Our California adventure is over, but we still have a few days left of spring break. We came home and got back to business — of course, there’s always a little time to play around here. 

Grandpa Bob gave us Grandma Carole’s wedding dress. It is 45 years old and has been sitting in a box, unpreserved. I hope to get it cleaned and restored in case my girls ever decide they want to wear it. It’s a very pretty dress and in fact, it’s the first wedding dress that I tried on when B and I got engaged. It’s very sentimental to our family. I couldn’t wear it because even without heels it was at least 3 inches too short for me. Annabelle, our little shorty pants may have a shot though. 

Our last day at the parks and we spent the entire day on the California Adventure side. Our entire family seems to prefer it. From the rides to the princesses to the wine bar there is just something there for everyone. 

Started the day off again on the Ariel ride. The girls had a personal record for the trip. They wanted to go 20 times. I lost count but I’m quite sure they got close if not exceeded their goal. 

B really wanted to take the girls on the ferris wheel because he got a great picture of Gwyneth cracking up on the ride on our last visit. 

The ride started well and then went south quickly. Once the ride started rockin’ and slidin’ Gwyneth FREAKED out. She didn’t like it one bit. Don’t let these pictures fool you. She FREAKED. But it started off fun. Oye!

Back with our feet on the ground and waiting in line for the Toy Story ride. 

Lunch again at Ariel’s grotto. The girls love their princesses and both days we got to sit on the beautifully shaded patio. 

My, my that looks like B’s vacation drink….

What the what? That was some kind of hot dog-octopus-mac and cheese creation. 

It was a hot one. We were melting away after lunch (ok, I was melting. I hate to be hot. The rest of the family sees to take it in stride). We found a fabulous little sprinkler park in Bugs Land and all was right in our little world again. 

The girls shivered a bit in the air conditioned theater while we watched the Cinderella sneak preview. I thought the ac was fabulous. We took Annabelle and a friend to see the movie while Gwyneth was at a sleepover recently — which B fell asleep during the opening credits. After watching the preview Gwyneth really wants to see the movie and B informed us that it didn’t look too bad. Really? Really? That guy!

After many more rides and lots of sunshine we cooled off with some icees. 

The girls were just walking along, holding hands, and politely said hello to a Disney employee. The woman stopped and asked where they were headed and they said The Toy Story Ride, which had a 90 minute wait.  She told them she was so impressed with their manners that she gave them a free fast pass to go straight to the front of the line. What??? There is no fast pass for the Toy Story ride so this was amazing. Love their manners — made their momma so proud!!!

How sweet are these sisters????

Before dinner we grabbed a spot on the sidewalk and watched the Pixar Parade. 

B and I are rather Bah Hum Bug about parades. We typically avoid them whenever possible. But we do love our girls and they wanted to watch, so naturally I took pictures as proof that we can be kind parents on occasion. 

The girls absolute favorite ride of this trip. They figured out how to use the fast pass machine quickly and never stood in line. They went over and over and over again. 

Dinner at the wine bar. The girls received a Frozen kit which included paper, pens, pencils, colored pencils, erasers, a pencil sharpener and ruler. Some may call this bribery, others may call this a parent’s reward for 3 fun-filled days at Disney and a need for a quiet, peaceful meal and a lovely glass of wine. Don’t judge…but if you do, it was B’s idea and I think he’s a pretty great dad. 

Let Disney day #2 begin! We had a much different plan today than the day before. This plan involved more swimming and a bit more relaxing. Fine by me. We even got to sleep in a bit because our first stop was a character breakfast right in our hotel. 

This girl is so, so California cool. 

Breakfast at Paradise Pier’s Surf’s Up. 

Hang Ten with Mickey

Gwyneth loves Stitch. I have to admit I’ve never seen this movie. I know the character, but no clue what the movie is about. 

They called all the kids up for a dance party. Annabelle was not sure about that. 

Gwyneth rocked it. She could care less about what people think of her or her dancing. She is six and that may change. It may change soon. But I hope not. Keep dancing, Gwyneth. Keep on dancing!!!

Tableside visit from Minnie

Tableside visit from Daisy. These character/princess meals are included in the vacation package we purchase and although they can be a bit pricey they save hours of time waiting in lines to meet the characters. The line to meet Minnie was over an hour in the park so sitting, relaxing, enjoying breakfast (and maybe a mimosa…) is not a bad plan. Worth every single penny. 

Instead of heading to the parks right away, the girls wanted to check out the water park. The slide was closed at our hotel which allowed us access to water park at neighboring Disneyland Hotel. They had several slides and great pools. The girls love, love, love to be in the water (especially Annabelle!). 

Cannonball!

After a quick shower and lunch off we went to Disneyland. These girls are the real deal. 

So, so excited!

Our hotel was just a five minute walk to the California Adventure entrance. We walked right in and hopped on the Ariel ride. The girls wouldn’t have it any other way. 

After many rides, we took a stroll through Downtown Disney

The Disneyland side is much more crowded than the California Adventure side. We stayed late though and rode lots of rides and visited the castle. Another good, good day. 

One more night time trip on Its a Small World. There was a Code H in the line (check out the codes here.) Let me assure you this was not a horse. It was from a kid. Not a baby. A kid. And it happened on the sidewalk in the line right by us. And I have a super weak stomach. And that is a gross understatement of my ability to deal with a Code H. The employees started calling out Code H and even before I knew exactly what that was I knew I better get on the ride fast!! We survived with minor gagging and have a new fun, fabulous story to share of my weakness for all things Code H related. 

Goodnight Disneyland, we’ll see you tomorrow!

Our first day at Disneyland was a busy one. We took advantage of our early hour entry and went to visit all things Frozen. We had heard rumors of crazy wait times up to four hours so we figured we better get in line early. Much to our surprise, we walked right up!! There was no wait at all and the girls were thrilled to meet Anna and Elsa. 

THAT. JUST. HAPPENED!!!

Love this, absolutely love this!

Lots more Frozen fun coming our way. 

Again, no line for Olaf. We were amazed! 

Annabelle calls her favorite stuffed animal Shmoozie — nicknamed after the person who gave it to her, my roommate in college. This Schmoozie stand was not stuffed bears as hoped, but some fruit smoothies and a great sign none-the-less

Next stop, A Bug’s Land. Where the Meyer family feels like giants, which can not be taken for granted. 

We mistakenly took B on a spinning ride with us. Oops! 

Frozen Sing A Long!

I think she liked it….

Round 1 on the Ariel ride. 

Ride two of many, many more on the Ariel ride.

Lunch at Ariel’s Grotto

One can never have too many crowns

The girls with Mulan. B had absolutely no idea who this princess was and had never heard of the movie. And so we gave him a hug and ordered him another margarita….

The girls and Tiana. Not sure that B knew who she was either, but he said the margarita was delightful. 

The girls and Rapunzel. B knew this one…or at least pretended too. 

The girls and Cinderella loving divine. 

Thrilled with dessert. 

We had a busy morning at California Adventure and since we had the hopper pass we decided to check out the Disneyland side after lunch. We ran into lots of characters on our way. 

Gwyneth’s favorite ride. Oh how she loves that silly boat ride. I have to admit it’s a nice, relaxing break from the heat and the lines. Although it may be my new nightmare to break down in there at night with all those creepy dolls. I try not to think about that before bedtime {shiver}.

Behold the strength of the Meyer girls. 

After a busy, busy day at the parks the girls decided to call it a night and head back to the hotel. They weren’t quite ready for bed so they took a quick dip in the pool. Not a bad 1st day at Disney, not bad at all. 

After  a wonderful visit with family and friends in Northern Cali, the girls and I hopped a plane and headed to LA. B met us there for a few fun-filled days in Disneyland. 

Our first day there was a tiring one with the travel. When we arrived at our hotel everyone was quite tired, quite excited to see B who we all missed terribly over the weekend, and quite hungry. HANGRY is more like it. We got checked in to our hotel and then immediately had dinner, Little Mermaid smoothies, and B’s signature vacation drink – a margarita! 

This was the best picture I could get of my crew before our meals arrived. Annabelle’s HANGER is epic. 

After dinner, the girls were all smiles and ready for our adventure. 

We celebrated my sister, Stacy’s fabulous 40th with a roaring 20’s theme party at Vino Locale, a wine bar in Palo Alto. The girls stayed for dinner and a bit of a dancing and then back to Stacy’s house with a sitter for a movie night. 

There was plenty of wine, food, and a wonderful jazz band. The weather was beautiful so were able to sit around the outdoor fire pit and enjoy the night. 

The girls and I kicked off Spring Break a few days earlier than B and flew to San Jose. 

First stop: a lovely visit with our friends the Johnson’s. The girls fell right back in step and played the afternoon away while Kristen and I caught up. There is just never enough time with these gals. 

Gwyneth was obsessed with building a leprechaun trap. OBSESSED! She eagerly did her homework, cleaned the basement, cleaned her room, and begged to make this craft. I gotta be honest – St Patrick’s Day is not one of my fav’s. Our years in Chicago and the madness that ensues along with the green river may have ruined it for me. I think a green shirt is adequate celebration. 

Anyway, Gwyneth thinks St. Patty’s day is fabulous and was determined to build a leprechaun trap. I searched on pinterest….and then quickly realized the majority of those are “Mom crafts” and I wasn’t really all that eager to catch a leprechaun. Gwyneth helped herself to some colored paper and glue and came up with this dandy little trap and was certain it would work. 

In case you can’t see it from the picture, there’s a piece of double sided tape that was intended to trap the leprechaun while he tried to capture the gold. She was worried that the tape would not hold, but only wanted the tiniest of leprechauns. She was certain the tape would work. 

When asked what she intended to do with said leprechaun once caught, Gwyneth informed me that leprechauns grant 3 wishes and she was certain that hers would get her a bed for her American Girl doll. Ambitious! She also informed me that after he granted her wishes, she was going to boil him up and put him in Irish stew for dinner. Wait…what??? B and I have a pretty twisted sense of humor, but I take absolutely no credit for this and I’m a bit frightened, because I don’t think she was really joking. 

Our day consisted of baking cupcakes, preparing for two catering events tomorrow, and our last St. Patty’s Little Cooks and Books. 

Our gals joined the Merrill’s for a day of Horsemanship camp at the Western Complex. They were able to feed, brush, and even ride horses. They even earned a Girl Scout badge in the process. 

B and I went for a belated birthday celebration at Morton’s. We invited the girls to go, but after both had sleepovers and a day of tending to horses they were exhausted. Annabelle informed us “just go. you need a break from your children”. Oh so wise. We would have enjoyed having them with us, but it was also lovely to have a date night and uninterrupted adult conversation. 

Happy Birthday, B!

Today was another birthday party at the kitchen. I host the parties and our chef, Ricky sticks around to help with the food prep. B gets to spend the day with the girls. We are definitely finding what works for us. 

B had some work to do so we all hung out at the kitchen in the morning. Annabelle got a hold of my camera and here you go….

The party theme today was pajamas and pancakes. The kids did a great job!