Making sense of Pokemon

Pokemon is Jared's newest passion and I have to say... I just don't get it! He wants a Pokemon game from Christmas that has little figurines and a game board. I went online today (Grandmas want gift ideas) and I was poking around trying to figure out what exactly the Pokemon stuff is or does. Not only did I NOT see a game like that, but most of the Pokemon toy selection looks like collecting cards. Is that all there is to it?

I know more people read this blog than posts comments, so if anyone out there has a clue, I'd really like some help!

Frighty Night Night

It's now past midnight and I've helped Jared walk up the stairs. I've tucked him in neatly in a blanket and pillow. He's sleeping on the floor tonight. On the rug in the upstairs landing. I thought that this part of motherhood was over. I guess I've been smug that the kids just get their jammies on, brush their teeth, crawl in bed, and fall asleep listening to Scripture Scouts.

Older sister has been watching some of the Disney Halloween specials this last month and he is afraid to sleep in his own bed, in his own bedroom. In fact, tonight he refused to sleep upstairs without Scotty and I near by. So, he fell asleep downstairs in the Living Room near his daddy who was on the sofa.

It will probably be just a few hours before he crawls in bed with us. Now normally I would say no because I can't sleep with the kids, I mean I don't get any sleep. But, if I start to refuse his eyes tear up, his lip quivers and he asks me, "Well, then what will I do? Where else will I be safe?"

What can a mom say? This is the kid that rarely cries and usually has a "can do" attitude. Reasoning, which usually works with Jared, hasn't. So, of course I say: "Yes, you'll be safe with me!" - seems to be the only option. Times like this make me wish we had bought the king size bed!

Day 5 - DISNEYLAND the end.

 

 

 

 

After exploring Toon Town and going on a few rides our family split up from the Bell family and went to ride the Nemo Ride. An hour and a half wait, we played the alphabet game. The ride was okay, definately not worth the hour and a half wait. We rode the Buzz Lightyear Ultra Blast ride over and over again, did a bit of shopping, went to the Pirates Island (may not be the exact name- Pirate Lair?), we rode the Jungle Cruise which I really liked, and the Thunder Mountain Railroad. Our family went to watch the parade. I'm glad we did. The kids weren't too sure about it, but I kept them quiet with popcorn and we secured some pretty decent seats. The parade was great! They stop every once in awhile and entertain you with dances and acrobats. The kids liked it and waved to all of the characters. I saw the little girl side of Caitlin come out, where she got excited to see the princesses and called out their names, waving to them. I wish that the camera could catch the magic of that parade.

We met the Bell's for dinner at a little Mexican Buffeteria and then split up again. Our family headed off to Buzz Lightyear again and then came back for the fireworks. We didn't have great seats for the fireworks and kept being "herded" off to other areas of the park. But, we ended up off in a not so crowded area and had a great view. I was glad! Just as the fireworks were ending it started to sprinkle a bit. It was about 11 pm and we were spent. Caitlin had been "weepy" and cranky all day long, now she was just begging us to go to the hotel and sleep. Jared, was also tired. When he gets tired he gets silent. Funny, the kids are so polar opposites in many, many ways... and this is just another one of those.

During the day, Scotty and Jeff Bell had taken the van full of lugguage to a Best Western. So, off we headed... a long walk with half-asleep kids and physically exhausted bodies.

The next morning we met Scotty's brother Jon at IHOP for breakfast. It was fun to see him. He looks great and we enjoyed his company. Hopefully we will meet up with him again soon!

We drove back to the Best Western and said our good-byes to the Bells. Scotty gave them a lift to the airport, the kids and I stayed in the hotel room. The kids did their homework and I took a nap. I took two more naps on the way home and went to bed as soon as we walked into the house. I don't remember ever being this tired except for sometimes on my mission!... oh, and when I had mono at the age of 19.

 

 

 

 

Some fun pictures from Toon Town! These are from Minnie's House (my personal favorite).

Day 5- DISNEYLAND

 

 

 

We checked out of the hotel and piled all of our things into the van. I really enjoyed the Disneyland Hotel. It was convient to stay on the park property, the staff was friendly, the rooms were clean and had fun decor. The beds were so comfy, although I think at the end of each day I was so tired I could have slept on the floor. But, I'm glad I didn't have to!

Day 5 (Last Day) - DISNEYLAND

 

 

 

 

We had a character breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen (inside the Disneyland Hotel). The food was so yummy! Again they had omelets made to order, waffles, bacon, potatoes, breakfast breads, peanutbutter and jelly pizza, chicken fingers, hot dogs (yes, I did say breakfast), salads, desserts, etc...

Goofy lived the part and was very fun-loving with the kids. Jared had no real attachment to Goofy before this but, I have to say that a bond was formed during breakfast. He decided that Goofy is a fun guy to goof off with. He pounded pots and pans with him, enjoyed the teasing and kept hugging him over and over.

Day 4... conclusion

 

 

 

 

The boys tired out easily this night. We ended up separating; the men took the older girls on the rides to take advantage of the short lines. After meeting a few more characters Crystal and I took the boys back to the hotel.

I laugh when I see this picture of Jared and Cinderella's step sisters and step mother. Disney cast these characters perfectly. The sisters were annoying. Jared was watching with a disgusted look on his face. They started to sing and he plugged his ears with his fingers. The step-sisters loved him, "oh he's going to be my handsome prince when he grows up!" "No, he's not! He's going to be mine!" Jared thought they were crazy, the looks on his face were priceless. As we were leaving he asked me, "WHAT is wrong with those girls?" It was too funny!

I think the extra $ for the Trick or Treating event was worth it! It wasn't nearly as crowded. The kids got to see and meet so many characters, and ride more rides. There was a parade at the end but, the boys just didn't hold out for it. Each kid got a bag bursting with candy, packages of sliced apples, carrots, boxes of raisins, and pressed fruit rollups. They had a great time!

Day 4... Trick or Treat Night continued

 

 

 

 

So many, characters! The kids had such a good time meeting them. I was always fascinated to watch them "in character" (doing things that are consistent with whomever they are).

Day 4: Trick or Treat at California Adventure...

This is a cute photo of all the kids after we got through the front gate and they were given their trick or treat bags.

 

So many characters were out all night long, villains and heroes. We saw many characters we had never seen before and had a good time getting their autographs and taking photos with them.

 

Beautiful night scenery!

 

Meeting Mickey and Minnie!

 

Day 4... more swimming photos

 

Joshua coming out the big slide

 

Caitlin about to go down the big slide

 

Here she is at the bottom!!

 

Jared and Joshua hanging out in the super big hot tub!

Day 4... swimming

 

 

 

 

Back at the Disneyland Hotel the kids and men enjoyed cooling down in the water. There are two slides a smaller one and a big curvy one where you sorta shoot out this island mountain. The kids had a good time. Jared loved hanging out with his Dad, chasing him in the water, riding on his back...

Caitlin really loved the slide best!

Photos: cute little Zachary riding down the smaller slide; Scotty and Jared; Who says only girls are dramatic??; and Caitlin all smiles.

Day 4... continued

 

 

 

 

After Fantasyland we walked over to the California Adventures Park and saw the show Aladdin. We loved it! At first Caitlin and Jared complained that they would enjoy the rides more, they wanted to stay with the Bells (who were doing other things), etc... I didn't know what to expect since I hadn't heard anything about it. I was just happy for a chance to sit and rest my throbbing feet. But, once the show started we were all so happy to be there! I love theater productions, musicals, and plays. Especially those that are well funded! :-)

The plan that afternoon was to go to the Peter Pan themed pool at Disneyland Hotel. So, before we set off to change into swim suits the men and kids took a few rides on the Grizzly Run which is a VERY FUN and WET ride. I'm so glad the pictures above captured some of the excitement. The Grizzly Run takes you down at least 2 steep waterfall drops, through some white water and then finally along this little stretch where the water is much less choppy but geysers squirt up, some of them very big! So these pictures capture the "Oh no! Bring it on!" spirit of our group as they neared the very largest geyser that threatened to not turn off (sometimes they do, sometimes they don't). The pictures also cature their expressions as the geyser did turn off just in the nick of time, which meant that they weren't going to look as if somebody had dumped buckets of water over their heads. GOOD TIME! Definately a fun ride!

Day 4... continues...

 

 

 

 

We had early entry to Fantasyland. This was the area of Disneyland I remember most from my own childhood visit there and also from our trip in 2000.

It was crowded, as usual. We rode Snow White, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, and Dumbo. We skipped the Tea Cups.