Disneyland

Jack got to visit Disneyland for the first time this week. Stunned and amazed pretty much sums up his reaction to the whole thing. We went down to Redondo Beach for a birthday dinner with Kelsey on Sunday night (She will be 18 tomorrow! Holy cow!) Then on Monday morning we headed to Anaheim for the big day. We got an early check-in at the Disneyland Hotel and then headed to the park for the fun to begin. Everything along the way proved to be awe inspiring for Jack! There was a huge Christmas tree still assembled in Downtown Disney (gasps of amazement). We rode the monorail over to the park (Oh...aahhh!). We went on Astro-Blasters with Buzz Lightyear (stunned silence). Grandma and Daddy rode the carousel while Jack and Mommy watched (sensory overload). Over to Dumbo for his first flight (fear of flying?). And then a lunch break.

After lunch we took a quick spin on Casey's Train and then back to the hotel for a nap...this is what saved the day for us all! Despite the remodeling going on next door, Jack managed to finally sleep with Daddy while Grandma and Mommy relaxed on Main Street with a cup of coffee and some English Toffee.

For round two we decided to start with Small World. With perfect timing, someone at control central flipped the switch igniting all the lights in the entire park while we waited outside the ride. OK folks, the look on Jack's face was truly priceless. Shock and awe was frozen onto his visage for at least 20 minutes. His mouth formed the letter O until I was sure he'd need medical attention to have it removed. We went on the train around the park (dinosaurs!), had a very quick dinner, then finished with one more spin on Astro Blasters and a tour of the gift shop before heading back to the room.

Needless to say, he was so wound up from his big day that he played with his new toys for over an hour before we finally went to sleep. We were all so pleased with his first trip to Disneyland. Rob and I agree it is MUCH better with your own kids and that the three-to-one ratio of adults-to-children was ideal for total enjoyment. The visit may be over, but the Mickey Mouse ears live on!