Go Ducks!

Can't visit the Happiest Place on Earth without a hug from my FAVORITE character...Donald Duck!

11 - 0 - I LOVE MY DUCKS!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I am thankful for many things, including wonderful kindergarten art projects!

Lego Land

Our first major excursion when we arrived in sunny southern California was a trip to Lego Land. GREAT place for anyone with little kids. Big kids can enjoy the rides, too, but this place was designed with little ones in mind.

Yes folks, that is a lego replica of Mt. Rushmore. We also saw the Taj Mahal, Vegas Strip, New York City, Sydney Opera House, elephants, dinosaurs, etc. I know several adults who would LOVE to work there.

This may be my favorite restroom sign of all times. No better illustration, especially with a newly potty trained family member!

The Place Formerly Known as the Happiest Place on Earth

We had a great vacation. Seriously. However, the magic of years past has been altered a bit. I will post all of the happy faces and great poses later, but I wanted to keep it real. Our week started with a bit of the grumps. We saw much more of this face than in years past.

Someone forgot that you must be patient when waiting in line for rides.

Or when waiting in line to see favorite characters.

Or waiting for food to be served.

Or waiting for grown-ups to put on swim suits to go to the pool. (No photos of that, thank goodness!)

Or that LOOOONG wait (maybe 2 minutes) while a ride operator checks all the riders so a ride can start.

Rough life. A week at Disneyland with his parents and both sets of grandparents. Our annual family trip may be altered a bit next year. (T and I had some serious discussions about going w/o the kids next year.)

Bad Apples

I love Halloween. I love choosing a costume, helping the kids, decorating, carving pumpkins. This year, I thought it would be funny if T dressed a bit outside of his comfort zone. He drew the line at black nail polish.

Once I knew he was in, I couldn't resist joining in on the fun.

We are trying to look hard core. Hard to do with the kids laughing at us in the other part of the room. Did it work?

We walked the neighborhood with the kids. Sadly, a few neighbors didn't quite notice that we were in costume. I blame it on our cute chaperones!

Carnival Fun

B's school had a Halloween Carnival at the end of October. One of the games with the longest line was the "Cash Machine" only they weren't giving out cash, but "Free Dress Coupons". Since they wear uniforms to his school, it is a very big deal to earn these coupons.

We even got a video of G taking a turn. I am not sure if the princess helped or hurt her endeavor, but it was entertaining either way.

All We Need is

LOVE!

Fabulous G

B & G were treated to some time with Chuck the Rat (better know as Chuck E. Cheese) a few days ago. (Add this to the list of 100+ reasons we love Annie the Super Nanny - her willingness to take these two to CEC on a Friday night by herself and thinks it is a fun way to pass the time.)

At the end of their time, the kids were "buying" prizes with their game tickets. G was taking lots of time trying to make a decision and a line was forming behind her. As Annie urged her to make a choice, G turned to Annie and said, "But I need to find something FABULOUS!"

Fancy B

A few days ago, B & G were arguing in the back of the car about which movie they were going to watch for Friday Night Movie night. Every suggestion he made, she shot down. Every suggestion she made, he shot down.

Suddenly, B shouts, "G. Let's compromise!"

She gets quiet. He continues.

"Let's watch what I want."

She likes the compromise idea. "OK."

At first, I thought he was being very clever. Well, I then remembered a new favorite book in this house.

Fancy Nancy Splediferous Christmas.

"But my dad says we must comprise. That means we end up with the tree my mom wants."

Since this is one of my favorite lessons in the book, I have mentioned it a time or two (or twenty, but who is counting?). I guess he really is paying attention.

The Bike

G has been BEGGING for a big kid bike ever since she hoped on her brother's bike this summer. I knew back then that she would be getting one from her aunt, uncle and cousin on her birthday. The big reveal brought huge smiles all around.

Birthday Fun

What better way to celebrate a birthday than with four of G's favorite people?