In 'N Out Burger.  'Nuff said.

 
We took lunch back to the hotel and put G down for a nap.  That boy was tired; we had to wake him up at 5:00!  Several years ago we ate a fabulous meal at Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen in Orange.  So tonight for dinner we decided go back to Orange to see what they had to offer.  Our meal was not nearly as good as Gabbi's.  I would say we ate the most expensive mediocre meal for dinner.  One appetizer and three entrees plus one beer was over $70.  Not cool.

Taking my picture again

Playing a game while waiting for dinner

A quick stop at Starbucks rounded out the night.  We got the kids to bed right away because tomorrow is going to be awesome!

California Vacation - Day 1

The family spent a long weekend in California just before the 4th of July.  We were uncertain if a vacation was going to be possible due to ridiculously high airfares.  Matt, the Master of Airfare, found a great deal for $200/each.  The caveat to that fare was that we left at 10 PM.

We decided to wait to tell M that we were going for two reasons - 1) it would be fun to surprise her and 2) we didn't want to rehash the details of the trip multiple times in the days leading up to departure.

M had been begging to go to the park all day, but the timing was not working out with camp and G's nap.  So we promised we'd go after we had dinner and cleaned up the kitchen.  We packed our luggage while M was at camp that afternoon, so she was not suspicious at all.  We all got our shoes on around 6:50 and at 7:00 the taxi arrived.  She had a puzzled look on her face and then Matt rolled the luggage out.  She immediately asked if our destination was California.  How did she know?

G was the most confused of the lot.  Why was he in a taxi.  The whole way to the airport he giggled and kicked his feet saying, "Taxi, taxi, taxi."  I think that would have been enough for him if the taxi just went around the block.

Matt and I travel pretty well.  I want to leave really early and he wants to leave at the last minute, so between the two of us we get there at a great time.  However, traveling with G on an airplane for the first time posed some logistical issues.  We now had to bring a carseat and stroller along with our two roll aboard luggage and kids' carryon bags.  Traffic to the airport was non-existent so we had a decent amount of time to kill before boarding the plane.  Our airport has a kids' play area that is a mock up of an airplane.  The kids had a great time flying the plane and loading the luggage.   Again G would have been happy if we went home in a taxi after this.

Around 9:00 we moseyed our way to the gate since we would board around 9:15.  Make that we should board at 9:15.  The gate agent had not shown up to the gate at this time, which was curious.  By 9:30 there was still no gate agent.  Finally one person showed up and got things rolling.  We left the gate at 10:20 and finally took off at 11:00. 

I have little recollection of the airplane ride other than G's excitement with the people working outside on the ground.

Once we took off the goal was to get him to sleep and keep him somewhat quiet.  M was happy as a clam to play her DS and take a snooze.  G on the other hand was "all done" right around the time the security video finished.  Matt saved the day and got him to finally fall asleep.  G camped out on my lap until we landed.

We navigated LAX quite easily and got to our hotel in Anaheim at 2:00.  That's 2:00 Pacific time folks - otherwise known as 4AM at home.  Yeah my kids partied until 4AM. 

Thankful

I found a moment to steal away from the family this weekend by myself.  I had spent, what felt like, the whole day in the car with the kids.  I only went on a few errands, but it allowed for some quiet contemplation.

Two recent situations that have happened to colleagues have consumed my thoughts as of late.  I often think of how I would handle these situations.

One colleague unexpectedly lost her husband.  They were out of town visiting family when he passed away.  Both of her parents passed away within the last two years and now her husband.  Matt is my best friend - not having our nightly discussions, problem solving what life throws at us, or snuggling on the couch is something I can't imagine being without. 

A second colleague is grieving over the loss of her son.  He was born with a condition that made life outside the womb impossible.  She knew this was a possibility for a good portion of her pregnancy.  I am thankful that she and her husband have a strong faith in God.  Although they are grieving, they are comforted knowing he is in heaven and fulfilling a greater good.  I don't know if I could be as strong as them if in the same situation.

My mom recently told me a story she heard about making your children feel important everyday.  When you see your children first thing in the morning, at daycare pickup, etc, have a smile on your face that lets them how happy you are to see them.  This is not always easy when trying to navigate the school playground with G when trying to pick up M, but I think a smile will mean so much more than a scowl.

Next time you see them, hug your babies.

Ahhhhh, Summer - Can you feel it?

I have to say that we are digging summer.

M is on the park district swim team, which means we have to be at the pool every day.  The swim team also has meets throughout the summer, and a last-minute vacation had us miss the first two and the sign up deadline for the third.  Cross your fingers that I get it together so she can participate in at least one meet.

Practicing form at the edge of the pool

Since Matt is home working, I take G to the pool with us so the clients don't have to hear G have the daily pile-up of Legos and cars.  I certainly work for my money for that hour of the day.  He wants to do laps around the pool getting extremely close to the edge of the pool to point out the depth numbers.  "Uh number," he has to say each time we walk by one.  Thank goodness there are a couple of ducks that like to take a morning swim in the pool; that keeps him enamored for about three minutes.  I love Tuesdays and Fridays because we get to see the garbage man twice!  The first time is when he goes through the neighborhood and the second is when he drives right by the fence to collect the pool trash.  A toddler's dream.  

Being that swimming is in the morning, there is potential for some sketchy weather.  We have shivered, sweat, and been soaked in the three weeks we've been going.

A freezing, rainy day at the pool

A perfect morning

She loves it and so we will keep on going.