The Happiest Place On Earth

This week I took the boys to Disneyland.  A friend of mine was taking her three kids, and we decided to tag along.  I was a little nervous about not having big E with me.  And we did miss him.  And I can't wait until we can all go as a family again.  But there is no denying it, we still had a GREAT time! The kids are at great ages, and they are the same ages as her two oldest.  I am so grateful I had the opportunity to take them.  I have always loved to do fun things with them and take them on fun outings, but life has gotten SO busy that I haven't been great about that lately.  It was fun to spend so much time with them.

Ernie and Caleb with their friend Ethan.  The first morning, the little girls went to a princess breakfast, and the boys opted for Ihop. These are there "we are so excited we can hardly stand it" faces.

This was a huge year for Caleb.  He was big enough for Indiana Jones!!!! This is a picture of him in line, right after he passed the height check. He was SOOOOO excited!

Caleb right before he got on the ride.

The kids on the Jungle Cruise.

Caleb still loves to have his picture taken.  No, he was not picking his nose. He was animatedly telling me that he did not want a picture taken.

Ernie on the carousel.

I like how neither of my kids are looking at me in this picture.  But, Ethan and Cate were willing to oblige.

Caleb and Cate had a fun time playing on Goofy's car.  They took turns being the "parent" and driving the other one around.

Ernie hopped in on the fun.

Caleb on Autotopia.  I think this is such a boring ride. But the kids like it. And Ernie was tall enough to drive his own car!

This is near the end of a long day while we were waiting for the parade.

Here is one of my kids favorite characters.

Cate and Courtney are out there dancing away. So cute!

It made me sad that my boys are past the dancing stage.  They used to dance like crazy whenever they heard music. *sigh* But they are stilll cute :)

This is what they thought was the end of the day.

Somehow the day slipped away, and before we knew it, we realized that dinner time had passed and we hadn't ever eaten! We stopped to try to eat on the way home.  I was in line getting subway for Ernie, and had the exhausted kids sit down.  Before I knew it, I looked over and saw this.  He is REALLY asleep! I mean completely passed out.  Poor kid!

My failed attempt at getting an obligatory picture at the Disneyland entrance.  In their defense, the sun was in their eyes :)

Ernie was so excited we found Buzz! They brought their autograph books from the last time we were there, and this is the only autograph they got.

The closest thing I could get of a picture of Caleb with Buzz.

Ernie got picked to be trained to be a Jedi.

Not the best picture, but that is him fighting Darth Mal.

Ernie and Cate, Me and Caleb, Ethan and Liz on Space Mountain.

Yep, I totally took a picture of the pictures that you are supposed to buy. 

Ernie wanted a picture of the Halloween Goofy, but he didn't want to wait in line.

Ah ha.  I finally got a picture. You can kind of see the fall decorations. I have never been there in the fall before.  So fun!

Ernie and Ethan and their "scared" face before Tower of Terror.  Which we literally walked onto twice.  Seriously will always try to go in the off season form now on.  We rode Thunder Mountain Railroad five times the first day without waiting in a line!

Ernie, Caleb, Cate and Ethan.  They informed me that they felt like adults because they got to ride this ride by themselves. They loved it! (And they went three times in a row!)

Ernie and Caleb at their favorite store ever.  So, when I said that they could buy one souvenir with their money, I was thinking maybe something "Disney ish" to remember their trip.  But the second they saw down town Disney, they remembered this store. 

So, I very much have a love-hate relationship with Lego's.  But I had an epiphany watching them as they were in the store.

They absolutely love them.  They live and breathe Lego's right now.  And as much as they drive me crazy, that will last for a total of maybe 2 more years. (I pray).  And then I will only remember the times that they loved Lego's so much and wish they were that little again.

After that side note- I Cherish the times I get to spend with my kids like this.  Completely worth taking off work and pulling them out of school.

Last night Caleb was saying his prayers and he said, "Thank you for the chance we had to go to Disneyland.  And thank you for letting me have the Best Mom Ever."

 Enough said. I think I will make whatever needed sacrifices to go every year.