Two days in Disney bliss

Disneyland was, of course, so much fun but very, very challenging as I was the sole adult with a 2- and 5-yr-old. Matthew really got cheated out of alot of rides he was tall enough for, but not old enough to go on alone. Jake perpetually had his hand over his mouth - his comfort during times of anxiety and uncertainty. Funny dude.

Pirates was our first ride, complete with the obligatory cheese pose.

After torturing Jake on Pirates and the Haunted Mansion (hey, there were no lines and you HAVE to do those first... who needs to ease a baby into the concept of water falls and scary ghosts riding in cars with you?), we went on the Pooh ride - a little more Jake-style. It was my first time on this ride. Thought it was new, but the lady said it has been there for 5 or 8 years or something. heh. Disney is such a different experience when you are a parent...

Matthew scared the crap out of Jake and I on this... but he wanted to go so badly, we had to suck it up. I have never been on the rockets - for a very good reason. Man. Too high. Too fast. Too circley. But I managed to snap this before we launched.

Matthew got to ride Star Tours with a foster family since Jake was too short to ride, and when we finished we got a Fast Pass to the new premiere ride Buzz Lightyear... hard to shoot pics in there, but it was a cool ride. Jake was of course covering his mouth the whole time.

I know she is just a normal person... but, there is just something about a princess, eh? :)

Yes, he even covered his mouth during the parade. haha.

From all these photos, you would think Jake was not happy most of the time... but I promise, he liked Disneyland. Kinda. :) The boys on the train... (disguised as adventure, but really it was a rest break)

Cool new submarine ride. Also my first time on them. I have a terrible time with tiny enclosed things that go under water... but again, that parent thing... it's amazing what you can push through. Jake of course covered his mouth the whole time...

Tried to get shots of the three of us whenever I could

Splash Mountain at sunset. Matthew wanted to ride this so badly, but I just couldn't do that to Jake.

Awww. The magical castle. :)


My first time in California Adventure. This is where they have the Electrical Parade now. The boys absolutely adored it. :) But really? How could anyone not?

The boys and I just before the Playhouse Disney show. This was the first time Jake really let go and relaxed. He waved to all the characters and was so excited to see them - very cute.

My first time in Toon Town also... the boys had a blast, but this was day two and we were homeless until 4pm when we could check into the hotel, and dying in the hot, yucky sun. Poor Matthew had no stroller so he had to hoof it with me everywhere.

I took over 500 pictures of Disneyland alone, but you'd be amazed how hard it is to get pictures of the kids doing things when you are managing and keeping them alive and in sight the whole time. It was an exhausting, but fun, trip.