Happy 60th Anniversary Disneyland! 

60 Days to 60 Years 

1997 Disneyland 

I am often asked for help and advice from friends and family when they are planning trips to Disneyland and Disney World and of course I love to help. Over the past year I have pondered writing some blog posts that I can refer people back to, but life happens and I haven’t found the time yet to start.I really need to update the photos! In fact, since baby #4 came over 4 years ago....I have found little time for blogging, but I do want to get back to it!

So, I was thrilled when given the opportunity to join some amazing Disney peeps for part of a series 60 Days to 60 Years. I figured it was just the motivation I needed to start writing! The blog series is a daily countdown to the official anniversary of Disneyland. Each day a post is added by a different blogger. It has been interesting to learn more about the history of Disneyland and see the blog series come together. So if you haven’t been reading I encourage you to take a look at this series.

Let’s begin and journey back to 1997. In 1997 I was newly married and we had recently relocated to Southern California.

Look how young we were! Both my husband and I enjoyed Disney so naturally we had season passes and enjoyed many date nights there. We didn’t have children at the time but that didn’t stop us from having a blast on our frequent visits. As a side note, I had no idea how useful those tricks and tips we learned over the years without kids would be. It makes days with them now so much easier. Hopefully some future blog postings with these tips will be coming soon! Anyway I digress…..back to 1997.


Because we lived in a vacation destination…we had a number of visitors and of course they wanted to go to Disneyland. We took on the hard task of fulfilling their dreams and tagging along to be their tour guides. Over the years we became pros at navigating through the park. In 1997, there was only one park but adding a second park was in the works. Below are some pictures when our friends from Sweden visited.

Okay so now that you have enjoyed a trip down memory lane from my point of view, let’s look at Disneyland in 1997. In January in preparation for a Tomorrowland renovation the Rocket Jets closed after a 30 year run. I remember riding these as a little girl and loved that it really felt like you were flying because you were up so high. The Astro Orbitor would replace the Rocket Jets in a slightly different location. The bonus of the Astro Orbitor is the line is easier because you don't have to wait for the elevator.

In February, it was announced that Disney Studios and Pixar agreed to joint produce 5 films over 10 years. Though not directly related to Disneyland history I believe that these films greatly influenced the Disney name and development of theme parks since. The five movies produced were A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and, last, but not least, Cars.

In March Pirates of the Caribbean was renovated and reopened to celebrate its 30th Anniversary. Who doesn’t love Pirates of the Caribbean? I still remember riding it as a little girl and being in awe. I loved that we could travel to an entirely different time and place.

Our friends from Sweden really liked Pirates of the Carribean!

In April, Captain EO closed and was replaced by Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Honey I Shrunk the audience added 4D technology.

 In May, Mike Fink Keel Boats which could be ridden in Rivers of America closed. One of the boats tipped over with passengers on board. I am sure everyone enjoyed their swim in Rivers of America! The boats never reopened after this incident, but don’t worry there were still other boat rides that you could enjoy: the Mark Twain River Boat and Sailing Ship Columbia. If you are feeling adventurous there are also the Davy Crockett Explorer canoes. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the canoes on a hot sunny afternoon as the boats are powered by the good old elbow grease of the passengers, but if you or your family is in need some exercise, I would highly recommend it.

Photo courtesy of Disney Pix. http://www.disneypix.com/Pana-Vue/Disneyland/Frontierland/VP412%20-%20Bertha%20Mae%20Keelboat.jpg.htm


In May, Light Magic a new parade to replace the Electrical Light debuted. The parade had a short run though because it closed in September after receiving poor reviews. I am sure following in the steps of the much beloved Electrical Light Parade was a hard task. I honestly don’t remember much about this parade, so I guess the reviews were accurate and the parade was not one of their best.

In June, after a three year run, the Lion King Celebration ended. I was very sad about this as the Lion King Celebration is still one of my favorite parades. The performers were amazing and the music of the Lion King is just fun! The parade was replaced by the Hercules Victory Tour which was also good. It just wasn’t the same for me but I understand it is all part of the circle of life.

In July, Bob Penfield retired, and was honored with a window on Main Street. Who is Bob? Well he was the last original 1955 cast member to retire from Disneyland. What is a window on Main Street? This is a Disneyland tradition. Cast members that have played an important part in the development of Disney are honored by having a window dedicated to them. I think this is a completely awesome tradition. So the next time you are on Main Street be sure to look up and check out the windows.

Probably a little more important news in July was the much anticipated construction of California’s new park, Disney California Adventure. The idea had been in discussion and planning for several years but the dream was finally becoming a reality. Disneyland would have a sister park in what used to be the parking lot of Disneyland.

Photo courtesy of http://www.laughingplace.com/files/DCA1st/P19-1.jpg

So I hope you enjoyed your journey back to 1997. If you aren’t already following this series be sure to join us as we countdown to Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary. I need to go and get ready because TOMORROW I AM GOING TO DISNEYLAND! I am so excited to spend a few days at Disneyland celebrating their 60th Anniversary. It will be a little different than 1997 because we will have the kids with us…but that will make it all the more memorable. Honestly one of the things I enjoy most is watching my boys eyes sparkle when we are at Disney Parks. If you see me be sure to say hello…I shouldn’t be hard to recognize…I will be the mom with 4 boys!

Thank you Didi Marie http://www.distherapy.com/ and Gayle Turner http://www.disneygals.com/ for the opportunity to write this post and honor Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration. What a wonderful idea you had to celebrate this special anniversary

An InLinkz Link-up

Snow, Sledding and Boys

We woke up yesterday to a winter wonderland. I love it. I love the snow. Something about it makes the world seem to move a little slower. Things seem quieter. There isn't anywhere we have to be (or really want to go given the condition of the roads in Seattle.) So we stay home. We find all of our snow gear. Yesterday's snow was perfect for snowballs and snow forts. We drink hot chocolate. We are outside for hours. We visit with friends.

We sled. A bonus about Seattle not plowing roads is the hill next to our house is the perfect sledding hill.

We laugh. We play.

For me the snow is a break in a long rainy winter. It is fresh and new. We all start to get on each others nerves after weeks of not really being able to be outside. When it snows we are outside for most of the day.

Tomorrow is a snow day and I am guessing the next couple of days may be too. Then the rain will start again and it will all melt. We will be inside and my boys with so much energy will want to be outside. I will try to remember the laughs and smiles. We will find fun things to do inside and wait for summer or another snow storm.

Princesses

Last summer we went to Disneyland. Waiting for a parade I saw that their was a story reading with the Princesses. I offered to take the kids over while the other adults saved the seats for the parade. Off I went with 5 little ones. We took our seats and watched Cinderella come out and tell her story.

Kellen sat on my lap. After it was over he looked up at me and said, "Mommy Cinderella Cute!" His eyes were dreamy and he was in LOVE. Since then he has been in love with Cinderella. He thinks she is so beautiful. We have watched the movie more times than we can count. Then he watched Beauty and the Beast. He fell in love with Belle as well.

He knows the others too but none quite hold his 3 year old heart like Cinderella and Belle.

The other day we were going to Costco. He was already cracking me up because his big brothers were at school and boy did he have a lot to say. On and on he was talking to me about everything. Now if you know Kellen you know he does not have a quiet voice. He is full of life and really has know idea how to do something toned down. Including talking. Anything he has to say is heard within about a 1 mile radius. I put him in the cart and he is chatting away.

As we are walking in he exclaims, "Mommy LOOK!"
I turn to see a very cute little blonde girl with curls.
Kellen says, "She is a real princess and soooo BEAUTIFUL! She looks just like Cinderella!"

Man are we in trouble or what?

Back to School

The boys started back to school this week. Connor in 3rd Grade and Brennan in Kindergarten. We had a very busy summer-nothing different about that. A couple weeks with family in WA and OR, then a month in Colorado with lots of sunshine and pools, then a month with more family and friends visiting WA. Though this summer we didn't make the 8 state trek we did last summer we were still plenty busy. I am not quite that crazy with a newborn! I guess I am going to make up for the lack of driving this fall with 3 kids at 3 different schools in 3 different cities. Yes I know I am crazy.

Boys don't offer me many details about their day. As a mom of 4 boys I need to somehow get used to this or figure out a way to get more details. I want a play by play of their day....they give me a few highlights...with very few details. Any ideas here?

Today I asked Brennan what the best part of his day was. He said, "recess!".
I said, "Recess again? That is what you said yesterday!".
He said, "Yesterday it was first recess, TODAY it was second recess."

Brennan does seem to really love the Dual Language Program that he started. He was beaming the past 3 days when I picked him up and declared yesterday that he LOVES learing Spanish...he just doesn't remember any of the words. I guess that part is coming.

Connor has offered a few more details. Guess he figures I am going to keep nagging him until I get it all straight. I know his basic schedule. He also has said that recess is the best part of his day.

So how is mommy doing with this transition back to school? For the most part surprisingly well. I guess it was something I shed tears over and dreaded...so when it came it wasn't too bad. Brennan started Kindergarten-really how can that be? But when the day came....I didn't cry much....just few tears. Though I have to say each morning that I drop them off and watch them walk off towards school my heart aches a little. One of the best parts of my day is when it is time to go pick them up and I see their smiling faces. I love being the mommy of these amazing boys.

A Christmas blessing from: Party of Five?

I started this blog about 3 years ago after a little encouragement from one of my friends (thanks Stephanie!). It really has been one of my favorite things I have done and not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. Once in awhile I go back through the old postings and smile at the memories. Life goes by so quickly it makes me happy to think that when I am old and gray I will have something to look back on and remind me of when my babes were little, innocent, and discovering the world.

Don't get me wrong though, as some wise parent once told me-when you have little ones the days are long but the years are short. And some days are very, very long. But now that Connor is almost 8, I really wonder where the time has gone. Sometimes I find myself closing my eyes (you know in the moments when everything is perfect and everyone is getting along) and thinking: remember this moment, the expressions, the laughter, the awe, the cute voices, and the adorable faces.

So in the past 3 years since I started this blog, we added another sweet little boy to our family, we survived Brennan's terrible 3's, and Connor started elementary school. We have definitely had our ups and downs with life here in Seattle. So, as I look back on what the last 3 years have brought, I wonder what the next 3 years will hold. I am sure more funny stories, a little more excitement, and a few more tears. In 3 years we will have a 10 year old, 8 year old, 5 year old, and 2 year old.

2 year old you ask???? Oh yes I almost forgot that part of the story. You see our Party of Five is growing.

Yes, it is true, we are pregnant and expecting a new little baby in May 2011. Some days we are filled with joy and excitement at the idea. 4 seems like the perfect balance to our craziness we call everyday life. Something about an even number seems perfect. Other days as I am cleaning up a disaster or the kids are running wild, I think what in the world are we doing?

In the end I am sure we will look back and realize that we have been very blessed with 4 incredible children. Though it may not always be easy I am sure we will have lots of laughs to carry us through.

So I guess now that we will be a family of six, Party of Five may not be the best name for our blog. So we have been thinking of some ideas:

-Party of Six
-What Were We Thinking?
-Welcome to the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness (errr Great Northwest)!
-Four is Enough!
-Six is the Perfect Mix

If you have any suggestions-feel free to let us know.

So that is our news and biggest Christmas Blessing for this year...a new little baby and 3 big brothers that make us smile daily :)

Light Saber Training

Right now Star Wars is all the rage at our house. You can imagine many of the toys that are being requested for Christmas are Star Wars. The most requested and agreed upon movie by all the boys is something from Star Wars. Connor has 1-2 books from the library each week on Star Wars. Another favorite activity is fighting with Light Sabers. Kellen is frequently a bad guy and searching to fight Yoda. He will come up and whisper mommy where is Yoda...I need to fight him! If he can't find a brother to fight with he will bring a light labor to any available adult.

Apparently the adults are not completely Light Saber trained. I guess we have not watched the movie enough times to know the exact movements. So after a few seconds of fighting Kellen will declare, "Not like that, like thhhiiiiiiiisssss!" Then he will start to demonstrate how to move and fight the correct way. Really it is quite impressive how much he can mimic the movements. So after some training we try again. Usually it takes 3-4 times of demonstrations before he is happy with our training and we can continue the fight. Who knows maybe he will grow up and teach at the Jedi Training Accademy....that is a profession right?

Marriage and Kissing

Last weekend we went to see the moving Tangled. A really fun Disney movie that we all liked. There were a few scenes where the characters were kissing or almost kissing. Brennan and Connor buried their faces in their seats and closed their eyes during these scenes. After the movie I asked Brennan if he liked the movie, he said "yes!" I said, "your favorite part was the kissing right?" He said, "NO! I didn't even watch that part!"

Brennan is not our touchy boy. Touch is NOT his love language. He has been like this since he was really little. As a baby he would cuddle before bed and then want to lie down in his bed to go to sleep. The opposite of Connor who would still be happiest if you were always touching him. When you give Brennan a kiss he quickly wipes it off most of the time and has since he was 2. Though he is getting a little more sly about it or I just don't notice it as much. Trying to be respectful of him and his boundaries I have started asking him if it is okay if I give him a kiss, thankfully he always says yes though I still notice the wiping.

The other day we were driving and Brennan declared, "Kellen will be the last one in our family to be a daddy."

I said well maybe.

He said, "No, I am older than Kellen and Connor is older than me so he will be the last one to be a daddy. Kellen always does things last."

I said, "Okay, but I hope before you are a daddy I think it is best if you go to college, get married, and then you have a baby, when you are much much older." I was thinking in my head like around 30!

Brennan said, "You have to married to be a daddy, right?"

I said, "Well not exactly, but I think it is much better if you are married first."

Brennan said, "Okay, well I guess I will like the kissing part after I am married for two years."