Before I forget what even happened . . . here is a run down of the best California trip ever.
It rained lots, but that didn’t stop us from getting outside. Rain in 60 degrees is certainly manageable. Samuel, surprise, loved the puddles. Especially when we gave up on trying to keep him out of them.
On the way to one of the parks.
Showing Dad some of his gymnastics skills.
Another playground and more puddles.
The big part of our trip was Disneyland!! I’ve only been one other time, so we learned a lot of how to do it better next time. Minus a couple hitches, Sam had a ball. For not having a nap, he was so amazing and such a good sport. My biggest consolation for not doing as much as I had first envisioned was that we will for sure be back another time!
Samuel is a total observer. You’re going to see the same look on his face in a lot of these pictures. Don’t le the serious expression fool you! He was fully in awe, and trying to take it all in. On the tram; part of the 90 minute process just to get IN the park!!
Waiting in their first line.
I should’ve known better. Sam doesn’t like being forced into new situations without a good prep period.
Autopia went over much better. Definitely Sam’s favorite of the day. He was thrilled beyond thrilled to be in the driver’s seat! This time Sam got sad when it was over, “More cars! Cars back, go drive!!”
The view from my car.
Our first character meeting of the day . . . Look it’s the big green ogre, Shrek!
Oh, nevermind. It’s just big green preggo, Al.
While waiting for the Nemo submarine ride, Sam couldn’t take his eyes off the cotton candy. He had no idea what it really was, but he knew he wanted it. So Erik went over the line to get some for us. “No candy Sammers, Mommy try.”
Looking for Nemo. This was before it went pitch black, the giant angler fish opened it’s scary mouth right in front of us, we were swallowed by a whale, and Sam screamed the whole rest of the ride.
Mickey’s Toon Town. Another favorite and must-do for toddlers. Sam was so excited to be able to just run around and play without having to wait in line. He was also pretty excited to meet Mickey Mouse . . . until we were standing right next to him. Start the hysterics. As soon as we stepped away, Sam was over it, and made sure to wave goodbye. “Bye see ya, Mickey!”
Dinner time! We were pretty proud to walk away from Disneyland having spent only $100; and that included buying dinner in the park. Samuel was being soooooo silly. What a goober.
Riding Casey Jr’s Train. Our only family picture from the whole entire trip. Sad sad sad.
So a little background. Sam has a pretty significant fascination with Buzz and Toy Story 2. In fact, we can go ahead and call it an obsession. We got Sam a little Buzz toy as a treat on the 10 hours drive down. During those 10 hours, Samuel also learned to say, To infinity and beyond; which sounds more like “To ah-bin-dah-dee and be-YAR!” but still. Here is a video of Sam watching the movie and being “Lightyear Buzz.”
So of course at Disneyland, we saved the best for last . . . the Buzz Lightyear blaster ride. (I can’t remember what it’s actually called.) You should have seen this child’s face when we turned the corner and there was a life-sized Buzz. Sam was so excited helping Erik blast things, and just about jumped out of his seat when we got to the part where Buzz is standing there fighting Zurg. The ride stops, and Buzz asks for your help in destroying the Evil Emperor Zurg. “Kapow kapow kapow!! Go Buzz, catch Zurg!!”
Time to head back! It was almost 9, and all three of us were done. Sam was so so good all day. You would never know he woke up at 7 and went the entire day without a nap . . . well, until Sam was buckled up in his car seat and on his way home.
Did you notice? Even sound asleep, Buzz was still grasped tightly in Sam’s little hand. Ah, what an excellent day. The happiest place on earth! For sure!!
