I love Disneyland. It is amazing. They have truly mastered a way to entertain the whole family and it is just a blast. I just hate lines. I hate crowds so much!! We keep trying to go on an 'off season' and we never get it. In the last five years I have gone to Disneyland or world each time with high hopes that we have nailed it and each time I am disappointed with extremely large crowds! Seriously the next time someone says, "We went at this time and walked on to every ride." I am going to smack them. That is how crazy I have gotten about it.
Enough complaining though. It was such a great trip. My kids LOVED it. Isaac and Laura came with us and that was amazing! My kids are so loved by so many people and my siblings are like older brothers and sisters to them. It is so amazing to have such beautiful relationships for my kids. Eve got used to getting herself dressed in the morning and then running to find Laura for her morning approval of her outfit. So cute. On our last night we left the park early and went to Mimi's for dinner. While we were there Laura took Jack to the bathroom, another handy example of having more adults around, and while Jack was in the bathroom he told Laura, "Laura, I'm glad we are friends even though you don't have any Star Wars legos." haha! He suggested that she get some next Christmas.
After driving all day on Tuesday we went to Legoland on Wednesday. We met up with Brian's brother Chris and his girls Amanda and Amaris. I enjoyed Legoland quite a bit. It wasn't as busy at all and the little kids loved the rides. Some of the rides were pretty lame and I'm really glad we didn't have to wait in a line for them, but they kids loved them. They are getting better about the rides too. They had some pretty cool rides throughout the park. I very much enjoyed my day there.
Jack wanted to see the star wars stuff all day long and he is so patient. It is amazing how his patience makes us want to give him whatever he wants. He would quietly remind us that he was waiting for the star wars stuff every couple of hours. It was adorable. Brian adores this about his as well and when we got to the star wars stuff Brian spoiled the kids with a star wars toy and a star wars key chain. Eve picked out a weird little stuffed Yoda doll and was hugging it to all get out. So funny! Heber was so grateful for the toy and told me that dad was so nice for getting it.
That night we met up with Brian's Jones cousins that live near by. I had never met them before and it was very fun to meet some of Brian's family. They are wonderful people.
The next three days we spent at Disneyland. It had such potential to be so great! But we just couldn't do as much with all of the crowds. We were able to hit most of the rides we wanted to and we learned how to split up to optimize our wait times. The kids didn't mind the lines. Heber liked hanging out with Amaris and going on more of the rides now that he is bigger. He was even bribed into going on California Screamin with Laura and Isaac. She got him a duck bill thing that makes noise and some silly bands. I wouldn't have done it for that. :)
Jack loved the Soarin' Over California ride. He got to go on it twice and he loved it. It was so fun to see him so excited about the ride. He kept telling me and Brian what to expect from the ride. He didn't like Star Tours too much because Darth Vader forced us back and Jack didn't like him being mean. ahah. His favorite thing for sure was the Jedi Training.
Jedi Training is terrible. It hasn't worked out for us any other year we have gone. Last time we went we tried twice for Heber to get picked. We even waited and saved spots for cousins. Well, his two girl cousins got picked and he was devestated. It was SOOO sad. I seriously think I almost cried.
The night before I had about 4 hours of sleep and I was really afraid of totally bawling if they didn't get picked this time. haha. Brian, my sweet Brian, went and talked to one of the guys to try to up our chances of Jack and Heber getting picked. He told him it is totally random, but signs can help. Isaac and Laura went to work on a couple of signs made out of napkins. haha. The signs said, "Pick me you will" and "I speak wookie." So funny. But is worked!!! Jack and Heber both got picked!!! I don't think Heber cared too much, but I think he was glad to finally get picked after so many times not.
Heber did a good job of following directions and fighting Vader. He was a true Jedi. Jack didn't follow directions so well. I think this was their purpose in saving him for the last Jedi to fight Vader. They kept talking about him doing his own thing and using his 'free style' moves to defeat him. The crowd was busting up. My favorite thing for sure though was Jack being completely into it. He was oblivious to all of the other people watching him. He was completely focused on defeating Vader. It was the best thing ever. So worth the crowds for that one. That night at the hotel Jack told me he was a Jedi. I really think he believed it. :)
Laura made sure Eve met characters and got pictures with them. Eve loved this and it is a good thing Laura was there for her with that one. Laura, Eve, and I waited in an hour long line to meet and take pictures with Princess Tiana, Ariel, and Bell. I thought it was kind of lame, but Eve LOVED it! Holy cow. She kept talking about it. She was so funny to watch go up to them and give them a hug and talk to them. She totally loved it. It is so fun to go with kids with such imaginations.
Another thing Eve loved was the parade. When Rupunzel and other princesses were coming on the float she put her hands over her wide open mouth with excitement. It was so cute! It was also cute to watch Laura with almost as much excitement. :) We didn't end up meeting 'Tangled' as Eve likes to call her. The line was 90 minutes long and I just couldn't do it. I told her we would save it and go with Martha when she gets home. I'm sure we will go when there are no crowds next time. heh heh.
Heber is growing up so much. He got really excited about the hotel. He thought it was pretty great. He enjoyed some of the big rides and I think he was soaking up the vacation of it all. He liked getting toys and cotton candy and getting to stay with Laura and Isaac when we left the park early.
On the way down we stopped by Grandma Mehr's house for a visit and while we were there Eve got lost. All of the kids had been playing in the front and then we couldn't find Eve. Heber was very nervous about this and was yelling her name a ton outside. I started walking down the street to look for her outside in case she was out there. Heber ran up to me crying and said, "Pray! We've got to Pray!" I hugged him and told him to say it. He said such a sweet sincere prayer for his little sister to be found.
They found her soon after that downstairs in Aunt Chris' purse. Strange, Eve doesn't like purses much. hahah. Heber is so loving and such a sweet boy. I love seeing him grow.
Another thing he did was on Sunday morning when we were enjoying our last free breakfast buffet together at the hotel he came and asked me if he could fast for Ella because she looked so miserable. He is so sweet. I probably should have let him knowing what I know now, but I told him he was so sweet to offer, but I thought she would be fine and I wanted him to eat before we traveled 10 hours.
It was such a great trip. It was fun to be with family and Isaac and Laura helped so much to make it so fun and memorable for my kids!
2 comments:
So fun! I'm so glad Heber and Jack got to be jedi's. I love the pictures and want to see more. :)
So much FUN! Thanks again
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