Well, last week we surprised Julia with a trip to Disneyland. We knew we were going to go about 3 months ago and so we just told Julia that the next time we go visit Grandma and Grandpa Cromwell we will be going on a plane. She was excited about that and wasn't the wiser.
Well, the only set back we had was my little hospital stay a couple of days we were suppose to go. I was so disappointed and frustrated. I had to stay in the hospital for a few days. So when it was time to go Julia and Layne got on the plane and headed out. But gma and gpa Cromwell were headed out as well but just on a later flight that same night. So I was able to be cleared with my health and then join them at the airport to go on our surprise trip. I was so excited and even though I was very sleep deprived and a little run down, we all were able to have some fun and enjoy ourselves.
Layne and Julia got to the hotel and just left the bags because they weren't able to check in yet. So they walked right across the street and Layne kept asking Julia where they were going. She had not clue. Layne started to point out what/who were on the buses passing by, but still no clue. Music was playing, people rushing by, character buses passing by, and she finally says, "Dad, are we at Disneyland?" Layne caught in on tape for me since I was unable to see the surprise part of it. She was surprised and couldn't wait to get going. Layne was on the phone with me and Julia was raring to go so it was a short conversation. I'm glad they made it safe and were able to enjoy themselves and have some one on one time the first day.
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| A big smile and a fun time with Daddy! |
It was a little wet the first day but cleared up in the afternoon. Layne had gone and bought us some poncho's and umbrellas to keep a little drier. They got to go on Small World, Winnie the Pooh, race cars and even Splash Mountain. I couldn't believe it when I heard that. She said that was her favorite ride! It was fun to go with her this time because she was able to ride on most all of the rides with the adults. I think she liked that. Needless to say Layne was tuckered out after the first day. Julia can run circles around us, especially at Disneyland.
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| Enjoying a wet day with Daddy in Disneyland |
Well, we finally all met up in the evening, had a little dinner, and then went to bed. It was the BEST night's sleep I've had probably since my anniversary in April. After being in the hospital with about 6 hours of sleep in a 48 hour period and then just having a break from Christian, who still wakes up 2-3 times a night, it was a much needed night of rest. I certainly felt better in the morning and was excited to get up and get going.
Goofy's Kitchen was our first stop for a great big breakfast. Julia was so excited when we walked in to see Pluto waiting for us. We all got to get a great picture with him. We walked back to sit down and she was just pointing out all the characters and wanted to go see all of them. We told her that they would come to us all we have to do is sit down and wait. We had a great breakfast. The buffet was great and had everything you could ever want, even hot dogs, pizza, and mac'n'cheese for breakfast.
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Everyone came to see us at breakfast.
It was a fun time and certainly hit the spot. |
Well, the rain started after breakfast and pretty much lasted ALL day. It was great crowd control but a little inconveinient with backpacks and poncho's and getting on and off the rides. BUT we did get to go on a lot of rides that normally have huge lines. Dumbo, the new Little Mermaid ride, even the Matterhorn. We rode that twice in a row. Julia hung on for dear life and I just told her if you are scared just scream, and boy she did. We even went on Splash Mountain again. We rode the train over and Julia said to us, "Splash Mountain, here we come!" She rode in the very front with grandpa right behind her. He told us she had a death grip on him and when we went down the big hill the look on her face was priceless. We have the picture all nice and framed :) She does get a little scared on the rides but once they are over she loves them. We also went on the Tower of Terror with her. Everybody's favorite ride but not so much for Julia. She didn't want to go on that one again. She said she kept flying up out of her seat. Every time we saw the tower we would ask her if she wanted to go on it again but she said no.
The new Little Mermaid ride over in California Adventure. We rode twice in a row because the line was so short. Julia loved it!
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| Stuck inside the action figure box |
Grandma and Grandpa were getting a little to wet so they went back to dry off while we pushed through the rain. The rain was finally letting up around 5pm and the line to see Rapunzel was abotu 20 mins. so we jumped in line. Julia even had on her Rapunzel shirt. We walked in and she was in awe. Rapunzel was super nice and took the time to talk to Julia. Julia told her her favorite ride was Splash Mountain and that she was going to be Rapunzel for halloween. Rapunzel took Julia and 'pinkie promised' they would be best friends forever. Julia really remembered that part and still talks about it. They were so cute together.
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| Waiting outside to see Rapunzel |
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| A big hug |
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They each talked about their long hair and how
it makes them run really fast |
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| A 'pinkie promise' to be BEST FRIENDS forever! |
Well, we wanted to stay around for the parade in the evening so we ventured over to Small World and Toon Town. The roller coaster wasn't working so we decided to get a peek at Mickey's House before the parade. Julia was excited to see Mickey and so was I. We had to wait a while but it was worth it. Then we headed out to see the parade but because it was so wet out they had a 3 car procession with a few characters. It was so cute because the 1st car was Mickey and Minnie. Julia was pointing and waving and very excited. Minnie saw her and then tugged on Mickey to look her way and they both waved to her. When the car with the princesses went by she waved and screamed out who was in the car. She was disappointed that she didn't get to see more but we told her the next night we could see the whole parade with everybody in it. Then it was finally time to get back to the hotel and dry off. We were soaked to the bone and tired. We all hit the pillow and were out that night!
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| We LOVE Mickey! |
Well, the next day came early and we were ready to go! It was finally blue skies and sunshine and so we were excited about that. We got into the park and some of the characters were out and about. Julia really wanted to see Minnie most of all. So we waited in the line and just as we got up to her it was time for her to go but being the mom I am I insisted we get a picture. She was just suppose to walk down the rest of the line and say goodbye but she stopped and took a picture with Julia. Julia was so excited to see her. We also got some fun pictures by the big Mickey pumpkin they had for Halloween.
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After eating a delicious french toast breakfast, we were off and running. More crowds and more lines but the weather was great. It was great because Julia was able to ride alot of the big rides this time around. So we headed off to splash mountain again. She wanted to sit by me this time and told me she didn't want to go down the big hill. But I just told her if you are scared just scream really loud. So that's what she did on all the rest of the rides. Thunder Mountain was awesome, one of my favorites. Julia and I sat together and Layne tried to capture the ride on camera. We got a few good shots. Julia was hanging on for dear life and I was hanging onto her for extra measure. She screamed a lot.
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| Getting on the ride....not knowing what is about to come our way. |
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| Rounding the bend |
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| And down we go......screaming! |
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| After it was all said and done.....whew! |
We did find a ride that she preferred a little bit more over the roller coasters. Tea anyone? Gramma, Julia and I headed off to the tea cups, one of Julia's favorite rides. At least, for now, she doesn't want us to spin the cup while we ride. If we had gramma and I wouldn't be riding.
After going back and having a nap, I decided to wait in the line to see the Princesses while Julia and Layne headed over to Toon Town to hit a couple of rides they missed the day before. Julia was just as excited to see the Princesses this trip. She went right up to each one and gave them a hug and talked to them a little bit. We got to see Ariel, Cinderella, and Snow White. And afterwards we got Julia's face painted. She loved it the last time we came and really wanted to do it again. She sat very still while she got her 'heart crown' painted on. She was sooooo excited to see herself in the mirror, she couldn't stop looking at herself. She absolutely LOVED it. Thanks Grandma Cromwell!!
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| A very HAPPY princess! |
After a few Mickey bars, fresh dipped corn dogs, a couple of pretzels with cheese, we settled in for the parade. Julia shouted out every character she saw and waved and waved at everyone as they went by. Just watching her is one of my favorite things to do at Disneyland. She has sooooo much fun and she is just enjoying herself every second. We all had such a wonderful time. We loved being able to go and make more memories with Grandma and Grandpa Cromwell. Thanks so very much for making our trip even more special.
