Mom really wants my vacation photos, all of them, where she can see them. I put them up on Google+ because I could load a huge stack all with drag and drop. She doesn't Google+. I went to put them on Facebook, but that was cumbersome, too.
I don't picasa just yet.
So here, Mom, are a few photos from your trip.
This is Santa Monica Beach, with Clinton's sister, Aleigh. Ironically, this is the very beach we visited on our last trip to California 6 years ago. When we came before, somebody snapped a photo for us that has been featured as the background to this blog for some years. At the time, Aleigh lived in Boston. Now, a short walk from her apartment brought us to the same beach, though much more heavily populated on a warm day. We could have tried for a repeat photo, but that would have required a mile of hiking through the sand, which is kind of tough if you aren't conditioned to it.
Jungle Cruise, me in Tom's hat.
Tom lost those glasses Thursday. Somewhere. Disney Lost & Found hasn't seen them yet. I don't imagine there are too many pairs of Spongebob Squarepants Bifocals dropped in the Disneyland resort every day; but if he dropped them into the Lagoon or the Grizzly Rapids, then we may never see them again.
The 5 big girls. 5 adults and 8 kids. And a lot of princesses.
Lizzy here looks like she's in big trouble and is about to watch the next ride from the sidelines. That's because she's about to watch the next ride from the sidelines. When mean horrible rotten parents follow through with their threats, kids display (slightly) less objectionable behavior for the next several hours and even up to a day.
Tommy was totally in awe of "Doofy" and Mickey and Minnie; but he wouldn't have anything to do with the other costumed characters.
Mom tried on some silly hats. She only bought one of them: a big-brimmed floppy pink thing that made her easy to spot the rest of the week. No, really, Mom, it is a lovely hat. I'm glad you like it.
Mom made costumes for all the girls to go as princesses. She also made a costume so that Tommy could be Flynn Reeder. He wanted no part of it. Somebody thought we were pretty cool with 6 princesses and arranged for a Princess Pirates of the Carribean Cruise, followed by a Pirate Princess initiation which included pirate flags and tatoos for each youngster, and a pirates' creed for each family.
Really, who can help smiling in such a place?
OK, Merida was a really great character. We did the group photo, autograph, and individual photos with Lizzy and Brooklyn who were both dressed as Merida. As we were leaving, Emma got sad that she didn't get an individual photo shoot with Merida, and I asked if we could cut in for one last picture after the next group. The chaperone said "no, Merida has to go now." but both Merida and the photographer said yes, hang on. Merida then walked across Fantasyland to her break, hand in hand with Emma. The Photographer went along ahead of them like some paparazzi snapping scads of photos (which we don't have yet but will.) Just to make a 4-year-old a bit happier.
Caleb holding the map and entertainment guide for the day. He was awesome; but I'm not exactly sure I want to do Disneyland with an infant again. It isn't Caleb's fault he needs 20-30 minutes every 3 hours to eat.
Radiator Springs... totally awesome. We liked the racers, and loved the town.
Lizzy also tried on some silly hats and ultimately bought a pair of princess mouse ears. I paid $3 to have her name embroidered, and she asked for the purple lettering. I hadn't paid $7 for deluxe colors, and so Lizzy gamely picked Gold instead. The gal at the Mad Hatter did the deluxe purple anyway, bringing a big smile to both Lizzy and her frugal Mommy.
See, this is what I'm talking about. Emma goes to get a picture, and Mr. Trombone puts his hat on her and cheeses for the camera. Awesome fun.
No I do not see in 3D. Star Tours is presented for you in 3D, and I knew the girls would love it. Even in 2 dimensions it's a great step from where it was in the 90s.
If Tommy chucked his glasses in there, we aren't getting them back.
Mom rented the scooter the last day. She really enjoyed it.
Hey look, everybody in a stroller: Grammy, Tommy, and Caleb. No Mother, I don't think the scooter is a stroller. It's a precision instrument of speed and aerodynamics.
There are Lizzy's mouse ears, borrowed for a picture of me and my boyfriend.
Splashin along Emma's #1 ride.
The double stroller that I bought used for $35 paid for itself over and over and over. Great purchase.
Yay! good trip.
