Everyone gets into one of the parks FREE on their birthday!
We decided to take advantage of this special deal on Mommy's special day.
Aunt Darlene sent us a ticket for Daddy to use and both girls are still free...so the whole family got to go to Disneyland together!
** On a side note, we are so blessed to be coast to coast Disney guests. Some people never get to go to Disney and our girls have already been to both parks in the US. Thank you, thank you Aunt Dar for such an amazing gift! **
Daddy wasn't with us in Florida when we went to Disney World so this was the first time he got to see the girls and all their excitement over the characters.
Madison was a little excited the night before as we got ready for bed.
We drove down May 19th, parked in the parking structure (if you live in FL and are unfamiliar with Disneyland, think Universal Studios- but not quite as big a structure), loaded up the stroller
and headed into the park.
We stopped just inside the gate to take a couple 'classic' photos.
Daddy remembers many photos with he and Uncle Dan on either side of Grandma and Grandpa Shemenski when he was younger.
Madison was crying and Kennedy had sun screen in her eyes and was in need of a nap so neither was thrilled about taking photos.
Kennedy fell asleep on our walk down Main Street
so Madison (still fussy) took a photo with Mommy in front of Walt, Mickey, and Sleeping Beauty's castle.
It seems so tiny compared to Cinderella's tall castle in Orlando.
Our next stop was the Carousel behind the Castle.
That cheered Madison right up.
Then we wandered into Toontown.
(I posted this for you, Sam. Isn't the painted backdrop cool? Green rolling hills against the gorgeous blue sky!)
Mommy ran into Pluto...who gave her a big birthday hug.
Madison and Daddy explored the town.
Then stopped to get an ever important Mickey Mouse ice Cream bar.
Kennedy woke up and had a little snack, too before we strolled back out of Mickey's friend's town
to ride the train around the park.
Another interesting difference between Orlando and Anaheim- the train seats face out, stadium style. Kinda weird.
We made a quick stop for Daddy to play,
then strolled thru Tomorrowland, watched the Jedi Training show (Madison thought 'Darf Bader' was so cool), and over to Autopia- which is kind of like the race cars in Orlando- but not really.
Kennedy hung out with Mommy while they rode, then we strolled back down Main Street in an effort to catch the Dapper Dans, a traditional Barber Shop Quartet.
They were not performing as scheduled so we stopped for a few photos
of Mickey's GIANT celebrate card
and our little Doodle
before skipping
and dancing back down Main Street
where Mommy and Kennedy paused for more photos
and some big smiles
over the castle.
** Now might be a good time to mention...both the girls seems a little under the weather the day before Mommy's birthday. Knowing we were going to Disneyland the next day, Mommy took them both to the doctor. Dr Pattan assured us (but Mommy didn't believe) both girls were A-ok. Kennedy was just not herself when we got to the park that morning. Throughout the day, her eyes watered more, her nose started running, and she just looked down right pitiful.
She spent a lot of time in Mommy's arms, the sling, or in the stroller napping.
It was evident to us (and you can tell by the photos) she was not a happy, healthy baby.
The next day, when we woke up I called back to the doctor and she called in an antibiotic. A week later when we took Kennedy for her 9 month check up, Dr Pattan still saw traces of a double ear infection. She said it must have been pretty bad to still linger 6 days later with antibiotics. What a trooper our little monkey was to keep her smile up until the end of the day! ***
Back to the day- Madison found a little friend
and a fun game- jumping off the curb
(nice shot- mid air, Daddy!)
Next headed over to Adventureland
Where we met up with Jasmine and Aladdin and attempted to ride the Jungle Cruise.
It broke down while we were in line, so we loaded back into the stroller and went to New Orleans Square and rode Pirates of the Caribbean.
Madison didn't like the ride as much as she likes dressing like a pirate at home, so we took her across the park to something we know she loves...
All the Princesses love Madison's hugs,
particularly Belle
who was so happy to see Princess Madison- and Madison was quite thrilled to see Belle!
(Kennedy was asleep in the stroller again, so Daddy hung out with her)
We were right around the corner from Toontown so we went back to see who else we could find wandering around.
Guess who we ran into?
and look who woke up
just in time to see her very favorite gal
Kennedy just LOVES Minnie and her sweet kisses.
Goofy was kind enough to hold Madison's hand while Kennedy enjoyed her special time with Minnie.
We found a perfect little spot next to Chip and Dale's house to snap a few photos of each of the kids individually
Even at her droopiest, Kennedy is a happy baby!
Madison was a typical 2 and a half year old
very distracted
and silly for Daddy
That's Chip and Dale's house in the background.
Madison wanted to drive Mickey's car
and then we saw an open door we couldn't refuse
thru the house and around back in his filming studio,
we found Kennedy's favorite pal
Nothing cheers up a sicky little girl like a good friend.
Mommy tried to convince Madison to come say Hi, but she decided against it.
Which Kennedy didn't seem to mind. She was happy to have Mickey all to herself.
When we left Mickey's house, Madison found a funny truck parked in front of the Toontown gas station.
When we left Mickey's house, Madison found a funny truck parked in front of the Toontown gas station.
Mommy liked it, too
then a cool car
and Kennedy noticed a funny fish - a little out of place
she thought he was too funny
and Mommy spotted a camper just PERFECT for our next family adventure!
Madison says thumbs up, too.
Out of Toontown and back down Main Street in time for the Celebrate parade
Madison was on Daddy's shoulders
singing
and dancing
in anticipation
of what was to come
it was worth the wait to dance with Lilo.
on our way out of Disneyland, we stopped in front of Disney's California Adventure, the other California theme park.
Did you spot us way off in the distance?
We danced and bounced our way back to Daddy
the girls loved bouncing with Mommy.
We decided to cap off our great day with dinner at the Rainforest Cafe- which is just outside the two theme parks at Downtown Disney.
Unfortunately, the wait (even at 6:30 on a Tuesday night) was just under 2 hours.
No Rasta Pasta for Mommy this year.
We started back to the car and realized we needed to eat before sitting in traffic on the way home.
Madison asked for chips and salsa just as we walked passed Tortilla Jo's.
The girls shared beans and rice before Kennedy nursed her way to sleep while Mommy and Daddy had two amazing burritos.
Both kids slept all the way home and through the night.
Needless to say, all those characters tuckered them out.
We had so much fun celebrating Mommy's birthday with Mickey we decided to do the same for Matt and Madison's (and Kennedy's) birthdays in August!
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