Monday, May 14, 2012

California Dreaming

I wish there'd been more dreaming on our California adventure, but despite the general lack of sleep, it was a sensational trip.

I brazenly told a few people before we left, "I don't think there's any way I could NOT have fun. I mean, I'm going to see my family, I'm going to Disneyland. How could I not have fun?"

Daughter #1 & Baby waiting to get on the airplane
I began to see the error of my overly-confident words the night before we left while I lay in bed WIDE AWAKE, worrying I was going to forget something. The main reason for our trip was my brother's wedding, so we had special outfits, special shoes and so on. I was terrified I would leave something that would be expensive to replace.

As it turned out, we didn't forget anything, but that sleepless night did a number on me and by the evening of our arrival day, I was sicker than a dog. Daughter #1 was sick along with me. And Baby wasn't feeling too hot, either.

That didn't stop me from eating, though. Cafe Rio steak salad seriously rocks. (Thankfully I ate this before I started feeling really bad.)
My brother, his bride-to-be, my dad, Daughter #3 ... with the remains of our Cafe Rio dinner.

Sunday was fun, because we were with family, but horrible because some of us were sick. We moved out of the hotel, moved into the rental house ... and got ready for Day #1 of Disneyland the next day.

The morning of, I loaded up on pain meds and throat lozenges and....

We had a great time, as you can see:

Space Mountain! (Best. Picture. Ever.) My mom & father-in-law are in the back row.

My beautiful sis with daughters #1 & #2.

Daughters #2 & #3 waited in a loooong line to meet princesses.

Meeting Cinderella

Snow White

Our three-year-old was starting to get a little weary at this point....

Son & I got the most soaked of anyone on Splash Mountain
Now before I leave you for the day, since the title of this post is about sleeping, I have to explain our situation in the house.

First, everyone graciously allowed us to stay in the master suite, which was AMAZING. Big jetted tub (the kids loved that!), sofas and a king-sized bed. We brought two sleeping bags, so we had three big kids on the floor and one on the sofa.

The big bed was useful because the fold out crib at the house was a little crooked. Baby slept maybe for a max of half an hour in it before waking up. So, we had her with us in the king-sized bed.

Which was great.

Except for the sheets. They were silk and inevitably slipped off. Every morning my husband and I awoke to find ourselves asleep on either side of the huge bed on the bare mattress with our baby cocooned in the middle in a wad of sheets.

So, no, there wasn't a lot of deep sleeping or dreaming going on in California, but we still had a blast. I'll plan to pick up on Part 2 on Wednesday.

Have you ever been to Disneyland? If not, do you have any desire to go?  
 

In closing, here's a little video of my sweet mom singing on Main Street. My darling mother-in-law is dancing along. Happy belated Mother's Day to all you mothers out there!

19 comments:

  1. Disneyland, no. DisneyWorld, yes.

    I would love to go without kids sometime. That would be fun.

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  2. My husband and I feel like total anomalies, since neither of us feels compelled to give our kids the "Disney" experience. We both have memories of long lines in hot weather, impatient people, etc. I did enjoy Epcot, for the experience of "seeing" other lands. But glad you had fun, despite the illnesses! Now LEGO LAND is a different story for my kids! Grin.

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  3. Sorry you didn't feel well, but it sounds like you had a grand time anyway. We went to Disney World in Florida when Katherine was 3. I'd love to go back now that she is older.

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  4. I'm so sorry about the lack of sleep. But I was singing along to your video. Meet me in St. Louie, Louie... LOVE IT! Can't wait to hear about part II.

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  5. I haven't been to Disney in California yet. I'd love to go.

    Sleeplessness is hard to deal with when traveling. I still try to have a good time. My adrenaline from being in a new location keeps me going.

    Thanks for sharing your pics.

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  6. We've not been mainly because the we didn't think the kids were old enough to truly enjoy it...now, we just need to get there. I know the girls would LOVE the princesses...
    I agree with Heather, LEGO LAND is awesome! We all enjoyed that a few years ago.

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  7. We were in Disneyland last week, too! I wonder if we passed you at all.

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  8. You're kidding, Jenilyn! If you followed the sound of wailing children, it was probably our group. ;) ha ha! Maybe we waited in line together and didn't even know it. How hilarious!!

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  9. Sounds like you had a fabulous time despite being ill.

    We went to Disneyland four years ago for the first time with the children. They had a blast. I prefer camping, fresh air, and fewer people. LOL. I think my husband is a kid at heart. He's already planning a trip to Disney World. Maybe I'll stay home and take care of all our pets :) and write ...

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  10. It used to be a dream, but it's fading. I'm not convinced it would be worth the trip around the world when we have 4 great adventure/theme parks on our doorstep.
    Are you feeling better? Such a shame you were I'll.
    Xx

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  11. Oh Amy, how I enjoyed this post! Especially the photo of you with your son; he's the image of you!
    Looks like a fun time was had by all, in spite of sickness.
    Hope you're feeling much better now, look forward to then next instalment.
    We;ve been to Disneyworld twice (have rellies in Florida) but not D/Land. Looks good though!

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  12. I'm glad you had fun, despite being sick! I LOVE Disneyland. We took my son when he was about a year old as part of a family reunion, and it was fabulous!

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  13. Esther VanderlaanMay 15, 2012 at 2:46 PM

    Which hotel did you stay at? We (my aunt & sister & I) stayed at Paradise Pier. And I can't remember if we went on Splash Mountain. (We probably did.)

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  14. Esther, we rented a house a few miles from the park. It was great since we had such a big group ... and much cheaper than all of us getting hotel rooms. :)

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  15. Aww looks like y'all had a great time, despite being sick! Sorry to hear that! What cute pictures! Beautiful family :)

    I've never been to Disneyland, but I'm not sure how many times I've been to Disney World. For a while, we went every year. . . o_O We were a little obsessed haha.

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  16. Well, now I do!!
    I've been to DisneyWorld back when I was in high school. Not Disneyland, even tho Alaska airlines lets kids fly free. Until recently my youngest (now 6) just wasn't good for the trip. Now my oldest is 16 and I think we're past it.
    Your trip sounds fab, despite your illness. So glad you shook it off!

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  17. I went to Disneyland with my sister when I graduated HS, and with my husband, newborn, and other sister when (obviously) my first son was born. I love Disneyland and am trying to finagle a way to take my kids.

    So sorry you were sick, though! No fun. :(

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  18. I haven't been to Disneyland but I've been to Disneyworld. Such a magical place. You just can't not have a good time. So sorry your were sick on your trip, though! Bummer!

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  19. Hi Amy - the trip sounds fun despite the sickness .. and how wonderful you were able to meet up, have the wedding to go to .. and just enjoy yourselves .. I've never been to either! One day perhaps ..

    Cheers Hilary

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