Here is the top 10...
#1 THANK YOU, once again, to my Mom and Dad/Mormor and Papa for your really fun idea and generosity in making this trip happen. The looks on their faces as they enjoyed Disney with their grandkids said it all. Here is just one example...
#2 The Grand Californian Hotel. Wow. As if the really short walk to both parks wasn't enough, this amazing oasis provided us with afternoon naps, pool time, breakfast with Disney characters, and much much more. Bunk beds in the rooms, pack 'n play cribs that fit in the closet, chocolates on our pillows, and a special TV channel where a different Disney princess read my girls a bed time story every night...this place was a
#3 Permissive parenting. Cotton candy before dinner? Sure. Chocolates before bed? Why not. Ridiculous Princess Mouse ears? Of course. Staying up past 9pm every night? Absolutely. It is really nice to have every excuse to just say YES to your kids every once in awhile :)
#4 The weather. Want to know the absolute best time to go to Disneyland? I'll tell you...the week after Spring Breaks are over, on days when they predict rain, but no rain comes...and you get to WALK ON almost all the rides. We are officially ruined for all future visits to Disneyland.
#5 Soarin' Over California ride at California Adventure. This was my FAVORITE ride. And pregnant moms could do this ride - so I did it twice in a row. Imagine feeling like you are flying over Napa, Morro Bay, Lake Tahoe, Malibu, San Diego and more. I can't believe I was ever hesitant to move to this amazingly beautiful state. This ride was a highlight for me!
#7 The Ariel ride at California Adventure. Singing every Little Mermaid song with my daughters as we spun through Ariel's world in a clam shell was this Little Mermaid loving Mama's dream!
#8 Girl-Boy experience. The fun thing about having all boy cousins is that we got to experience both sides of Disneyland. From fairies and princesses to fighting Darth Vader...love it!
#9 The happiness factor. Disneyland really is like another world. Our faces hurt from smiling. The following 23 seconds (captured right as California Adventure opened) pretty much sum up the week.
#10 The cousins. Oh my word these kids had fun together. Here were a few of our attempts to get a group shot of these darling munchkins.
Almost got all 5 of them in there.
This shot actually captures them in their natural state.
Finally we got smart and gave them candy so they would sit still for a picture.
What a trip. What wonderful time as a family!
And a few more picture highlights for fun...
