Sorry, long winded today...

Day Two found us at California Adventure Park. We found out that it opens later than Disney (next time look at the map before leaving hotel!) Anyway we stood in line for about an hour... one thing we've learned on this trip... 5 year olds wait pretty good... 3 year olds DO NOT WAIT at all... especially when stroller rentals are on the other side of the gate... oh the torture. Walker laid on the ground...(made it easier to let him when the park is immaculate) finding all kinds of "rocks" in the cement.

Gates opened and we made a mad dash to the Playhouse Disney Live... however it opened up 30 minutes later. So we headed over to get strollers and then back... crazy... in just that little bit of time it was jam packed with people, all waiting. About this time the "crabbies" set in. Walker was upset because today he wanted to walk... he didn't want to sit in the stroller... he was tired of "waiting"... wanted to go shopping for a toy... hungry... you name it. He was not feelin' the Disney love.

So instead of waiting yet again in another line to actually get into the show we made a rash change of schedule...(shocking I know) and headed for the Monster's Inc ride. It was pretty cool... to go right in and get on the ride first thing. After that we headed to "Turtle Talk with Crush!" kids loved it... laughed... giggled... this was Walker's favorite thing of the day! Then by chance we kind of fell into the next showing of Muppets 3D, we had preferred seating so that was cool! Love the muppets from our childhood... kids not so much... they liked the show but Ainsley doesn't like Kermit for some reason. Also ran into Mr. Incredible and Frozone... Ainsley was so cute with her little autograph book... walking right up and asking, "Can I have your autograph please?"

Somewhere along the way to Brother Bear show... 3 out of 4 of us turned crabby... really crabby... since it was around noon we decided to head back to the hotel... grab some lunch... take a little siesta... and re-group. Turned out to be a WONDERFUL plan. We all needed a bit of a "time out".

With recharged energy we headed back to the California park and straight into the Toy Store where Walker got a "Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster" let me tell you... Best $10 bucks I've ever spent!! He now had "something" to do... he was out saving the universe. Batteries in that thing lasted all day... and you can change them!!! (Note to self... bring batteries for this tomorrow)

Then it was over to Bug's Life World... again we fell into the right time and headed to the "It's a Bug's life show" so cool you walk down the hill like you are going into the ant tunnel. Again we had priority seating... great thing to have since it was packed. It was also a 3D show... they got to a part where in the audience you got sprayed with water... then the spiders started falling from the sky... that was it for Walker... he screamed and cried... couldn't calm him down so he and I waited outside while Ainsley and Daddy finished up the show.

The time was getting close to snagging a spot for the Pixar Parade... Walker was really excited about this one because Lightning McQueen from Cars is in it. We grabbed a treat (cotton candy for the kids and the best EVER frozen Lemonade drink... seriously it was that good... a blog worthy event... even got a picture!) We found the perfect spot... parked our strollers... were eating out treats... when a voice from above said, "I'm sorry but the Pixar Parade has been canceled today! Hopefully we will have better luck tomorrow.

Headed over to Brother Bear show... caught the last one of the day... this was Ainsley's favorite thing for the day. They got to meet the bears here... no autographs since "Bear's can't write... who would have thought!"

So for dinner... where to go... where to go??? Any guesses... Kids picked McDonalds!

Lastly we headed over to the Electrical Parade... we had preferred seating here as well... It was WONDERFUL we had benches right in the front... got to relax and hang out and the parade is simply amazing... poor bug freaked out over Pete's Dragon... started to cry when Elliot let out some smoke from his nose!

We headed to the shuttle and watched the fireworks! It was a crazy day... think we are finally gettin' in our groove here though... looking forward to tomorrow's adventure!

We made it... started out at 5 am this morning! Headed to the airport... where Walker had two "accidents" first he leaned on one of the suitcases and it fell down and the handle got him good in the nose... big tears. A few minutes later he was insistent upon carrying the small suitcase... owie #2 again with the handle... pinching himself... no tears though.

Onto the flight... happy to note that I was able to leave the throw up bags for someone else to use... almost lost it a few times but thankfully Dramamine helped!! The kids loved the flight... no problems.

As soon as we landed in Long Beach Ainsley squealed, "Look Mommy, there are pom-pom trees... aka palm trees... so cute. It was hot... real hot... we were able to get an early check in and made a quick change-a-roo with our clothes... shorts and t-shirts... oh and lots... lots of sunscreen!

We got into Disney and after the "official" Disney picture at the gate, Walker was ready to hit the train. Took it around the park to get a feel of the whole place. Walker loved it... smiling from ear to ear... and making train noises and train hand movements. We grabbed our lanyards and headed off to the Disney Main Street Parade... we got there about 10 minutes before it started... only to learn that it was going to be delayed... Walker was ready to go... said, "I want to back to the hotel... so I can color!"

Finally it started... Tinkerbell was the first one we saw... Ainsley was really excited since she's her favorite! Walker did perk up a bit... once I gave him some Pirate fruit snacks! Then it was a quick dash back on the train and over to dinner at Goofy's kitchen! Kids really loved it... it was all buffet style... Walker got his fav... chicken fingers and mac and cheese (goofy mac to be exact). Ainsley a girl after Daddy's own heart, proudly exclaimed, "I'm having Prime Rib Daddy!" The food was really good... my favorite thing... cajun salmon... so darn tasty! Close second... Lemon bars... nice and tart!

Did a wee bit of shopping... kids got "ears" with their names embroidered on them... will have to post a picture tomorrow (forgot to get one). Ainsley checked out the Build a Bear Workshop and thinks she'll be heading back to spend some of her money... Walker's got his sight on a buzz light year lazer toy thingy that lights up and makes noise... a true boy toy!

Lastly... went to Fantasmic!! It started at 9pm... we waited for over an hour before it started... Walker fell asleep... woke up scared when the dragon started spraying fire!! Poor thing... screamed... cried... and shook all over. Then when was all done he quickly proclaimed, "I wasn't scared Mommy!"

Then watched the fireworks as we headed out of the park! It was a truly magical day! And to think... we have 4 more days left!!

I'm thinking that I need to re-pack... and add a few more shorts!!

One week until we are soaking up the 70 degree sunny weather of California.

We spent the weekend planning out clothes, getting suitcases out, snack shopping and all around organizing for the trip. I did get a chance to finish these too... autograph books for the kids to have the characters sign.

Ainsley said, "Thank you Mommy for making mine all PINK!!" Walker was glad to NOT have pink... he's so into gender specific things... often saying, "Mommy I like black... that's a boy color... pink is for girls!" or "That's a girl show... I can't watch that!"

Lately Ainsley has been playing in her room more often... usually creating something... singing Barbie songs... all the while in her princess dress up stuff. She was so thrilled to show us what she made... Barbie's cat "Serafina" out of a cottonball!

We had quite the spring storm yesterday as well... 5 inches of snow dumped out in a couple hours. Here are the kiddos outside today...

Last note for the day... today is St. Patrick's Day... totally forgot about it... sent Ainsley to school with OUT green! She informed me when she got home that she was the ONLY one without a green shirt... and that she got pinched three times before Mrs. Guerreo made her a green pipecleaner shamrock.