Friday it was back to Disneyland and California Adventures to finish up what we didn't get around to doing in the first two days, and to re-ride some favorites. Our final day there we showed off "True Blue Cougar Pride" as we paraded around in our 'Y' shirts and hats. We got lots of 'Go Cougs!', "Hey, we're BYU fans too!', and hi-fives throughout the day. : )
Pictured above: the tram ride in, followed the traditional pictures at the entrance. The flowers on the light posts and the colorful fruit cart caught my eye as we made our way to stash our stuff in a locker before setting out for the first ride of the morning.
'The Astro Orbitor' was a bit nerve rattling for me as it isn't as smooth/gentle as 'The Dumbo the Flying Elephant' ride. I rode with Li'l J, and as you can see, he really enjoyed it.
Remember how on the first day Li'l J didn't want to take part in the 'Star Wars Jedi Training Academy' until after it was over and he saw how much fun M had? Well since Disneyland is a place where wishes come true, and our final day here was all about doing what we didn't to do in the previous days, we did what we could so that Li'l J could get his wish: showed up early, got seats on the very front row where we could be seen and heard by the trainers, and Li'l J changed from his 'Y' shirt and hat into his 'Yoda' shirt. We came prepared and it paid off--Li'l J was chosen and he was SO happy to get the chance to try and defeat the Dark Side!! Once Li'l J was wearing the brown robes of a 'young Jedi' and the training began, he put on his "this is serious business" face, listened intently and went right to work.
Isn't the make-up job on this guy amazing?
Having learned the ancient battle techniques from a Jedi Master, Li'l J put his "new skills" to the test against The Sith (just as M got to on Tuesday). Li'l J was so cute and fun to watch!
Apparently we were quite successful in our efforts to get the trainers attention at the start of the show because M was also chosen to participate...again. : )
Just as with Li'l J, I love the serious look M maintained on his face throughout the training session. This time around M found himself front and center battling non-other than Darth Vader.
I'm glad both boys got to be a part of the show this time around and that they enjoyed themselves. : ) I've found as a parent, some of my happiest moments are the ones where I get to stand back and simply observe my children be happy while they play and enjoy themselves.
What's a trip to Disneyland without putting your pedal to the metal and taking a little ride around 'Autopia'? The boys may not be quite ready for their real driver's license, but they sure had a good time driving their ol' mom and dad around this sunny morning.
Apparently by mid-morning our few adventures were enough to have already worn out C-sta (and Li'l J a bit too). By the time we made it over to CA Adventures for some more fun there, C-sta was already asleep in her stroller and we were just getting started...poor thing!
Following the advice given by a co-worker of J'rod's, we took the kids to see "Disney's Aladdin--A Musical Spectacular". After having experienced it ourselves, we would agree that this is not to be missed! This was a Broadway-like stage adaptation of the movie that we all really enjoyed. The theater where it's held was HUGE; without a bad seat to be found the stage with it's beautiful scenery was visible from all around. The puppetry was neat, the flying carpets came to life right above our heads, and just like in the film, genie was hilarious and kept us all laughing throughout the show with all his quips from the film but with many funny references from present day culture. If you are headed to Disney and haven't already seen this show: GO!
I really like the look and feel of the 'Hollywood Pictures Backlot"...almost like walking around Hollywood itself.
Since the 'Grizzly River Run' is one of the boys favorite rides, I went on it again with the boys...and they LOVED it!
As we were making our way back out of the park (again trying to dry off) we heard the beat of a familiar tune coming up behind us. The "High School Musical 3" Mini-parade/Pep-rally was hot on our heels so we stopped to see what it was all about. Both boys got pulled from the audience to be a part of it, but again Li'l J was too shy to go, so just M ended up being a part of it.
Since I'm a CA Native and LOVE avocados...we stopped for a fun photo.
As the sunset drew near, we found ourselves back on Main Street, U.S.A. We stopped at the benches surrounding the flag pole, to take a break, rest our feet for a bit, and admire the beautiful CA poppies.
We hadn't been sitting there long when we discovered it was time to retire the flag for the day. The band played a patriotic fanfare and then those in the audience that were members of the military (active or retired), were invited to stand around the flagpole to be recognized and then to participate in the ceremony. What a neat opportunity for our kids to observe this ceremony, especially since in Cub Scouts we had recently learned so much about flag ceremonies and honoring and respecting the flag! I'm grateful we decided to stop and rest by the flagpole when we did as it turned out to be a very serendipitous decision. : )
Following the Flag Ceremony, we took the kids to a classic show at the 'Enchanted Tiki Room'. The melodies sang by the birds were soothing enough to put Li'l J to sleep for a bit...hee, hee, hee. Afterwards we stopped and got yummy slices of fresh pineapple at the Tiki Juice Bar--mmm, mmm, mm good!!
And last, but certainly not least...our adventures at Disneyland and CA Adventures would not have been complete without C-sta getting her very own first set of ears! Since she is 'all girl', LOVES pink AND the Disney Princesses, of course her first set of ears were pink with glittery stars on the ears, a pink crown on top, 'Disney Princess' embroidered on the front, and her name on the back. We celebrated her getting her first set of ears by taking her to play at 'Minnie's House' in 'Mickey's Toontown.' Since everything there was just her size, C-sta had so much fun. I love how this picture captures her happiness!
In the following picture, C-sta not only shows off her hat a little better...
...but her muscles too! Hee, hee.
Our last night, after dinner by the light of the firework show the kids each picked a souvenir to take home. M bought a "Star Wars Collectors Pin" that he now wears on his Cub Scout Red Vest: "Spud Vader"(a Mr. Potato Head dressed up as Darth Vader) and a light-saber that lights up and has multiple settings...J-rod is not a fan of the fast flashing lights! Li'l J got the cool balloon pictured above. It also had a fun flickering light feature inside the white Mickey balloon. As you can see, the ears didn't make it through the night. He was still so happy with it though, it didn't matter. For C-sta, the boys were happy to pick out a...light-saber as well (mainly so that when they play with their light-sabers she will have one of her own and quit stealing theirs!). This one they picked for C-sta has a Mickey Mouse on the handle, and the parts that extend from the handle are rainbow colored...very apropos for her!
Whenever we travel, we get an ornament to add to our Christmas tree ornament collection to help us remember the places we've visited. Though I scoured the many Main Street shops before leaving Disneyland, I couldn't find anything I liked enough to buy until I saw the Mickey Mouse ears pictured above. The ears were originally intended to be a key chain but, I "repurposed" them to be our new ornament for 2010. I took the ears off the key ring and strung a pretty red and white gingham ribbon where the key ring had been--turned out pretty nicely if I do say so myself! : )
Goodbye Spring Break 2010, thanks for all the great memories! Now on to telling the stories of our adventures up to the present day--wish me luck, I'm gonna need it if I'm going to get caught up before the end of 2011! : )
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