Disneyland

March 2013

We went to Disneyland.  I suppose most people might end that sentence with an exclamation point.  I used to like Disney years ago, I suppose, but a few issues have grown within me.  I'm not a fan of their marketing.  I don't like that in almost every store in the valley my girls find Disney princess garb that they think they have to have because it's 'cute' and everyone else has it.  And I don't love how Tessa has connected to Disney princesses and makes many beauty and fashion decisions based on them.  We've worked through much of it with her, but I don't really appreciate the almost unavoidable influence.

But when Tom's parents went to live in California for a few months for cancer treatment, Tom talked me into going since we could save a lot of money because we wouldn't have hotel costs.  I dragged my feet.  I even complained a bit (especially when I saw the tickets on the credit card--just so many other things I'd rather have with that amount of money).  I had to have coaching from Tom to just go with the flow.  But I went and managed okay.  The princess scene was not as bad as I had anticipated (we only saw one, except for in the parades) and other than the long lines, it was okay (when we first arrived, the girls wanted to ride the merry go round first (huh?) and it was an hour + wait; that was about too much for me, but Tom had asked me not to complain so I held my peace and it did get better).  At the end of our two days I said, "I guess I could be talked into coming back in 5-10 years."  Tom, on the other hand, had his fill.  He'd much rather spend his vacation money on something different.  So we'll see what the future brings.

Caleb didn't go with us.  He didn't feel like he could miss the beginning days of the new term or track practices.  He had gone last year with the XC team and didn't think it was worth going back for.  The girls' reactions were surprisingly neutral (it was a surprise to them and even with the announcement, they weren't that excited).  They had fun, but they probably would have been just as happy with something cheaper.  Chandler, on the other hand, LOVED it.  He'd go back in a heart beat.  But for now, visiting Disneyland is checked off the list.

For the most part, I forgot to take pictures, but I do have a few.  Tom's parents went with us the first day and that was a very welcome thing.  The lines were so very long that it was great to have extra help with the girls--and what a fun memory for the kids to have their grandparents at Disneyland with them.

When we told Cache we went, his comment was "Well, now we are the typical Mormon family."  I think he's happy to keep his bragging rights of never going to Disneyland. (I feel like I'm raising abnormal children!)