9 Months and 37 years, Pasadena and Hogwarts

It's not every day your young man turns 9 months, now is it, eh?

Or 37?

Well, Little Man and I both did, respectively, and on the same day.

It happened to coincide with a most auspicious event, a choir tour to Pasadena, which meant that The Wife and I had to take advantage of heading over to see Harry in Hollywood.  Having already experienced The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on the other coast, and visited Disneyland just a month before, it was just the right timing to finally see That Other California Park.

We flew to teeny-tiny Long Beach airport (and lost a baby toy, alas), rented teeny-tiny Kia Rio (despite their insistence that I upgrade for a larger care and my insistence that I and my very small party picked Economy size for a reason), drove DIRECTLY to the beach (which was wonderful and different from other recent beach visits), and then made our way to teeny-tiny Ramada in Pasadena (it wasn't the best place ever but they did [eventually...] have a crib, which was of utmost importance).

The front-facing camera is a game-changer I tell you.

We missed our babies!

We had some food at the impressively named Top Restaurant and the next day headed first thing to see Harry.

When we went to Universal Orlando, Harry only inhabited one of the theme parks, and I will say that based on our experience there at the time, Hollywood's version seems almost identical.  We bought our passes online which allowed us early entrance (but not free parking -- wah waaah), and this turned out to be a really great thing.  We were able to do all the big time attractions before most people even had a chance to get into the park.  The weather was great, the rides were few but fun, the experience was unique (all the escalators!) and the tour was worth is for the Bates Motel.  I had a birthday button from the very start which I'm pretty sure led to my being chosen at Ollivander's.  It was all very magical and the wand that chose me was cool but I ended up getting the Elder Wand instead (eep!).  We borrowed a friend's interactive wand so we could try that new feature, and I didn't feel AT ALL silly waving my wand and needlessly uttering incantations in front of shop windows...

Don't think I missed an opportunity to flaunt this little baby.

Or this one!

That's what we in the fandom like to call a REAlly Hidden Mickey.

Worth the hour-long backlot tour just for this set.

There was other stuff there too, like Squishee Milhouse.

Little Mister didn't seem to realize it was his 9 months, but he had a good time anyway!

I realized only too late that we were actually driving RIGHT PAST the Disney animation studio, which seems like a huge misstep on my part not to take more advantage of, but as far as I've learned we couldn't just traipse in and ask for a tour anyway.  It was enough for now to just see it, along with all the other Disney landmarks I've heard so much about (Griffith Park, Forest Lawn, etc.).

Later that night my choir met for rehearsal and dinner, which featured a lovely birthday sing-along and delicious ice cream sundae, and then the next day was the actual purpose of the trip:

Twohey's!  AKA 2ee's.  Don't ask, I don't know.

We were invited to perform a 23-minute show at ACDA.  It's a real honor to sing there, and we made the most of our time by showing just what a community choir can do -- wide vocal range, four languages, variety of style from early sacred to contemporary musical theater, and some effective and subtle choralography to top it off.  We were informed later that this ain't Utah, not just anyone gets a standing ovation, but...

We had just a few hours to wrap things up and get back to the airport, which is indeed teeny-tiny, and then head back home to see our other babies, from whom we had never until now spent a night apart, but who were safe and happy in the care of Nana and Papa.

Reunited!  And pretty happy about it!

It was nice to have another mini-vacation just a handful of weeks after our full-on family event, and baby boy did a great job on the airplane both ways, Julie was a great sport trooping along on my choir tour, and I mastered that last phrase of German that I had been struggling with.

Back home, back to work:

I wasn't there for my birthday but they decorated for when I came home all the same.

Then of course there was this...

This...

THIS!!!

As for Little Mister, he's still a happy healthy boy.  He's very active and crawling all over the place, he's eating plenty, he's having trouble sleeping through the night (at the time we had a plan which is now set in motion...), and he's starting to be more... vocal...  More on that in the weeks that followed.  He's really starting to prefer his mommy, especially to strangers, but he's still pleasant around relatives and friends.  He's been a champ through some sniffles and is showing real signs of more teeth appearing.  We're pretty sure he has a late-arrival birthmark, his hair is lightening considerably, and he is still tall and chubbsy.

So happy!  Even when his nose is runny!

Beach boy.

So happy!  Clever Mommy to remember to bring his li'l hat!

*blink*

 Love that boy!  I was glad to share my big day with him!  See you in a couple weeks!

Baby Girl Turns 3

Just like last year, it's hard to believe another birthday for Smoochface has come and gone.  We still call her Baby and she's more adorable than ever with her snuggles and funny faces and that little Head Tilt she does and everything, but she's definitely growing up.  She makes jokes and tells stories and has tantrums on occasion, and is generally starting to figure things out.

In the name of keeping it real, for quite a while we've had this really weird and often distressing bedtime regression where the majority of the time she just screams when we leave the room no matter what we try or do or don't try or don't do, and no matter if we gave in to the stalling tactics or ignored them completely, and though all the websites say to just let her cry it out all over again it didn't seem to be doing the trick.  It was extremely frustrating and disheartening and causing our hearts to break on the regular but we just didn't know what to do about it.  She's just generally so sweet the rest of the time but we truly dreaded bedtime.  But, at long last, we've made some progress.  We feel like she's probably just lonely, because she's fine while we're nearby, so usually one of us will just lie on the floor next to her bed and read or write or elsewise multitask, so she knows we're not there to visit or play, but to keep company while she reads and goes to sleep.  Miraculously, it has really been working, and it's absolutely worth the time spent in her room (then we get some nice companionable silence with her instead of listening to her cry for an hour or two).  Next: how to get her to stay in her bed all night, though I admit the cozy snuggly warm body in between us at night is not an unwelcome thing to wake up to on cold nights.

Anyway, back to the real business:  She is so cute and funny and sweet.  She loves Nursery, she loves her bros, she loves her mommy, and I'm glad to report she loves her daddy too.  She dropped the binky with little to no reluctance ages ago, potty training was a relative breeze, she has a good and pretty varied appetite, she gets the usual scraped knees and bonks on the noggin that come with trying to go generally faster than her little legs will allow.  She sometimes has trouble listening but also knows how to obey.  She is observant and makes relevant remarks and jokes and always wants to know what we're talking about.  She has a lot of unique interests but she's also aware of what others are doing and enjoying.  She's both average and she's extraordinary.

Pictures!

Great baking helper

Clearly enjoying her (and our) first ever Comic Con.  She had a princess dress when we arrived but had an Accident before we even entered the venue, immediately outside of the bathroom of course.

She made up for the lack of costume the next day.

It's like she knows she's so adorable or something.

Except when she makes faces like this lawlawlawlawl.

Yes, based on the number of stickers on these charts... I'd say she has the concept of using the potty pretty well down.

Ward choir buddy.

Sunday picnic.  Those crossed ankles!!! <3 td="">

Her smile!  (And his!)

Quoth Mommy, cool shades, girlfriend!

Noticing a startling resemblance when we introduced the kids to a certain Christmas classic.

A budding artist!  All the grandkids love Nana's watercolor corner.

If there are Christmas lights on display we will find them!

First visit to Disneyland!!!  She had her concerns the first time on the Carrousel but she shortly overcame them and to this day tells us how she was "so brave!" thereafter.

Taking a little daddy-daughter walk one morning to the esplanade to clear the motel room space and give her a little breather.

Reposting this to draw your attention to...

...THIS. XD XD XD

Heading into Narnia at another small con in Sandy.

She loves a balloon animal.  I think the remaining portion of this poor creature was only just disposed of.

Her last night as a 2-year-old. So adorable when she sleeps. *sigh*

The birthday cereal box isn't really enormous, it's just enlarged to show texture.

This cake by Mommy is so amazing!!!  She loved it so much!!!

Big birthday smiles (and a photobomb by Charlie)

Happy birthday, Smooch.  You know how to work your Daddy but he also knows how to work you (as much as anyone knows how to work a toddler, ha).  We can't wait to see what 3 means for you.

Our Funny Valentine At 8 Months

8 months!  Our little man is still such a happy boy.  He's trying new foods and unfortunately sleeping not as well (plans are in place and being gradually carried out... once he's in his own room things will really improve we're sure), but he has a ready and willing smile and is babbling and crawling all over the place and starting to cruise and is generally as pleasant as ever.  He's always learning new tricks, like waving and clapping and maybe even saying recognizable words... He has two little storybook illustration bottom teeth and beautiful baby blues and his hair is growing in (surprise surprise) fine and fair.  He did a really awesome job on his first long road trip and family vacation, and obviously enjoyed his first visit to Disneyland.

It occurs to me again that for the other two kids I had spent a lot more time at home with them by this point so I kind of feel like I haven't had as much face time with this one (and not as many pictures...), but it makes the time we do spend together that much more special.  I often sit him on my lap for church meetings -- and we often nod off together, ha.

Such a happy boy. 

Best traveler!

Saying goodbye to CA.

That hat is barely fitting these days!

Everyone is smiling!  I think I was making some ridiculous face and sound effect combination but it worked.

Then there was Valentine's Day which of course I don't have a single picture to prove.  Oh wait, yes I do!

The Boy enjoyed his party at preschool and there were flowers and chocolate and promises I intend to keep, the usual family couples' sushi party with some nice modifications, and conversation hearts aplenty (two thoughts: I had some of the littler ones this year and what is the point of them if the words are so smudged you can't read them??  Also, did anyone else know these are actually specific flavors?!?  What.).  Of course I have to read them first and this was a random pick, which I showed to Julie, at which she replied, "I did!"  And I'm so glad she took the chance and sent that email, almost twelve years ago exactly.

Also a couple arts!  This one's kind of melancholy but this one makes up for it.

Until next month!  Which is like next week.

Disneyland 2018, Party of 7

A handful of months ago we realized it had been five years since we went to Disneyland, which is basically like 17 years in Regular People Time, so we decided to finally follow through with our sixth or seventh blue-skied trip and take the kids at last (the fact that our off-season scheduling coincided with a big student loans milestone and tax refund time made it all the more appealing).

SO WE DID!!!

We did it!

We took the kids to Disneyland!!!

We invited Grandma Sue to come along, so after picking her up at the airport and another day of final preparations, we loaded up our new wheels (thanks to last year's refund, ha) and in the dark of the next morning popped the kids in their car seats still in their jammies and made our way south and west.  The drive was pretty amazing, with only two stops for gas and potty and nursing (hello St. George Temple sisters and shady Baker gas stations) and had no whining whatsoever, and we didn't even do the big on-board DVD player reveal until the last couple hours!  We took a wrong turn or two in LA but we didn't have to deal with much traffic and we were so happy to see these:

We breathed in the air and checked in to our usual favorite Del Sol, literally across the street from the Disneyland entrance, opting for a family room complete with bunk beds, which were apparently the best thing that's ever happened in the history of ever.

He was happy to take the top bunk.

 A dip in the pool and the great hot tub and some pizza takeout and then to bed with everyone after a long day of traveling (though I was itching to get over to that esplanade and just see it...).

Did I mention that we didn't tell the kids we were going to Disneyland?

WE DIDN'T TELL THE KIDS WE WERE GOING TO DISNEYLAND.

We told them JUST the night before that we were going on a long drive in the morning when it was still dark and going to the beach, all of which was true.  So the morning of Day 1, we just were like, let's take a walk and see if there's a park around here or something...

And then we waited to see how long it would take for them to realize where we were.  We've listened to the albums and looked at a lot of our books so we thought the sights and sounds of the entryway would clue them in before too long, and I actually think Baby Girl figured it out first (though she kept calling it Wonderland -- works for me).  Then the Monorail went by and The Boy was like... whaaaaat.

Not even inside the gates and dreams already coming true.

We were prepared for the many closures and construction walls (and numerous locals) and other such things that come with going during the "off"-seasons, but even so it was wonderful.  We had also made sure to manage our expectations, since the last time we came we didn't have ANY kids of our own whatsoever and knew this trip would be a lot different, but we really made it work.  We met The Wife's aunt Carol who was so fun and join us for every day in the parks and offered many services, including coupons and a willing wait-outside-with-the-baby volunteer!  It was also great that she and Grandma had a chance to get lunch together and talk and catch up like sisters do.

Charlie meeting Charles, catching sight of the castle, my kids recreating old family photos, me happily sitting on the teacup sidelines, getting a churro despite all my intentions not to, eating Dole Whips due to all intentions to, everyone enjoying the submarines and dinner at French Market!

Date Night at Disneyland!  This particular menu item was top priority on Julie's list.  Next time I am getting that same sundae but with cookie dough ice cream om nom nom.

One of the perks of having Grandma with us is that she was ever so nice to stay with the kids while we gallivanted about for the extra hour after bedtime and before park closing like we were honeymooners again.  Enough time to catch a ride or two and a treat on the way out!

Day 2!

Top of list and mind was to immediately go to Radiator Springs.  Let it be realized that Julie and I hadn't even been here yet, as it was days away from opening the last time we were there, which was fine for us at the time, and really it worked out because first of all, crowds and lines were quite manageable and secondly, if we went there before kids we would have been like, cool, Cars, looks like the movie, now let's go do something else.  But when your kid is clearly the biggest Lightning McQueen fan in the world... it's like the best thing that's ever happened to anyone in the history of ever.  Yes, Cars Land was created for my son (in part by his own great-aunt's husband!  Amazing!!!).

It's impossible to describe the joy and amazement as it slowly dawned on him where we were and what everything was, and then the absolute glee as he recognized each and every element of the street and atmosphere, and then the tears-inducing moment when he saw his BFF live and in the... flesh?  When he saw Mickey he was like, wow, Mickey! But when he saw Lightning it was like his world was complete.

We spent most of this day in DCA, which was fun to gradually remember is quite different from last time we went.  The Little Mermaid is always great, a bug's land has taken on a whole new meaning, I should have taken my Dramamine, I had ribs at Flo's, Adelaide was TOTALLY into Turtle Talk with Crush, Thor and I acknowledged each other, Guardians of the Galaxy gets a big MEH from me, and Frozen on stage gets a smaller one.

But nothing else matters because Cars was a big win.

Date Night again!  Thanks, Ma!

-- BEACH BREAK!!! ---

I kind of wanted to immediately drive along the ocean the first day we arrived but it would have to wait... until this day.  We took our time in the morning and made our way to Huntington Beach.  I confess the entire day didn't quite live up to what I had expected, though I don't know what I was expecting since it was largely like any other time we go to the beach.  I think it was just different with little kids and we didn't quite have the supplies we needed (no beach toys?!?  Rookie mistake!) and the water was kind of cold (it is February after all).  Anyway, they were shooting some kind of fitness advertisement nearby and the bathrooms were gross and the weather was perfect so it was just great.  Also, BIG NEWS:  The Costco there has an outdoor walk-up food place.  Yes, food place.

Taking a break with sleepy and fretful Baby after two days of vacation while everyone gets ready for the day back at our room.  So lovely that we can just walk across the street and hear the telltale music.

Good for the soul.

Why even go into the Parks?!? They were amazed beyond amazed by this fountain at Downtown Disney.

We rounded out the day by shopping at Downtown Disney and eating at last and the famous and infamous Earl of Sandwich and getting very expensive and delicious ice cream and then prepping for our last Day.

Day 3!

Filling in the gaps on all the things we didn't catch the first two days and already sad we would be leaving the next day.

Adelaide overcomes her Carrousel fears, the kids test their strength, Charlie looooves the roller coasters, stern at the helm, funny faces as the Royal Theatre (huzzah!  Also new since last time), my recent favorite, Charlie enjoying what was always my favorite Main Street attraction, MEETING RED, Julie Gets That Turkey Leg, and enjoying the great new Soarin', which just amazed Charlie.

Party of seven!

By the way, there haven't been many pictures of this poopsie, but that's because mostly he was sleeping or snuggling or being generally happy but not going on too many rides.  I mean just look at that face.

<3 td="">

Something else I did this time around that was new and different was a series of art drops.  It was hard to decide which ones of the prints I made so I just picked several, ha ha.

As far as I know all were discovered!  Though no one followed the instructions and posted as such, wups.

I wish I could take credit for the idea but I had seen other artists do this so I thought I would try.  I placed a 2-3 prints each day we were in the parks along with a few shots of clues as to their location and just walked away!  A few people reached out and let me know they found them, others I witnessed incognito and others I presume were found because they were no longer there when I (or others) checked.  So even if they were picked up by Cast Members brushing up popcorn or doing their nightly sweep they all found a home which is fun.  It was like a reverse treasure hunt or something.

We caught dinner all together where I had ribs again (Korean this time, and some too-loud live music at the Lunar New Year).  Then one last Date Night and trying to get some sleep for the inevitable drive...

A new addition to our farewell hotel photo tradition.

Then, alas, it was time to go home.  It's funny, not long after our first Disney day started The Boy was like, can we go home now? (Possibly he meant the motel, which of course is the best place ever on vacation), but I knew that it wouldn't be long after leaving that they would be asking to go back, and they have, though not ad nauseam, ha ha.

Who needs audio-animatronics?!?  Note his "squishy" Cars (bath toys). We didn't buy many souvenirs, but we did buy those, and almost left them at this gas station, ha.

The drive home was [almost] as great as the way there (though I will never again take any crap from California drivers complaining about Utah drivers... don't get me started), though of course it seemed to take twice as long.  We didn't leave in the dark of morning, but we did arrive in the dark of evening, and though the two younger kids only had a few moments of... distress (understandable, we were all pretty much over it after five days of vacation and 8 hours in the car), they were able to recoup, after a potty break and with a little help from Nemo and Lightning, and we pulled into our garage in pretty good time and very safe and the car did great.

She earned her ears.

So it was as good a trip as we could have hoped, the weather was perfect, the crowds were manageable, construction notwithstanding, the app was very handy, the kids had a great time, Mom and Dad kind of needed another vacation after, but WE DID IT.  WE TOOK THE KIDS TO DISNEYLAND.  There were some boxes that need to be checked off next time we go, but at least they've been.  Now they have context for their beloved Disneyland music and some memories are firmly in place, and we had some great Grandma/Aunt time and overall we just loved it and felt kind of unjustly jealous when some family went just a few weeks later.  Disneyland is definitely different with kids, but its own kind of magical.  It's not like we can up and go there twice a year like we used to, but I'm so glad a lot of my childhood memories' seeds have been planted.  I can definitely understand by Charlie costs and Adelaide (and younger) doesn't, as his enjoyment was exponentially higher, and Aunt Carol even remarked that she's never seen a kid more excited about Disneyland, which is gratifying and even inspiring.  Ah, youth.  Ah, magic.

Until next time, Land.