Disneyland Squared

Dessert Contest Final Four tonight at 7.  Be there or be sad for yourself...

So my kids went to Disneyland for the first time in their lives last Wednesday.  They went for the second time on Thursday.

Why would someone so conscientious about education take her children out of school to go to an amusement park midweek, two times within a week?

Two visitors from out of state, two weeks in a row.  How could I turn down the opportunity to use our pass again so quickly, especially when Steve's brother was coming with their family "the cousins" who are my kids age-aligned, bfff cousins? 

So we surprised the kids and pretended like they were going to school and then just... kept on driving.  I thought it was going to be an awesome surprise but when we passed the school exit no one noticed.  Finally, 20 minutes later Casey says... "wait, where are we going?" I told him we were already late for school so why not just keep on going?

Then they said "oh are we going to LA to see the cousins?"

Yep.

No excitement.

Two hours later I pull of the freeway at Disneyland and Bridget sees the Disneyland Dr. sign and says "weird, who is Disneyland Doctor?"

Finally, we pull into the parking lot that says "Disneyland Resort" and Bridget says "WAIT!!! WHY are we at Disneyland?" 

To meet our cousins.

"Then all three kids look at me in shock and say... wait are we going IN to Disneyland?

Don't you think we should?

So then the partying ensued, it was a lovely and wonderful surprise and we were so excited that the parking lot attendant gave us a "Magical Moment" and handed us a free parking pass.

We got into the park and the magic faded for a few hours when my children discovered that traveling in a large pack of people is not nearly as fun.  Steve and I finally called it quits and demanded division and after that it was pretty fun.  My kids went to California Adventure, something that we had not done the week before, and overall we had a tremendous, tremendous time.

I have a few other things to say about Disneyland but I want to end with a note of appreciation:

Angela, nothing will ever be the same for my kids--a trip with your family was the optimum peak of fun.  I think our alignment on two key issues made it extra special:
--no buying anything in the park
--dividing and conquering in age level groups

We didn't have those things this week and while it was fun, it wasn't quite the same.  We will go back several times this year and enjoy the capitalism, but I want you to know that your trip was the most magical momentous experience that our family has enjoyed up until now.  Thanks for being such great friends.