The Happiest Place on Earth

This is the post I've been procrastinating. Why, you ask? Let's just say the experience of taking our children to Disneyland was anything BUT the Happiest Place on Earth. For the sake of preserving memories though, here goes...

In May we embarked on the childhood rite of passage, 1st trip to Disneyland. We planned to drive there in 2 days, relish in the magic for 5 and 2 more days to drive home. It was to be filled with magic day in and day out. The first night in our hotel one child was up all night vomiting, Miss A, that was. In the morning she arose happy as could be and seemed to be fine. Mom was exhausted but we pushed on. The next day we made it to Anaheim and after seeing my aunt we went to our hotel to get some sleep in preparation for the big day ahead. We surprised the kids with new Disney jammies and they were thrilled!



See what traveling does...this one was so tired she didn't move from her self-made pillow perch!


The sleep didn't last long, it was another all night vomiting affair for the same one, Miss A. Crazy thing is she arose in the morning claiming to be just fine. Two nights of non-stop vomiting was taking it's toll on Mom, though! Again, we pressed on and headed out for our 1st day of Disneyland. We pulled out another surprise -- Disneyland shirts and we were off! Let's just say that child #2 and #3 had pretty much zero interest in being there. Being the ages they are this is displayed in lots of tears and screaming!

See -- it pretty much looked like this most of the day!


By about noon it was clear that naps were in order so Mom and the little ones headed to the hotel. After waiting over 45 minutes for our shuttle bus (out on the sidewalk with no shade & 2 small tired children) we got home and put them to bed.

We did manage this picture of the 3 of them:

Upon waking up we headed back to Disneyland to meet up with Dad and K. Well, Dad was not feeling well so he camped out with the little guy and Mom and the girls went on a ride. We managed to wander into a parade, so stayed and watched. Then it was off to another night of sleep.


It gets better. This night there were 2 of them going ALL. NIGHT. LONG. Miss A again and now the little guy (S) joined in! I don't think I laid down for more than a 20 minute stretch at a time. It was madness! I was at the front desk begging for cleaning supplies, towels and all kinds of things. After assessing the situation in the morning we decided the 3 sickies would stay home (Dad, Miss A and S) and Mom and K would go to the pool. Well, that didn't last long and we were back at the room. Within the hour, she had joined the sickies -- I was the last holdout and WORN OUT!! Thankfully Target was right across the street so I was able to pick up supplies for all the sickness. (Wouldn't you know it the Tylenol I thoughtfully packed had been recalled after we left!)

We decided to call the day a bust and extend another day at the back end of our vacation to make up for it. Kids bounce back fast, right!?

WRONG. Another night of vomiting. First thing in the morning we called Disneyland and they were gracious enough to reissue our unused 4 days so we could come back in 6 months. We were packed and on the road within an hour. That 2 day trip there was only 1 coming home. We wanted to be home so bad!

So there you have it -- INSANE! And, we get to go back!! Can't wait! It's actually really sad because what do the girls think of Disneyland? "We don't want to go back that's where you get really sick." That's just not fair, it's supposed to be the Happiest Place on Earth!