California Adventure Park

After more than a week of heavy rain, the sky finally cleared! We planned to visit Disneyland to see the beautiful Christmas decorations we have heard to much about. We're so lucky Lyman has a fellow band-mate and friend who works there to get us in as guests. But when we went to the ticket line, the lady said no employee guests passes that day. Bummer. But we were free to go to CA Adventure, right next door. It was great! There was not much decoration, but there were also really short lines and tons more to do for little guys than we thought.


The live shows and little movies were great. This one was a puppet show sampling Playhouse Disney favorites.

Brother Bear Land

Remember that Disney movie Brother Bear? Neither do I. Milo has never seen it, but he really liked this play area of obstacle ropes, bridges, tunnels and slides.

Lyman discovers his animal spirit in the cave wall.

We told Milo he could have one toy that day. Lyman wanted to wait until then end, but I said he could have one when we found a store. Mom and Dad miscommunication. So, for the first 35 minutes, Milo was surly. All he wanted was his toy. So, Dad broke down and took him in a store. He chose this blaster, and then said he was ready to go home! Needless to say, we did not go home after 45 minutes in the park, but Milo never put that blaster down. At one point, he thought the blaster was broken because he couldn't hear it, but it was just so loud there.
Funny that the characters from this movie (he has never seen) were the only ones he wanted to meet. This park was crawling with characters to meet; much more than neighboring Disneyland.

More Adventure

This picture was taken in Mickey's Ferris Wheel- I look happy don't I? Truthfully, I was trying not to look out and then throw up. I hate Ferris Wheel's; they terrify me. I was trying to be brave because I want Milo to be brave, but with Lyman making fun of me and pointing out my fear every 30 seconds it was difficult.
Our biggest disappointment of not being in Disneyland Proper was missing the Christmas decorations. They really didn't decorate much at CA Adventure, but then we saw Santa! What a nice Santa he was in a lovely Christmas trimmed gazebo.

After Santa, we headed to the Bug's Life area which is all for toddlers! This was the first 3D movie where Milo actually wore the glasses.

After that, Milo had to take a rest while we ate lunch and did a little shopping.
Luckily, he woke up for the parade.

Parade

This Pixar Parade was the best ever! I have been to a few famous parades, such as Macy's Thanksgiving Day and Martinsville Fall Foliage, but this one was my favorite. Maybe it's because we had front row seats and it only lasted 25 minutes, but it really was incredible. Great costumes, music, dancing, acrobatics, and floats. Watching Milo's face light up with each part was precious.

That's All

Lyman and Milo in the bumper cars.

What a great day we had. It wasn't the day we expected, but it was wonderful in the end!

Identity

A few months ago, Milo and I borrowed the book Mars Needs Moms from the library. The main character, Milo, flies in a spaceship to rescue his mom who is taken by aliens. The mom looked much like me, except for green eyes. The dad, however, looked nothing like Lyman. This was very confusing for Mil as he thought he WAS that Milo in the book.
Sunday, we drove to the aquarium in Long Beach. When Milo saw this sign, he called out, "It's me! That sea lion is me! I am a Sea Lion." A long talk of explanation followed. But what do you think budding child psychologists? Is is because his name is not very common and not heard often? Do all kids do this? Is it those great snapfish/shutterfly books K and I have written about him making him the star of his life?
So, we left Milo the sea lion behind and went home in the pouring rain after our first excursion of our Christmas break. Ahhh, vacation. It's wonderful so far, and we have so much more merriment to come.

Sweetness

Tis the Season

It's been a long time since I blogged our activities. Usually, I think I lead a pretty mundane life: wiping all day, in bed by 8:30 and behind all all reading and movie watching. But then I look at this blog and see myself, as I am, a busy and amusing lady. We had a great Thanksgiving at home. We have never done this. Lyman cooked/baked the whole meal, and it was delicious! We only set the fire alarm off three times. Live and learn about stuff dripping to the bottom of the oven. We made a truffle butter turkey. I say we, because I helped smear that truffle butter under the turkey skin and cleaned up the burnt drippings to clear the smoke! The day after Thanksgiving, Lyman went to play a concert and see friends and family in St. Louis, so Milo and I decked our halls.
That weekend we also saw Tangled. Seriously, that is a great movie. Go see it.
Last Friday night, Lyman and I went on a date! Before Christmas Eve, he's not going to have a weekend night off, so we thought we would take advantage of the opportunity. The assistant at Milo's daycare, lives in our condo community, and she has a 5 year old! Her little guy came over with his Iron Man suit and they quickly got in costume for the night while Lyman and I went Christmas shopping and out to dinner.
I was in Michael's looking at the Christmas stuff, thinking maybe I needed something new, but nothing inspired me. Then, mere days later, K sent the perfect gift. Look at this advent calendar she MADE for Milo complete with little gifts in the pockets. In fact, right now he is so amused with the slimy/stretchy worms from Dec. 6 that I had time to write this. Thanks K.

Yo Gabba Gabba!

Last weekend, we went to the 2nd birthday party of the daughter of my friend/co-worker. She is a huge over-achiever at work and not a bit different at home! The party was super fun with a jumper, face painting, craft table, 5 tier cake, party bags for 35 kids and 2 pinatas! We had a great time. See Lyman with his beer as Milo prepares to take a whack at Gabba?

The Other Wes Moore

I like how our book club mixes it up- fiction then non-fiction, great literature then total fluff candy. This was non-fiction and not fluffy at all. Wes Moore, the author, was a Rhodes Scholar who, while he was in South Africa sponsored by the scholarship, heard about another Wes Moore going to prison for murder. It's a book about two boys/men with the same name, similar family struggles in their youth and the two paths they traveled. The larger question is, "What made the difference?" This was a super compelling story, very easy to read quickly and short in page count. Working in an urban, minority school, I ask myself this larger question all the time. The high schools my middle school feed into have only 50-60% graduation rates (depending on which stat you find valid) and there are still some gangs in the area that pull in students. The Moore in prison didn't join a gang; he was a drug dealer; I think he would argue both are equally dangerous. The book sounds really depressing, but it isn't because you know one of the characters is going to get out and be safe and successful. As for the answer, "What made the difference?" The author could only answer for himself that is was his mother and the tough choices and sacrifices she made (military school) and some very powerful mentors. Strong parents or in their absence mentors, not rocket science, but a powerful reminder from this memoir.

Batman!

Milo was ready for his close-up at our Batman costume photo session. Can you pick the cutest pose? I can't.

Happy Halloween!

We spent Halloween with our good friends again this year. Both Daddies were out of town, so we Mommies took our witch, princess and superhero out for the night.

Trick or Treating

Milo and Sophie ready to go.

Trick or Treat! Milo was so brave this year! We had read a library book about trick or treating where a boy was scared of the goblins and devils, but, "they were just kids!" As we were walking along, whenever he saw someone spooky he would shot at them, "Mommy that's just a kid!" It was adorable.

When we got back, Milo could not wait to wiggle off his costume and examine his haul. He got way more candy this year than last since he had more energy to go to most doors. We took two strollers, and everyone took turns riding along the way, but there were very few doors where Milo didn't jump out to run up to the door. Now it's all over but the crying, for more candy that is! He wants to eat the whole bag all day. Mostly it's for potty treats, but he's working that system pretty well. He'll pee 5 times an hour for more candy. Poor guy, he was just starting to wear underwear all day, when he got another terrible ear infection. The strong antibiotic gives him diarrhea, and he's back in diapers. Seven more days to go of that medicine, and then we can get back on track with the training. Hope you all had a great Halloween last week!

Milo's Name

Green Lantern Oath

Milo LOVES superheros. Here he is reciting Green Lantern's oath. It's pretty cute, even if you're not a huge nerd. If you are a huge nerd, you keep feeding the fire with more accessories, toys, clothes and videos.

Safari Park

We were in San Diego again this weekend where Lyman was playing at the hotel club in Del Mar. I love that place. The only drag was I had a pretty nasty cold that slowed me down. The rest of the band had colds too, and Lyman was dodging all of us. I don't think he escaped. He's pretty sniffly now. The eucalyptus steam room in the spa helped me a lot, and, of course, being at the spa. Ahhh... The weather was so different from two weeks ago. Pretty grey mornings with just a short sun burst in the early afternoon. Milo insisted on the pool, but then stayed only 4 minutes. We spent most of the time in the jacuzzi so our lips didn't turn blue. Sunday, Lyman stayed to watch football and play a wedding gig later, so Milo and I headed to the Safari Park (formerly Wild Animal Park) where kids are free in Oct. (this is not a bargain destination).
Eighty percent of it is walkable and zoo like. Then you can ride a nice shuttle with a very informative guide/driver around the back twenty percent. This is the best part as it is the most "safari like". You are taken around the perimeter of this "plain" to see African plain animals and up into some "mountain" areas for the hoofed animals. The guide was great at explaining the animals' behaviors, instincts and their conservation efforts. I highly recommend this place- especially on the cool fall day. It's huge (2x the animals of the huge San Diego zoo). We were there 3 1/2 hours and didn't make it to the elephants as Milo fell asleep on my lap halfway through the safari ride. I would have rallied and stayed longer if I didn't have a cold. Thankfully I went home, as I had a spooky surprise waiting for me...