Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Day 10: The Happiest Place On Earth

Just returned from our first trip to Disneyland with Jarrah. It was a beautiful day. But it was also 11 hours in the park and three more traveling, so I won't say much tonight. Look for photos and perhaps addenda in this space tomorrow.

We have deliberately waited to take Jarrah to Diz until I sensed she was old enough to go all day without melting down. After all, we got engaged there, and I practically grew up there before that. I think that a lot of parents think about how much fun it's going to be seeing the joys of Disneyland reflected in their children's faces, but I was mostly thinking about how it's MY warm, fuzzy childhood nostalgia and I didn't want her ruining it for me.

I am so happy to say that I fretted (selfishly, sure) for naught. For one thing, Jarrah didn't complain once, that I can remember. She walked around both Disneyland and California Adventure on her own sturdy little legs, no stroller and hardly any Daddy-shouldering. She did not whine for souvenirs. She asked for one "treat"--cotton candy--and thoroughly enjoyed it. And the most amazing thing of all is that she went on 15 rides, including several that were dark, scary, fast or all three, without a tear or a shriek. Which is more than you can say for me at five, the shrieking-sobbing-wailing-mess-of-me.

So I guess what I'm saying is, the strange part is how my Disney fun was basically unimpeded from my childfree days. And while I hoped for such a scenario, I really didn't expect it. I'd say the only moment when I noticed things had changed was at the very end, when--tired as I was--I would have squeezed in one more ride if a couple of five-year-olds (we were there with Robyn and her two boys) were not totally, utterly done.

Special shout-outs to Robyn, who wielded her Disney magic and got us in as her guests for the day, and Calvin, who was a pretty awesome sport not only to go without the fastest and wettest rides, but to have somehow talked Jarrah into trying The Haunted Mansion after she swore up and down that it was too scary for her and no way (she ended up loving it.)

More tomorrow. Must sleep.

1 comment:

Stephanie said...

Love the honesty and wisdom in your self observations. Kudos to you for timing this special day well.