California Day 5

Today was Disneyland! We started things right by getting the kids some mouse ears with their names embroidered on them. Jacob chose classic black and Ella chose Minnie Mouse.

The kids had their picture taken with Minnie Mouse and the Queen of Hearts.

We explored Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

We hit up the gift shop where Jacob picked out a sword and shield and Ella picked out a princess dress...only... it was $65. She had been promised said princess dress since her birthday, but I didn't realize that they'd be any more expensive at Disney than they are at the Disney store. After talking her down from her disappointment, she decided on a musical jewelry box and a bracelet with all the princesses on it.

We met up with the Kidds and the Bullios and headed for the teacups. Ella was still bummed about her dress so she and I sat this one out while everyone else rode.

Next stop: princesses! Jake went with Hope to ride a ride with the boys (Peter Pan?)

After Autopia, we headed indoors for some lunch. Happiest place on earth!

Next was Small World. Ella wasn't interested in this one either, but I wasn't going to miss out on TWO iconic rides so I dragged her along. Once inside, she really enjoyed it. She liked looking at all the dolls and she enjoyed the music. Towards the end, she saw three veiled dolls and yelled, "Ninjas!"

Later we waited in line for 100 years (or at least it seemed that way!) to get pictures with three of the princesses. I was really surprised that Ella would have anything to do with meeting strangers, but she was really happy.

Meanwhile, Jacob attended Jedi school! We had gone to an earlier showing, but Jacob didn't get picked. The next time, Kris made sure Jacob was front and center and Kris even held him up above the crowd. Jake had some Jedi lessons and successfully defeated Darth Vader! I was with Ella in the princess area when Kris texted me, "I wish I had the camera." Bridget said, "Go! You can make it!" so I left Ella with Bridget and racewalked (no running in the park!) over to the Jedi training. I was just in time and got tons of pictures.

We rode the jungle safari, the Pirates of the Carribean, saw Minnie Mouse's house, rode the train, ...and I've already forgotten everything else! We wrapped up the evening by watching the fireworks over Sleeping Beauty's castle.

California Day 4

Today was our trip to California Adventure. Hope was able to purchase Park Jumper tickets so that for $20 more, we could spend two days at Disney/California Adventure instead of just one.

We "let the memories begin" with a family photo. Ella wasn't interested in participating, but that's how she rolls.




We met up with the whole gang and started the day by going to the Muppets in 3D followed by Monsters, Inc. Next we headed over to the Bug's Life area for bumper cars.










Ella wasn't interested in the bumper cars so I took her to look at other rides. She picked Flick's Flyers. She was still a little mopey so I held her while we were in line and we talked about which flyer she wanted to ride in. She chose the one that looked like an apple juice box and when it was our turn we were fortunate enough to get it. She was very excited to be going on a ride and I was very relieved to find something that she liked. And then she got her finger pinched in the seatbelt... She cried for a while, but did calm down towards the end. (Enough for me to talk her into getting her picture made, anyway!)



Jacob's favorite ride was the water ride. (I can't remember the name of it, but it's like Roaring Rapids at Six Flags.) We waited in line forever but it was fun. At Disney parks, you can ask for a "pass back" so that if your party is split up, they can take the pass back and go in the fast pass line. We ended up doing this all day because of babies, height restrictions, etc. When we finished our ride, we gave Bridget's dad the pass back and Jacob was able to ride the ride again.

Next was Soarin' and then lunch.


The kids had multiple rides on the carrousel while the grown ups took turns riding the roller coaster, California Screamin'. Kris and I rode first and it was so much fun! neither of us had been on a roller coaster since the mid 90s so we were both surprised at our reactions. I was laughing uncontrolably the entire time and Kris kept repeating, "Oh my gosh!" over and over.






The kids watch the roller coaster zoom by.



ON SALE NOW!!!


We separated for dinner and we ended up going for Mexican food. Mine was too spicy (I know, I'm weak...) so it ended up being a giant waste.



Ella had her face painted.


We were waiting for everyone to regroup so we could all ride the giant Ferris wheel, but by the time we all got together, they were shutting it down to prepare for the A World of Color show.




A World of Color was really cool. Lights, water, and music were used to highlight all the Disney cartoons.






And by the time the day was done, both kids were exhausted and went right to sleep.