Disneyland, 2014 Day 3

PLAN- "Open" the park, take a midday break, "close" the park. 

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED- We woke up bright and early and set out for California Adventure. After our last trip and my own childhood memories, if asked I would have said I preferred Disneyland to California Adventure, and would have picked that park as our first stop. However, all the rides Quinn wanted to try out were at California Adventure. There was also a grad night event happening at California Adventure the next evening and we had read some conflicting information about when it would be open.  

Quinn was literally jumping up and down and singing, "We are going to Disneyland!" as we walked over. It was truly a magical moment. At Quinn's request, we all rode Ariel together very first. She was in heaven. I think she rode it at least ten times by the end of the trip. Next, Ali, Dalan, and I hit Tower of Terror while my mom and Quinn explored Bugs Life Land. Good times were had by all. Then we hit up Carsland, the adults were able to do single rider and do Radiator Springs with hardly a wait. Score!  

My mom, Dalan, and Ali went and did Soaring over California, and I went on a stroll with Quinn.  We ended up meeting Pluto, Goofy, Sofia, The Incredibles, and Sully!  A major score.  

We then went on the Monsters Inc ride and to The Muppets show. Monsters Inc quickly became Quinn's second favorite ride. We got some lunch in Carsland.  Poor Dalan just are Cheetos and a gf granola bar for lunch. We then hit up Toy Story Mania. The line was long and hot, but the ride was fun. 

It was then time for a rest. We never got Quinn to nap, but she did relax, so it was a win. 

We spent the evening hitting up more and more rides. We had really good luck this entire day with short lines and taking advantage of the single rider lines. We ate a yummy dinner, and Dalan took a leap of faith and trusted the Internet that the turkey legs were gf (they were).  

We finished the night with the World of Color water show. We skipped this last time, but were really happy to watch it this year. We all liked it. When the show ended, so did our night. We were tuckered. Quinn fell asleep in the stroller, which made me nervous about her wetting the bed, but she did not. She also slept in her "bed" the whole night, which was nice. (We had ordered her a crib to sleep in, the first two nights she ended up in bed with Dalan and me. The whole trip we called it her special bed, and never a crib. She seemed to buy into it. When we got home, we were talking to our neighbor that Quinn even got her own special bed. And Quinn quipped, "you mean my crib?"  Ha.) 

UP TOMMORROW- Disneyland! 

Disneyland, 2014 Day 2

PLAN- Sleep in (ish), run to Target, go to the beach, and then go from there. (I just realized I should be calling these post California, 2014 instead of Disneyland... Oh well.) 

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED- We got up at a more leisurely pace, but still required an alarm clock. We are the type of people who would sleep to noon if we just let it happen. We headed to Target to get picnic type food for our beach days, some snacks, and some gf supplies for Dalan. I think we did better over all at having snacks around this trip. It also helped that our hotel gave us a sack breakfast each morning. (Well, it didn't help Dalan, but it increased the amount of easy, on the go types of food to have around.). 

We next headed to Newport Beach. It was a Sunday, and the beach was busy. We knew it would be. We found a parking spot eventually, and hit the beach. Quinn was in love!  Last time we went, she was a little afraid of the water, but this time we were dragging her out. The weather was in the 60's to low 80's for our entire trip, which is perfect Disneyland weather, but it was a little cold at the beach. Quinn kept shivering and turning slightly blue, but was loving it. It was a really nice afternoon.  However, just like two years ago- Quinn and Dalan avoided sunburn, Ali, Patti, and I did not. Nothing too bad, but still, we try so hard. 

That evening after showers and rest, we headed out to get food. The ladies got Panda Express, and Dalan got Chipolte again, and we then headed to Downtown Disney. 

Our first stop was the Lego store, for all our Lego loving family members. Quinn had a blast. We got some icecream (not Dalan- he is such a good sport), and checked out some of the gift shops. Quinn and Ali were in heaven.  They both love that kind of stuff!  

We headed back to the hotel and called it a night.  I think we watched more fireworks, but I am not 100% sure.  

UP TOMORROW- California Adventure!!!!

Disneyland, 2014 Day 1

BACKGROUND- I have basically been wanting to go back to Disneyland since the day we left almost two years ago. After taking a 15 year break from the park I was hooked. However, some things started getting in our way. First, there's my pesky work schedule. The best times to go to Disneyland are during the school year, and that is when I work.  Next, last time we knowingly/unknowingly got some killer deals, so when I would look up prices it all seemed so expensive. I hate paying more for something than I have previously. Finally, Dalan and Celiac's.  We had about eight months when he couldn't really eat at home without getting sick (I mean he lost over 30 pounds!), so eating on vacation seemed impossible. But, he got his diet under control, his gut healed, and I am proud to say, he went the entire trip without getting "glutened." 

So, we just sucked it up and went in the summer and paid a little more for the hotel and tickets than I wanted, and we made a food plan for Dalan that included some research and some just faith in people/menus. AND, it all worked out and was fabulous. 

DAY 1 PLAN- My mom, Dalan, Quinn, and I will leave around 7 am on Saturday morning. Hopefully, a Saturday driving day will help us avoid Vegas and LA traffic. Ali will fly into Long Beach that evening. This day is mainly just a travel day. 

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED- We left around 7 am, and avoided most traffic. We made it to Disney in 11 hours, with stops and one small traffic jam. Quinn was a trooper. She slept, played, and watched a movie. I don't think she whined or complained once. She had no potty accidents, or anything close.

 We really had a nice drive. We saw an army convoy, at the same time as the some tanks crossed over a bridge out in the desert. That was weird. But, otherwise, the drive was pretty uneventful. 

We got to our hotel, and had some time to walk around Downtown Disney. It was nice to stretch our legs. And then it was time to pick up Ali.  The backseat was awfully squishy at that point. Quinn's bigger car seat just doesn't allow a lot of room for three backseat passengers. 

We went to Chipolte for dinner (gluten free!), and Quinn had a small melt down. It was late. And she was hungry. She bounced back quickly. 

When we got back to the hotel, we played some Uno, watched the fireworks from Disney, and headed to bed. Quinn got this Ariel talking necklace for the trip. All it says is one semi-seductive phrase over and over, "That's Fantastic!" My mom and Dalan played a trick on Ali by pushing it on and off, but acting like it was so random, creepy thing from the hotel room. Silly, but hilarious. We laughed hard. 

The first day was a total success- low stress driving, no hitches in the plan, and FUN!  

UP TOMORROW- The Beach!  

Quinn's Check Up

Another year, and another clean bill of health!  We had a great well child check up with Quinn's pediatrician. She is growing and progressing perfectly. 

Quinn loves her doctor. She was so excited for the visit. She chatted his ear off about our trip to Disneyland (posts coming soon), and was excited to get to listen to her own heart. 

We went ahead and got her Kindergarten shots this year. She was a trooper. She cried a little, but was excited to get three suckers and three stickers!  

Now for the numbers- 

Weight- 27.34, 1%. (I think she is closer to 28, which is the 3%)

Height- 37.4, 7% (I think she is more like 38..... I don't know why his measurements for weight and height seem lower than everywhere else... Oh well.) 

We left feeling happy and grateful for a healthy 4 year old.  Well, Quinn left with a sore leg and a mouthful of sucker.  

Checking out the damage when we got home. 

Father's Day Survey 2014

Here is what 4 year old Quinn knows about her Dad...

What is his name? Daddy Dalan Sellers

Where does dad work? at the clock factory. 

What does dad like to eat? Meat. 

How old is dad?  35

What do you love about dad? He is cute.  And he lost his shoe.  (Quinn puts on his shoe.) 

Last Day of (3 year old) Preschool

Today was Quinn's last day of three year old preschool. She will return to the same preschool in the fall, only she will be attending 4 days a week rather than just 2. 

Preschool has been so good for Quinn. She has learned a lot of new skills and met a ton of new friends. Quinn has really benefitted from being away from family members and having to learn to follow directions and listen. 

We love her teachers, Miss Mirna and Miss Carol!  They have been so great and go above and beyond this year. I really appreciate them!  

I know Quinn loves school too. It's at least half of her imaginary play at home. We are always playing school or library!  

Today at preschool they had an adorable little program. Quinn was hilarious. She danced and did the actions like a champ. She only sang for like 25% of the program though. She is totally the shortest/smallest as well as the youngest, but she did fabulous. It was so fun to get to watch her first ever school program!  

First day vs last day.