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Disneyland With a Three Year Old

Posted by Carolyn on April 17, 2015 2 Comments

Let me just say it – going to Disneyland with a three year old is pretty much perfect.  I was thinking of doing some sort of ‘tips for Disneyland’ post, but decided against it.  I can’t claim to be an expert, or to assume how other kids would handle Disneyland.  Instead, I will tell you why taking Alma, by herself, to Disneyland was amazing.

Rides 3 And Then TheyShe was young enough that the magic was still fully alive.

Rides 95 And Then TheyShe was old enough that she could really understand the reality of that magic.  When we were flying on Dumbo, she knew what that meant – we had watched the movie and she knew how amazing and fun it was to be on Dumbo.

Rides 1 And Then They Rides 2 And Then TheyShe said she missed Harriet, but I’m pretty sure she actually enjoyed having us all to herself.  We also met my cousin Michael, his wife Michelle, their daughter Avalon, and family friend (and super amazing teenager) Ciara.

Rides 7 And Then TheyWe went on all the great little kid rides (except for Peter Pan, which was sadly closed) and Alma got to see wild animals on a cruise (and the elusive back side of water).  Rides 5 And Then TheyRides 4 And Then They

She got to see kids from all over the small world (we got to see this twice, and once for much longer than we meant – the ride broke down and we were stuck for about a half hour, luckily they turned off the music after about 10 minutes).  Rides 9 And Then TheyRides 91 And Then TheyShe got to fly with Dumbo – twice! Rides 8 And Then TheyShe got to spin in Alice’s giant tea cups.  I don’t know if there’s anything more magical, or more Disney, than that.

Rides 94 And Then TheyShe got to play in Minnie’s house.  The cake in the oven was a serious highlight for this girl.  With Disneyland, and all its wonders all around, I love that this was a favorite.  It’s what she told my mom all about.  “The cake gets bigger, then smaller, then bigger!”Rides 93 And Then They Rides 92 And Then TheyShe got to climb and play in Tarzan’s tree house.

Rides 6 And Then TheyWe did so much more, but it doesn’t matter.  What matters is that these things really did happen for Alma.  She was so in it.  She believed.  She actually met Mickey and Minnie.  She waved at Alice and the princesses.  Cinderella actually blew her a kiss.  It actually became nighttime while we were on the Pirates of the Caribbean.

In addition to all that, she did really well waiting in lines.  She only whined a little bit (and understood the warnings I gave her that if she fought with Avalon, or whined, that we would have to go home).

That’s why three years old is perfect.

[I should say that I really love Harriet.  She’s really fun these days, and getting bigger and smarter every moment.  But, I’m so, so, so glad we didn’t take her.  We saw lots of kids her age, and always commented to each other how glad we were that my parents were watching her.  All the kids her age seemed like they were on the verge, or in the middle of a tantrum.  They didn’t like waiting in lines, they looked really tired, and they had to have their diapers changed.  I was so glad to avoid the changing table – it looked miserable.  Besides all that, she wouldn’t have gotten it.]

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Posted in: a little moment, gave thanks., learned., parented. | Tagged: alma, Disneyland, fun, Parenting

Disneyland is Magic

Posted by Carolyn on April 16, 2015 2 Comments

A dream of mine came true on Sunday.  We took Alma to Disneyland.  She didn’t know what to expect, which made it all the more amazing.  Seeing her face as we walked into the park solidified my opinion that Disneyland is magic.  Truly.

Just standing outside the gates, she could tell she was somewhere special.  I mean, Mickey’s face made out of flowers?  Magic.

Disney Magic 1 And Then ThenWe got there right when the park opened, so it was really empty.  We got to watch all the horse drawn trolleys, and other vehicles filter into the park.  At this point I thought that would be enough.  Alma would have been happy just having seen this.  She had no idea the magic that was yet to come.

Disney Magic 2 And Then They Disney Magic 6 And Then They Disney Magic 5 And Then TheyWe rounded the corner and she saw the castle.

Disney Magic 4 And Then TheyJesse and I got down to ask her what she thought.  She seriously had no words.  Magic.

Disney Magic 3 And Then They Disney Magic 7 And Then TheyThe day went on.  She usually had a look of concentration.  She was trying to figure out what was happening.  She was trying to take it all in.

Disney Magic 8 And Then TheyShe met Mickey, and, I kid you not – she bowed to him.  Her face was serious.  She put one hand behind her back, and one hand on her tummy.  And bowed.  Magic.

Disney Magic 92 And Then TheyWe were at Disneyland for almost 12 hours, and by the end we were all running on the magic.

Disney Magic 9 And Then TheyWe were leaving when we ran into the parade.  We found a spot to wait for the princesses.  Rapunzel looked right at my girl and waved. Disney Magic 91 And Then TheyCinderella was on the back of the float.  Alma shouted out Cinderella’s name and showed her her own Cinderella dress.  Then Cinderella blew my little Alma a kiss.  I had a lump in my throat.  The magic was too intense.  Alma was in it.  She believed.  And it was magic.

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Posted in: a little moment, gave thanks., learned., parented., photography | Tagged: alma, Disneyland, magic
If God said, ‘Rumi pay homage to everything that has helped you enter my arms,’ there would not be one experience of my life, not one thought, not one feeling, nor any act, I would not bow to. -Rumi

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