The Most I Can Fit Into One Day

On Thursday, we really did the most I think anyone can be expected to do in one day. At least the most I can be expected to do. I'm tired just thinking about it!

In the morning, we had pancakes and said goodbye to my mom (but not before we did a photoshoot with my mom and the girls right after I'd woken up after being up all night with Ginger). I am not posting the photos because there are limits to what I'll show on the internet, and what I look like first thing in the morning is not something I want to dwell on today!

After my mom headed to the airport, we had the rest of the day in front of us. Mr. Mustard had the whole day off, so we decided to make the most of it.

First, we went to the playground, fed the ducks, and flew kites.



As you can see, the kites were a big hit.



Paprika is getting really good flying her own kite.



So, we were having a great time flying kites and then I looked over and right beside our car, a truck pulled up to service the Port-A-Potties (yes, we parked right next to the Port-A-Potties). Live and learn!



I didn't want wait to see what happened when they drained the Port-A-Potties, so we threw everyone into the car and decided where to adventure to next. We thought about a few options and then said, "Why not go to Disneyland?"

So, we did it. We headed to Disneyland to take advantage of our status as Annual Passholders. I think at this point those passes have paid for themselves, and then some!

It was a pretty great day to go to Disneyland. Paprika rode her very first rollercoaster (twice!) and loved every second of it. I made sure we rode in the front car, because if you're going to ride a rollercoaster, the front car is the only way to go!



Paprika wanted to wait in line to see every character, but when we got up to them, she was terrified. Terrified.

We waited in line to see Mickey (for um...about 45 minutes) because she insisted she wanted to see him. But when we got in the room to have our special time with Mickey, she started crying and would not go within 10 feet of him. Mickey had to turn away while Paprika bolted by him and out the door.

Then, afterwards she said, "Can we go back to Mickey's House?" Okay....

This picture below is Paprika after she begged to wait in line to see Pooh. Ginger is napping in the Ergo under that big white thing (my nursing cover). She slept through the whole Pooh experience!



But then she was fine and we rode all the favorite rides, and Paprika even rode Pirates of the Carribean, which she hasn't ridden in a year...and she loved it.

By the time we got home, I was kinda tired (understatement)...but I'd say it was a pretty a-okay day, and one that we really didn't miss a moment of!

D-Land Solo!

On Monday, I might have lost my mind because that morning I woke up and decided to take Paprika and Ginger to Disneyland and California Adventure all by myself. Now, of course, I have taken them to Disneyland with other people and I have taken Paprika by myself when I was pregnant with Ginger. But this was my first trip with a 9 month old and a 3 year old with no other adults present.

It all started because of an advertisement Paprika saw in the back of O Magazine on Saturday. It was an ad for some Disney cruise and it featured fairies and Tinkerbell...and so Paprika would not stop talking about wanting to go see these fairies and Tinkerbell.

I think the ideal adult/child ratio for D-Land is two adults per child. This was obviously exceeding the limit, but what could I do? When you want to see fairies, you've got to go see fairies!

Even though the whole point of the trip was to go see Tinkerbell and her fairies, Paprika decided when we got there that she really wanted to go to the Monsters, Inc. ride first. We rode that twice and then walked around California Adventure checking out some of the characters.



Then, she said she really wanted to go on the Carousel (again, when were we planning on seeing the Fairies?) So, we rode the Carousel twice.



Then we went on the Pinnochio ride twice.

Then we went to lunch just the three of us at the little restaurant by the Pinnochio ride.

And then we went to see Tinkerbell and the Fairies. Paprika was so excited! Then she was nervous. Then she wanted to run away. Then she wanted to very slowly approach the fairies to say hello. Needless to say, I was focusing on her and not on taking pictures...so the moment passed by without photos. What can I say, this is one rare un-phootgraphed moment of her childhood. Cest la vie!

After that, we went to the Princess Tiana show, where we were front row. Paprika got up on stage with Princess Tiana. Paprika played the tambourine, and she danced in front of the audience, and it was just awesome. Really.



Then we rode the Buzz Lightyear ride (Paprika kept calling it the Buzz Light-berry ride).

And then we got settled for the big Parade on Main Street...



And after that was all done, it was time to head home. Big day. Phew! It was rather exhausting (at least for me), but well worth it considering all the fun we had!

The Mouse!

Guess where we went yesterday?



Got an idea?



The Happiest Place On Earth (or so they say)...



Mr. Mustard is working on a new show with a somewhat flexible schedule. So, he was able to spend most of the day with us before heading off to work. I love days like this!



The park was pretty much empty. We got to ride lots of rides (many times), had lunch, and even watched the parade! Paprika got to meet Donald Duck, Princess Jasmine, and Aladdin. She still definitely likes them much better from afar. Up close, she's not so sure...



The petting barnyard is always a big hit.



The thing I love about Disneyland is that the animals are always so freshly bathed, and they smell so nice (I'm not kidding).



I wonder if Paprika and Ginger will grow up thinking that all goats smell like lavender and rose petals. Ha!



After Mr. Mustard left for work, I was on my own with both Ginger and Paprika. I have to admit I was a little worried about taking care of a baby and a three year old by myself at Disneyland.



But, it worked out great. We sat and watched the parade. Rode rides together (slow ones for Ginger) until they kicked us out of the park at closing time. Both girls fell asleep in the car on the ride home. Success!

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D-Land at Christmas

We had a fun-filled day at D-Land today. We picked Paprika up from preschool and scooted on down. Stayed almost til the parks closed. Hit Disneyland and California Adventure.

I picked up a wicked cold at the Santa Barbara Zoo last weekend, and have completely lost my voice. This morning, I started on the meds the doctor ordered- I have been sick since September. Life cannot stop when mom is sick - too much life to cram in with these kids. Must keep going. The meds are already helping. I wish I'd taken them sooner.



We had a wonderful time- we rode lots of new rides today. Paprika is getting quite adventurous. She wants to ride everything scary- rollercoasters, rides that go wayyy up in the air and go very fast, and just a bunch of things that scare me (but of course I don't tell her that)!

She is now just 40 inches (barely)- and she was pulling herself up to her full height so she could go on the rides. She was borderline, but they let her through- it was pretty funny to watch Paprika trying so hard to make the height requirement. A few of the rides require 42 inches, and she was crushed she couldn't ride. Next year perhaps.

Today we rode Soarin' Over California together for the first time. I went on it a few years ago with my step-dad, Eric, and brother Robbie. It was just as nauseating the second time around- but fun!



Ginger did great. She was all giggles. She rode the slow rides- the Dumbo Ride, It's a Small World (twice), the Carousel...and in general had fun people watching and checking out the amazing Christmas decorations. A fun day was had by all!

California Adventure and D-Land!

Mr. Mustard had a few hours off work today, so we went to D-Land and California Adventure together. Paprika has been begging to go, of course. So, we took this opportunity to get there before it gets crazy at Thankgsiving.

The parks were empty. No lines. Awesome!



We rode a lot of our old favorites...



And a bunch of new rides, too. Paprika was so excited to ride the Ferris Wheel for the very first time, so we thought we'd give it a whirl.



When we were up at the very top, Mr. Mustard told me that he can't stand Ferris Wheels. Too late! After 9 years of being together, you would think I would know this by now. But I guess you learn something new every day.



The rest of us had fun.



We had a spectacular view of the park, and it felt like we could see for miles.



The End.

The Happiest Place...

We had a little family trip to Disneyland today! Paprika has been itching to go, and we decided that it was time...the weather is cooler and the crowds are gone. Hooray!



Paprika rode all her favorite rides, and Ginger rode some, too! That's right, it was Ginger's first trip to Disneyland on the outside. ;-) Of course, she visited Disneyland about 700 times when I was pregnant with her, but this was the first time she got to look around.

The first ride we rode was the Carousel, which Paprika calls "the horsey ride."



Ginger was in the Baby Bjorn, and slept through the whole ride. Maybe next time she'll be awake so we can stick her on a horse.

Here is the view I had of Ginger sleeping in the Baby Bjorn:



The first ride Ginger was aware of (translation: not sleeping) was It's A Small World (which Paprika calls "the dollie ride"). Ginger loved the ride. The first time we rode it, she looked at every single little doll on the ride, and then the next time we rode it, she did the same thing. It was a fave!

She also rode The Winnie The Pooh ride (which Paprika calls "the honey ride")- Ginger thought that was a trip, as well. I'd say that for being two months old, she's pretty excellent at rides. ;-)

This is a picture of Ginger riding on the carousel with me:



No trip to D-land would be complete without visiting our special brick. We said hi to Vivian and Annemarie's brick, and hi to Blake and Ethan's brick today. Every trip to Disneyland, I wish we were pushing Vivian and Annemarie in the stroller instead of saying hello to their brick at the gate. I am so glad that we have this brick to memorialize them, and it makes me feel like even though they aren't here with us physically, they are with us in spirit (as they always are)...

Disneyland and House-Hunting!

Yesterday we had one packed day! Mr. Mustard found out early in the morning that he had to work Thursday - this week is the season finale of DWTS and there is lots of work to be done... So, that cut our weekend from Wed/Thurs down to just Wednesday. Meaning, we really had to make it count!

We went to a showing with our realtor...since we are now officially in the market for a new house. We went and saw one house, and this was the view from the backyard. I am guessing we would never have to worry about anyone building behind us! :-)



We had planned to go to Disneyland afterwards. I had been throwing up the whole night before, my feet were at least two sizes bigger than they normally are, and with every step I took it felt like a knife was ripping my pelvis. I didn't think I'd be able to go.

But, then I realized that yesterday was the one last chance I had to go before the Fall, and I really wanted to see the bricks, in person, myself! Mr. Mustard starts a new show after DWTS wraps next week, and it goes through mid-June, and then by that time I'll be delivering and our passes will be on blackout (we are low-season passholders)...so yesterday was really the last chance.

So...we did it! I rented an electric scooter. I have no shame! It was money well spent. I cruised the park...not really in style...but it felt good! And I got to be with Mr. Mustard and Paprika and enjoy the day when otherwise I would have been stuck at home. It was super fun riding that thing! I felt a little guilty Mr. Mustard had to push Paprika in the stroller all day, but every time I have taken Paprika to Disneyland by myself, I have been pregnant and pushed her myself...so I didn't feel that bad!



The day was filled with wonderful surprises! I don't know how to say this without sounding like a total weirdo...but...I ran into a woman I know from the blogging world! I have read Michele's blog pretty much every day for two years. I don't know her in real life...but I feel like I do! She has the best tips for parenting, and I love reading about how she parents her four small children (triplets and a singleton). Whenever I feel overwhelmed taking Paprika here, there, or everywhere...I remember that Michele takes 4 kids by herself all over creation...and it makes me more confident! She lives in Las Vegas and I knew she was going to Disneyland sometime this week, but I didn't think it was yesterday, and I certainly didn't think I'd run into her. How cool is that?

Me and Michele:



Paprika got to ride all of her usual rides. Paprika rode a few with me and Mr. Mustard, and some with just Mr. Mustard while I watched! It was a fun, packed day. Here are some highlights!

Catepillar Ride:



Bumper Cars:



Teacups:



Waiting for the Choo-Choo Train:



Carousel: