Big Day – Disneyland!

Your first trip to Disneyland, the day after your second birthday. We’ve been counting the days. Despite all the naysayers who said that 2 was too young. Pshaw. You rocked it baby. I am so proud of you. This day will live in my memory as one of the best days we’ve had with you yet. I don’t have a negative thing to say about it. It was wonderful. And you did great. You loved it, embraced it, enjoyed every minute. You didn’t throw one fit, run away, get lost, or complain about one line. You held our hands, looked in wonder, took it all in. You are not a typical 2-year old, something we already knew. You’re special. And you made us all smile all day long. I’m still smiling thinking about it. And we CAN NOT wait to go back!

Not only did Daddy and I get to go with you, Mima, Papi and Tia Carmen also got to come along for this big first and we were all in seventh heaven getting to share this experience with you. I adore Disneyland. I’ve gone most years of my life, many years multiple times. We hadn’t been since you were born. But it was worth the wait.

Honestly, I didn’t take nearly enough photos. I wish I’d taken more (and brought more equipment). But then I also don’t because, when I wasn’t taking photos, I was enjoying being in the moment and I think that’s just as important.

We put you in the stroller every now and then when we needed to cover some distance, but most of the day you walked. We bought one of those cute stuffed animal backpack/leashes and put it on you for about 2 minutes. You hated it. And you didn’t need it. There was not a single time you took off or didn’t listen. Seriously, you are so good about staying with us, coming when you’re called, understanding that you can’t wander off. Not saying it couldn’t happen. Obviously you had multiple pairs of eyes on you or hands on you at all times, but really you are very, very good about staying with us. We prefer holding your hand over the leash anyway. So, we put that thing away and didn’t take it back out for the rest of the day.

You got a cute little birthday button that you wore (and actually liked wearing) almost the entire day. Every single character, cast member, ride operator, meal provider wished you a happy birthday every time they saw you. And they all called you princess. So cheesy, but so cool. Happy Birthday, Princess! It was awesome.

I really wanted to get that shot… the one of you in front of the castle, but it was the wrong time of day and we didn’t make it happen this time. This was the best I got. Next time for sure. 🙂

This montage is typical of your waiting-in-line experiences. Holding hands, smiling, climbing rails, people-watching. This was when we were in line for your first Pirates experience. Papi held you for your first boat ride and he claims you didn’t show a single bit of distress even at the drops. My brave girl.

Your favorite “ride” might have been Tom Sawyer’s Island (is it still called that?). You loved riding the raft, running up and down the stairs, exploring the caves, pumping the pumps, crossing the bridges, making decisions. I let you choose where we’d go at every juncture, and you’d immediately point, sometimes say “da de” (that way), and take off determinedly.

It was so great that we got to share this with family too. Every one is in love with you and the great thing was that you shared your affection with everyone equally. It was really sweet, and I think a gift from God, that you loved on each of us. We were all so excited to be there with you and you really did share it with all of us. Sometimes you’d  decide that you wanted to sit on Tia’s lap. Sometimes you wanted Daddy to hold you. Sometimes you wanted Papi to hold your hand. Your sweet little self made us all smile and we all felt like a big part of your experience. I feel blessed that it turned out that way, that you were so equal-opportunity. 🙂

We hope we get to share this experience with the rest of the family that couldn’t be here this time sometime soon.

We hadn’t planned on watching the parade. We ran into the ropes, quite literally, and decided to check it out. So glad we did. You really loved it. And Mima bought you a Mickey balloon right before it started. That balloon helped us find our stroller the rest of the day and annoyed Daddy by constantly bumping him in the face as he pushed it around, hehe. It made a great photo op for Momma too. Overall, a great investment.

The parade was spaced out just enough that the current float would pass us by before we could see the next act coming around the corner and that was your favorite part. You’d wait for the next one to round the bed and when you spotted it, you’d smile and point. Yay!

Teacups were probably your favorite true ride. It was one of the ones that Tia really wanted to take you on and Mima and Tia had a great time spinning your around. You really liked it. These things are not my favorite. The older I get, the more motion sickness I get. But I’ll brave them for you, baby. It’s worth those smiles.

The second day was just the three of us and we filled in all the gaps, riding all the rides we couldn’t fit in on day one. I took even fewer photos on day two, but here’s a few of you waiting in line to see Nemo from the submarine (you were utterly fascinated, I don’t think you blinked the entire ride) in your cute little Minnie ears.

That’s Daddy getting your nose. You think that’s hilarious and then become very concerned until he “puts it back.”

And that’s what you call a million dollar smile, at the happiest place on earth, on one of the happiest days we’ve shared together yet.