We started our first day at Disney with a character breakfast at the Plaza Inn. It was a splurge, but turned out to be one of our favorite parts of the trip.
All of the character come by your table and interact with the kids. Ella gave everyone of them a hug. She was giggling and smiling the entire time. As a side note, this was a buffet and they were so allergy friendly. The chef came to our table and told us the options and then they brought out an entire plate of food just for Ella, complete with Mickey waffles!
Levi thought they were so funny! He kept trying to kiss them. He wasn't one bit scared, I think because of the environment. We tried meeting Pluto in the park but he didn't want anything to do with him. The character breakfast is a must do!
Jack was playing it cool, but he liked it too. Especially when Captain Hook came to our table (I didn't get a picture). Steve even danced with Chip (or possibly Dale?) I did get a picture of that but won't post it. Lets just say the kids loved it!
This was the only Princess we waited in line to see. Ella was completely satisfied with seeing them from a distance, so we hit more rides this trip rather than waiting in Princess lines.
Later our first day, Ella had an appointment at the bippidy-boppidy boutique. She loved it soo much. She felt so pretty and special.
She got to keep the make-up and she put it on everyday the rest of our trip. It was a highlight for her, and it was so fun watching her princess makeover. She was darling.
This guy was stroller bound or harnessed most of the trip. He was so good though. He loved watching all of the action and would take little naps when he needed them. He loved going on the rides. His favorite was the goofy coaster in Toone Town. He was barely tall enough and it goes fast but this thrill seeker loved it.
Jacks favorite ride in Disneyland was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. He loved that we had a baby so we could get rider switch passes. That way he got to ride the big rides twice in a row without the wait. He was tall enough for Indiana Jones this trip and he loved it.
Levi waiting in line to ride Winnie the Pooh. He was a champ when it came to waiting in lines.
Steve and I walked about a billion miles this trip. At times we had to convert our double stroller into a triple. We stayed at a hotel right behind the parking garage at Disney and loved that we could walk through Downtown Disney and didn't have to wait for the tram. Steve is the best guy to travel/vacation with. He's always fun and mellow even when the days are long and the kids are grumpy. He's the best!
We spend day 2 in California Adventure. This is Steve and Jack's favorite DCA ride Toy Story Mania. We were in line and looking good ;)
Mickey's Fun Wheel was my favorite ride this trip. We were in a swinging car and we were really swinging. Levi was a little nervous, but the rest of us loved it. I love the rides we can all do together. Later in the day Steve filled Ella's shoes with 2 huge stacks of napkins so that she could go on Radiator Springs Racers. She was not a fan of the fast part, but we were proud of her for trying. When we got back her Primary teachers asked her how the trip was. She told them all about the napkins in the shoes.
Hanging out taking a break on Buena Vista Street. This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip.
And no trip to DCA is complete without a spin on the bumpy tractors. Jack was really in to giving thumbs up on this trip. I ended up deleting a TON of pictures with his thumbs in front of his face. Ha!
The two big kids earned Disney dollars before our trip. Everyday they had the chance to earn one dollar. They had to show initiative and come ask me what they could do to earn it. They both ended up with about $30 to spend in Disneyland as they pleased. Ella spend hers right away the first day on this Pooh Bear. She loves it so much. I snapped this picture of her early one morning before I woke them up to get ready for another big day. Jack shopped around very carefully with his money. He didn't want to spend it all on one big thing. He saved most of it for the last day when he knew what he wanted. He got some lollipops, a Ninjago set from the Lego Store, and a light up spinny toy. He was very responsible with his money.
Day 3 was back at Disneyland. I think this is my actual favorite picture from our trip. I just love them!
I took Jack and Ella on a couple of rides while Steve and Levi waited in line to sign Jack up for Jedi training. Ella loved the tea cups.
And we just had to go on It's A Small World. It's just so classic, and then you get to have the song stuck in your head the rest of the day ;)
We hit the King Arthur's Carousel for Levi. He spotted it and wanted to go on it so badly.
Levi showing off his muscles in Toone Town.
Jack loved doing the Jedi Training. He was super serious about it which made it fun to watch. He got to light saber fight Darth Vader which was a pretty sweet moment in his life.
He earned this Jedi Training button and was pretty proud of it.
And then he met a storm trooper. This guy was pretty funny and had us all laughing.
We finished our trip by watching the Paint the Night parade for a second time, and going to the fireworks. The parade was my favorite part. Everyone in the family loved it. They are so good at interacting with the kids. Ella was getting kisses blown to her by the princesses and she would blow one right back. We had an amazing trip and made some great memories with the kids. I can't wait to go back!
