The main reason we vacationed in Anaheim was to go to Disneyland. It was kind of a combined anniversary, birthday, and graduation present to me and Kevin. We were so glad our friends wanted to come with us. It gave Jameson friends to play with and friends for us to play with. Jeremy and Laura are now invited any time with us to Disneyland. They are our personal tour guides around the park, and know all the tricks to the lines. They were also willing to sit with kids a few times so we could go on adult rides. Thanks a bunch to you two!

Wednesday morning, we woke up early, well we did, I think everyone else was use to getting up early. (I’m greatful Jameson sleeps in the morning and doesn’t wake up with the sun.) Preston and Gavin were so excited to go see Mickey’s House. I played this up with Jameson, too, since Mickey is all he knows. Kevin had a work meeting he had to call into, so the rest of us headed over to the happiest place on earth, and were through the gates by 8:30 am.

We decided to go for all the kid’s rides first. Jameson was not so sure about Peter Pan, our first ride. He has mixed emotions about boats. Preston and Gavin, on the other hand, practically jumped on as soon as they could. I sat Jameson down, gave him his blanket for support, and he held on.

Jameson’s face pretty much explains his feelings.

Jeremy opted to watch Marley since she was sleeping. He took his station by the strollers.

We went on a few more of the smaller rides, till the boys saw Dumbo. We got in line, and Jameson was fine till I got ready to climb in Dumbo. He would not get off my lap, which luckily, I could strap him in on top my lap, but still. Dumbo started flying and he was not too happy. Gavin had no hesitation with the joy stick. Poor Laura, got a little more than she bargained for. Preston only knew how to push it down, so Jenna spent most of her time near the water. After one round of Dumbo, I learned no more rides that just go in circles for me. It took a while to recover from that one.

 

As we were in line for Mr. Toad’s ride, I was holding Jameson because he wouldn’t get down. He was fine, eating his sandwich. Then he saw the cars. As people were loading in front of us, I screamed so loud. Laura looked at me asking what happened. Jameson bit me!!! It was so hard and unexpected. Everyone in line was now looking at me, I was about to cry it hurt that bad, and it was our turn to board. I was a bit confused or I probably would have bitten him back. Instead, I was trying to get into our little car, Jameson was kicking and screaming, and the operater lady was looking at me like, “Are you really going to put your poor child through this if he doesn’t want to go?” HECK YES I AM! Especially now that he’s bitten me. I don’t want him to think if he bites it gets him out of stuff. So I was trying to hold him down so the lady could put the bar down, and everyone in line was staring. If she would have just let us go I would have pulled the bar down. He calmed down once we started going. Geez! I had a black and blue shoulder for about a week after. Not cool!

After, we headed over to Buzz Lightyear or “Luzz Biteyear” as Preston calls him. They were so excited. Jameson was a little bit better. He got to see a giant Buzz while waiting in line. Then, in the car, you shoot at all the targets throughout the ride. As you can see, we didn’t do so well.

It also didn’t help I had Jeremy and Laura in front of me. I was laughing so hard, and mostly taking pictures of how intense they were through the whole thing.

Afterwards, Kevin was able to meet up with us. It was just before 11:00 so we gave the kids their sandwiches and snacks. Guess who was also waiting for us?

The kids also loved playing with this ball. We couldn’t figure out how it was spinning and floating on the water. The kids sat and played with this while, a few of us went on space mountain. We used baby passes which got us to the front of the line lots faster. After, we headed to Mickey’s House. All the boys were so excited. Let me tell ya, it’s a work out pushing a stroller all over Disneyland.

After playing at Mickey’s it was time to actually meet him. We waited in line, with tired kids, but they were really good. We walked in the room, and Preston was  starstruck! He was in aww of Mickey. He started singing for him and everything. Jameson knew it was Mickey, but didn’t want to go near him. He liked seeing him, but did not want to get close. That’s why every picture with a character he’s looking at them holding on to us for dear life.

After Mickey’s we headed back to our condo for naps and lunch for us. Jameson was asleep before we even left the parking garage. We got back and put all the kids down. Jeremy and Laura spent some time in the pool while we all relaxed. We repacked our diaper bags, made more sandwiches, and when the kids woke up we headed back to Disneyland. That way, we were also out of the dead heat in the middle of the day.

We headed back over to toon town so the kids could see a few more houses. Jameson could have stayed there all day.

He found the boat by Goofy’s

He then headed over to Minnie’s to help take her phone messages, and make cakes.

 

This is the only picture we got all three somewhat looking at us.

Next we went by Chip n Dales.

There was almost an escape. Luckily, the doors were locked.

One of Jameson’s favorite  rides was It’s a Small World. We ended up waiting in line for it, while the other line could walk up and board a boat. The problem? They were loading a handicap onto a boat which took forever. We definitely picked the wrong line there. Jameson loved the ride, though, which was a nice change. We got out some more food for the kids, including popcorn which Laura originally made fun of us for packing. In the end, she asked for some.

I think the longest line we waiting in the whole day was for Finding Nemo. We ended up waiting about 20 min. When we first crawled in the submarine, Jameson wasn’t too sure. Then we started going, and he couldn’t see out and got scared. I pointed out the bubbles out the window, and then he was fine. It was a little loud, so he would hold Kev’s hands over his ears. He loved seeing the fish and bubbles throughout the whole ride though.

After Nemo, we headed to the other side of the park. We hadn’t even gotten over there and it was already getting dark. On our way to the jungle cruise, it was time for the Tikki Room to begin. We filled in, and fed the boys some dinner we had packed. This was another of J-mo’s favorites. He loved watching the birds and flowers sing. Preston even did a little dance throughout the whole show. We thought Jameson would love the jungle cruise. Instead he cried during almost the whole thing. It didn’t help our guide was yelling into his mic and shooting off pop guns. We went on a few more rides, and then the fireworks started going. We had planned on watching them in front of the castle, but it didn’t work out that way. Instead, we got a great view, and it wasn’t as loud. The kids actually enjoyed watching them.

 

We hit up the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean before heading back. Jeremy was good to have around, because he would warn us before any loud noises so we could cover the kids ears. He would also tell the boys not to be scared and warn them what was coming next on the rides.

On the way back, we checked out the shops for some souvenirs.  I’m proud to say we spent less than $7 in the park. We got Jameson his own water bottle with Mickey Mouse on it, which he loves. The last thing bought that night was a churro. They smelled good all day, but I wanted the kids tired enough they wouldn’t want any. It worked, I didn’s have to share one bite.

 

Other than the bite that morning, we had no meltdowns the entire day. The kids did really well, even up until 11 pm on the tram heading back to the car. We loaded the tram, after waiting for about 2 trams to fill up, then were told there was a problem and we needed to board another tram. Really? We made it back, put the kids to bed, and crashed for the night. We had tons of fun, and look forward to our vacation next year with the Lukes and the Tippets!