California Long Weekend - Day 1

Several months ago Sean's aunt Susie called up to ask if we wanted to come out to California for her husband's 50th surprise birthday party.  We had already booked our vacations for the year to Alaska (for Treat's wedding) and Florida.  With work I only get two weeks off with the ability to purchase a third week for quite the premium (it actually cost more that what I would get paid for the week!).  So the prospect of going were very slim. It happened to be planned on one of my three day weekends and the flight schedule was perfect for a long weekend and I had a voucher that I needed to use...so we made it work.  We filled this mini vacation to the brim!
We flew into Orange County very late Thursday, made the short trip to his Aunt's house and enjoyed a bottle of wine before we hit the sack.  The next day we were going to the "happiest place on earth".  Before bed we decided that we would take it easy in the morning and get to Disneyland when we did.We got on the road around 9 and was at the Buzz Light Year parking lot by 9:20.

The happiest kids at the happiest place on earth!

We were pleasantly surprised by small lines; before lunch we had been on the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Pooh's Adventure!  After lunch Xalen wanted to ride Thunder Mountain Railroad, he was so excited for the super fast roller coaster!  We hoped into line with the plan to wait with Brinlee at the top and switch out.  Not long after getting into line we were given a free fast pass and told that we did not all need to wait in line, so while Xalen and I waited, Brinlee and Sean visited the Petting Zoo. When we got to the top they had to measure Xalen to make sure he was the full 40" and we were assigned to ride in the first car, third seat...it is less rickety in the front (or so we were told).  I got some good advice onto how to hold onto him from another mom with a 40 inch-er.  He did pretty well on the first climb or two, but soon asked when it would be done and that he was ok with super fast but not super, super fast roller coasters!  Sean happened to see us on one of the last bends and said the he did not look pleased.  He did his first roller coaster but had no intention of going back with Daddy on his fast pass! Once Sean was done we got in line for Dumbo.  It was the longest, hottest line of the entire day.  The kids were grumpy and sweaty!  It is a good thing that Brinlee just loved it because this momma was not pleased!  After this we decided to head back to his aunts house to let the kids nap.  On the way out we hit a gift shop for a Zurg and some Princesses.  Brinlee was out before we got to the bus and Xalen fell asleep in the car.  We transferred the kids to bed without a problem and relaxed for a hour or so.  At 4:00 we put the still sleeping kids back into the car and went back the Disneyland.

Brinlee's Highlight of Disneyland!

We filled the evening with more rides, Brinlee rode her first coaster, GoGadget Coaster, Xalen passed.  She love, love, loved it, but the highlight of her day was definately meeting Mickey Mouse.  We were the first in a small group, perhaps 4 families, to go in an meet the mouse himself.  She went right up and gave him a huge hug!

Xalen's Highlight of Disneyland!

Xalen love the Astro Blaster ride and talked about it so much that we went back for a second round.  This is a very efficient ride.  It was by far the longest but was also the fastest moving line of the day. I don't think we waited more than 10-12 minutes to get on either time. 

Sean and I had so much fun taking the kids to Disney, our highlight was the firework show, it was beautifully done and let us have time to reflect on our amazing day with the kids.  We finished the night with the Finding Nemo Submarine Ride, Xalen for the second or third time of the day asked, "mommy, are we still on earth?'