California Crew

Tuesday was spent at California Adventure.  We started off early, hitting up Monsters Inc. (twice) and then heading to the Bug's Life.  Finishing up at A Bug's Life, we walked over to the Pier and Toy Story Ride.

This was the first time we'd ever been on it.  Both of our previous visits had long waits and even longer delays.  We weren't quite sure what to expect, but considering how long the lines usually are, we were hoping for something fun.  It was more than that.

It was awesome.

Let me repeat that one.  With emphasis.

It was awesome.

Like the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster, the Toy Story ride is interactive, moving you to various arcade-style games.  Wearing bright yellow 3D glasses, we whirled and twirled our way around target games featuring characters from Toy Story.  Elizabeth and I rode together, her sitting on my lap, pulling the trigger.  Even with my "helper" I kicked Chad's rear.  Of course, the second time we went on, he scored higher than me.  I wish we could have gone on it again.

Oh and Joseph had fun too.

We wandered over to the Wharf where Chad and I discovered our new fave lunch/dinner place:  The Lucky Fortune Cookery.  Large helpings of steaming hot chicken, rice and vegetables covered in flavorful sauces and served in a take-out box.  We ate while I nursed Elizabeth.

That's right, ladies and gents(?).  I nursed at an amusement park while eating with chopsticks.

I'll be waiting for my award.

While we're on the subject of nursing...I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed that both Disneyland and CA only had one designated nursing station each.  Granted, I'm not shy when it come to exercising my legal right to nurse in public, but if you were one of those moms who feels uncomfortable with such action, you'd have to trek over to City Hall in Disneyland every time you nursed.  At CA, you'd have to head over to the wharf.  Considering the fact that you log in roughly 7,000 miles of walking without the extra trips, that's a bit rough.  Would it be too much to ask for a Nordstrom's-like restroom that can be used for nursing? 

Haven't been to the Mothers' Room in Nordstrom?  Go.  You'll feel like a queen as you sit on a plush couch feeding your little one.

After lunch, as we were walking away from the wharf, we came across a performance by the toy soldiers from Toy Story.  It was funny, random, interactive...a total hoot.  The sergeant cracked me up.  He asked all the kids to come line up to join the ranks of Andy's Toys.  He spoke in a booming voice.  He bellowed orders.  He got in the kids' faces.  And they loved it.  They giggled and stood at attention and marched along.

Chad and I made the bold decision to push through nap time and leave the park a bit early.  Boldness is sometimes rewarded.  And sometimes not.

Thankfully, any sort of late-in-the-day-tantrums were aborted with a trip to the Bug's Life movie and Playhouse Disney - two interactive shows that gave us a little downtime while still enjoying the park.

I have a lot more pictures of Day 2.  Mostly because Chad wore Elizabeth all day.

Insert diabolical laughter.  (I seem to be doing a lot of that lately.)

We finished our day by watching the Pixar Parade - a family favorite and best viewed from a child's perspective.  In other words, sitting down on the sidewalk, your head close to your son's as he yells out, "It's BUZZ LIGHTYEAR!!!!!!!!!"

The wonder, the joy, the excitment...I love Disneyland.