Hello all! We are home and already back int he swing, for better or worse. All the kids here started school last week so I've got my kiddo schedule back to normal, plus the start of all the new Scouting year stuff revving up.
We had a WONDERFUL trip! It was so nice to just hang out and relax with my girls.
Saturday the girls did great on the plane ride out. Deva even got her own seat on both legs. We spent a nice evening/morning with my college roommate and enjoyed getting a chance to hang out and catch up.
Sunday we drove from Temecula to Hollywood just in time for Deva to nap the whole way (best decision of the week!
). Terra loved Hollywood - you know, all two blocks of it we did.
We parked right near Grauman's Chinese Theater and didn't waver far from that block. We explored the cement hand/footprints at the theater and Terra found those she knew. Then we walked up to blocks looking at the stars before crossing to a gift shop. Then we walked back down that side of the street to El Capitan and the Disney Soda Fountain. We enjoyed wonderful sundaes seated at the counter of the Soda Fountain which both girls seemed to think was extra fun. After that, we headed back to check into our first hotel and get ready for dinner at Phil's parents' house. Other than my brief mind-loss of leaving my purse at the grocery store near their house (all was good, it was turned in before I could turn around and get back) it was a nice evening. Deva did REALLY well with everyone - even letting Phil's brother hold her a few times and hugging his mom.
Monday we were up early and off to
Disneyland. We had a great crowd-free morning and got a lot done before 11:30 when we went out to DTD for lunch with old playgroup friends. When we went back in, we met up with Becky and rode Jungle Cruise and Pirates together before she headed back to DCA for a last look-around before she flew home. We ended the night happily (again despite my clumsiness only this time tripping up some steps with my hands full of Deva, a chili dog and our drinks - wonderful CM's helped and set it all right though) with fireworks and Fantasmic. We missed out on Snow White, Pinnochio, Nemo and Astro-orbitor, but otherwise did everything we wanted to do without ever feeling like we were going too crazy. Deva really settled into the day and the whole theme park thing after her afternoon nap and enjoyed the second half of the day immensely. (Before that she was fine, just uncertain about it all.) The summer fireworks display was really good. In addition to Tink flying, they had a Dumbo segment which of course made me cry since Terra always used to snuggle up in my lap whenever Baby Mine would come on. We watched Dumbo almost daily for a long time when she was 2-3.
Tuesday we hit the beach at Balboa and Terra was in heaven. She tried to build a sandcastle for a while, but finally gave up because the good building sand and the good building location were too far apart. She was thrilled though because a sea lion swam right by us, something she's really wanted to see. Deva took a little while to get used to the noise of the crashing waves and the unstable sand, but once she did, she loved it! After the beach it was off to Goofy's Kitchen for brunch. We had the last seating time and I think we were one of 6 families in the whole restaurant. It was still a lot of fun. We saw Goofy, Max, Mulan, Rafiki, Alice, and Foulfellow. Deva is doing a lot better with the characters - will talk to them, wave, blow kisses, even hand her autograph book - but only if I'm holding her or am between them and her. Ah well, it was an improvement. After lunch we drove up to Yucca Valley, north of Palm Springs, to our friends' house.
Wednesday we just hung out with our friends for the morning. She got in Deva's good graces quickly by making homemade doughnuts for breakfast. We also went to the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, which is primarily a rescue and rehab place for injured and displaced animals. They have 3 grizzlies that were relocated there after continually breaking into the same stores near Yellowstone. They also have a black bear they took to save from being euthanized after eating $8,000 worth of a growers honey. After the zoo we roamed the shopping area of Big Bear visiting a few of the quirky stores and, or course, the candy store.
Thursday we headed back down the mountain, stopping to have lunch with Phil's best friend. We checked into our second hotel and got ready to meet Phil's family for dinner. We all had a nice meal at a small Greek place nearby and Deva entertained everyone by dancing to the guitarist almost the whole time. He even played a few songs just for her. After dinner we went to Downtown Disney to check out the World of Disney and decide whether Terra was getting the Mickey dog from Build-a-Bear she'd been looking at. In the end, they both got something from Build-a-Bear because they were having their any animal-any outfit-any shoes for $29.99 sale. Both got DTD exclusive dolls, Terra got a Merida costume complete with hair, Deva got a Minnie costume complete with shoes and gloves, plus boots for Terra's doll and a random set of shoes for some bear at home to complete Deva's deal. Definitely a good use of their spending money.
Friday it was off to DCA. Carsland is AMAZING! The themeing is spot on and just gorgeous. Terra rode Radiator Springs Racers first thing and poor Deva repeated over and over - "I wan ride race cars!". Yeah that 40" height requirement wasn't going over well. We rode Luigi's Flying Tires and saw Red (the firetruck) and Lightening before stopping at the Cozy Cone for an ice cream break. Off to Toy Story, Mickey Wheel, Triton's carousel and The Little Mermaid before we headed back towards the front for lunch. In route we saw Minnie in her flight attendant outfit and she was just too cute. After lunch, Terra rode Soarin' and then we all because Wilderness Explorers in the Redwoods area. We even got our senior scout badges from Russell in a cute little ceremony/show. Got to meet Dug as well. Next up was a street party with Phineas and Ferb, the Golden Zephyer, Jumping Jellyfish and Silly Symphony Swings for Terra (again with a protesting Deva
). Next up was Mater's Junkyard Jamboree which Deva found hilarious and then a run through Bug's Land. Seems like there must have been something else because it was getting dark as we headed into Muppet Vision 3D, but I don't really think there is. After Muppets Deb called to say they were just entering the park so we went off to find them. We ride Monsters Inc together and then when to Turtle Talk where Terra was thrilled to get to ask Crush as questions. After Deb and Chris went off to feed the boys, we did the animation class and learned to draw Oswald. I really like it here as they had a schedule in front of the attraction entrance telling you what characters they are drawing when. There were at least 15 different characters over the course of the day. After drawing it was about time to line up for World of Color. We grabbed some food in Pacific Wharf and then got in our blue section fastpass line. We ended up with a great spot and the show was FANTASTIC! Terra and I both really liked it (and Deva slept through it so all was good). After a quick stop at the shop on the way out, we hit the bus stop in time for the last bus and found ourselves very greatful to all the helpful strangers on our bus. A young man, maybe 25 at the oldest, insisted on taking our stroller and his girlfriend helped Terra find a seat. Then the families across from us helped talk to Deva when she was a crazy mess the first few minutes - she does NOT wake and move well to start, but once she woke up enough to orient herself she was smiling and playing with them. The man across from me even acted as Terra's pillow when she crashed out in route. All in all it was a GREAT day!
Saturday held nothing but packing up, a drive back to San Diego, a long layover in Pheonix, Phil getting lost at the airport picking us up (again!), a lost suitcase (which made it home late Sunday removing my excuse for not doing laundry) and finally home.
Overall it felt like a relaxing trip, but man was I tired on Sunday. It was back to work yesterday and Terra was already lamenting that. She told me yesterday that's what she would miss most about our vacation - getting to spend more time with me.
It was all very good though. The family visits were probably some of the best ever. Not sure what the change, but it was nice. We got to visit with lots of friends which was very nice. I do wish we would have had a 3rd Disney day. We missed a few rides and several shows I would have really liked to have seen. It's nice to see DCA growing into an exciting full-day plus park. The new changes are all spectacular.
We took the Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) bus from both hotels and it was a good choice. The $5 for our passes each day beat the $15 to park and there was a stop in front of each of our hotels. The drop off spot was right by the front gates, about the same distance as the parking tram and I didn't have to mess with the stroller on the tram and then navigating the parking garage. Time wise I figure it was all about the same with less walking and cost. The only downside was that Terra could have ridden Radiator Springs one last time just before closing if we'd driven, but with the last bus 30 min after closing I didn't want to miss that. If I'd considered that part, we may have driven.
I will hopefully get some pictures up today or tomorrow. Okay, maybe it will be Thursday since I've got meetings every night this week until then. As soon as I do, I'll be sure to post some.
) Planning really does pay off.
I hope they can get you healing quickly!
so sorry for all you've been through. 
we called her July 30th and she called Monday to say she was faxing it to the pediatrician but now we won't be able to do anything til after school starts. This is so frustrating. We started this last October.
But, I will be back home by midnight or so! 
