another day at the Magic Kingdom
'Twas a good day. We got to Disneyland a little behind schedule, since I was late and Chris was later, but she had to wrestle two kids out of bed and into the car before 8 a.m. Boo had overheard us talking about Disneyland Monday two days ago, so she knew where we were going, but Squirt didn't have a clue until we were on the tram on our way from the parking lot, and the recorded voice said, "Welcome to the Disneyland Resort!" After slathering ourselves with sunblock and stuffing half our belongings in a locker, we got on our first ride.
Squirt is an odd critter. She only recently grew tall enough to go on the three roller coasters, and she's been on two of them before AND LIKED THEM, but today Chris made the mistake of coaxing (dragging) her on Space Mountain, which is not only a roller coaster, but it's inside and dark and loud and seems faster than it actually is, because you can't see where you're going and they blow air in your face. She came off the ride bawling, and she resisted every single thing we suggested after that. She didn't want to go on Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan, Autopia, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pooh, Roger Rabbit, or the train that goes all the way around Disneyland. It was very difficult to find things to do that would satisfy eleven-year-old-thrill-seeker Boo, I'm-not-fond-of-little-kids me, childlike-mother Chris, and stubborn-four-year-old Squirt. We split up a couple of times; I took Boo on Splash Mountain (a flue water ride with a five-storey drop at the end) while Chris and Squirt went on Winnie the Pooh. Later, Boo and I went on the Matterhorn Bobsled roller coaster while Chris and Squirt hit three of the Fantasyland kiddie rides.
Splash Mountain. You will get wet; they tell you that up front. They also tell you that you may get drenched. Boo was put in front of our little boat, and I was right behind her. We caught the biggest splashes I've ever encountered on that ride; my jeans, socks, and jumper were soaked by small waves of water at the bottom of every drop (there are four or five). We came off that ride just dripping: hair, clothes, faces. We were still wringing water out of our clothes half an hour later! Then I made the mistake of suggesting the Tiki Room, which is a rather tacky attraction but a good place to rest for twenty minutes or so. Problem is, they keep the air conditioning on high in there, so Boo and I cuddled in the corner the entire time. She was shivering in my arms, the poor thing!
I've been home for about an hour; I immediately shucked off my still-damp clothes and got into the shower. I'm now dry for the first time in seven hours.
It was a very good day, though not the best I've had there. I was pulled onto a couple of rides I don't like, because we had a little girl to accommodate, but each of us got to choose some of our destinations. As it was Chris' birthday, I took it upon myself to remind Boo of that fact: it's your Mom's birthday, and she kept you out of school today because she wanted to share it with you, so be nice. (While telling Boo under my breath that I agreed with her and that we'd come back in a few weeks and do it the way we wanted.)
At least this puts a hold on the day I take Squirt to Disneyland. She didn't let go of her mother for one minute. Boo was so disappointed when Squirt wouldn't go on a kiddie roller coaster with her; she looked so bored on that ride by herself! She's a lovely child, but she drives me nuts. And I can't see myself ever leaving Boo behind, so long as Boo wants me around. (I know the day will come when Boo leaves me behind, since that whole teenager thing is fast approaching. But me leaving Boo? Ain't happening.)
I'm fried, both literally and figuratively. I managed to sunburn myself on my shoulders and back around the base of my neck, even though I slathered that area with sunblock as liberally as I did my face, ears, and arms (and they aren't sunburned at all). I'm also exhausted, and I have a busy day at work tomorrow (after doing a few very important tasks in the morning), so I'm off to bed now. Good night.
Squirt is an odd critter. She only recently grew tall enough to go on the three roller coasters, and she's been on two of them before AND LIKED THEM, but today Chris made the mistake of coaxing (dragging) her on Space Mountain, which is not only a roller coaster, but it's inside and dark and loud and seems faster than it actually is, because you can't see where you're going and they blow air in your face. She came off the ride bawling, and she resisted every single thing we suggested after that. She didn't want to go on Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan, Autopia, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pooh, Roger Rabbit, or the train that goes all the way around Disneyland. It was very difficult to find things to do that would satisfy eleven-year-old-thrill-seeker Boo, I'm-not-fond-of-little-kids me, childlike-mother Chris, and stubborn-four-year-old Squirt. We split up a couple of times; I took Boo on Splash Mountain (a flue water ride with a five-storey drop at the end) while Chris and Squirt went on Winnie the Pooh. Later, Boo and I went on the Matterhorn Bobsled roller coaster while Chris and Squirt hit three of the Fantasyland kiddie rides.
Splash Mountain. You will get wet; they tell you that up front. They also tell you that you may get drenched. Boo was put in front of our little boat, and I was right behind her. We caught the biggest splashes I've ever encountered on that ride; my jeans, socks, and jumper were soaked by small waves of water at the bottom of every drop (there are four or five). We came off that ride just dripping: hair, clothes, faces. We were still wringing water out of our clothes half an hour later! Then I made the mistake of suggesting the Tiki Room, which is a rather tacky attraction but a good place to rest for twenty minutes or so. Problem is, they keep the air conditioning on high in there, so Boo and I cuddled in the corner the entire time. She was shivering in my arms, the poor thing!
I've been home for about an hour; I immediately shucked off my still-damp clothes and got into the shower. I'm now dry for the first time in seven hours.
It was a very good day, though not the best I've had there. I was pulled onto a couple of rides I don't like, because we had a little girl to accommodate, but each of us got to choose some of our destinations. As it was Chris' birthday, I took it upon myself to remind Boo of that fact: it's your Mom's birthday, and she kept you out of school today because she wanted to share it with you, so be nice. (While telling Boo under my breath that I agreed with her and that we'd come back in a few weeks and do it the way we wanted.)
At least this puts a hold on the day I take Squirt to Disneyland. She didn't let go of her mother for one minute. Boo was so disappointed when Squirt wouldn't go on a kiddie roller coaster with her; she looked so bored on that ride by herself! She's a lovely child, but she drives me nuts. And I can't see myself ever leaving Boo behind, so long as Boo wants me around. (I know the day will come when Boo leaves me behind, since that whole teenager thing is fast approaching. But me leaving Boo? Ain't happening.)
I'm fried, both literally and figuratively. I managed to sunburn myself on my shoulders and back around the base of my neck, even though I slathered that area with sunblock as liberally as I did my face, ears, and arms (and they aren't sunburned at all). I'm also exhausted, and I have a busy day at work tomorrow (after doing a few very important tasks in the morning), so I'm off to bed now. Good night.