Disney's the new San Diego

The month of October is my favorite month (always jam-packed with fun) because my birthday, General Conference weekend, our wedding anniversary, Harvest time, and Halloween (a family favorite) are always celebrated within these short 31 days.  I love leap-frogging through October from one celebration to the next.  Usually the weather starts cooling a little bit with crisp fall air during the day and snuggling with my Man under a heavy blanket at night.  I always break out the pumpkin spice candles and scents and enjoy seeing happy orange pumpkins everywhere.  It's the best month of the year for me and never disappoints.

The past few years my Man and I have been blessed to take a long weekend away from the chillies in October to celebrate our anniversary.  When the time came this year to decide if we would go away I just wasn't feeling up for it.  We have been talking about taking the kids to Disneyland this fall and I felt like we should save the money for that.  My Man kept asking, "you sure you don't want to go away for our anniversary?"  Finally I gave him the go ahead to plan something since he kept asking.  He was paying for it after all, and I wasn't going to refuse a vacation dangling in front of me.  My Man said he would take care of all the arrangements, finding a baby-sitter and pet-sitter, and surprise me.  I was SO okay with that.  

For two weeks there were quiet arrangements made between my Man and his sister, Denise, for the chillies to stay with them and do all kinds of activities while we were gone.  My excitement for a quiet weekend for two to sleep in late, eat relaxing meals together, and slow down to recharge was starting to build.  One night my Man asked me if I was even curious as to where we were going.  Of course I was, but surprisingly, the control freak and planner in me didn't really mind not having to worry about the details.  He said we were heading to San Diego for the weekend, and would drop hints every once in awhile about relaxing in the tub with a good book, or window shopping in downtown San Diego.

Since I was doing all the packing for the family I was told to pack swimming gear for the kids, clothes for four days, and all the gear necessary for a day at Six Flags (hat, sunblock, good walking shoes/socks, etc.)  I kept telling Aunt 'Nisey she deserved a saint hood for not only taking all four of our kids for the weekend, but also for planning such awesome activities.  Aunt Lauren also deserves mega brownie points for being willing to have Ruby with her while Dan was away most the weekend.  The dog is still very puppyish and is always so rowdy around their dog, Simon.

Dave really did take care of everything and we left last Friday from work after his last patient.  While I was waiting for Dave to finish with patients I noticed his schedule for the next week was completely empty for Monday AND Tuesday.  I was told we were coming home on Monday.  I started to get suspicious and anticipated him surprising me once we were there with an extra day of playing.  Then as we were driving out of town he said we were stopping off on the way to San Diego to meet with one of his patients to go to dinner.  Fast forward six hours later and stuck in LA traffic and I really began to wonder what was going on.  He had been texting someone all day like he was keeping tabs on them.  As soon as we got off on one of the Disneyland exits in Anaheim I began giving him mind-prying eyes to figure out what he was up to.  He said his patient was staying at a hotel near Disney and wanted to take us out for dinner on our way down to San Diego.  Plausible.  Still fishy.  Was he taking me to Disneyland for that extra day first?  I was looking forward to going to Disneyland with the kids not just for me.  Six Flags and Disneyland were very similar in preparation.  He would not dare plan a vacation to the Magic Kingdom without me!  Would he??  We pulled into a hotel right across the street from the front entrance to Disney.  Why are we walking back to his patients hotel room instead of them meeting us up front?  We don't know these people that well.  I just want to keep driving and get in that huge warm tub with my Man!

As soon as I saw this outside a room we were walking up to, I knew.  I just packed one of those strollers in the van that morning and I knew the other one was cousin Maddie's.  My sweet stinker of a husband DID plan our Disneyland vacation without me, and I knew Arnold and Denise would be in that room with our excited chillies.  They all shouted SURPRISE when I opened the door and the secret was out.  Instead of going to Six Flags today like I thought they were, they had driven down in our van and got there just before we did.  Since I didn't really want to plan a weekend away just the two of us, and I'd been talking about taking the kids to Disney for awhile, my sneaky Man decided to combine the two to surprise us all!  The kids were so excited after the drive that they had energy to burn and didn't want to go to sleep until after 10 PM.

I will admit it took me about 12 hours and a night of restless sleep to get over the fact that a) the two of us were not going to be sleeping and relaxing this weekend b) I wasn't going to be using the long book, candles, bath salts, and lacy things to wear that I packed and c)  we both missed the kiddos reaction when they found out they were going to Disneyland.  Dave wrote them a note about how they were going to drive a little longer to go to Disneyland instead of the 75 minutes it took to get to Six Flags.  (Arnold and Denise recorded them reading the note, but it was accidentally erased from the camera before we could see it)  :(  I had to completely switch gears in my head and change my expectations about how our Disney adventure was going to start, and then it was all good.

We has a fabulous, exhausting, amazing three days at the Happiest Place on Earth.  We could not have done it without Arnold and Denise and are thankful they were willing to brave Disney with our clan.  Me and the kids kept giving huge thank-yous to Dave for providing such an awesome vacation for our family that they will never forget.  The chillies had an unforgettable first trip to Disney.

Also, I've decided Dave owes me at least a night away for teasing me with the prospect of a romantic weekend in San Diego.  

Also, I don't know if I can trust him to plan a trip again- or maybe I should ask him to surprise me more often........  

Sydney was worried about her first dentist visit when I sprung it on the kids that they all had cleaning appointments today.

As soon as we sat in the waiting room Syd turned into a nervous question box.  She asked me numerous times, "Who's going to clean my teeth? Is it going to be a lady because I LIKE ladies?  Why am I getting a check-up?!!!"

Every employee that passed by the front desk got Sydney's eye of disapproval as she waited to see if they were going to be the one to call her back to the chairs.  I asked her if she wanted me to walk back and sit next to her to which she grabbed my hand and said, "Yes!"  When the time came for her to go, she jumped up and didn't look back.  "Do you want me to come with you Syd?," I called after her.  She didn't answer and started talking to the Doc, the lady Doc.  It was smooth sailing from that point on.

It's not fair

We didn't get very far into the fair before everyone was hot and thirsty.  Two quick rides and a snow cone later the natives were pacified.  

Jessie's favs at the fair were the "huge, creepy swings with Mom" where she felt like her swing was going to fall off.  I'll give it to her, once those swings went up and got going fast it was a little disconcerting.  I'm glad she wanted to go with me though.  J also liked the huge slide.  

Dang this girl is getting spunky!  She has always had sass, but we see the tween years coming fast.  I try to remember she is still a kid, needs Mom time just as much as the young chillies, and helps out so much that she deserves extra-special rewards now and then.

After mutton busting we saw lots of animals and conquered a couple monster corn dogs and giant lemonade.  Logan's favorites of the day were "going on the huge slide two times, getting a silver medal, and eating junk food.  The kids were really good about deciding on the few things they wanted to see or do, and we were able to hit them all.  I knew our resident animal lover would be in heaven with all the animals available to touch and watch.  Sydney touched every living thing possible, and I'm glad she didn't come home with any disease or sickness.  

Check out the poor baby goat trying to grab a meal while Mom forages for food.  The poor little one couldn't catch up with Momma darting in between all the people in the petting zoo.  Syd thought it was the funniest thing, especially when baby accidentally got pooped on by Momma goat.  

 When Syd was happy she was a riot to watch.  She would squeal and wave every time a ride took her around to see Daddy standing on the side.  She was the last one of us out of the small animals area because she was so curious and excited to see all the different creatures.  As soon as she learned there were "real alive ponies" at the fair she didn't stop asking to find them until she was on that saddle.  Her other highlights were talking to the clowns and the animals.  Bless her little dare-devil heart; she was so sad when she was too short to go on the roller coasters.  She's going to be fun at Disneyland when she grows tall enough for Space Mountain. 

 Toby's highlight was the dragon roller coaster NOT the spinning roller coaster in the first picture.  Our Toby is not the adventurous type when it comes to flying, spinning, or riding on crazy things.  We made him go on those two roller coasters and he ended up loving the dragon one.  

This sweet boy learned a hard lesson at the fair too.  We were nearing the end of our day there and each kid had three tickets left to spend how they wished.  We tried to warn the kids that if they chose to spend their tickets on one of the games they wouldn't have any left for rides they wanted to go on.  Toby and Logan especially were sucked into the games from the beginning, but after explaining that they would get one game or three rides everyone made their choice.  Toby was the only one that chose to play those worthless games.  We tried to warm him that he could buy the dippy prize he would win for half the money, but he was determined.  He walked away from his game with a dollar store stuffed rat after less than a minute of throwing darts at balloons.  Off the other kids went to go down the big slide when Toby exclaimed, "I want to ride the slide too!"       

It finally sunk in that he really did trade more rides for his lame game prize.  Poor guy.  I felt so bad for him, yet wondered why he didn't really listen to what we were trying to tell him.  He had to find out on his own.  Isn't that how we all learn hard lessons?  At first he thought we were being unfair, until we explained that we tried numerous times to warn him.  Toby sulked while the other kiddos finished using their tickets for rides.   

 Daddy loved his monster corn dog and lemonade, and had fun helping Logan get ready for his mutton busting.  I loved the swing ride, splurging on corn dog yumminess and watching the kids have so much fun.  

The only downers of the day were that Miss Squid picked the one day we were out to be grumpy, and we had to leave early. Squid was a pickle off and on all day, and really could have used an afternoon nap. I guess we are not quite out of a stroller for her, and I was sorry I didn't bring it.  Four and a half hours went by too fast.  When it was time to leave we all wanted to stay longer.  My Man had a swim team meeting and we had family night planned to celebrate sis-in-law Kristy's birthday, so we had to cut our visit a little short.  We still had a great time as a family seeing all the animals, crafts, rides and eating the junk food!!  Although, I just realized we did not eat, or have the kids try, a funnel cake.  I can't even remember the last time I ate a funnel cake.  That might be a travesty we will remedy next time....

Mutton bustin'

When family came home from the fair last week and told us about Mutton Bustin' we had to go check it out in person.  One quick Google search later and I made tentative plans for a family trip to the county fair yesterday to take advantage of free admission.  We helped the food bank with four canned goods per person for admission and scored 99 cent carnival rides.  It turned out to be the only day we would have chosen to go, because rides alone would have drained our wallet twice over.  It was a perfect way to enjoy the fair for cheap-er.

So what is Mutton Busting you ask?  One child, one sheep, six seconds; that's what the official website says.  It's bull-riding for kids.  All our chillies wanted to ride the sheep so badly, but only Logan fit the age 3 to 6 and under 60 pounds requirement.  Once we got into the fair and Logan got a little more comfortable in his surroundings, he was all for signing up for the next mutton busting event.

This kid was all business, and a bit nervous, before and quietly enjoyed his moment of glory afterward.  I may just be biased, but his sheep (the second one) hauled mutton butt out of that gate faster than any of the other kids sheep.  Logan ended up with a second place medal and couldn't be happier.  When we asked him if he had fun Logan said, "yes and no."  Yes, for riding the sheep and getting a silver medal, and no because he flew off.  He did it with style though. 

A little nervous before.

Psyched and ready to go. Notice the cowboy boots he wore to get in the zone.

Without further ado, may I present our resident cowboy;

Mission accomplished.  He wore that medal proudly the rest of the day.  People who knew what it was would stop him every once in awhile and give him high-fives or shoot thumbs-up his way.  Surprisingly, he loved the attention.


More fair pictures coming next.....   

Dang it our baby is growing fast.  Look at these cute little Squidy buns on her first day of swim classes on Monday.  We have been meaning to get her in some swim classes, and signed her up at the cabana club twenty minutes before the first class started.  We brought her suit just in case, and now she conveniently has lessons the same time the kids are in the pool with the Gators.  The best part is that one of her teachers in Jessie's senior buddy on the team, so Syd already knows her.

After all the kids got out of the pool this morning I told the big kids how Syd almost drowned today during her class.  It's a good thing I was watching because she went off the last step to swim to her teacher, but the teacher was facing the other way with another kiddo.  It took my brain a couple seconds to process that seeing the top of Syd's head under the water was not a good thing.  I raced out of my chair poolside, but got to her just as her teacher turned around to get her up.  Phew.  There are two teachers and three kids, so it's not like Syd was unsupervised for long periods of time, but that sure got my heart pumping.

As I related what happened to the big kids they started to semi-fight over who would be able to save Syd if that happened in Grandma and Grandpa's pool.  J and Toby chatted about what they would do if Syd fell off the step when they were there.  All the sudden Logan pipes up, "HEY! I want to save Sydney!"  Without missing a beat, Syd says, "Okay Logan, you can be my superhero!"  As cute as the entire conversation was, I pray it never happens.