The Happiest Place To Get A Migraine (And It's Not Who You Think)

Last Wednesday we took our yearly holiday trip to Disneyland.  I know, I know.  It’s not quite the holidays yet.  Or at least it wasn’t then.  Usually we go the week after Thanksgiving, but this year Melinda needed us to go the week before because she is going home early for Christmas.  Since she is our free way in the park (Thanks Mel!) we decided to go when she wanted to.  It really didn’t matter to us, as long as we got to go.  Although we prefer to go when it wasn’t going to be wall to wall people. Hence the week before.  

As it turned out, the week before Thanksgiving might be even better than the week after.  We didn’t wait more than ten minutes for any ride.  It might have helped that it was a cloudy day and there was a threat of rain, but it was perfect for us. 

I realized during this trip that every time we go to Disney it is always a completely different experience.  It used to be that when we went we only rode a couple of the more tame rides like Small World, Dumbo or the carousal.  Then we spent the better part of the day tracking down and taking pictures with Mickey and the gang.  As the girls get older and taller, however, things are starting to turn in a new direction. 

From the moment we entered the park, maybe even the tram, all Sonya could talk about was wanting to ride Indiana Jones.  She was tall enough and had heard from a couple of her friends how much fun it was, so she was all for it.  It is farther into the park so I kept telling her we would get there eventually, but let’s ride Star Tours and Space Mountain and a few things in Fantasy Land before we head over in that direction.  She would settle down about it for a bit, but after riding another ride or two she would start asking about Indiana Jones again.  Finally around 2:30 in the afternoon we decided to head toward the ride she was so anxious to get on.  Indiana Jones is right next to the Jungle Cruise and we though we should all ride that one first since it was for everyone.  After we got off Andy took the little girls to walk around while Melinda and I took Sonya next door to Indiana Jones.  The wait wasn’t more than fifteen minutes, but Sonya was nervous the whole time.  I’m not sure what she was expecting.  

If you’ve never been on Indiana Jones the best way I can describe it is that it’s a wild off roading ride.  You are in an big jeep kind of car and it twists and turns and is a bit fast.  If you are the type to  get carsick, this would probably put you over the edge.  I love it though.  Of course it has all the elements of the Indiana Jones movies with fake snakes and a big boulder that comes oh so close to crushing your car.  It's all very Disney, but possibly scary to little kids.  Especially if they are my kids.  

We got on the ride, got buckled and I turned to Sonya who was now close to a panic. The ride she was so excited for was now making her extremely anxious.  I kept telling her "it’s a ride, it’s all pretend and it’ll be fun."  That didn’t stop her from clinging to me with her head down and her eyes closed almost the entire time.  That’s where the problem started. About  20 seconds into the ride she yelled,

“I’m gonna be sick!”

“No you’re not!” I said.  “Pick your head up and look around.”  

She did for about five seconds, but got scared again so she squeezed her eyes shut and put her head back down.  I was petrified of being puked on for the next 45 seconds.  When we finally got to the end of the ride she looked shell shocked.  We started walking out the exit and she said to me, 

“Mom, my eyes feel small and weird.”

Huh? 

“You’re okay, just keep walking.” I told her.

But as soon as we walked all the way out and back into the park she started freaking out,

“I don’t feel good!!! I feel like I’m going to be sick!!!”

I tried to calm her down while I frantically searched for Andy.  We found him and the little girls across from Pirates of the Caribbean.  I quickly told him the situation then left with Sonya in search of a bathroom.  She continued to yell out that she was going to be sick.  God only know what kind of looks I was getting from other park goers.  I had no time to worry about that.  I needed a bathroom before she puked in front of Big Thunder Mountain.  

We finally found a bathroom.  She did get sick a bit, but it wasn’t enough to make her feel better, so we found an empty bench where she laid down with her head on my lap.  I texted Andy where we were (how did people find each other in parks before cell phones?) and they came to find us.  

I thought for sure she would get better shortly.  Usually when people get motion sickness they feel better after the motion stops and/or they get sick.  She napped on the bench next to Andy for about 20 minutes while I took the little girls to pick out a prize.  When I came back out she used one of the plastic bags we had just gotten with Georgia’s prize, for a barf bag.  She looked better after that episode, so I thought we were in the clear.  Phew!  It was time for our dinner reservation at the Big Thunder BBQ-best place to eat in Disney.  Glad that was over!  Yeeeaaahhhh…except for the part that it wasn’t.

I spent all of dinner running back and forth with her to the bathroom to get sick.  She didn’t really have anything left to throw up after a while, but every twenty minutes or so she would feel the need to puke.  

After dinner we walked around a bit, which seemed to be better for her than sitting because she wanted to pass out when she sat, which then led to more puking.  We kept thinking she was going to get better.  I mean how could motion sickness last this long?  It seemed weird that she kept feeling sick every 20 minutes or so.  The funny thing was she was acting just like Georgia does when she gets her migraines...yup.  That’s when it hit me.

“Sonya-when you said earlier that your eyes were small and weird, what did you mean?” I asked.

“Everything just kept getting bigger and smaller in front of me,” she said.  

Then I remembered something Georgia’s neurologist had told me about migraines.  Some kids will see things very big or very small right before an impending migraine.  That was when I came to the conclusion that what she had wasn’t motion sickness but a migraine which was most likely triggered by the motion sickness.  Fan-freaking-tastic.

It was at that point that I thought perhaps she needed to leave.  Yeah look at me being mother of the year and forcing my daughter to walk around Disneyland for two hours with a migraine.  You know you’re kid isn’t doing well when you ask if they want to leave Disney and they tell you yes.  

Unfortunately, the fireworks were less than an hour away, but she had no interest.  I didn’t want to ruin the little girls’ time, so I decided to take Sonya back to the car and they could stay and watch the fireworks.  This way at least she could rest in the car and we wouln’t be there more than an hour before they came.  So she and I walked back to the car while she puked every few hundred feet.  Good thing it gets dark early!  And that Disney has lots of shrubbery.  And that she wasn’t really throwing up more than just foam.  Sorry.  Gross, I know.   She could have cared less that she missed out on getting ice cream or that we left before fireworks.  All she wanted was to lay down.  I felt so badly for her.  

The good news was, where our car was parked was right near a set of stairs and we could see the fireworks perfectly, between her puking.  No we didn’t get the holiday ambiance like the music and “snow” that happens in the park, but it was better than nothing.  

Once she was in the car with her PJs on and teeth brushed, she started feeling much better.  Thankfully, there was no more vomiting.  We weren’t back at the car for very long before the others got there and we were on our way home.  

So it appears that Georgia is not the only one who suffers from migraines in our family.  What wonderful news right?  Well at least we can pinpoint the cause of Sonya’s.  Suffice it to say she will not be riding on Indiana Jones anytime soon...or ever.  We can just add it to the list next to the tea cups. 

They Can Walk 500 Miles-Or Maybe 5

Last week we took our annual holiday trip to Disneyland.  As I've mentioned before, the only reason we can do this is because  our awesome friend Melinda works for Disney.  She gets us in for free.  If not for her the girls would never know Disneyland because we would have to mortgage our house to go there.  Seriously.  It's so incredibly expensive.  I don't know how anyone affords it.  Lucky for us we don't have to worry about it.  Well, for now anyway.  We always go during the week right after Thanksgiving because it's not yet busy.  This year, however, we decided to challenge ourselves.  After much debate, we went WITHOUT A STROLLER!!  AAAAAAAA!!!!

Why would I do this to myself you ask?  Because I like to torture myself and listen to my kids whine?  No, not really into that.  Truthfully, the girls are getting to big for the stroller.  I realized this when I took out our sit and stand to use a few weeks ago for the little girls.  Georgia was starting to look way to big for that front seat.  There are a few pet peeves I have in my life.  Anyone who knows me knows my biggest one is people who leave Christmas lights up outside WELL past Christmas.   The second thing that drives me nuts is seeing a kid with his knees up to his chin sitting in a stroller.  I don't care if your eight year old is tired of walking.  Maybe if he DID walk around instead of you pushing him all day while eating ice cream, we could cut down on childhood obesity in this country!  Seriously people!   Sorry-tangent.

So my youngest two are on that bubble of being too big.  We could have probably still gone once more with the stroller, but I kind of wanted to see if they could do it.  Sonya has been walking around Disney since she was four, so I figured Land and Georgia should be able to.  

I will be honest, I was worried.  Especially after our last trip to Disney back in August. You might remember that story when Lana had her major breakdown and having to walk to the park instead of taking the tram helped to contribute to her tantrum.  Plus, what were we going to do with all of our crap we stuff into the bottom of the stroller??  Well, we packed up a backpack and made Daddy carry it around.  That's what Daddy's are for right?  I mean after helping us create the kids, their other job is to carry stuff around amusement parks.  I'm pretty sure that's a rule somewhere.  I know it was for my Dad.  Who needs a stroller when you've got a Daddy?

The other worry was how long the girls were going to last without the stroller.  Would they get to tired to walk and start protesting? (Lana?)  Would they start  whining about it? (Lana?)  Would there be a tantrum? (LANA??)  Turns out, they all did just fine.  Yes, even Lana, for the most part.  Sonya had  no complaints at all, which is how I assumed she would be.  Lana kept up with us and didn't complain until the end of the day.  Even then her complaints were more funny than annoying.  We were getting ready to watch the fireworks and Lana was squatting on the ground saying,

"Ohhhh...I wish you brought the stroller!  My little legs can't walk anymore today!"  

I'm assuming I talked about their "little legs" at some point in the day. 

Georgia was probably the one who had the hardest time not having a stroller.  She had a bit of trouble keeping up.  Andy and I did have to pick her up a few times to carry her when we wanted to walk more than two miles an hour.  I don't remember her ever complaining about walking though.  I think the best part for the girls about not taking a stroller was that we finally got to take the tram.  Something I always hated doing with the stroller.  It always gave me anxiety to get everything from out of the bottom, carry it, the kids and fold up the stroller in a fairly quick time frame.  We would just always walk the half mile to the park from the parking structure.  This time they were so excited that we agreed to take the tram.  It was really another ride for them.  

So yes, we survived our first trip to Disney without a stroller.  A milestone that throughout the day made me say both of these things-"Haha!  Suckers with the strollers!"  and "Oh I'm so sad we don't have one that little for a stroller anymore."  I tend to be an emotional roller coaster when it comes to my kids growing up.  But you probably already get that by now.  

Build Up To Break Down

As I mentioned in my last post, I disappeared for a while because my sister was visiting with her family.  She also has three kids, which means there were six kids and four adults in my house for a week.  That's ten people, for those mathematically challenged.  SIX of them were kids.  Did I mention my house is only 1600 square feet?  Yeah it got a bit squishy at times, but it really wasn't that bad.  For the most part were weren't home except to sleep. And to drink LOTS of wine.  Hence the reason my posts have been lacking.  There were trips to, the beach, Disneyland, The Aquarium of the Pacific, The Getty Museum, and Grandpa's house to go swimming.  It was bit busy.  One of my favorite, yet most exhausting days was most definitely Disneyland.  I mean who doesn't love Disneyland?  After all it IS the happiest place on earth.  Someone just forgot to tell Lana that.

Yes, this is yet another one of those posts where I wonder what to do with that kid.  Don't roll your eyes, YOU don't live with her.  Her emotions are always so hot and cold.  It's been like that since she was a baby.  We used to joke and call her bi-polar baby.  I know, we are such awesome parents.  Anyway, she woke up that morning a ray of sunshine.  In fact she was the only one of all the kids who got up, got dressed, had breakfast and was ready before every one else,  with a smile on her face the whole time.  We were looking at a good day if SHE could be like that.  Then I made the mistake of allowing Georgia to have her blankie in the car on the way to Disney.  How dare I!

Quick explanation: The girls all have blankies they sleep with only at night.  I always pack their PJs and blankies when we go to Disney so when they fall asleep on the way home it's an easy transition to bed.  Georgia was up at 4:30 that morning.  Yes, 4:30 AM.  I REALLY wanted her to take a nap on the way to Disneyland, so she didn't break down later on in the day.  That's where the problem came in...

Lana was a bit jealous that GG had her blankie and she didn't, and she decided to let us know, for the first 25 minutes of the car ride.   She cried and whined about not having her blankie.  Not that I usually EVER let them have it during the day, but I guess because her sister had hers, she felt it would only be fair.    In retrospect, and knowing how that incident would set the tone for the rest of the day, I should have given her that damn blankie. But no, I was sticking to my rule dammit!  She finally gave up the fight after half an hour and SHE fell asleep for the rest of the trip.  Georgia-not one wink.  This was going to be a fun day.

We got to the parking garage, which is about a half mile from the actual Magic Kingdom entrance.  Now keep in mind we were at Disneyland... on a Saturday...during the summer.  Crowded?  No, no, it was only sardines in a can feeling for part of the day.  When we saw how long the tram lines were we decided to walk.  We were going to be walking all day so what difference would another half a mile make?  Apparently, it would make a big difference to Lana, who didn't want to walk even if it meant Disneyland was at the end of that walk.  Oh wait.  IT WAS!!  That child did not care.  All she cared about was the fact that there walking and she had to walk and the walking was to much and it was hurty for her legs with all the walking.  I'm not sure how we ever made it to the entrance.  All I remember is arguing with that child for half a mile about how it wasn't that far, and she would be fine when we got in there, and no I wasn't going to carry her.  More whining ensued.

When we finally made it to the park I thought we were going to be okay.  I figured we had sidestepped a Lana bomb.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.  She was just ticking waiting for the right time to go off.

She was good for a while.  We got into Disney-all for free I might add. I have friends in high places.  (Melinda you are the bestest, most awesomest, friend ever!  I love all my friends, but the rest of you don't get me in to Disney for free, so you know...)  There were also the special passes to get on all the rides in the fast pass line.  I'd love to tell you how we did that, buuuuttt...well then I'd have to kill you and I like having my readers alive.  Let's just say it's a good thing my nephew and niece were with us.  We wouldn't have been able to ride half of what we did if not for those passes.  And Lana is NOT good with standing in lines for more than oh, five minutes or so.  This helped everyone out.

We ended up in Toon Town a couple hours into our day.  For those of you who have never been, it's an area for the little kids.  You can see Mickey and Minnie over there and go into Goofy's house.  We planned on going to visit Minnie, but the line was way to long and we weren't about to get to the front of that one.  Lana protested a bit, but when we pointed out how long the line was she seemed to understand that it was better not to wait in it.  She didn't really cry, but I could tell she wasn't exactly ok with missing Minnie.  Still the majority of us not wanting to wait in line won.  

Then came the carousel incident.  Oh boy.

After lunch we headed to the carousel.  A ride that all of the ages could enjoy.  We got in our "special" line and were allowed on first.  While we were waiting to go in, Lana eyed a pink and purple horse with bells on it.  She told me how that was the horse she wanted.  I had Georgia when we walked on and Andy had Lana.  I got GG and Sonya all settled and then heard a sobbing from behind me.  I turned to see Lana looking demonically possessed and completely losing her shit atop a horse that was NOT the one she pointed out.  Andy stood next to her shaking his head.  I walked back to them.  

"What happened?" I asked.

"Gracie took MY horse!!"  Lana told me in between sobs.  

I turned to the horse in front of her to see Gracie was indeed on the horse Lana wanted.  I wasn't sure what had happened, but I just needed to calm her down.  I told Andy to go with the other two girls, then went into operation "chill Lana out".  Something I've done more than once or twice. Unfortunately, I was to late.  She had already been taken over by the wild eyed, crazy, hysterical, demon five year old she sometimes turns into when she's at the end of her rope.  There were no deep breaths or counting to ten that were going to fix this in the next five minutes.  

I decided to take her off the ride, but the bell rang indicating that it was starting and off we went.  Lana was screaming, crying and trying to jump, yes jump off the horse she was on as it was going up and down, round and round, and yelling "I want THAT horse!!"  I stood there doing my best to make sure she didn't jump off  to her death, or at least a broken bone, and trying to ignore every stare that was coming in our direction.  With every second I became increasingly more frustrated and angry with her behavior.  It was the longest ride ever.  

The moment the ride stopped, I grabbed her off the horse, kicking and screaming, walked over to where our stroller was parked and grabbed my wallet and phone.  When the others came over, I told them to go ride whatever, I was taking Lana for a timeout and I'd find them in a bit.  Then I carried a hysterical Lana in the direction of Cinderella's castle not sure where I was going.  I didn't want to go all the way back to the car, but I needed to find a place to have her let this out then calm her down.  

On the side of the castle is a little walkway to Frontier land and there was a little corner with a door that was the back of one of the shops.  Perfect.  It was away from most people and in a corner.  I sat her down and there she screamed and yelled for at least another fifteen minutes.  Finally, she calmed down to just crying, and not letting me comfort her, to reluctantly letting me comfort her and crying.  At one point, one of the girls working at the shop opened the door and peeked behind it at us.  She saw me first and asked,

"Are you ok?"  Then she saw Lana and said, "oh."

I said,  "We just needed a little time out. We're fine."  

She nodded her head like this wasn't the first time she'd seen someone back there and went back inside.  I did find out later that particular spot is also a timeout spot for my friend BethAnnDoddKoehn's kids as well.  It's a good one if you're ever there and need one!

When I finally had calmed her down enough to talk to me, I tried to find out exactly what it was that made her flip.  I figured it wasn't just because of the horse, because of how crazy she behaved. I asked-  Was it the horse?  No-she said, not having blankie in the car?  nuh-uh. Because you don't want to walk?  Nooooo! 

"Is it nothing?  Are you sad just because?" I asked, because that has happened before where she cries and she doesn't know why.

"No!  It IS something!" she said.

"Then what?" I said.

"I didn't get to see Miiiiinnnniiiieeee!!!  She's my FAVORITE character and I didn't get to see her!!"

The sobbing started again, and my heart melted in a puddle for her.  Aw man, that kid LOVES her some Minnie and in that instant I felt terrible.  I know, I know, talk about first world problems, right?   I reminded her again that the line for Minnie was long and she wouldn't have wanted to wait in the hot sun, because believe me she wouldn't have.  Before the rest of you start to feel badly for her, I will inform you that this is about her sixth trip to Disneyland in her five years and she's seen Minnie every single time.   So don't be to sympathetic.  Not to mention we will be back for our yearly trip in November, so she will have a chance to see her again soon.  Besides, I think Minnie might have been the most disappointing part for her, but I believe it was a build up of all those things that threw her into tantrum land.  Not quite as fun as  Fantasyland I can assure you.

After about a half hour, she was feeling better and ready to have some fun.  She accepted that we weren't seeing Minnie that day and that she couldn't always get the horse she wanted on the carousel.  I later found out that she and Gracie had gone for the horse at the same time, each one on either side and Grace got to the top a split second before Lana.  I don't think Grace or my sister realized Lana had even been eyeing that particular horse.  She took a few minutes once we found everyone, to get completely out of sad mode, but one ride on the Teacups, with me watching on the sidelines, completely cured her.  (I don't do the teacups.  Nobody wants to see my lunch again.) The rest of the day went on without incident from her.  In fact she was very pleasant.   Whatever she needed to get out of her system she did next to Cinderella's castle.  

Later on that evening we were in line to ride Peter Pan, which is next to the carousel.  She looked at me and asked if we could ride it again.  

"You want to redeem yourself from earlier and get the horse you want this time?"  I asked.

She nodded.  So we all went on.  My sister made it a point to tell Grace that Lana was getting that pink and purple horse this time. It stopped right in front of us again as it had before.  When they let us on, Lana ran to it and started to climb up.  On the other side,  GG was trying to get up on the same DAMN HORSE!  

"No, Georgia," I said picking her up.  "It's Lana's turn for that horse this time."

Then, and I am so not kidding when I tell you this, Georgia started to cry.  SERIOUSLY?!!  Fortunately, Georgia is a much different, much more easy going kid.  

"Look G! Here's an orange one, your favorite color!" I told her.

"But I wanted the one with jewels!" she cried.  

"This one has jewels!" I said pointing to a fake inlaid sapphire in the saddle.  

"Oh," she said, and the crying stopped immediately as I helped her on the horse.  I was NOT about to go through that scene again.  

If you ever go to Disneyland don't expect your kids to be extremely well behaved or  super grateful just because they are at Disneyland.  I think as parents we think they should behave like that.  "They're at Disneyland!  They should just be happy about that!!" However, if they're having a bad day, they don't care where the hell they have their temper tantrums.  After all they don't get how much time, energy and money you've put into a day like that.  They're just kids and all they know is they didn't get the purple and pink horse or their picture with Minnie Mouse.  All you can do is explain they don't always get what they want, even at The Happiest Place on Earth.

Disneyland Hangover

This past Sunday we took a trip to Disneyland.  Another friend of ours (not Melinda this time) who works for Disney wanted to take us with the girls. (Hi Courtney!)  She and her boyfriend don't have kids, and thought it would be fun to go with ours. Ahhhh... I remember those days when hanging out with little kids was a fun novelty.   Since she works for Disney this means she got us in for free. (Thanks Courtney!)  Works for us!  So off we went for a fun filled day in the "Happiest Place on Earth".

Despite the fact that it was July and a Sunday, we had a really great time.  The lines weren't that much worse than when we go in the middle of the week.  We figured it was because they have more staff and more cars/boats/trains running.  Plus Courtney and Mark are experts at visiting Disneyland and knew where to go and the secrets to the fast pass.   It was hotter than when we go in November, which makes for a bit of a tiring day, but we kept everyone hydrated and found shade where we could.  Besides Lana breaking down in line to see Minnie Mouse, because she "neeeeddeedd da shaaaaaadeee!" we did pretty well.  We stayed all day and into the night, for Fantasmic and fireworks.  By the time we left at ten that night everyone was pretty spent.  The girls were well past their bedtime and with no nap, I was surprised Georgia even had her eyes open, as we walked to the car.

It didn't take long once we got in the van though.  I don't think we were out of the parking garage before they all went out.  This is not something we do on a regular basis, so a little sleep deprivation every now and then for the girls isn't  horrible.  Well, until the next day.

If Disneyland is the "Happiest Place on Earth", then the day after Disney at our house is the most miserable.  Inevitably, the next day everyone has what I like to refer to as, the Disneyland Hangover.  Even I woke up the next morning feeling like I had downed a fifth of vodka the night before, while dancing on table tops at an L.A. night club.  But no.  I hadn't had a drop of alcohol the day before, and hate dance clubs.  I just had a bunch of sun, lots of walking and theme park rides.  The good news was everyone slept until nine the next morning.  I don't think that has ever happened in my house.  Oh Georgia tried to get up at 6:30am, but I put her in bed with us and encouraged her to go back to sleep.  I woke up at nine to the sound of the gardeners, while laying on the edge of my bed with Georgia right next to/almost on top of me.

Getting out of bed was difficult, so I decided to lay back down for a while.  Andy had taken the day off of work, knowing he would not want to get up the next day.  Smart man.  We lied in bed for a bit until Sonya and Lana made their way into our room.  They all decided it was time for breakfast, so Andy and I sent them off to the kitchen with promises that we were right behind them.  Except that we didn't move because we were still trying to get ourselves out of bed.

The girls weren't in the kitchen two minutes when we heard,

"Sooonnyaa!  Give me my Belle thing!  It's MINE!" Lana yelled.

Sonya says something we can't hear, then we hear more screaming from Lana.  I yell down the hallway asking what the problem was.  Apparently,  Sonya had taken Lana's Disneyland toy and wouldn't give it back, according to Lana.  Lana wouldn't ask for it nicely, according to Sonya.  Andy told Sonya to give it back since she shouldn't have taken it to begin with.  We aren't sure what exactly happened at this point, but there was running and chasing into Lana and Georgia's room.  This was followed by Georgia screaming then crying, and Lana crying.

Dammit!  I guess we had to get out of bed and squelch the situation.  So we dragged ourselves from our place of comfort, tired and hungover from not drinking, to fix things.

We tried to get the story on what had happened, but all we really found out was that Sonya took the toy then Lana and Georgia said they didn't want to play with her anymore.  This sent Sonya ran crying form the room.  All this took place ten minutes after they woke up.  It was going to be a looooonngg day.

I managed to get everyone settled and speaking to each other again.  We had breakfast and went on with our day.  There were more arguments and more crankiness than usual, from the girls too.  Bedtime couldn't come soon enough.

Today is better, thank goodness.  As much as I love going to Disney, I am not fond of the aftermath.  I'm sure all you parents out there can relate.  It doesn't have to be Disneyland, but any amusement park or fun time you have with your kids for an entire day which tires them out.  I just wish there was a solution to this problem.  Like a day after Disneyland.  A place filled with pillows, blankets, coloring books, crayons and LOTS of TV shows.  Right next door is the parent room filled with pillows, blankets, earplugs and LOTS of wine, or beer. Now THAT would be the Happiest Place on Earth.  

The Happiest (and Sometimes Scariest) Place on Earth

This past Thursday was our annual family trip to Disneyland.  This year I had only one kid in diapers!  Even that isn't too bad, because most of the time she informs me when she has to poop and we make it to a bathroom on time.  Anyway, I love our trip to Disney every year.  It's a fun day with the whole family and our friend Melinda who gets us in for free!  Because really, who the hell can afford $76 a ticket these days? Yes we use Melinda to get us in for free, but we also love her company.  Plus in all fairness she uses us to get out of work for a day and go to Disney instead.  It's not a bad trade off.  (Thanks again Melinda!)  It's also a day that forces me not to cook, clean and be distracted by other duties.  A day to  hang out and have fun with my kids and husband.  That's just what we did.  


I think we rode more rides than we have in the past, which I was excited about, because I love rides.   We did the usual ones like Dumbo, the carousel and  Teacups.  Well, Sonya and I didn't ride the Teacups but everyone else did.  She and I were more keen on keeping our breakfast in our stomachs for the time being.  Riding the Teacups would have made that impossible for us.  Then we tried some new ones.  Andy and Melinda took Sonya and Lana on the little roller coaster in Toon Town.  Unfortunately, Georgia wasn't quite tall enough and she was NOT happy about it.  She cried for about five minutes after they left.  I distracted her by taking her into Goofy's house and Donald's boat. Every once in a while she would realize we were alone and the reason for that was because she couldn't ride the roller coaster, so she would get upset all over again.  Poor thing.  Hopefully next year she'll make the cut.  


We also did new rides like, Autotopia. That's the one where you drive the cars around the track.  Not sure why we never did that one before.  I guess we just never got over there in the past.  We only saw it this time, because we decided to go on the Finding Nemo ride.  This ride opened over three years ago, but we've never gone on, because the line has always been too long.  Even on days when the park was not crowded, like it is most of the time when we go after Thanksgiving, it was at least a 45 minute wait.  With three kids 45 minutes might as well be three hours.  Our wait time limit is usually 20 minutes tops.  Fortunately, that was the exact wait for Nemo on this day.  


We got in line not really sure what to expect of this ride.  Actually, I was pretty certain it was tame.  You get in a big submarine and ride around a track in the water.  The old ride there was 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, which I remember being kind of scary, but this was Nemo!  A story about a cute little lost fish who's dad comes to look for him.  How scary could it be, right?  I mean it was probably just like being in a floating aquarium. 


 I guess I haven't seen Finding Nemo in a few years.


It started out harmless enough.  Except there was the guy behind us who freaked out when they closed the top of the submarine. He decided he had to get out RIGHT THEN, leaving his five year old son in the care of a stranger for the ride.  I'm assuming he was claustrophobic.  Why even get in line, I'm not sure, perhaps he thought he could handle it.  Guess not.  We were all fine.  So far.  It started off like I thought the whole thing was going to be.  We were just looking through the portholes into what looked like the ocean, but with fake fish and fake coral.  The girls were enjoying it, until we "dove deeper" and ended up in darkness.  Then it also got extremely loud, which I guess was good, because then nobody could hear the screaming and crying of my two youngest girls.  They were both in hysterics, Georgia more than Lana. They both kept saying "Mommy!!  I wanna go hoooommmme!"  Oh boy.  


It wouldn't have been that bad if we were on Snow White or Peter Pan and they would have gotten scared.  Those rides are over in, what, 2 minutes?  Not Nemo.  No, Nemo was more like Pirates of the Caribbean length.  Perhaps a little less, but I'm guessing we were in that sub for at least seven minutes with my screaming children, which felt more like an hour.  


When we finally got back to the start, the girls had calmed down some, but GG was still talking about going home.  She was much happier when we went to the Autotopia and let her drive Andy around the track for five minutes instead.  


The rest of the day went more smoothly.  There weren't  even any major kid breakdowns to speak of.  We managed to convince Sonya to go on Pirates of the Caribbean, which she liked.  I wasn't sure if that was ever going to happen.  Next year we'll attempt the Haunted Mansion with her.  Although the other two are sticking to Toon Town and Dumbo for a while.  Even now they Lana keeps saying,


"I do not wan to go on dat Submaween wide again!"


All in all it was a great day.  We had ice cream for dinner and stayed for Fireworks.  Then we changed all the girls into their PJs when we got to the car and they were asleep within five minutes of leaving.  


I guess next year there will be no "Submaween wide" for the Dadekains.  They're just going to have to find Nemo without us.