100th Post {Disneyland, Again}

THIS IS MY ONE HUNDREDTH POST!

First of all, thank you for reading. I love having this little space to share my thoughts and am so encouraged by the support I've received to continue writing. I'm so thrilled to have made new/old friends who have become a part of my daily mom-life, and I cannot believe the connections I've made on this journey of autism motherhood. When I began blogging, I had really just wanted to share our autism experiences with you so you'd all have a better understanding of what we were going through. What this little blog has turned into has been more encouraging than I ever thought. Thank you.

I don't know how exactly this worked out, but today's post is...a Disneyland post. I mean, how perfect is that! It just so happens to be the next thing chronologically to be added as I play catch-up with my summer posts. So perfect. 

Remember last June when we were blessed with a couple of Disneyland days? That was pretty awesome, right? As if we could be any more hooked up, an opportunity arose for us to be signed in to the parks {through a raffle in my parents' community - thanks again, Mom & Dad}. Since we had just recently been with both kids, we tossed around the idea of taking just one of them {since a sign-in would only get three of us in for free}. As I'm sure you've seen, we've taken Caleb alone to Disneyland more than once, and we realized it was Lilly's turn to have a girl's date. Then TJ suggested I take my BFF {Auntie Tara} so we could have adult time later that day. DUDES. Adult time at Disneyland is the greatest. So pumped.

First off, I just wanted to share with you this little bridge by Sleeping Beauty's Castle. This is where TJ proposed on my twentieth birthday. It's My Bridge. No one else's.

Okay so after meeting our contact, him signing us in, and us waiting in what seemed to be the longest Fantasy Faire line ever, we finally got to meet some princesses...because when you have a girls day, you see the princesses.

Lilly is pretty hilarious. She was so excited to see each princess, but wouldn't talk to them, or look them in the eye. 

Merida. We have so many Merida photos. And she's always hiding because she loves her so much.

She really wanted Small World, and since it was a billion degrees, Tara and I wanted it too {twenty minutes of air conditioning, people}. And who doesn't LOVE the Mary Blaire art in there. Ps I made her skirt, out of an old sheet and some frilly frills I had on hand. Find the tutorial here.

Did you all know about the Marvel comics you can see inside Innoventions? Since Disney purchased Marvel you can see Ironman, Thor, and Captain America. Lilly LOVES superheroes, just as much as she loves princess dresses and crowns. We walked around for a bit, but decided the lines were a bit too long, so we headed to Pirates.

Yes. We took Lilly Belle on Pirates of the Caribbean. She loves pirates, loves things that go boom, but did not like "the waterfalls". She we super nervous the whole time, and was extremely happy to disembark, but she's still so proud of herself for going on.

After Pirates, I asked her if she wanted ice cream, and she was more excited than I'd seen her all day. DISNEY TIP: when you're at the parks with your kids, do what they want. Even if it means not riding "that one ride" or seeing "that one princess/parade/show". Your kids' sanity will be your sanity, and their happiness should be yours as well. I know you most likely paid a lot to get there, but take a deep breath, people-watch, and just enjoy the time you're together, without having  too much of an adjenda. I know, it's easy for me to say, I'm a local and I'm fortunate to go at least once a year; but I've seen more than my fair share of cranky children and adults to know that families might just need a little more perspective to enjoy themselves.

Since Tara and I had late lunch reservations, it was time to head home with Lilly and drop her off with daddy. She wore big brother's noise canceling headphones at various times throughout the day. And they really helped her feel more comfortable. DISNEYLAND TIP: byol - bring your own lollipops. You'll thank me.

Comedian.

Ah, yes. The true purpose for our adult time - sharing in the joy of the Monte Cristo. Café Orleans. New Orleans Square. Do it.

Garlic Parmesan Fries. 

We did a lot of eating. And minimal talking. It was perfect.

We digested over Mickey and the Magical Map at the Fantasyland Theatre. Super cute show. Pocahontas was the jam.

We hadn't been in The Operahouse in such a long time {think 50th Anniversary}. 

They have a few really really awesome things in the foyer.

The park bench from Griffith Park where Walt dreamed up the idea of Disneyland, and a carousel horse from there as well. We were completely geeking out. Totally. 

Adult time at Disneyland with my big camera deserved a selfie.

Headed to DCA for some really fun grown-up time.

Sorry not sorry, I had to post this. I never beat Tara at Disneyland games. Ever. But that day I did. I WON.

I took this picture for Caleb. As you may know, Caleb's slightly obsessed with California Screamin'. He watches it on YouTube, draws it, dances to the music, creates it with his train set; he can even close his eyes and move his body as if he's on the track. So of course, we had to go on. 

I've been on it plenty of times, but not since Caleb's obsession, so I decided to record the first sixty second BLAST OFF and send it to TJ to show the kids. 

It pretty much backfired. I had to FaceTime them right after to show them that I was okay. They were scared for me. SWEET KIDS. 

The Cove Bar is a new little addition to the park. We ordered two "Fun Wheels" that look like California sunsets. 

Oh and lobster nachos. Because, LOBSTER NACHOS.

The sun was setting over Paradise Pier, it was really pretty.

Tara took me on Radiator Springs Racers -my first time- and it was really fun. Really fast, exciting, and totally worth it.

After getting off the racers, we checked our IGs and realized one of our old friends was at DCA too.

We met up, talked shop, and had a few screams together on Tower of Terror {hi Maggs!}.

It was getting late, so we called it a night {after hitting up Lost & Found for a lost debit card...which was FOUND. Faith in humanity RESTORED}.

Can't wait to go again. Maybe some day I'll have an annual pass again. As our friend Maggie so eloquently put, "It costs as much as a gym pass, so just don't go to the gym, and come here instead." 

Well said, Maggie. Well said.