I got to Disneyland, swiped that magical annual passport, and met up with the Hebdons. Jenny Hebdon is a former student who lives about 15 minutes from Disneyland, in Orange, California. Her cousin and family were in town, so we met up at the park. We rode a couple of kid rides together, then I played tour guide, showing them where the single rider lines are for Matterhorn and Space Mountain and showing them where the entrance to the Monorail is. I then headed off to "do grown up stuff."
I went to California Adventure and watched the Electric Lights Parade. That was super fun. Then I noticed on my app that there was a sneak peek of the new movie "Incredibles 2." I got to see the first 10 minutes of that in the theater there. I'm really excited for the movie. It looks so cute. The parks were pretty crowded and I was going again on Friday, so I just went to the Hebdon's house for a good night's sleep.
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| Yes, it was in 3D |
I got up around 7:30 and got on the road by 8:00 to be there for 9:00 opening. Before leaving, I gave Jenny and the kids the nativity puzzle dad had made for them.
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| Blake, 4, playing with the puzzle. I imagine Max, 3, was climbing up onto the roof. |
I was alone, but that didn't bother me. I just love being there and soaking it all in. That was day #12 for me since getting my pass in January. Early in the day, Allie talked me into doing the annual passholder churro challenge. It consisted of this:
1. buy the map for $5 after proving you're an AP holder
2. find the 4 churro carts on the map and get a sticker at each one. No purchase necessary.
3. return the map with stickers to the AP area and get a special button
The churros were different flavors for Pixar Fest. There was ants on a log (donut flavor), carrot cake, a Mexican chocolate one inspired by the movie "Coco," and a lemon one. Even though there was no purchase necessary, what's the point of the churro challenge if you don't buy them and try them? I told Allie I would just break off a piece of each one and give the rest to someone near me. She said "nobody's going to want your churro." Well, I proved her wrong 3 out of 4 times. The first one was the ants on a log in Bugs Land. I shared it with some very happy high school students. I made sure to get a picture to send Allie.
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| the kid on the far left is named Dane |
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| Stickers especially for annual pass holders for Pixar Fest. I now have 4 different stickers |
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| The incredi-coaster is about to open |
I waited in line to meet Anna and Elsa from "Frozen" and was stoked to find out that Olaf was also there. The girls asked about my churro challenge map and I told them how I had plans to share. They liked that idea.
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| How have I never noticed this "secret" passageway from Monsters, Inc. to Hollywood Blvd? |
I also did some important research by purchasing the pulled pork hot dog on Hollywood Blvd. Seriously the best hot dog I've had and I want to replicate it. A great dog, pulled pork, a teriyaki sauce, and pineapple salsa.
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| Look at that toasted bread-"best supporting roll" |
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| I was THIS close to Cinderella, my favorite princess |
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| they were giving out these cool buttons. I got one for Kamiko and one for Keenan |
The next churro was the chocolate one in Frontier Land. I thought I'd really like that one and perhaps eat the whole thing. Nope. It was a tiny bit too bitter for my taste. I gave it to a dad that was nearby with his wife and daughters. When I told him he got the rest because I didn't love it, he said I had really sold him on it. We got a laugh out of that.
The 3rd, and my favorite, was the carrot cake one in New Orleans Square. You dipped it in cream cheese frosting with raisins and shredded carrots. That was GOOD. I had committed to a young couple in line behind me that I would give them the rest after I tried it. After the first bite, I told them they were lucky I had already promised it to them because it was so good that I could have eaten it all by myself. I stayed true to my word.
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| that skyline, though |
After 3 churro tastings in 2 hours, I went as a singer rider on the Matterhorn and Space Mountain. Not my best idea. I felt a bit nauseous. I got fresh air and water. I now know where to get free BIG cups of ice water. I walked along Main Street and noticed an empty chair on the porch of a house there. I've always wanted to sit there, so I did. For quite a while. It was very relaxing.
Then I got the last churro. Big mistake to offer it to the lady behind me. She didn't look fun and I should have trusted my gut. But, I offered it to her and she looked at me like I was crazy, but she took it anyway. I did not take a picture with her.
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| Look at the edible glitter on my finger. It was a cute one, for sure. |
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| My prize. It is now in my car. |
I rode Midway Mania, my favorite, Buzz Lightyear, Thunder Mountain, and others. I had a blast. I left the park around 2:30 because I knew it would get crazy crowded. This also gave me the chance to pick up Derek at work and give him a ride home. We had a nice visit on our long, full of traffic drive to Valencia.
Friday night we had pizza with the kiddos and hung out.
Saturday I took Rose to Chick fil-A for lunch after her morning karate class. She said she'd always wanted to get an adult meal, so I used my mother's day gift from Kamiko (a chick fil-a gift card) and made her wish come true. I did tell her that just because she can eat an adult meal, she doesn't have to get them when she's with her parents. She needs to listen to them and get the kids' one because it's so much cheaper. We had so much fun. We also hung out and bugged Derek by wearing our "Derek Hunter Fan Club" shirts. He really, really hates them. He hates them enough that I don't think I'll wear mine again. It really bugs him and now I get it. The kids just love playing outside. They were dog sitting, so we hung out the rest of the day and relaxed. Rose made plans for ice cream sundaes on Sunday. That girl never stops planning and thinking.
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| Me and my people: Charlie, Milo (who walks everywhere now), and Rose |
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| The fairy garden has had an upgrade since I was there last |
Sunday I went to 9:00 sacrament meeting. Then we hung out and relaxed. I decided to get myself a room in Mesquite for Monday night and break up the trip into 2 days. Rose was dying to have those sundaes. Around 3:30 she wanted to have them, but Derek and Rachel said it would have to wait until after dinner. She and I had sundaes after dinner and she was content. She also asked me if we could play school on Monday, with me being the teacher and her being the student.
Monday morning I woke up with the idea to teach Rose nutrition stuff using the Choose My Plate idea from the USDA. She had fun drawing pics of her favorite foods. Then we walked to CVS to buy her some deodorant and I let her pick out a healthy snack. She wanted to get chocolate graham cookies, but decided they weren't healthy because they were chocolate. I explained that graham crackers/cookies are actually a pretty good choice because they are a whole grain. She was happy about that and we bought them.
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| Rose's favorites. Bacon is included, as is popcorn and cucumbers |
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| My cute little Milo |
I got on the road before lunch. I got to Mesquite in good time and thoroughly enjoyed a comfy bed, watching shows on Netflix on my phone. I slept really well. I got up at 9:30-ish and got on the road. I got home in good time, too, listening to "Man's Search for Meaning" by Victor Frankl while I drove. He's a holocaust survivor/psychologist. I enjoyed listening and learned a lot. One thing that really stuck with me was him quoting a man who he met later in his life that had been paralyzed in an accident. The man said "I broke my neck, but my neck won't break me."
Wednesday, I was back at work, teaching my students about the virtue of the incredible, edible egg. A good week.
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