Disneyline

It was Bryce's spring break so we decided to make the fun trip to Disneyland (or as my husband nicknamed it...Disneyline). I think we have been spoiled having the season passes because we usually only go when we know there isn't going to be crowds. Now that Bryce is in school we can only go when he has vacation time, which is when all other kids in America have breaks. It took us an hour and a half to even step foot in the park!! There was a line to get into the parking structure. A line to get from the parking structure to the entrance on the tram. A line for the security check. A line to renew Bobby's pass. A line to get into the park. And then a line to use the restroom, which was a must since we had waited so long from the beginning of the journey.





Once we were inside the place was packed, but if you can't have fun at Disneyland, you probably won't have fun anywhere. The place is magical. I think it has to do with all the details they put into the park. Everything from the flowers and bushes to the bathroom doors and light posts are themed. I love it!! The kids had so much fun. I even let them wear their character shirts. I used to be so against these hideous outfits, but someone reminded me you are only a kid once, so I let them have their fun now. When they are 15 and wanting to wear a mickey mouse shirt, I may have to re-evaluate.


Even with all the fun and magic, there is no where you can go in the park where a child isn't having a meltdown. I think part of the problem is all the rides drop you off into a toy store that is themed for the awesome ride you just went on. The kids want something everytime and when the answer is no...MELTDOWN time. I always feel for the parents struggling to put their screaming kid in the stroller. We've all been there and done that...like just three rides ago. No judging here! Adding to a case of the crank butt, you walk all day, stand in line, the kids skip naps to get in all the rides, they are tired, the parents are tired from trying to calm the crank butts and make sure they aren't hitting other kids in line. You have to go home just to relax after the "relaxing" vacation, all in the name of fun. Yes, fun can be exhausting!








Bryce's favorite included Star Tours and Buzz and of course pirates. Leah couldn't wait to get off the pirate ride. There really was mean pirate guys in there! (read mean guy blog to fully understand her distaste for pirates).





Leah's favorite was Small World. I remember going on that ride as a kid and thinking how awesome it was. First of all, when you are a kid you think all those little people are real...well at least I did. The look of amazement on Leah's face defintiely took me back to my childhood. When you see it as an adult, you are like, "WOW! REALLY!? This is it? Cardboard and creepy puppets?" Does not have the same appeal. The message of the ride is much clearer now though. I thought it was just a catchy song but it is actually about diversity and alikeness. Love the ride to this day, creepy puppets and all.





I know the place is highly (understatement) merchandised and commercial, but I will totally buy into a place that caters to families, vacations and good times. Although, next time we are taking Bryce out of school to go on a day without lines!!

Who Do You Think You ARE?

I think my kids (Bryce in particular) are well-behaved. He's always been an easy going kid and very loving. Recently he has started talking back! I'm not sure if this is a trait picked up in the school yard or what, but I HATE it. Of course, I understand everyone gets mad, even kids are allowed to feel this emotion, but talking back is the biggest sign of disrespect.

Not that he asked to be born, but does Bryce not realize the sacrifices I've made for him!

...The shape of my body for starters. All the weekend outings that we've given up because I adore my lil' guy and want to be with him. Romantic evenings with my husband so I could comfort our baby back to sleep. The dinners I've cooked for his taste buds (mac n cheese with hotdogs) instead of pleasing my palate. The asses I've wiped, the puke I've cleaned, the snot I've wiped. The items we won't buy so he can have a car when he's driving, the second on the house for his wedding, the college tuition. The list goes on and on...

So when my kid tells me he wants a new mom, a new family, and why am I making his life difficult...I'm not sure whether to cry or get pissed. Does he know how good he has it? The toys, the love, the support and this is the response I get after I tell him no more eating brown sugar by the spoonful? You've got to be kidding me!!

To say I don't understand it would be a lie. If you get the kind of kid you were...I was the queen of back talk. I too was well-behaved, but when I didn't get my way, I could do some damage with my words. I think it is a rite of passage. You have to talk back, have your own kids, realize the ridiculousness of what you said when you were a kid, apologize to your parents and correct your child's behavior. When your child grows up to have their own kids, they will realize how good they had it and apologize too.

It is a cycle and I realize he will not realize the power of his words until later....much later....and I will be waiting for a sincere apology....not one because I made him!

Private Parts

Once your kid finds this section of their body be prepared to have some answers for them. When they are little you teach them, "point to your nose, point to your mouth, etc..." It is only a matter of time before they want to point and ask what is "down there."

The research shows that you are suppose to teach them the proper names to their parts, but it is so wierd to have your two year old saying vagina or penis. It just isn't as comfortable as when they call it their pee-pee or wee-wee or whatever nicknames parents use to make it less awkward.

Obviously if the "parts" are outta sight they are outta mind. But there are certain times that a child has to be naked, like for baths and dressing. Until recently I thought my kids were still of acceptable age to bathe together. I still think it is okay, but Bryce noticed that Leah has different parts than him. I love his description. He says, "Why does Leah have two butts? Why does her butt go ALLLLL the way around?" That is probably how it looks to a young kid, but I never thought of it that way before.

I explain to him that boys and girls have different parts and their "parts" are what make them a boy or a girl. I can't imagine how tough the birds and the bees talk is going to be when they are old enough. As an adult, you really take for granted the things you have learned in your life. Like, I know about the "parts" and what they are for but I don't remember when or how I learned about it.

Anyway, the whole private part issue is tough. I have always thought girls have it rougher, but boys don't really have it all that easy. If you are a mom to a boy you are probably aware of the whole "issue" that takes place down there (mostly in the mornings). I wasn't aware that boys have this "hard" issue until it became apparent during diaper changes. I never read to expect this in any books. Let me tell you, expect it! And expect it to keep happening. Bryce is now at an age where he can question it. He even gets pissed. "Mom, this thing won't go down!!" It's like...oh boy! Go ask your Dad. I have no idea. I say, "Stop messing with it and it should go away." He even asks WHY it happens. AWWWWW! HELP!!

Leah is just as intrigued by boobs and bras. She asked, "What are those?"
I told her they are my private parts and that girls have private parts up top too! She then asked, "When am I getting my boobs?"

When you picture your life as a parent, you don't really plan your answers to these type of questions. They kinda catch you off guard. You have to find appropriate ways to explain something that won't make sense to them until they are older. If you haven't hit these mildstones, my advice...well, I don't have any. Good Luck!