Day 3: California Adventure

Right next to Disneyland is California Adventure. That's where we spent most of the day last Tuesday. It was a whole new place to explore.

We started out by having the boys go through the obstacle courses. Zachary was great on the zip line. It was on a bungee cord so at the end of the track you bounce back and forth. He laughed so hard that Nicole wanted to go on it - but she wasn't big enough.

She WAS big enough for the log slides but it took awhile to convince her she wanted to. She earned a Junior Ranger sticker for being brave. Then she went on it many more times.

There were even smaller slides for the littlest kids.  Greg didn't hesitate to go down the "rock slides" and didn't want to leave. He ran up the stairs over and over again.

Just hanging out with the bears!

We didn't ever have to wait too long for rides but sometimes the kids started getting restless.  That's when I brought out the camera as a distraction.  They loved it.  In this particular instance, Nicole was scared to go on "Soarin' Over California," which she was barely tall enough to ride.  We were almost to the front of the line and I didn't want to turn back. So I took a picture of her crying and she thought it was funny. Then I kept her distracted by taking more pictures until we were on the ride.  Great parenting, I know.  But she ended up LOVING the ride and went on it four times.

There's a new Bug's Life area that I fell in love with because they were nice, happy rides. In the shade. With no lines.  First off was the bumper cars.  It was just as much fun to watch as to drive.  I'm glad Jonathan still has to wait eight years before he can get his driver's license!

We got to go for a ride in a snack box. I love how they had everything bug-sized.

Greg was enjoying himself too. 

Behind our family in the green Super Snack Pack box, you can see the Hollywood Tower of Terror.  There's nothing quite like free-falling for thirteen stories.  Jonathan wouldn't go on the ride with me but then he got the courage to go on it with Ben. (Hey, wait a minute...)  He was really proud of himself afterward but did NOT want to go on it again.  

I love ladybugs. And this ride was Tilt-o-Whirl style, which was always my favorite. Greg clung to me VERY tightly.  I wish I could hear what was going on in his little mind as we were spinning.

"Ah. Candy corns!" 

Do you know who said that? 

We got to ride Heimlich the caterpillar as he ate his way through a dripping watermelon, a cupcake, animal crackers (which we could smell), and lots of other junk food. It made me want to be a bug.

The merry-go-round at California Adventure is ocean themed. Notice Greg clinging to Ben.  What a kid. When he was scared, he never cried. He just bowed his head and hung on for dear life. Nicole has mastered her seahorse wave. (This ride is conveniently located next to the huge rollercoaster. By taking turns, Ben and I didn't miss out on any big rides.)

The best toys money can buy!

With such hot days, we made several stops at the mist machine. One of the boys told me that we should build one in our yard. 

What is Zachary so excited about? 

The Pixar parade!  When Ben and I went to Disneyland by ourselves two years ago, I knew I HAD to bring the kids back someday to see the Pixar parade, if nothing else.  And they responded just like I knew they would. We had a great view and it was all perfect. 

  

Last stop of the night: The Muppets 3D movie. Greg didn't want to be seen in the pink glasses. Don't we look cool enough?

Our day at California Adventure was definitely an adventure.  So that's where we were one week ago today.  Our vacation was far from over though and I can't wait to tell you about Wednesday!