Yes, there will be photos and more details-- more than you want, but we don't want to forget how much fun we had together somewhere around October.
ARRIVAL
After safely navigating our way, we made it to a warm welcome from our Bramwells and some new ones too. I couldn't believe how much we had missed them. We took a quick tour that ended with the swimming pool. Caitlyn started with a simple toe dip and recklessly got in over-her-head in a matter of a minute. We slipped some swimming muscles on her and she was content to swim in her clothes. Benjamin was more sly. He went slowly deeper and deeper until his mother sighed and said he too could finish soaking his clothes. Noah demanded proper swimming attire and a life jacket before happily splashing with the rest of them. Our kids had no idea you could actually swim at night.
Day ONE: Meet the Ocean
Our first day in California we headed to Mission Beach. We toted all the kids and enough snacks to stay a couple days at least. We did all the usual beach things: bury an impressionable kid, chase kids with nasty seaweed, dig for those little crab-like guys that go in and out in the surf, swallow seawater. I felt like a pasty plump pastry in my beach wear until I realized that I had NOTHING to worry about. Its good to get some real perspective in life. There were a lot of large bodies and very little fabric to go around roasting on that sand... hmm, as I put on another dose of 50+ sunscreen. I will try lily-white and modest on for size.
Our Favorite Bionicle Toas
Day TWO: Legoland
Cue angelic harmonies. Need I elaborate? Well just a little. This is a lego fiends' dream. The kids drove their in their own Lego cars, rode a Lego dragon coaster, and shot lasers at all of Indiana Jones' foes. Caitlyn got girl legos for her birthday, which came with a lego horse. Consequently, all she wanted to do at Legoland was ride one of those Lego horses. She was brave until two seconds after saddling up. As the horses gently rocked along a track various lego knights challenged the riders to joust. Talking Lego knights were not IN the brochure and Caitlyn was terrified. She sobbed the whole way. Meanwhile Noah was getting sick on the dragon roller coaster and Benjamin was feeling like he was going to meet his death on the same ride.
Highlights: Buying Legos in bulk.... lowlight $32/pound. STEEP! I guess I have never actually weighed a Lego set before, but wow spendy.
Jeff and I were prepared for a day of wild rides with our fearless children (we both took dramamine). When our kids and the rides didn't require fearlessness, the real benefit came in. Long after other parents were grappling with their kids and losing patience, Jeff and I were so calm that we were happy to wait in lines, or not or wait or whatever our kids wanted to do. Dramamine secured us in the happy family group of Legoland officionatos. Did we get more souveniers? Don't worry they also sell every lego set, accessory and kitsche available and we made our way home with a lot of it. The fruits of our rock-picking labors finally came to bear. If anyone needs a Lego brick cupcake pan, I might have one...
Legoland exclusive:Granny Smith Apple Fries with Cinnamon Vanilla dipping Creme. Good, but not as good as good old french fries.
I guess not all princesses live in Disneyland after all. Caitlyn, a princess officianto, spotted this one 200 yards away. After permission from the parentals, she ran to meet the princess and bring her to "my mommy to get a picture of me with you."
2 comments:
Ha! I laughed through this whole post. And again, I'm going to have to remember that Dramamine trick :) We hope to make it to Disneyland next year-ish.
That looks like so much fun! I love Caitlyn's hair, too! Super cute. Dramamine? You made me laugh so hard I almost snorted my uvula out my nose.
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