Savoring The Moments: Mouse, Mama!!!!

Taking the girls to Disneyland has always been a dream of mine. My parents took me to Disney before I started kindergarten and, despite having hives while we were there, I have some great memories. So, all that to say, I'm not sure who was more excited when we woke up that first morning.

Luckily, we were granted one early morning entry into the park so we decided to use it the first day because we knew that none of us would be sleeping. Before we even made it to the park, G spotted Mickey in the hotel's restaurant and immediately started pulling on my arm, pointing, and yelling, "Mouse, Mama!! Mouse, Mama!!!" In that moment I knew that I did not need to worry about either of the girls being afraid of the Disney characters walking around the park. They were already mesmerized.

After a quick (and overpriced ;)) breakfast, we headed out the door to enter the magical world of Disney. I had read to get in line for the Peter Pan ride first since it is an extremely popular ride and the line just crawls along so we started at that ride in Fantasyland and that is where we stayed for most of the morning.

First moments in the park...Beauty's Castle

Daddy keeping the kids occupied while Mama stood in the Peter Pan line-

M was sure she could pull the sword from the stone.

G was more hesitant at first and then went in for the "kill."

We were able to ride Dumbo, or Bumbo as G calls him, which was a first for me too because Dumbo has always been closed on my previous visits. The teacups (tup-tups) quickly became a favorite for the girls. While there they rode them no less than 5 times. They also loved the It's a Small World ride. Watching their little faces take it all in was priceless. Something that I will NEVER forget. To them it truly was a magical place.

Bumbo with Mama

M flying the elephant

G rode this train with Daddy and loved every second

M loved this little boat ride through the mini versions of each princess' home,

and the girls had front row seats.

THE TUP-TUPS

Daddy explaining how they work

Pure fun over and over again

even that night

By lunchtime our little crew was lagging a bit so we rode one last ride (the Nemo Submarines) and then headed back to the hotel for an afternoon nap. Just like the day before, G fell asleep in my arms and never woke when we laid her down on her bed. The poor thing was done!!

After naps our girls were dying to swim so we suited up and headed to the pool for an hour. The day before the girls and daddy swam a bit and much to the girls delight they were able to ride down the slide alone. The hotel provided life vests, which made this mama feel much better about sending her 2 year old down a slide alone. M was a pro at the slide and went time and time again. The first time G went down she came out head first and I figured that was it, but a few minutes later she was following her sister up those stairs and sliding like a pro. We were SO proud of both of them.

Loving their expressions

After swimming we headed back to the park and what will remain my (and probably Aaron's) most precious memory of our entire trip...the parade!! G had been inconsolable when we left the park for naps because she had not seen any princesses yet so our fingers were crossed that there would be princesses in that parade. We picnicked on the curb to reserve our prime location and waited. M loved the music and showed off her dance moves in the street and G just soaked it in until the parade started.

"Our curb"

Picnic and a rest

THE EARS

(G originally picked out the pink ones,

but we discovered they were too heavy to stay on her little head

so G and I switched.)

My Ballerina

Disney parades are the best and this year's parade did not disappoint. I will never forget M dancing to all the music and soaking in the colors & costumes or how G jumped up and yelled, "Mouse!" as soon as Mickey appeared on the first float. The memory of both girls reactions to the princess float will forever be etched in my brain.

Such concentration