Disney Time

The day we told the kids we were moving to California, we used a standard ploy in the parenting arsenal of trying to make sad kids happy. We promised them a trip to Disneyland. We had hoped to go back in the fall for Ben’s birthday, but it didn’t work out. The kids were troopers about it but often asked, “So, when are we finally going to Disneyland?”

The answer to our Disneyland dreams came in an end of the month call from “Our Jan” with passes for the family the very next week. Calendars were quickly cleared, we surprised the kids with a bedtime story about a certain prince and princess revealing our destination, asked Leah’s “mom-council” for advice on maneuvering the happiest place on earth and enjoyed our one and only first time visit as a family.

Kiddos the night before our big adventure:

The fun begins:

Rest stop in a non-moving teacup (the only type Leah can handle):

Rest stop on daddy’s shoulder:

Ben’s biggest adventure was being chosen as a participant for the Jedi Training Academy. We were all excited watching him go through his training exercises and then we were thrilled as he became the star of the show defeating both Darth Vader and a Strom Trooper attack. If there was ever a moment of a father living out his dreams through his son, this was it.

First Jungle Cruise for Mark, Ben and Clara!

Clara’s big moment was going on the Thunder Mountain Railroad coaster and loving it. Here she is triumphantly showing her rollercoaster rock star status:

The family willingly indulged in a mommy Little Mermaid moment:

Don’t even think of messing with this crew:

The kids lasted until closing and must have been sprinkled with pixie dust, because the day was clear of meltdowns and whining. It was a day we had anticipated for so long and it did not in any way disappoint. 

It's summed up best in this moment— when Mark leaned into Leah and whispered, “Can you believe we're at Disneyland with our little boy and little girl?” 

Dreams really do come true.