California Adventure and Disneyland
We headed into California Adventure Wednesday right before our appointment with Ariel and friends. The lunch itself was pretty awesome - one flat rate per person and a bunch of choices for the three-course meal. We had bread and soup (hearty chicken noodle that I fed to Thayana, and onion cheese), and then Blaine and I had huge, yummy cobb salads for our entrees. Tariah had mac and cheese with a hot dog on top that was cut to look like an octopus. It was so cute. We had rocky road brownie sundaes for dessert (YUM), and they even brought out some cotton candy. While we were attempting to eat all of this food, the princesses each came around to sign autographs and take pictures with all of the excited little girls. It was so cool. I can't wait to scrapbook it all because I already know how I want to lay out the spread. :-) After lunch, we went on a few rides. Surprisingly, there were many rides that Tariah could go on and we could go on as a family. Tariah and I went on Jumpin' Jellyfish, then Blaine and I rode the Maliboomer separately, we all went on the Sun Wheel together, and then Blaine and I went on California Screamin'. The Sun Wheel was the most awesome ferris wheel I have ever been on. The gondolas are on tracks that cause them to slide around and swing like crazy whenever the big wheel moves. Tariah loved it. After that we decided that we were going to go around to the other side of the park so that we could catch Tower of Terror and Monsters Inc. We also caught another show before that - one where Mickey, Woody and Cinderella came out to greet everyone. Monsters was fun but a little boring. Blaine and Tariah went on Tower of Terror together. She loved it. I think that most of the people in the line thought Blaine was crazy for taking a three-year-old on that ride, but I am glad she went. I don't want her to grow up and be a ride wimp like Lindy and Jeniece. :-) I am glad I didn't have to spend the whole trip trying to get the girls to get on the rides.
We went to eat sandwiches and clam chowder in bread bowls for dinner and then I wanted to head over and get one more ride on the Sun Wheel before the light parade began. Unfortunately, they had already shut down the ride by 8:30, darn it. We got in line for the light parade, and it was neat. Both girls enjoyed the show, and so did I since I was getting all kinds of great night shots with my camera. Stupid California Adventure shuts down at nine, so we tried to go over to Disneyland afterwards. The place was completely packed, so we had a cookie sundae and got ready to walk back to the hotel. Both girls had crashed out even before we had entered Disneyland, so we got some time to just hang out together before going back.
The next day I wanted to go to Disneyland early to avoid the heat and the lines, but my alarm never went off. I woke up at 9:30 and we didn't get out of the hotel until 11 or so. We went to the Haunted Mansion and to eat some enchiladas, and then we headed to some of the kiddie rides for Tariah. I rode the Dumbo ride with her and then we went to It's a Small World. Both of the girls were completely mesmerized by that ride. I took tons of pictures. :-) We attempted Toon Town after that, but it was just way too hot. We stood in line in Mickey's house to take a pic with him, but the line was looooooooooong. I couldn't handle the heat and it was time for us to go get ready to meet Maya and Ari for dinner, so we took off.
Dinner at the Melting Pot was awesome. We spent so much money! We had the Fondue Feast just between Blaine, Tariah and I alone. Blaine and I chose the Wisconsin Trio Cheese Fondue, and the California Salad. The entree was Two Filet Mignon Medallions, Teriyaki Sirloin, Black Tiger Shrimp, Citrus-Marinated Pork Tenderloin, Breast of Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Ravioli. So. Good. Then Blaine and I had the Original chocolate fondue with a swirl of peanut butter for dessert. Afterwards, we went outside to take some pics together and try to finish our conversations. Maya and I ran around and played for a bit with Tariah. I had a great time. I wish Maya and I lived closer together.
Blaine and I decided to stay until Saturday so that we could fly home together, so Friday the girls and I hung out at the hotel room while Blaine went to work. That evening we walked to Downtown Disney to have dinner at the House of Blues. We both ordered a very spicy chicken sandwich. I hate overly-spicy foods, and I could barely even get the sandwich down. Blaine ate only half of his, which shows how bad it was - Blaine rarely leaves anything on his plate. I wish we could have spent more time in Downtown Disney, but we had to get back to the hotel to put the kids to bed. The plane ride home on Saturday was really nice because we sat in the very front and had an extra large spot where Thayana could wander around.
I just finished watching A Very Long Engagement on Friday and I really liked it. It was all in French and took me about five hours to watch because the kids kept interrupting. Audrey Tautou is freaking awesome.