Disneyland Day 3

Andrei continues to have fun and why not, it is the happiest place on earth. Well, as long as we don't try to get him into the stroller when we wants to do more rides. Holy cow, the temper tantrums he does made us change our approach which had been to convince him (and most often it was true) that we needed to get into the stroller to go to the next ride.

But he kept getting more and more tired of being put back into the stroller so we decided to just do rides over and over again. Which was just fine with both him and us. It's strange but he really doesn't much mind waiting in line (which I would think he wouldn't like). I think it's because all the stuff around him just blow him away (for example in the Buzz Lightyear ride they have an animatronic Buzz, in the Monsters Inc. ride there's TVs showing funny little clips, etc.). Even at the older rides (the Fantasyland mainstays) there's plenty for little ones to look at. I'm sure older kids would lose interest after only a few seconds, but the little kids seemed to just be so amazed at just watching the Merry-Go-Round while waiting for the Dumbo ride.

Speaking of the Dumbo ride, it was clearly Andrei's most favorite ride in the whole park, with Buzz Lightyear, Pinnochio, and the Merry-Go-Round battling it out for number two. I think each of those was ridden at least 3 times a piece. Stef was pleased that on the third go around with the carousel she was able to get him onto the special Mary Poppins horse that Disney had just dedicated to Julie Andrews . Stef was even happier that I got some good pictures of Andrei riding it.

And he continues to love to meet any and all characters (as long as they're wearing a suit). Today he met Pluto and Chip of Chip and Dale (or was it Dale, I can never tell those two furry chipmunks apart). And now it seems his favorite thing to do is give them all a kiss on the nose. Meanwhile we were having lunch on Main Street and Mary Poppins and Burt were there but Andrei was far more interested in the piano player behind them who was cranking out some mighty fine Scott Joplin ragtime tunes. Again, any character who is just a real person in a dress is meaningless, but get a six foot chipmunk and he can't get enough.



Tomorrow is our last day and then we have the long drive home. Both Stef and I are pretty tired and we're going to just collapse once we get home. It's strange that we're so tired because we've been taking naps when Andrei takes his, but like all vacations, once they're over you need a vacation because of the vacation. Sunday I have a very special Mother's Day planned for Stef which Andrei is going to help me with. He really will help out, Andrei (and I think most little kids are like that) just love to help cooking or cleaning or whatever. I think they just like being a part of the action. Not to mention it keeps them busy, which as Andrei becomes more and more of a 2-year old is a major objective. I already have grey hair and would just like to keep it all on my head (read as: trying to keep myself from pulling it out).