"Adults are only Kids Grown Up, Anyway..." - Walt Disney

During our September California Trip, we spent one day at Disney's California Adventure Park.  We started off the day at Ariel's Grotto.  We enjoyed a delicious breakfast and while we were eating, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, Tiana and Belle came to our table and visited with us.  It was a magical way to begin our day.  And well worth it, having all the princesses come to us...instead of waiting in lines for hours

Sienna was MOST excited about Princess Belle from Beauty and Beast.  Gracie was her inquisitive self - asking the Princesses all sorts of questions.

Gracie was really excited about pushing Sienna in the stroller around the park.  I didn't think she would last - but she pushed her for a long time, and Gracie walked almost the entire day and never complained.

Riding Mickey's Fun Wheel with my Sweetheart

It was not busy at all the day we visited.  We walked on to rides.  In fact we rode again and again without waiting on some.  Gracie's favorite rides were: Jumpin' Jellyfish, Luigi's Flying Tires, Radiator Springs Racers and Toy Story Mania.  

I got to ride with her on Toy Story Mania.  It was one of my favorite moments.  She was wide-eyed and giggling with unbelief the whole time!  The 4D virtual effects had her laughing and squealing out loud.  She was so cute.  

Sienna loved: 'Ariel's Undersea Adventure' and Disney Junior - Live on Stage.     

We went to 'Turtle Talk with Crush'.  Crush picked Gracie out of the crowd and talked to her forever during the show.   He even gave her a nickname: "Groovy Gracie."  She still refers to herself as that.  

Cars Land is so fun!  Disney never overlooks the details - and the main street in Carburetor County is no exception.  Such a darling place!! 

This is one of my favorite pictures - Gracie and Grandma Wiscombe are laughing so hard - trying to control this 9 foot inflatable tire!  

There's my favorite ride in the background:  Tower of Terror.  I love it.  I love the anticipation, the drop, the thrill - SO fun.  I didn't ride it during our visit.  Funny how that happens when you have kids and just one day at the park - your priorities change....and you only have time for select things.  Tower of Tower also happens to be Michael's favorite ride!!  I stayed with the girls while my parents and Jody took Michael on the ride. (It takes a few people to hold him from each side on that ride.)   My mom had even purchased a foam pillow to place under Michael to pad his hips.  The workers let Michael ride it twice without getting off.  He LOVED it - laughed the whole time.   While Michael and the crew were riding Tower of Terror, I took the girls to meet some of the classic characters.  Notice how Gracie is holding Pluto's leash tag to make sure it's showing.  It was super cute to watch her meet Pluto.  She loves Pluto! 

*The girls with the One and Only: Mickey Mouse*

After we met up with my parents, Michael and Jody - we knew the park was closing soon.  The girls really wanted to visit "A Bug's Land" where they have lots of rides for little kids.  So that's where we went.  

Soaring in the Sky on 'Flik's Flyers'

               Riding 'Francis' Ladybug Boogie'

We ended the day by riding Toy Story Mania once again and watching the 'World of Color' show (from the back).  It was really fun.  Gracie was dancing to the music, and there was no one around.  I was dancing with her!  Another really fun moment I will never forget.  Spinning, Twirling and Taking it all in!

Piece by Piece...at Legoland

While in California, we spent a day at Legoland.  It was really neat to see everything imaginable - made out of Legos. 

     

 

On many of the rides, at Legoland, you actually needed to 'drive' the car or boat.  So, for example, on this boat ride...I was sitting back enjoying watching Sienna take in the sights.  And then we were drifting into the wall and causing a blockade.  No track on these rides...it took paying attention to get back to the loading dock. :)

And then there was this "Lego Character."  Not quite like Mickey Mouse.  No line to get a picture with this guy.  

Gracie did NOT like the Lego Mascot.  This is her running away from him when I suggested she be in the picture. 

The rides were ideal for Gracie and Sienna.  Gracie LOVED Legoland!  Sienna, unfortunately, was not tall enough for some of the rides...and it was so sad when she saw Gracie going on certain rides...and she couldn't.  That was a bummer.  

There was this ride, that looked CRAZY!  Just watching it, made my stomach turn upside down.  And of course, my mom decided that was just the ride for her.  She and my dad took on this beast.  Before loading onto the ride, you could choose your level of "thrill" 1- being gentle and 5 - being 'whip you every which way, super fast, super insane.'  The teenage boys in front of my parents chose 4....Mom and Dad chose 5.  

They Survived!!  

There was a Dinosaur Area - where the girls could dig for fossils.  Pretty mesmerizing, as you can see from the picture.  Gracie was too busy being a paleontologist to look up.  "Talk to the brush, Mom."  Sienna, clearly, is appalled at the lack of respect.  

 Gracie did amazing driving around the racetrack!  Sienna was so cute behind the wheel too.  She didn't really make it around the racetrack, but she was only 2 at the time...so her driving into the wall was understandable.  (Like mother - like daughter.)

My parents are so fantastic at making sure Michael has the best experience!  They have always tried to give him every opportunity possible.  Going to a theme park with Michael, is exhausting for my dad.  My dad is constantly lifting Michael in and out of his wheelchair and onto rides that usually are not equipped for people who lack some head and muscle control.  I know my parents would do anything for Michael.  Michael doesn't enjoy the conveniences that so many of us, often times, overlook.   His body is partially broken - But my parents have always taught me, his disability doesn't mean he should have a broken experience.  

When it was time to leave Legoland, Jody asked if we should buy the girls a souvenir.  They had been so good all day - never asking once for a toy or any of the other things that were for sale around every corner and at the exit of each ride.  I said, "No" to Jody's question.  They didn't need a toy.  They had a blast, and I was thrilled they were content to just be there.  

That night, my parents watched the girls, while Jodes and I went to the Oceanside Marina for some Fish Tacos.  The restaurant had the best churros with caramel dipping sauce.  Yummy! 

The girls were tuckered out each night!!   They slept great! 

They were super excited to wake up each morning to the sounds of the ocean - outside their window.  

My Happiness -- Beach Days

The second week of September, we traveled to the Carlsbad Coast in California.  We spent three days on the beach.  It was a wonderful time to travel to Southern California.  The beach was empty and nearly all ours. 

This was my view.  

It was perfect.  Really - my idea of paradise.

Gracie had the time of her life, splashing through the waves!  We played game after game of 'mermaids'. 

*Pure Joy*

Sienna was more into the sand than the ocean.  She perfected her Frisbee skills.  

  

Dad gave her a lesson or two in Frisbee throwing.  

We laughed so hard and made so many memories!   Feeling the warm sand in between my toes was heaven.  Spraying my girls off at the end of the day with the hose, and washing all that sand away was a sense of accomplishment.  

We played until the sun set.   

When I am happy - I want to dance.  No really -- dance.  So I did.  I danced on the beach.  I got the entire family involved.  I just love the beach, and I can't wait to go back.  Here's one Instagram Video from the trip.  

                                                                                         

Beach Baby just melts my heart!

The punishment for throwing sand in your sister's face - you take a time out while being half-buried in the sand.  She doesn't look too disappointed.  But she was more than ready to get out, and start chasing the birds, collecting shells and building sand castles again.


We stayed with my parents and Michael in a three bedroom condo directly across the street from the ocean.  It was lovely.  We ate breakfast out on the deck, overlooking the beach.  And we enjoyed sitting in the bay window nook too!  It was really fun to wake up to the sound of waves crashing on the beach.   

Incredible Sunset!!

Oh Yuck!  Sienna forgot that we don't eat the sand.  

After a full day of the ocean beating against the sand, the waves had created this ledge.  It made it tricky to get up by our towels.  But never fear: Little Sister was there to help Gracie up.   

Our first day at the beach was a bit overcast, and the next few days were full of sunshine.  This picture sums up Jody and Sienna's sweet little relationship.  She adores him; such a daddy's girl.  

Jody helped Gracie build an extraordinary Sand City.

Gracie was fearless in the ocean.  She got slammed by a few big waves, and came up out of the water, totally soaked, with a big SMILE on her face.  Jody always swims out way far.  He is a great swimmer.  At this one point, I was watching, with Sienna, from the shore...I was sure I saw something BIG swimming by him.  I stood up to start yelling and waving at him.  Interestingly, he started swimming to shore right then.  When he got back in, safe, I told him I thought I had spotted something out there with him.  He said, "Well, I didn't feel alone - that's why I came in."  Yikes!   

At the end of the week, this little one was done running, playing and splashing.  She was ready for some resting.  And boy oh boy, doesn't she look relaxed?!?!?!