Minute Rice: Eat, Spend, Play

To condense our Disneyland trip into a readable format--I'm listing......

First, the adventure- Next, the response (mostly from Blake's point of view, or mine--as his mommy).

Here goes:

Pirates of the Caribbean: first time, terrified. Second time (this is mommy's favorite ride): able to open eyes and hesitantly laugh at the pirates.

Cheapest meal: Discovered a stand selling a kids' meal. Came in a Disney box with a hot dog, apple slices, and juice box. $6.99.

Most expensive meal: Rainforest cafe, ordered the "Volcano" --huge mountain of erupting caramel, chocolate, and ice cream (Ironically, it became the most expensive when counting calories)

Best moment: Marianne heckling the wicked witch from Snow White. She heard Marianne, then whipped around and came up to her face. Felt same feeling when watching Snow White for the first time. Almost peed my pants.....she was even scarier in real life.

Worst moment: Going through security at LAX. Blake DID NOT want to remove his hat. Homeland Security HAD to x-ray that hat. Complete and total meltdown. Laying in the aisle, crying, screaming, trying to run away from security, angry people, me---insane.

Best ride: Winnie the Pooh---he loved the slow moving, sweet scenery ride. Very family friendly.

Worst ride: The HAUNTED Mansion. Yes, the HAUNTED Mansion. Does anyone think that might be scary to a 3 year old? If so, why didn't I??? This was NOT Blake's favorite ride. He screamed, "Let me out of here! LET ME OUT OF HERE! I WAAANNNNTTT OUUUUTTT!" Scary Disney cast member said we missed the exit. Blake, "LET ME OUT!!!!!" Scratching, kicking. Not good.

Best eat: chocolate, nut covered toffee bar---simply delightful.

Worst eat: Chili dog at California Adventure land. (Enough said.)

Funniest moment: Marianne asking Aladdin where his "ummmm.....significant other" was. Aladdin did not think this was funny. What do you call Jasmine?

Most exciting: Watching a Jedi training show and being there when the Storm Troopers and Darth Vader came out. The familiar theme music, dun-dun-dun, da-da dun, da-da dun played in the background as Vadar breathed. James courageously engaged him in battle and triumphed. Blake has a new request---a blue sword.....ie. light saber....and another Star Wars junkie is born.

Character sightings: Mickey, Pluto, Goofy, Minnie, Jasmine, Aladdin, Balloo, Chip/Dale, Tigger, Snow White, Dopey, Woody, Mary Poppins, Darth Vadar, Darth Maul, Cruella DeVille, Jafar, Wicked Snow White Witch, the Green Army Men from Toy Story (yes, they are Disney characters that are in a performing band), Donald Duck

Illegal activity: When Marianne and I boarded the Monorail on Sunday, she and her kids went through the gate first. I thought she gave the attendent our tickets, too. She hadn't because she had given them to me the day before. I just walked through the turnstyle and went into Disneyland. I didn't know I had "jumped the fence" until we went to get a fast pass for a ride and my ticket wasn't valid. After a discussion about where the tickets were, we realized I snuck into Disneyland! We talked to the ride guy and he was so surprised---he didn't think it was possible to sneak in, especially through the front gate! Because I am a good girl---I went and had my ticket validated.

Most visited: Disney bathrooms....with 2 mommy's, a seven year old, a four year old, and a 3 year old we got to know and revisit many restrooms. You know you are a mommy when you have a favorite bathroom at Disneyland.

Most nostalgia: Me pushing the gas, while Blake steered the cars on Autopia. I clearly remember riding that ride with my Dad when I was 12.

Forgot: How much Mickey Mouse ears cost......lettering is extra. Yikes.

Remembered: To wear comfy tennis shoes even if they looked stupid.

Forgot: sunscreen.

Remembered: How bad I look in a swimsuit.

Most spiritual moment: Blake and I sitting together, surrounded by a fluorescent and colorful Disneyland nighttime. He was eating an apple and I just watched him. He was beautiful and so happy. I felt such a love for my little family and the privilege of being Russ's wife and Maren and Blake's mom. I am so grateful they are mine.

We had a fantastic trip---I would like to detail and journal every single moment, but I know I can't. Blake loved Disneyland and is still talking about it. Here are some of my favorite pictures and one hilarious video. For more on the trip, see Marianne's blog on my blogging buddies list.

I'm grateful to her for making this trip happen---she is a great and experienced traveller and made this vacation so much fun. Thanks to Katherine for adamantly "helping me" get Blake to remove his hat at LAX and James for his Jedi knowledge. We had a fabulous time!!!