The Horn Family: June 2015

We absolutely had to make good on Nick's promise of Disneyland to the big girls. Nick turned around and went right back to Tennessee to tie up loose ends the day after we drove into town. The day after he returned to California, we packed up the car and caravanned down to Anaheim with Kris, JP and the kiddos. We kept it a surprise from the kids, Nick had visions of telling them just as we drove up to the big Disneyland sign. Kris and JP had told their kids the day before and threatened them within an inch of their lives for ruining the surprise for our kiddos. We all stopped at a Wendy's attached to a gas station outside of Bakersfield for a late lunch, and to feed sweet Caroline after hours driving in the heat. I took the three big girls to the restroom and while the four of us danced around a handicap stall, Clairey giddily suggested they use Emmy's colored hair spray when they go to Disneyland in the morning. As quickly as the words came out of her mouth, she clasped her hand over it, her face fell and her eyes welled up with tears. She looked at me and said, "I'm so sorry Auntie Ali, I didn't mean to, PLEASE don't tell my Mom and Dad!" I felt awful for sweet Claire and assured her that there was no better person to tell Emmy than her. :)

We rented a house 1/4 mile (as the crow flies) from the front gates of the park, but it was more like a mile when walking. Even still, it was PERFECT! It was four bedrooms, 3 bathrooms with a game room in the garage and a pool out back! Nick doesn't gush about much, but the moment he stepped inside our place, he was just as excited as the kids. The kiddos tore through the house claiming their bedrooms, beyond excited for a giant sleepover for three consecutive nights!

After a long day in the car, we went on a late-night Mexican run to celebrate Father's Day, and caught some shut-eye before our first day at Disneyland! We connected up with Mom and Dad and then entered the Magic Kingdom! The kids were absolutely awestruck! We saw Mary Poppins and Bert within minutes and then headed over to the Merry-Go-Round! We saw Ariel over by the Dumbo ride and then headed over to the tea-cups! The kids LOVED the tea-cups...Afterward, we went over to Toon Town to the kiddie play area and to The Roger Rabbit ride, which was a overwhelming flop-all the big kids got off crying because it was so scary. We followed it up with "Small World" which restored everyone's smiles. :) JP and Andy snuck off to do a big kid ride while the rest of us did the rocket ride in Tomorrowland before we took off for The Anna and Elsa boutique where the three big girls got make-overs!

The girls were thrilled, until Hannah and Clairey switched Elsa dresses and Hannah changed her mind as she was climbing into the beauty chair. She had the most sour look on her face for most of the appointment, and then she started nodding off...Luckily after she saw herself in the mirror when they'd finished (and after she changed back into her original dress) she was happy again. Watching all three girls sitting side-by-side in the chairs getting their hair done offered some crazy flash-forward thoughts of prom preparations in the future. ;)

We finished up the day swimming in the pool back at the house, a welcome break from the high temperatures. Mom and Dad came back to the house to drink some wine by the pool after the twins and Caroline went to bed so the rest of us could return to the park for the lights parade, fireworks and some dole whips...It all was so magical and delicious!

The next day, we went to Disney California Adventure, and were in for an incredible surprise! We walked through the front gate to the street lined with Disney employees waving and welcoming us into the park! We saw Minnie Mouse, Sophia the First and Doc McStuffins right away, and the kids were overjoyed! Our first stop was a Frozen Sing-Along inside a beautiful theatre that looked just like the inside of the castle in the movie. The kids-all of them- were delighted! We crossed the street to get in line to meet Anna and Elsa...It was a pretty decent wait, but my girls have declared it to be their very favorite part of the Disney trip. We visited Bugs Life to do some bumper cars and a teacup-esque ride. Then we were off to Cars land, which was a spectacular recreation of Radiator Springs. At this point, it became clear that we needed to turn our 4-stroller parade around and head back to the house after the kids (my kids) started falling apart completely.

We went back to the house for swimming, naps and dinner before heading back to the park for more fun. We fit in the Ariel's Grotto, another Merry-Go-Round and some big boy rides for the Daddies and Andy. We basked in the live music and the bright lights...We didn't head back to the house until about 10 o'clock at night and James was so happy, he furiously waved to everyone passing us by. We all can't wait to return to the happiest place on earth!