Okay, we didn't actually - and I'm surprised we forgot! Charlie's first musical debut was this morning at First Church. He was in the Spring Choir and performed, The Secret of My Success. Pictures, and more glowing comments to come. : )
This one is compliments of Macalan...
"You're funny Dad! But you're still my friend."
Kids.
Disneyland. What can I say, I'm not a big crowd person, and the logic of waiting 1-2 hours for an eight minute ride escapes me, kids of all ages throw tantrums by 2pm and everything is overpriced. Happiest place of Earth? Not for me - but we have kids now. It's not all about me anymore.
And, if you have to "do" Disneyland (and what self respecting parent doesn't feel obliged at some point?) we were certainly lucky to be able to do it in style. The boys' Grandpa Fred is a member to the super shwanky Club 33, a hidden little treasure that is more or less secretly located above the Pirates of the Caribbean.
For an hour or so we decompressed in elegance and filled up on amazing food you would never imagine to find at an amusement park. The kiddos were spoiled and given a ride in the "lift" all by themselves and I'm pretty sure they thought I wasn't serious when I said they could have dessert anytime they wanted AND were allowed to pick as many of them as they wanted to. (On an aside "Mom" note; I was pretty impressed they chose thoughtfully and didn't go as overboard as I would have guessed.)
Daddy had steak, of course. Mommy had Salmon, of course. And the boys had Mickey Pasta. The pasta was, no joke, shaped like Mickey Mouse. (And, they still didn't eat it which makes me feel awesome about all the food choices I've prepared for them and they've refused. If they won't eat Mickey Mouse pasta I think I'm comfortable in my thinking that it's them - not me.) There was also a buffet before the meal with Crab Legs, Lobster, Shrimp, bagels and lox, cheeses that would make you drool, various salads and fruits. As you can imagine - by the time the meal came no one was really starving. But Charlie managed to save room for the Special Mickey Mouse Birthday Cake that was served just before we finished.
As for rides...well, it's Disneyland and the lines are long. Here's our complete list from start to finish; Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, (the boys let us know in no uncertain terms that this was about their "max" in terms of scary and fast.) The Storybook Boat Ride, The Tree House (this used to be The Swiss Family Robinson and is now based on Tarzan) We explored Toon Town and saw Mickey Mouse and we rode the Rockets as we made our way to the Exit. Before we left the boys fell asleep and in order to give them a little down time after their big adventure, Mommy and Daddy walked through the new (to us at least) California Adventure Park. And then we headed home.
I found it first. And actually...your Dad found it before me.
Life has been running at a frantic pace lately. And this morning it nearly got the best of me. I was lucky and had time to listen to my heart and off I went over the hill to gaze at our ocean and listen to some music. Within 2 minutes the world felt right again.
I hope with all my heart you both take time to listen to your hearts and what they ask for when your worlds start to spin a little too fast. It's a skill that takes exploration, trial and error and a special kind of willingness.
I couldn't help but think as I was looking outward over the cliffs that this place will be a magic place for both of you in not too many years. I could easily imagine this place having deep roots in your memories when your grown and looking back upon your childhoods. There is clearly rich possibility of adventure here - and trouble and danger - so please be careful! Take careful steps, make smart choices. And someday...share your stories of adventure with me.
Charlie and Macalan love arts and crafts, and especially painting. They were thrilled to get up from rest time to a table that looked like heaven to them. Paint and glue and cotton balls and tissue paper and stickers. All to make an Easter Bonnet for Preschool. After working all afternoon on their Easter Bonnet Crowns, the boys brought them to preschool and were in a Preschool Parade. If you click to get started, you should see 2 videos. The first is of all the preschoolers walking in their parade, the second is of them singing for some of the offices around campus.
Video One:
Video Two:
