After getting up and eating breakfast we were talking about what we would be doing that day. I took this photo of the kids in our room (notice yet another Disney poster in the background).
And this is how we finally "told" them (the shirts are ones that Matt made for them).
After that video, we realized they probably didn't understand the difference between Disneyland and Downtown Disney. We explained it a bit and they got a bit more excited. I still wasn't 100% sure they understood what it meant.
After we got in the park, we got some really good photos. Cinderella's castle was ready and waiting for us to enter!
First up, the carousel.
We got a special treat with one of the Disney bands joining us for the ride.
Then it was off to Pinocchio...that didn't go so well. The boys seemed okay with it but Anna was not happy about it. It really rattled her as being too scary. We went to Dumbo next which was much more her speed.
Then it was off to the spinning tea cups! We got the purple one which I was told before our trip is the fastest one. It sure got us dizzy!
Love the laughs!
Checking out the White Rabbit's house after going on the Alice in Wonderland ride. It went much better than Pinocchio.
Then it was off to It's A Small World (Anna's favorite).
We then headed to Toon Town for a bit. I took the boys on a small "roller coaster" which they seemed to enjoy, especially Mason.
They liked the Toon Town jail. :-)
We ate lunch in Toon Town then headed to the submarine ride. It was likely the longest line we were in for the entire trip.
After that we went to see some Star Wars stuff for Olivier. They wanted their photo with the small replica Darth Vader.
We went on the Buzz Lightyear ride then headed to the Jungle Cruise. Although they aren't real it is still cool to see the elephants.
Then we went to the Tiki room (Anna loved this as well). We decided to call it a day and walked back to the hotel and got there shortly before 4 p.m. We took it easy the rest of the evening. Day one was a success.
Today we left for our vacation to LA. I will say this, the kids asked to go to LA for some reason and we said yes. They never asked what we would be doing while we were there but we did tell them the hotel would have a pool. We found out later on in our trip how big of a deal that was to them!
Here is a photo as we hit the road.
And here is a short clip to give you a feel of their excitement. If only they knew...!
As we got closer, we saw this sign and they noticed it said Disneyland but didn't say more than that.
And this is the kids while we wait at the intersection right before our hotel. The cross street is Disneyland Drive (which you could see street signs for) and the "fair" is California Adventure.
All excited for the pool when we arrived at the hotel.
I wanted to take their photo in the lobby, they wanted it at this desk...
Instead of with the Micky which I suggested. (or the large Disney banner).
We went to check out their rooms. The boys had a Cars themed room.
Anna's room had a history of Mickey Mouse border.
And this cool retro Bambi poster.
Then we went on a walk. We didn't tell them where we were going, curious as to what they would ask along the way...
And this is the extent of what they asked.
Notice the sign we passed.
And the directory that we had to check.
Enjoying Downtown Disney.
They really liked the Lego store.
After dinner at a restaurant near our hotel we went to get them some frozen yogurt.
They were silly, what's new!
And before bed, Olivier wanted me to take his photo with the Cars poster.
Still no asking about what we would be doing the next day except for the pool, which we said "maybe". :-)
Today was the last day of school! Oh my! Where has the 180 days of school gone? They were very excited for today's festivities! But first a quick photo!
The kinder celebration was first, and the teachers had fun telling the kids that they really can speak English. Lots of giggles all around.
Olivier with his teacher (Maestra Irion)
Mason with his teacher, Maestro Browning
Anna enjoyed the assembly in the morning and got an award for her story (personal narrative) and was sad to leave her teacher behind. Maestra Koch had been with Anna in kinder and she was lucky enough to have her for 2nd grade too.
1st and 3rd grade watch out! Here come Mason, Olivier and Anna! But first, summer vacation!
Today was the boys last long day in kindergarten. In order to take advantage of the time, the teachers coordinated a walking field trip to the city library, then pizza for lunch, with a ride on the city bus back to school. I was lucky enough to be able to swing the day off work and join the group. They have 43 kids, four teachers, and 18 parents. It was great! They were so excited when they realized Anna's best friends mom would be reading to them (she is a GREAT story teller by the way!) and then they got to roam. Of course I wasn't surprised when Mason picked a book to read and Olivier asked me to read a book. They love books!
It was a great day! Hard to believe kindergarten is almost over!
