The Happiest Place on Earth!

Growing up in Southern California, Disneyland was as much a part of our childhood as was going to the beach.  The feeling of driving along the 57 freeway and seeing the white-capped mountain of the Materrhorn ride was just too much excitement for a kid to take.  Back then we didn't have a lot of money so we couldn't go very often. But it made our trips there that much sweeter!  I remember feeling so special on Disneyland Days!

Even as a teen and an adult I never stopped loving Disneyland.  We used to go all the time.  And I remember always thinking how awesome it would be to take my own kids one day. Well, my friends, that day finally came last month.  Even though my family bugged me almost weekly to take him from the minute we moved back, he just wasn't ready last year.  But we now felt this was a good time and that he could appreciate the experience.  So we gathered the entire David, Varela and Martinez clans and headed to the happiest place on earth.

I will admit that going with 4 kids under the age of 3 was no easy task.  But with the help of Mimi and Papa, we did pretty good. Gavin was a dream baby that day and all the other kiddos were so well behaved so it was a really nice day...perfect weather, decent lines and just a lot of family fun to be had! 

I honestly think I had more fun than Jack did.  Just the feeling of walking through the gates and stepping onto Main Street with him, was very emotional for me.  It was like a full-circle moment that I had been waiting for for a long time.  Jack was a little overwhelmed at first but soon he was just having a blast....dancing, singing and enjoying the rides with his cousins.  I can't tell you how cool it was to see him so happy at the place that brought me so much joy as a kid.  I'd have to say his favorites were Toontown, the Carousal, the Cars, Small World and of course Dumbo...one of my all-time faves at Disney.  Going on that ride with him was simply awesome. 

Jack is already asking to go again.  But we don't want to take him too often because I want him to feel like I did when I was a kid - that going to Disneyland is a really special experience.  The CARS Land is opening at California Adventure this summer so we're planning a little stay-cation in September.  I am pretty sure he will freak out when he can walk through Radiator Springs and see Lightening McQueen and Mater.  For now, here are A LOT of pictures from our Disney Day...