Yep, Disneyland. Despite scorching temps, (did I really need that mock turtleneck in 92 degree heat? Think not.) we chalked Disneyland up to a huge success. Nobody pooped their pants, threw up, or got lost.Events transpired like so: (kids, if you're reading this, please log off without further delay). Thanks. Love you.
OK. Marc and I (who had been planning this trip for three whole days--I love doing stuff on a whim!), decided to surprise the kids. It was Fall Break. Marc had the whole week off, too. We gathered the kids around and asked them what fun stuff they wanted to do this week. They rattled off stuff like the park, movies, friends over, bike rides, Jungle Gym, etc. and I pretended to write them down and put them in a hat. But I discreetly wrote "DISNEYLAND" on all the slips of paper and then let Ellison (age four) choose what we were going to do out of the hat.
As can well be expected, Ellison achieved instant superstardom status in our household when she picked out---DISNEYLAND. The kids kept waiting for the hammer of reality to fall, but we told them to get in the car and we were off. (I had previously packed all their stuff and it was in the car ready to go). Thanks for the hat idea, SIL Melanie.
We stopped over in E.C. briefly for dad's b-day dinner, and to drop off Charlotte with my sis Sus. (18 month olds SO not invited to the big D this time).
Caroline kept saying over and over on the way up: "This is a dream come true. I can't believe I'm going to Disneyland!" She and Jackson had only been once when Caroline was a baby, and Ellison had never been. Disneyland was breathtaking with the festive fall decor all around.
12 comments:
Wow! Looks like you guys had fun. You are cool parents.
Yes, that is a very cool thing to do. Surprising kids is fun in itself, but an added benefit is you don't get the incessant, "How many more days until..." harrassments.
The great thing about Disneyland is that it's always an eye popping experience for the kids. Your pictures are awesome. Caroline's expression in that last picture is my favorite.
Wow. I won't show my kids your blog or else they might start getting ideas. (Though we may steal your idea on some future day...)
Oh! I just love it!! That is one of those moments they will ALWAYS remember. And what a GREAT idea to have the car packed and ready to go. Kuddos to you both for making it happen. Way COOL parents! I agree about 18 months old...Honestly! ~Heather
SO FUN! Love the pre-planned surprise. Way to go! You are the coolest parents!
Very familiar scenery there... Landon battled Darth Maul too! I was able to attract enough attention to get all 3 in that jedi training, yes I did! We had fun, but we didn't go with the big lollipops and hats. You know I am too cheap for that. But, we did do a Goofy character dinner and the kids were in heaven building their own light sabers as I waited OUTSIDE on a bench (borrring!)
We just couldn't have gone without Bronson though- he had so much fun (even though he took some snoozes in the hotel a couple of days)...I have never seen a kid's eyes light up like his did! Hard? yep. (with any age of kid, really) Worth it? Sure was.
You really are the coolest! That was such a creative surprise and I'm totally going to copy you in about 7 more years!
Can I be you when I grow up? I wanna be Karen-cool. If not, can you just adopt me as another one of your kids? I'm poddy-trained and eat all my veggies...
you guys are extremely cool! wish you would have brought me though.
You don't know me (I'm blog hopping right now), but we did the same thing during the same week. We also planned our vacation in about 3 days, and the kids had a blast! You are right - the line for Splash Mountain was ridiculous!
By the way, thank you so much for the article on Prop 102. We live in Utah, so no vote here, but its been a very confusing issue for me to wrap my brain around, especially when the media is involved. You look like an amazing mom and family.
Both Heather and I agree on what a FUN mom you are!
that sounds So fun! What a great suprise!
Post a Comment