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Shelly's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 7/1/00 -------------------- 6/30/00 6/28/00 6/27/00 6/26/00 6/25/00 6/24/00 6/23/00 6/22/00 6/21/00 -------------------- Shelly's Introduction

June 26, 2000

Monday, June 26, 2000

The alarm was set for 8:00 a.m., but Aaron (3 1/2) woke up shortly before that. We needed to rush him into the bathroom first thing because the important thing I forgot on this trip was extra Pull-ups. I brought one, count-em, one pair of Pull-ups. I told him how proud I was they were still dry as I breathed a sigh of relief. =)

My husband, Jim, and I were both in the bathroom "helping" Aaron when Bryan (6 1/2) stumbled in carrying our travel clock. "Your stupid alarm went off. I turned it off, but it woke me up," he reported with a hmph.

Shortly thereafter, we met the rest of the family in the in-law's room for breakfast. It was easy for us as their room adjoined ours. Then we took the nearby tram to Disneyland, where we met a couple of other relatives (Jim's maternal grandmother and maternal uncle). The uncle, David, works at Disneyland and is "in the know." He directed us to our selected rides and ensured we avoided the crowds in certain areas of the park during particular times. For instance, you don't want to go to Fantasyland during the parade, and you don't want to be in Frontierland during Fantasmic. Unless you're watching, of course.

The first thing the kids explored was Tarzan's Treehouse in Adventureland. It was perfect. There was no line. We rode the Jungle Cruise, also in Adventureland (Aaron's favorite), Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square (scared Aaron a lot and Bryan a little), and the Mark Twain Riverboat in Frontierland. Finally we sat down in the air conditioned Country Bear Playhouse in Critter Country and enjoyed the Country Bear Jamboree. Yeeeehaw! The kids really enjoyed that.

Jim's parents have treated us to several excellent meals. Last night we ate at the Disneyland Pacific Hotel at the PCH Grill, specializing in California cuisine. How do you describe California cuisine? Well, the word pretentious comes to mind. But, also, delicious and unique. If you have the means, I'd highly recommend it. (Blatant "Ferris Bueller" rip off.)

Lunch today was at the River Bend Cafe in New Orleans Square. Delicious deli sandwiches and soups. Tonight we had dinner at the Plaza Restaurant, near the Vandenberg family tree. The food was a delectable selection of fried chicken, several varieties of pasta, or kettle creations. Mmmm . I had the pot roast kettle creation. It's like a pot pie, with the filling poured over the crust. I was so full I could hardly move. Tomorrow, we're going to Goofy's Kitchen for lunch. It should be a hoot.

After dinner, Jim and I took the kids to Fantasyland and ToonTown. We got to go on "itıs a small world." The boys really loved it. I knew they would. Then we explored Donald Duck's boat and Minnie Mouse's house in ToonTown. On the way back through Fantasyland, we all rode on the King Arthur Carrousel (sic). There was so much more to see and do. We planned to come back tomorrow.

We were wearing out as quick as the boys were. None of us are used to the steady heat and humidity of Southern California summers. Even so, by the time we got the kids all the way back to the hotel, bathed and into their PJs, it was already 10:30 p.m. Another late night for them and me. But as I sit here and sip my Beachcomber (girlie drink, hee hee) at the Disneyland Hotel, I'm feeling pretty good. And tomorrow we sleep in. Ah... life is good.