So, we decided not to tell the girls when we were leaving for Disney this time. First of all, when we went in March of 2009 we learned that by telling them they only focus on that and do not sleep as the date approaches. Secondly, it really is fun to totally surprise your kids! I had told them all day Friday that if they gave me time Friday to clean and they helped clean we could play ALL weekend….little did they know what play meant!
They woke around 7 AM on Saturday (9/11) and we had all 3 sit at the table for breakfast. Daddy had bought Mickey Mouse earrings for all three of his little girls (and even a pair for his big girl!!) and handed them their gift. Right away they knew who it was and Chiara said she wanted to wear them to Disneyland…hee hee hee….so he says, “let’s do today!” It took a few seconds for it to sink in and then came the smiles and joy….ahhhh, you just can’t beat that! Kid joy…you just would do anything to be around that!!!!
David and I had packed the car the night before so we only had a few other things to take care of. Even though we did not get on the road until 8:20 AM we made great time. Of course we could not have a trip to Disneyland with Nanny and Grampy. I love how the girls check in with us every hour to make sure we can see their car. We arrived at our wonderful hotel around 3:15pm. We made GREAT time, especially since we stopped a few times. David let me drive part of the way….I get so bored sitting passenger the entire way. We bought 5 day hopper passes for the price of a 3 day so we got settled in our suite, ate dinner, and headed off to the park. No real plan.
Just walking in to DisneyLand invokes excitement beyond words. Even Miss Leah was yelling “Mickey Mouse” (in Leahese of course). Awesome. As soon as we entered the park there was a parade starting on Main Street….lots of music and characters. David and Grampy headed over with Leah while Nanny and I took the 2 big girls into City Hall to get Mayah her birthday pin since we are here to celebrate her turning 4! Well, she got her pin, we ALL got “celebration” pins and Miss Mayah got a phone call from Goofy wishing her a happy birthday. Cool. We joined the parade and enjoyed it at the next stop too. The girls were excited.
The first ride of the trip was Dumbo! Nanny rode with Mayah, Chiara with Grampy, and I took Leah on her first official ride (she had gone with us when she was a baby, but obviously this was the real first for her). She had no idea what was to come and I was SO excited to be the one to take her. Waiting in line with an almost 2 year old is an experience, but I just told myself the payoff would be worth it. We picked the yellow Dumbo, because Leah loves to say that color. We strapped in and waited. I asked her if she wanted to hold my hand, but she said no….until we went UP! She leaned in to me and held my hand. I love every second of the 120 second flight. David took some video that I will cherish. And to make the ride even cooler….Dumbo wished Mayah a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Of course Leah did not want to get off the ride so I asked if she would like to go on a boat- we were right next to It’s a Small World. YES! So off we all went. The big girls love that ride too….but really we all do it for Nanny since it is her FAVORITE ride! David said that Chiara “belted out” the song the entire time. Love it. I sat with Leah again and loved watching her face. She was completely mesmerized. And again, did not want to get off the ride. Train??? YES!
We walked over to the train and noticed that it was a little over an hour until the fireworks. So, after speaking with one of the staff we decided to ride the train 2 stops to main street, get off, and find a spot to watch the fireworks in front of the castle. Our goal of course was to get in a good place so they could see Tinkerbelle (and Dumbo) fly. We are told that we can stand right in the street….so we do. I just love all the staff….everyone is kind and helpful. We start talking with on of the guys-he notices our Red Sox attire. Of course he finds that David is NOT a sox fan, but from NY and the bond begins! LOL! He saw Mayah’s pin, wished her a happy birthday (she has been counting how many she gets), Chiara told him she was 5, and Leah made a mess of the $4 popcorn! About 15 minutes before the show was to start he came back and asked us all to come with him. Ummmm, ok. He brought us to the reserved seating section!!! Benches to sit and PRIME seating! I was in tears! I could not stop praising God for blessing us all. The show was amazing! Tink was out there for a long time!!!! Leah was even into it (poor girl was TIRED!!!). Great fireworks, great music, best seats! By the time we got back to the hotel it was 10:20pm and we were all done. Good night…..ready for day 2!
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