Disneyland Day 1

Finally, after weeks and weeks of anticipation we were on our way to Disneyland!!  The kids were so adorable and excited.

Sam was in awe from the moment we stepped into the park.  Everywhere he looked there was something awesome.  It was a little overwhelming for the poor kiddo.  I thought the Buzz Lightyear ride would be the perfect introduction.  Well, I was wrong.  The second we got in line he started freaking out.  He was screaming that he was scared and clawing at my neck to let him down so he could bail.  I forced him on the ride and held him tight.  He was not a fan and I was worried my little baby was going to be scared of everything.  Luckily he snapped out of it pretty quick.  When I look at Disneyland from a 3 year old perspective I can understand why he would be scared.  

He liked sitting on Dan's shoulders and fixing his hair.

I have been prepping Sam about Pirates of the Caribbean and assuring him that all the pirates are robots.  He kept repeating they're just robots, they're just robots over and over.

Most rides at Disneyland have a 40 inch height requirement and Sam just happens to be 39 1/2 inches.  Close enough that a few fruit snacks in his shoes made him just tall enough.  Thunder Mountain Railroad was one of his favorites.

He even dared to distance himself from me and ride one time with Randy.

Look at those cute little arms in the air!

Star Tours cuties

I wasn't ready to freak Sam out with Space Mountain on the first day.  Jack handled his first time like a pro.  He loved it!

Could my arms be any longer?

Max was beside himself with the Disney Infinity selection.  There were so many guys we don't have, decisions...decisions.

While the big kids were riding Space Mountain, Grandma took Sam for a ride on Dumbo.

Tucker and Sam love their grandma so much.  It's a constant battle for her attention.

There was some bonding happening at Tarzan's tree house.

Sam was in shock when he saw Goofy walking down the street.  He was a little nervous to get so close.  After spending the majority of the day at Disneyland, we walked over to California Adventure for more fun.  I kept thinking the long stroller ride would eventually lull Sam to sleep but he was wired.  All the big kids wanted to go on TOT (Tower of Terror) so Brett, my dad, Tucker, Sam and I had a party in Bug's Life land.

Who's the loser on the bumper cars?

While in line, we had a who has the biggest mouth contest.  Sam wins, hands down.  Like father like son. We literally didn't stop the entire day.  It started to catch up with my Sammy-boy.  He had a monumental melt down near our dinner spot.  I can't remember what he was freaking out about now but we caught the attention of a Disney employee.  She told Sam if he stopped crying she would give him a freshly baked loaf of bread shaped like Mickey.  

I think that bread was laced with sleeping pills because mid bite, he was out.  I mean passed out.  We ate our dinner and continued to go on ride after ride and he didn't move a muscle.

Sadly he missed seeing his pal Lighning McQueen.  There was no waking him.

California Screamin' is one of my favorite rides and I couldn't wait for Max to experience it for the first time.

He was very quiet and reserved as we waited in line.  I felt pretty awesome he wanted to ride with me his first time.

Well, he LOVED it!

We had an odd number of riders so we all got a chuckle watching my mom get paired up with this fellow.  Poor little mug.

Max grabbed grandpa for his next California Screamin' experience.

Randy seemed to escape my camera all day.  I was busy keeping Sam happy and he was busy keeping these two happy.  I actually spent more time with Brett and Tucker than anyone else that day.

Jack was thoroughly enjoying hanging out with the big kids.  He wasn't scared of a thing, not even TOT.

Lucy on the other hand....not a fan.

Props to her for giving it a try.

Hours after Sam was drugged by the sweet Disney employee, there was no sign of life.  He slept while we waited for our shuttle, the entire ride back to the hotel, and as I turned down his bed.  I'm pretty sure he woke up the next morning with a small piece of bread still in his mouth!