It has only been a few weeks since we went to California, but it sometimes feels like it was so long ago. We really had the most magical time and the best time being together - it was tough to come back to real life and I have found myself having a hard time capturing all of the memories.
The vacation actually started on Monday night after a long day of school, work, packing and errands. Tim dropped the kids and I off to get checked in while he hurried back to get my glasses. I stood for a moment trying to figure out how I would get the kids, stroller, and three large suitcases into the airport, but a gentleman quickly stopped and helped with one bag and Luke turned into the best helper and took care of the other. Ruby was content to direct traffic from the seat of the stroller. Tim made it back just in time to join us for the security line and we were thrilled to board the plane and take off on our adventure. The kids did great on our plane ride but were definitely tired by the time we arrived at LAX. Turns out the fun adventure was just getting started. Tim had found a really great deal on a rental van, but it required us to ride the public transport shuttle, get dropped off on a side street in the middle of LA, and eventually get picked up by another van to take us to where the van was garaged. The shuttle had lots of different types and our kids were definitely the minority, both in age and race - but I loved that the roughest looking man gave up his seat for Ruby, and the kids were perfectly happy being on a bus full of friends. By the time we finally loaded up the van and checked into our hotel we were all exhausted but excited to have finally arrived.
I snuck out of our hotel room early the next morning to go to the gym. As soon as the kids were awake they wanted to eat breakfast and then explore. It didn't take long for everyone to be dressed and ready to set out for our first day at Disneyland. Our hotel was close, and within a ten minute walk, we had joined the extremely large crowd of people waiting to get through the security line so we could all spend the day together with Mickey.
We decided to start the day at Disneyland California Adventure and quickly found a spot to pose for pictures to prove we had arrived. Even though it was barely the beginning of November, a lot of the Christmas decorations were up and they continued to add more each day. It felt a little funny to be wearing shorts while listening to Christmas songs while posing for pictures in front of a Christmas tree, but I guess that is part of the magic of Disney.
Last year when we were in the park, my dad kept trying to convince us to take the kids into the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. We never quite made it so this year, in his honor, it was one of our first stops. I was surprised at how much the kids enjoyed all there was to explore. They especially liked the rope bridges and the Smokejumpers zipline.
Last year it was so much fun to have my parents with us and it felt a little lonely without the on this trip. After hanging out in one of my dad's favorite places, we headed straight to Soarin Over the World since that is one of my mom's. Luke and Ruby loved telling grandpa and grandma all about going on their favorite rides when we got home.
The park wasn't too crowded, and we had upgraded to digital fast passes which we used for the most popular rides, so for most of the day we just had the best time wandering through the park and letting the kids decide what looked fun to ride. There were a few moments of frustration and the kids getting a little impatient (okay, maybe that was me), but overall Luke and Ruby were so well behaved and just so excited to experience everything.
Of course we had to get pictures at Paradise Pier
She's pretty much a mini me with her churro and Diet Coke
We rode the sliding ferris wheel and I was slightly terrified the entire time.
The Mr. Potato Head talked and interacted and was hilarious!
Cars Land is always a favorite, especially when it includes ice cream.
Ruby made a friend in line that wanted to ride in our car.
Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of my very favorite part of the day - Frozen Live. We stood in line for about 30-40 minutes an ended up with fantastic seats. The kids played Go Fish, and entertained themselves with fidget spinners while we waited. The play was a brand new attraction when we saw it last year and it was really good, but this year it was extra magical. I'm not sure about the kids, but I was pretty much mesmerized for the entire performance - in fact I could have happily stayed for the next show. The combination of Disney plus my love for musical theater made it the best way ever to spend an afternoon.
Buena Vista Street
One of the highlights last year was when Luke and Ruby were able to meet Captain America. They wanted to wait in line again this time and were equally in awe of how awesome it was to spend time with the hero again. Ruby was a little shy, but Luke immediately approached him like an old friend.
We finished the evening by heading over to Disneyland where we took advantage of the small crowds to go in the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Winnie the Pooh and Splash Mountain. It was perfect because there were basically no lines for any of these popular rides. Luke was especially excited to go to the Haunted Mansion because it had the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. I am not sure how he got introduced to the characters because he hasn't seen the show, but a few weeks before we left, he got obsessed with Jack Skellington. Going through the Haunted Mansion was the highlight of his trip and he convinced Tim to go back through with him several more times. Luke had been begging for some type of Jack Skellington toy the entire day and when we found a Mickey dressed as Jack, and Minnie dressed as Sally, we knew they were the perfect mascots for our trip. By the time we made it out of the park, Luke, Ruby, and their new friends were completely asleep in the stroller and the best evidence of an excellent day in the parks.
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