Another Disney Day

 Waiting in line for the cars ride....Radiator Springs Racers.  Grace was terrified the first time we went and hasn't gone since.  Then she promised her daddy she would go (it was just me and the kiddos this day) and yet declared that it was the BEST RIDE EVER!!!!  Of course, the last time we went she wouldn't go on it again.  The pictures below was taken as we were getting on the ride. 

 Sleeping Beauty's castle.  This was the first time we had gone through it.  Not sure why we hadn't gone before but Grace loved it.  She looked at everything....of course Andrew read the story at each window.  That kid loves to read!

 Her favorite......Cinderella

 Usually Andrew complains about riding small world and the carousel.  Actually he thinks Grace's rides are boring!  This day he didn't complain and actually said he had fun!

 We went back that same week with our friends in the picture with Grace and Pluto.  It was fun having little ones around.  We went much slower and just enjoyed our time.

 This is Dale.  Chip had wandered off so now we know that Dale is the one with the reddish nose.  We got a lot of signatures and pictures this day! 

 Andrew refused to take any pictures.  He thought is was boring.

 With Tinkerbell.....one of my favorite pictures.

 We went last Monday with daddy and Grace has been wanting her picture with Lightening McQueen and Mater for quite a while.  She finally got her picture with Lightening.  Maybe we'll catch Mater next time.

 Waiting for daddy and Andrew to get off the Radiator Springs racers. 

 Just hanging out in Fantasyland and Toon Town waiting for daddy and Andrew again.  This time they went on Star Tours.

 She loves this cat and every time we go, we have to go see it in the store.  She really wants to buy it.  The tail is longer than she is tall!

Not sure when our next trip to Disney is but it will probably be in a few weeks on another holiday. 

Princesses and Jedi Training

We went to Disneyland yesterday and had a lot of fun!  It was very busy but we split up (girls and boys) and did what the kids wanted to do.  Andrew isn't a fan of "It's a Small World"  and that's Grace's favorite ride so I took her for the day to do what she wanted.  We rode Small World 2 times (in the morning and then again after dark).  We got in line just before they turned on the lights.  So many Christmas lights on the outside of it!  We also watched the parade all together and rode a couple rides all together.  Grace and I stood in line to see the princesses.  They switched out just before we got there but as we say at school, "You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit!"  We also saw Merida from the movie Brave.

 Tiana

Cinderella

 Mulan

We finally went to see the Jedi Training academy (Star Wars) and Andrew really wanted to be chosen.  We were in the back against the wall and I figured they wouldn't see him, especially after a mom stood up in the front row to help her child get picked. He was jumping up and down with his arms in the air and they kept picking kids all around us and then David (wearing a bright red shirt) started pointing at Andrew and the guy called him up.  Made his day!!!!  The poor little boy in front of us didn't get picked and he was devastated.  I felt so bad for him while he sat and cried.  I'm sure Andrew would have been the same way.   Anyway, he got to go in front of everyone and be part of the academy.  He was so excited and kept turning around to smile at us.  He is so reserved about showing his emotion so the little smiles we got were awesome!  I have some video of him and a few pictures but I only took my phone with me so the pictures aren't that great.

 Here is a very blurry video from Andrew's Jedi Training.  It looks much better on my phone!

Overall it was a really great day!  We even stayed for the fireworks and found a great spot to stand and had such a great view.  It was tough getting the kids back to the car after being there for 12 hours but we finally made it and they were asleep in minutes.  Today we are just resting and recovering.  Well, David is at work today.....poor guy!

Here are some pics from the parade.

And finally a (not so great quality) picture of Grace in front of "It's a Small World"

And if you are still here after all those pictures, I can't believe tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we are just a month away from Christmas.  Time is going way too fast. 

Disneyland

So much to catch up on.  This is the last week of school for Andrew.  Actually Monday is the last full day, Tuesday is the awards assembly, and Wednesday is milk and donuts and then go home (with report card).  I can't believe another year has ended!

The past Friday was a snow day for our district.  Obviously we did not have snow on a 90 degree day but since we didn't take our snow day during the year, we got the 18th off.  We chose to spend it at Disney's California Adventure.  I drove down by myself and took the kids and David met me after work.  I had planned on visiting Disneyland also but met some friends and staying at CA Adventure all day instead.  We had so much fun!  Sure wish these friends had passes to go back with us again! 

 climbing the rock wall....not feeling so sure of himself

 ready for Toy Story Mania!!!!

 The girls rode together and nobody got scared!  Probably cause it is so interactive and fun but we didn't see them the whole ride because they were behind us.

 Kelly and I ready for some competition on Toy Story Mania.  Sad to say......she won.

 enjoying a churro with friends

 riding the "chew chew" train (from "A Bug's Life")

We had such an awesome time.  It was a much needed day away!  We are going back this week and the kids are excited to go to Disneyland this time and explore!