Disneyland--Fairy Godmother Style

When we chose our children's godmothers we knew we were making awesome choices.  For one, they each devoutly follow God (kind of a prerequisite to be a "god"parent).  In addition, we knew they would eventually make their way back to Cali and we would always have a great place to visit.  Oh, and then there's the part where we know they really do love our kids.

What we didn't know is how perfectly matched our kids were with their respective godmothers.  Kate and Brandy are basically the same person, one is just younger.  Their personalities are ironically similar, down to the matter-of-fact way they talk which makes it hard to tell when they are joking.  They also both have a "special eye."  Then there is their posing for pictures, hand on hip with a hip cocked out to the side.  Jude and Stephanie are also very similar.  They both love to laugh, but appreciate quiet quality time snuggling on the couch under a quilt.  They are both kind and concerned for the well-being of others, but surprise you with a quirky side (both may or may not love to sport fabulous costumes).  Then, when we saw how excited Jude got for a new pair of shoes we knew they were perfect for each other.

Anyways, the second perk is what brought us to this point.  Guess what lies right in between their respective homes?  Why Disneyland just happens to be somewhat in the middle.  MAJOR PERK.

We went on a Saturday, which I don't really recommend, but it's what worked.  These 2 kids had not 1 but 6 adults following them around and doting on their reactions to everything.  Kate was sick as a dog with a 102 degree fever, but she made the best of it.

My parents love the girls too so it was fun to have everyone together (can you tell my dad is beyond excited about being at Disneyland about to ride Mr. Toad?)

The kids and their fairy godmothers

This picture is required when entering Disneyland.

The aforementioned hip cock.

Waiting on the train and having some quality face time.

Kate loves her TT too!

At about this point Kate asked if we could just ride the train all day (she was feeling terrible).

Michael and his favorite mother-in-law.  I'm really not joking here.  He loves her so much and is so appreciate to have her (and her cooking).

Dad was being silly, but if you know him you can actually tell he was enjoying himself.  

JUDE. TRAIN. LOVE.

Kate is in her happy spot, her Ginny's lap, on a train, at Disneyland

Kate got to meet some princesses who were clearly out-posed by a fabulous 4 year old.  She was most happy about meeting Arie (who, if you ask me, Steph, and Bran is clearly too tan to have been underwater very much)

Forget the princesses...these 3 are queens!

Bippity Boppity Boutiques is a MUST for any little girl at Disneyland.  And if they are sick it gives them a nice quiet place to relax.  Kate nearly fell asleep multiple times during her makeover.

The bluebirds were so helpful to hold her hair up

Finally, she smiles!!!!!  This was the coolest thing.  We all sat and watched and clapped and laughed and marveled at the instant-dry nail polish.

The princess and her Pop (what you can't see is that he is wearing a pink Bippity Boppity backpack.

Jude had some time too.  He was skeptical of Dumbo...until we flew!

The perfect end to a great day (Jude was already gone!)

California!

...a much needed trip to California!  We have needed to go to California to visit our good friends and the godmothers to our children--Steph and Brandy--for a while, so it was great to finally make it out.  We spent

It was probably much too cold to be in the water, but when you have a child who asks about the beach almost daily you make sacrifices.

I am pretty sure she will go to school in California some day.  She loves the beach too much to be land-locked forever.

Jude wasn't too sure about the ocean.  He also was skeptical of how the sand felt on his feet.

I think he finally got the hang of the sand by this point.  Here he is looking dapper out in front of Hotel Del just down the street from his godmother's house.

Point Loma was beautiful.  We all really enjoyed the hike up to the lighthouse.  It was so pretty.  My parents really loved it too.

Me, Mom, and Jude looking at the sea.  (I also think we were discussing if we wanted to risk using the sketchy state park bathroom just down the hill)

There are so many things to post about this trip, but this is a start.  I'm so thankful to be able to travel with my little family and my parents.  It's so cool to share the joy of our kids with them.  I'm pretty sure they are some of the best grandparents anyone could ask for.

We Are Going to Disneyland!!!!!

(OLD BLOG--COULDN'T GET IT TO POST UNTIL NOW)

...Kate loving to add "wah, wah" after jokes or when something doesn't go as planned. Well, tonight we had a "wah, wah." We have been planning a trip with my parents to California for months. Not only are we going to Disneyland, but the kids' godmothers, Brandy and Steph, are also going to meet us there. I've been amazed at my ability to keep this a secret. If you know me, you know that keeping secrets about surprises is next to impossible. Well, I proved everyone wrong. I have not told Kate about our trip to Cali for 4 months. So, on the the "wah, wah" part. When I picked Kate up from school today she was visibly ill. The teacher said she coughed non-stop all day and shortly before pick-up had began to cry. She was weak and seemed to be having trouble breathing. When we got to the car she started coughing so hard she was throwing up. I decided she might be having an asthma attack to I called Michael. We could not get in touch with our pediatrician so we decided to take her to the ER where we learned she had a high fever which was causing the breathing issues. Now to understand why this was so frustrating you must know that Jude has also been very ill, but had finally took a turn for the better today. A doctor at an un-named pediatric urgent care gave him the wrong dosage of steroids which caused him to have a dangerously low body temperature on Sunday evening (2 a.m. to be exact). We finally had him on the mend, until next Friday when he finally is having his adenoids out and tubes put in, and now Kate is sick. Don't these kids know we are supposed to leave for California in 1 day? Oh wait...they don't. We decided it would make Kate feel better if we told her. Well, she is excited, but it wasn't the "bouncing off the walls" reaction for which we had hoped. Nevertheless, she is excited on the inside.