DISNEYLAND!!!

(Most definitely a post worthy of an all caps title and 3 exclamations, right?)

We didn't build up the excitement in Brody about Disneyland too much because we were afraid we weren't going to be able to go. Luckily, we were able to stay longer and the weather was gorgeous so on Tuesday morning (the day we SHOULD have been traveling home) we got up early so we could make the 2 hour drive and still get there close to the time it opened.

Brody could hardly wait. I don't think he really knew what he was waiting and excited about. He just knew that Mickey Mouse and friends lived there. Sure enough, one of the very first things we saw was Mickey! You know the more excited we would get it would just make Brody more excited so we pointed and asked excitedly, "Who is that Brod?" He answered just as excitedly, "MICKEY MOUSE!" Then even though a line had formed of people wanting to meet him I asked Brody if he wanted to say hi and take a picture with Mickey. He said NO! almost before the question was out of my mouth. He's much more of a see and don't touch kind of boy.

After that, we were off. We entered the Magical Kingdom and began some serious fun. Trevor and I went to Disneyland a few years ago and we had gone as older kids as well, but this side of disneyland-the little kid stuff- was totally new to us. Not only were we seeing the magic of disneyland through the eyes of our kids, we were experiencing it as well.

A nice couple took our picture as a family, and we did the same for them, but that was basically the most picture taking we did. I know that I should have been better, but between getting kids in and out of strollers, waiting in lines, and riding the rides it was too much of a hassle to pull out the camera every few minutes. These few pictures are it, but I'm okay with that. It was way more fun to just participate and not be a paparrazi for the day.

Peter Pan ride was first. It was followed by all the other little rides in that area: Snow white, a train...etc. Ryder may not be big enough to have memories of our day, but he enjoyed it while we were there. His eyes opened big and he pointed and exclaimed at every new thing.

I know that the boys had on matching shirts that day and were in a double stroller, but we couldn't believe how many people asked if they were twins. This seemed to be the theme throughout our entire week in California. It didn't matter if they were wearing different clothes, sitting, standing, or if Ry had a pacifier in his mouth.....EVERYONE asked if they were twins. Yeah, I guess they are. Just separated by 2 years is all.

Brody never wanted to meet any characters, but we did see Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Tigger. He was excited each time one appeared, but no convincing would get him to talk to one. As we went on different rides not only did it strike me that many of the rides could be kinda scary to little boys, but ours never were afraid. The only thing that was scary to Brody was when on the Pirates of the Carribean ride the boat we road on fell down a little waterfall type thing a couple times. I asked Brody if the ride was scary and he said, "No. But it was scary just 2 times." Even the haunted mansion didn't phase the kids.

Several times during the day I'd ask Brody if he was ready to leave and go back to Steve's house and he ALWAYS said, "No, not yet. We just stay some more. We go on more rides." The last time I asked was around 5 in the afternoon and he still had the same answer, but I looked at him about 30 seconds after I asked and he had zonked out. He was done. We had gone on most of the rides we could go on, and we could have killed some more time until evening hit so we could watch the parade and fireworks, but decided we had had enough.

I must brag for just a minute about Brody and Ryder. You know, disneyland is a long day for kids and parents alike. Throughout the day we saw various kids crying or getting in trouble. Its just part of the territory. Disneyland in all its fun is also exhausting. I always think that even though our kids are very good at driving me bonkers in their own individual ways, they are still exceptionally good. Disneyland only proved this. We had been up early, drove 2 hours, played all day, and still had to drive 2 hours back. Our kids did not whine. They did not cry. They didn't fight. They listened to us and never once needed to be scolded for anything. Disneyland and our kids did not disappoint. We probably never would have taken the boys at such a young age. Ry won't remember and it is an expensive trip. The thing is, if we always waited until they were big enough, we might not ever have gone. By the time Ryder is big enough to remember there is a good chance will have another. Who knows how many more we will have. By the time our youngest would be old enough to enjoy and remember, Brody wouldn't want to do the little rides. He'd want to do space mountain and all the things little kids couldn't do. The timing was perfect. Our kids reactions to everything were PRICELESS. It was definitely a day to remember.