Disneyland Day 2: California Adventure

We started off our first full day at Disney's California Adventure because we were able to access that park early (Magic Morning) with our reservation at the Disneyland Hotel.  None of us had ever been to this park before, so it was an adventure for us all.

We were able to each a light breakfast and grab some snack for the day at the concierge lounge before we left.  I had read a lot of information on how to maximize our time in the parks, so I knew that it was important for us to get there early and head straight for the new Cars Land to ride Radiator Springs Racers.  Of course, everyone else there was doing the exact same thing, but it worked out anyway.

Luke, Day, Paw, and Daddy rode RSR first while Mia and I went to meet Red and Lightening McQueen, and ride on Luigi's Flying Tires.

 

 

After they rode, we were able to do a rider swap so that I could ride without waiting in line, so Luke came back with me while Mia took the rest of the group back to Luigi's Tires.

 



 

Next, we explored Cars Land a bit more and rode on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree (which may have been one of the kids' favorite rides of the entire trip).

 

 

After Cars Land, we headed over the Paradise Pier for a quick ride on Toy Story Mania (perhaps the adults' favorite ride of the trip) and some time with Donald Duck before our breakfast with the Princesses at Ariel's Grotto.

 

Upon arrival at Ariel's Grotto, Ariel greeted us (of course).  Throughout breakfast, several princess came around to talk to the kids, take pictures, and sign their books.

 





Next up:  the carousel, Ariel's ride (another favorite - they rode it several times), and a few other rides on Paradise Pier.

 

Some time in Bug's Land ... followed by a couple of street shows and some time to meet Minnie rounded out the first part of our day.

 

 

 

We all spent the afternoon napping/resting back in the room so that we could be ready for some more fun night-time activities.

 

We ate an early dinner in Downtown Disney, and then took the monorail into Disneyland to catch the big evening parade.

 

Finally, a ride on It's A Small World and Buzz Lightyear before heading back for the fireworks show and bed!





 

What an amazing day!

Tomorrow ... Disneyland



 

Disneyland Day 1: Arrival

To say that the kids were excited about Disneyland has to be the understatement of the year.  They were SO excited, counting down the days for weeks now, and mentioning it every time we saw anything related to Disney or drove by the airport.

Flying to Disneyland was the BEST decision.  I can't imagine arriving there after having driven all day.

We decided to stay in the recently-renovated Disneyland Hotel.  We had a really nice suite in the Fantasy Tower and added on concierge service so that we could access the concierge lounge in the Adventure Tower for snacks, drinks, desserts, breakfast, and fireworks!

The kids had gift money from Grandma and Grandpa and Great Grammy and Papa which I had put on Disney gift cards before we arrived, so we went to the store in the Disneyland Hotel and they picked out a few items (pins for trading, new light-up ears, and pens to go with their autograph books).

Then we went up to the concierge lounge for some snacks before our dinner reservation at the Storytellers Café in the Grand Californian.

After dinner we went back to get a good night of sleep before the big day in the park tomorrow ... but Luke wanted more than anything to go watch the fireworks.  So, after Mia went to bed, Mommy, Day, Paw, and Luke went over to watch the fireworks show and have some special Disney desserts.

 

Tomorrow's a big day! 

Catching Leprechauns!

Part of Luke's homework this month was to create a leprechaun trap.  He was told to incorporate things that "attract" leprechauns such as:  the color green, rainbows, sparkly things, gold coins, Lucky Charms cereal, and four-leaf clovers.

After we talked about a few different ways that he might trap a leprechaun, we decided upon a design.  I helped only by making suggestions, providing supplies, doing some sketching to provide an outline that he could cut out, and then helping with the glue gun as he put it together.

I think it turned out great, and he was so proud.

The idea is that the leprechaun will be tempted to climb the ladder and will then find the Lucky Charms and see the gold coin dangling over the trap door.  When he jumps to catch the coin, he will fall into the tissue box and be trapped!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The kids were busy in the days leading up to Valentine's Day making Valentines for all of their friends and teachers

 

My handsome Valentine on his way to school

(PS:  I canNOT take the cuteness of this outfit)

Sweet Valentines

Rock-a-bye, Baby

I heard Mia in her room singing "Rock-a-bye, Baby."  I assumed that she was putting her baby to sleep it its cradle (which she often does), but when I peeked in, this is what I found.

Little Golfer

Hitting balls with Daddy at the driving range

Girlfriends

What's better than a little chat at Starbucks with your girlfriend?

Welcome to the Birthday Parties

I really should have expected this, yet I still feel like I have been caught by surprise.  The volume of birthday parties that Luke is invited to is ... well, let's just say that he is WAY more popular than the rest of our family combined.

This particular party included most of his class and at was at a very cool place, Cucina Bambini - a kid's kitchen.

I snapped a few pictures of Luke with his BF, Owen, laughing and cooking together.

Mia the Gymnast

Mia really seems to enjoy gymnastics.  This shouldn't surprise me since she is often trying to somersault down the hallways and jump on all of our couches and beds!

 



It doesn't hurt that Mia's BF, Paige, also is at the gym at the same time as us each week



Waiting for their coaches to call them

 

Working on the bars

Little monkey

 

Friends

School Spirit

Luke is sporting his Bengal pride on orange and black Spirit Day at school.

What were his tiger whiskers now just look more like he was cleaning a chimney ... but you can imagine :)

Kindergarten Field Trip

This week, Luke's class took a trip to Santa Clara University's theatre to see "Miss Nelson Is Missing" and I was able to join them.  The kids seriously think that riding together in a car is perhaps the best part of the trip!

The Music Place

At Luke's parent/teacher conference back in November his teachers asked us if he was involved in any music-related classes.  They wondered because they have observed in class some strengths of his that might translate well into playing an instrument.  We asked if they had any suggestions for places that exposed kids to music and a variety of instruments.  They recommended The Music Place, so we tried a trial class there this week.

As I said, this was something for Luke, but when we got there and Mia realized that this might be fun she wanted to go as well.  Thankfully, since the class is for 3-5 year olds, they were able to accommodate her.

The class was fun and the kids loved it.  It had lots of instruction at an introductory level on the basics of reading music, and during each class kids get to try a different instrument.  Obviously the week we visited featured the cello.

We did not sign up given that both kids wanted to do it and we are already involved with swimming, dance class, gymnastics, and soon the t-ball season will begin.  However, we will certainly be back once schedules have calmed down a bit.

Back in the Pool

The kids took a break from swimming through last summer and fall.  Both kids swam almost daily last summer at the Country Club, and when fall came I wanted to see how Luke adjusted to his new full-day, 5 days a week Kindergarten schedule before I started adding afternoon activities.  Plus, I was anxious for Mia to turn 3 so that she could be in the water without a parent.  So, this month we went back to swimming lessons for the first time since last spring.

Luke is starting back at his previous level as a Sea Turtle, and Mia is at the first level without a parent, which is Guppy.