Happy Three~ Disney Adventures

HAPPY THREE!

After much back and forth about how we wanted to celebrate the boys' birthday, Chris and I decided (5 days before, that is) that it would be fun to go to Disneyland for the weekend.  Once our plan was in action, we were all very excited to see what our adventure had in store for us!  Disney, per se, does not have an overwhelming draw for us (we don't really watch Disney movies or the Disney channel) but we were excited to celebrate in a place that was so kid centric (or eccentric depending on your view).  Since we wanted to celebrate our fun and energetic boys, we chose a fun and energetic place!

Top Highlights of the trip (in no particular order)

1.  On Saturday morning (our first day) we were let into the park an hour earlier than the regular crowd.  Being able to run around unencumbered by the throngs of people typically found inside the park was amazing in and of itself.  As we were lined up outside the park waiting to be let in, they counted down the last 10 seconds before the gates opened- kind of like it was New Year's Eve.  In those 10 seconds I could feel our anticipation growing. When the clock struck 8 they yelled "Let the magic begin" and I could not help but tear up because no better statement could summarize how we wanted this weekend to feel for the boys.

2.  We had breakfast with the characters all three mornings we were there.  The boys had fun with Chip and Dale particularly because they the lady in charge of the characters told Brady and Brody that Chip and Dale were twins too.  Whenever the caught sight of one of the animals they would yell "Chip and Dalllle, come heeeeerrrrrreeee" in a voice not suited for indoors.  It was funny and kind of rude all at the same time.

After one particular high-five and hug session with Dale, Brody started to pout as Dale walked away.  I asked him what was wrong and he said in the saddest sweetest voice possible "I did not get to show Chip and Dale my pimple".  (He had a little red dot on his knee that was bothering him and I called it a pimple).  This statement cracked us up and for the rest of the weekend. I kept randomly looking at Chris while sadly saying "I did not get to show *insert Disney character here* my pimple".  It made for a fun game while walking around.

3.  We bought the boys Mickey ears the first day we were there.  Brody and Brady happily wanted to wear them around the park but were extra excited to wear them on the rocket ship ride (which we rode no less than 12 times).  Whenever we were about to board the ride Brody would say "I need my space helmet" and ask for his ears.  Leave it to toddlers to have so many uses for one item of clothing.  He would also look behind the rocket ship every time we got off the ride and ask "Where da fire?".  He really wanted to see those turbo busters!

4.  There were so many times that I would look over at the boys and they would be smiling from ear to ear.  Lots of times it was when we were riding on the rides but it also happened when they saw Mickey Mouse.  These smiles were the reason we decided to give Disney a try.  The boys do not have any particular affection for these characters, in fact we had to download a couple of episodes of Mickey's Clubhouse just before the trip so they would know who Mickey was, but the whole setting is so fun and whimsical, it is impossible not to find childlike joy in lots of little moments.

5.  On our short flight we were able to see lots of California terrain and for once, most of it was green!  We have had a nice bit of rain the last few weeks and it was so refreshing and relieving to look out and see grass growing on the hillsides!  Bring it on!

6.  There is a ride called Autotopia where the boys can drive a real race car.  This was surely a highlight for them.  They were thrilled to be driving a "real" live car and it was awesome to see them so excited about doing such a grown-up task.  It was extra cool that Brady was so excited because usually when the boys talk about driving Brody says that he wants to drive while Brady says he doesn't want to drive, he just wants to sit in the passenger seat next to Brody.  I was glad that given the opportunity, Brady was just as excited to try driving and Brody was!

                                   This is my shadow taking a picture of Brody driving while Brady is driving me!

7.  On the boys' actual birthday we ordered individual cakes and candles for them to blow out.  The restaurant was taking a long time to bring us a knife to cut the cakes so Brody took matters into his own hands.  He leaned forward and with both hands, pulled the entire cake to his face and took a bite.  Upon seeing this, Brady followed suite (more gently of course).  It was totally awesome.

8.  I was having a tough time coming to terms with the fact that my "little" boys turned three.  On their actual birthday, we returned to the hotel room midday for a nap (we did this everyday actually because Disney is exhausting and it wiped everyone out!).  They were so overtired that only wanted to fall asleep laying on me in sort of a pig pile.  Chris came out of the bathroom and asked if I was ok and I told him I was great and don't even think of moving the kids.  For me, the whole trip was worth it if for nothing else than they were so exhausted that they needed to sleep piled up on top of me for several hours on their birthday.  I'll go back to Disney yearly if you could guarantee that would happen again and again!

9.  The boys had their first ice cream cone.  Up until now they have had ice cream in cups but for whatever reason we decided to get them a cone.  After a few licks, Brady thought it would be a good idea to take a bite from the center of his cone instead of the upper edge.  I loved trying to explain that this was not a good idea and seeing him figure out some important physics lessons after having disrupted the structural integrity of his cone!

10.  As a present, the boys got bubble shooters and they used them with reckless abandon.  They plastered all of Disney with millions of bubbles.  Not only did this bring them immense join, but it also brought joy to 100's of other children and adults who would yell "BUBBLES" as they passed through or into the sea of foam.  It was truly magical!  At one point we walked into a restaurant and Brody said hi to a little girl. She did not respond and Brody looked up at Chris and said "Daddy, I need my bubble shooter".  I like that he was thinking of ways to win her over and that he knew the power that the bubble shooter brought!

11.  The boys understood that they were turing three, but getting them to consistently put up three fingers was a different story.  I loved seeing them struggle keeping three little fingers in the air each time we asked how old they were.

12.  In one exhibit, they had a video of Thriller playing with a stage where you could mimic the moves.  Without hesitation, Brody got right up on stage and started copying the moves.  That boy loves to dance!

Happy Birthday, Brady and Brody.  I cannot wait to see what year three brings!!