Disneyland

It was an early morning start with three vehicles off to Disneyland for the day. We stopped off at a drive through to enjoy a hot drink and something to eat on our two and a half hour drive in.

At the entrance I nabbed someone for a quick mandatory photo . . . and returned the favor.

If only the excitement and anticipation, heading down Main Street . . . the castle in the distance . . . 

could be measured in a cup! It would be full to overflowing!

We stopped at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom in which . . . for a moment in time . . .

sweet lollipops, cotton candy, and carousel music fill the air

while fairy tale dreams come alive all around.

It's a land where elephants fly and

 tea cups take you for a ride!

I loved the way we could all become children 

and how this day really was about the small ones in the family!

I just had no idea what these girls had in mind!

because as we spun, I was more aware of their giggles 

than their determination to keep turning that wheel.

In the end I learned that the tea cup ride is not as harmless as it appears to be.

 Do you see the blur in the background?

That is how the world looked to me when we were done. . .

and everyone thought it was funny!

Our trip into Adventureland, began with a jungle cruise 

that had the little ones at attention.

It was a bit of a reminder of the real live jungle land we visited in Indonesia.

One of my favorite rides in the past has been the Thunder Mountain Railway with it's bends, sudden stops and downhills sweeps, making you feel like you are on a run-a-way train.

It was especially fun to ride it with Tehya beside me and most of the family behind us.

Meanwhile, the Matterhorn was always looming somewhere ahead of us. I had never been on that one but I made a promise to Natalie, before we even left for Disneyland, that I would go on it with her. Again . . . just a bit more of a feeling of a ride going out of control . . .

but we made it back safe and sound . . . never mind a rattled brain.

Shaun and Kristal showed us the best places to eat.

It sure is nice to have someone in the family who knows the place like the back of his hand.

It was also good when  nap time came more naturally than expected . . .

be it in a stroller or on someone's shoulder. 

After dinner and darkness descending even on Disneyland, 

we set out to find a place to watch the parade.

Pictures may be blurry, but they hold a memory of seeing their faces

almost too serious . . . and so intent . . .

that an involuntary wave could be caught if you happened to look at the right time.

After all . . . whoever came by, be it Mickey, Donald Duck or Disney Princesses . . . 

their waves were personalized in every child like mind.

Late night fireworks marked the end of our pretty well perfect day!

Sometimes dreams do come true.