Starting it Off!

Day 2:  Disneyland and Breakfast with Minnie Mouse

Gabriella and Minnie Mouse

Isabella getting Minnie to sign her book

Carmella snuggling up with Minnie

Day 2 started off with breakfast at Plaza Inn in the park.  Minnie Mouse is the host and she had probably eight of her friends.  We had early reservations so we saw all of the characters with ease and took lots of photos and video.  The girls really could care less about the food it is all about the photos and autographs.  Gabi is a pro and jumped right in with hugs and requests for autographs.  The little girls warmed up quick and loved everyone they met, well almost everyone.  We saw - Minnie, Dale, Chip, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Captain Hook, Rafiki, Max and I am sure that I am missing someone?  I think Gabi's favorite was Rafiki which scared the little girls!

Silly Monkeys

After the grown ups ate it was time to explore Disneyland.  We started off in Fantasyland and quickly discovered that Gabi had discovered the joy of riding rides.  Her last trip she was frightened easily by the dark rides which includes many of the rides.  The little ones followed big sisters enthusiasm and jumped on any ride they could.  We fortunately had Uncle Eric with us because several of the rides only sits two people per row.  We were able to split up by 2's and ride until we were exhausted.  I think a favorite of everyone was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.  We also discovered that Carmella hates waiting in line, big surprise.  We managed to jump around from ride to ride and waited no more than 30 minutes for any ride.  

Big Monkeys

We all road on the Casey Jr. Train and ended up in the monkey cage car.  Uncle Eric calls the girls his Monkey's so we thought this was hilariously ironic.  All the rides were super fun and we took a mid-day break to visit with grandparents before returning to California Adventure (the other Disney park at the Disneyland Resort).

Little Monkeys

That evening we returned to California Adventure and tried to make the early evening showing of Aladdin: the musical.  I guess 2000 other people had the same idea because we were in the overflow line with about 100 people who "might" get in.  It only took me a couple of minutes to suck it up and decide to wait for the late show.  This was the final day of performances for awhile so we had little choice.  The show is going on hiatus due to construction and revamping the performance.  If you know Gabriella, you understand why we went through all the trouble to watch the show.  Aladdin has been her all time favorite Disney character since she was about three.  We missed the show last trip due to technical difficulty on their end.  With our VIP seats we were able to wait in line about 45 minutes and get spots on the seventh row for the final show.  Watching Gabi's face made all the waiting worth it.  When Prince Ali came in on the elephant he went right in front of us and waved at Gabi.  She melted into her seat and though tired smiled all the way back to the hotel.  Those are the memories that Disney is famous for and why we are willing to save and wait in long lines.  Second day of vacation down and we are all still going!  Mission accomplished.

The little girls favorite ride in California Adventure,
Heimlich Chew Chew Train!  Even I love a Bug's Land! 

This is what is above you in Bug's Land, giant clover, so you feel like a tiny little bug.

Hotel Living!!!!!

Three cutest girls at Disneyland!!!!!

 Day One:  Arrival and exploring the Disneyland Hotel

We have had a wonderful vacation thus far.  Part of that reason is because I have only had to do one load of laundry in five days.  No dishes, no sweeping . . . . zero, zip, nothing.  The girls have enjoyed having their mommy more for fun and my husband has had a blast with the kids.  The hotel is amazing, of course, I would expect nothing less from Disney.  We are in a newly renovated room (for you non-Disney folks, they are doing a major renovation on the Disneyland Hotel) and it is fantastic with touches of magic everywhere.  I think the girl have three favorite parts of the hotel.  One, the light up musical headboard.

I don't seem to have a picture of it in action.

Two, the nightly turn down service complete with chocolate Disney coins.  The girls know if we are out and the sun goes down their bed will be ready for them when we arrive and chocolate will be waiting!  I guess since it is vacation a chocolate coin before bed is not too bad!?!?

Cute little chocolate coins waiting for us each night!

Three, the Captain Hook themed pool.  The water is cold but the girls do not care.  Unfortunately, the little ones are not old enough to swim on their own with me sitting warm and near by.  It has a tiny little slide they can go down on their own and a wonderful hot tub complete with the Little Mermaid!  Sorry, no photos of that yet!

We only have a few days left of vacation and hopefully we all enjoy ourselves.  It will be sad to say bye to our room and fly back to the land of cooking, cleaning and chores but it must happen.  

Below are various photos from the hotel.  I will post photos of the park and characters when we get home.  It may take me a while to sort through the pictures and capture it all for the girls!

Mommy and Daddy's bed!

The "Girl" bed!

View from our room.  Downtown Disney is right outside our hotel.
In the background on the far left is Splash Mountain, Gabi's
favorite ride!

Kicking back on the bed after unpacking!

Giant Mickey in front of our hotel!  When we see him, we know we have arrived!

Packing 5 people for 10 days???????

Tickets finally come in the mail!
(I couldn't get this picture to work on my previous post.)

When the tickets for our trip arrived at the house, I decided it was time to start packing.  We now have one full suitcase with all of the clothes for the three girls.  I am hoping it does not weigh more than 50 pounds.  I would hate to pay extra for all of the cute outfits I insisted on packing.  We have another suitcase with part of my clothing and one with snacks and of course, Disney Princess dress-up for the girls luncheon.  Toss in a bag for the plane, one for each of the girls and two umbrella strollers we should be at max capacity for two adults keeping up with three children from LAX to the Disneyland Hotel!

While packing I discovered two things.  One, the little girls love to help pack.  They would carry stacks of clothes from their room to the suitcase for me and enjoyed playing in them as well (see below).  Two, my kids have tons of clothes.  I had no idea they had enough outfits to not have to wash clothes for a month or more.  Must be a girl thing.

Isabella playing in the suitcase.  The folder in the back corner is my "OCD folder" with all the
maps, pre-registrations, etc. in their own sheet protector.  I hate not being prepared.

Carmella taking her turn.  Yes, she is wearing two dresses.  Can't get enough of a good thing. 

After errands, a couple loads of laundry and a trip to the chiropractor, I plan to finish packing today.  I hope that I get more cooperation from the other two people in the house this time.  lol

This is what Gabriella did while her sisters and I packed!  The lions and tigers were
invading the castle apparently it was important that she not leave them.

This is what Michael did while we packed!   hehehehehe

I joke, well kinda.  He had worked 10 hours and ran a couple miles this day.  He decided he had put in his time for the family so he watched Gabi fight the lions and tigers.  I took his picture and told him I would put it on our blog so everyone could see what he did while I packed.  I guess this could come back to haunt me if I forget something.  Surely my trusty lists will not fail me!!!!!

Next post should be DISNEY MANIA!!!!!!!!!!!!