This was KrisDi’s plan, not mine. I think she’s more focused on the kids having an enjoyable childhood than I am; my focus is on what kind of adults they’ll be, so I tend to forget that they’re kids right now.
Chilkat was so excited for this trip she packed five weeks in advance.
So, on Chilkat’s actual birthday, we woke the kids up early and flew to Ontario, CA, rented a van, picked up L & D at Orange County, and went to In-n-Out for lunch (which is fantastic). Then we went to Anaheim and checked into our hotel, walking distance from the Disney parks. We spent a little time at the hotel pool, then went out for a barbecue dinner at Blake’s Place (it was OK). Then we went for beer samplers at the Bruery Terreux (it was great). Then bed.
Next morning, we had a “character breakfast” at Goofy’s Kitchen. Breakfast was fine, and the kids loved seeing characters. I ran into another dude with a Lebowski shirt on who took a shine to me. We took a picture together. The kids rode rides, we had a $9.75 corn dog (for $3.50 we could have upgraded from Lays to Cheetos). I endured. The kids enjoyed.
The next day was America Adventureland or whatever the hell it’s called. Rides. I endured. Kids enjoyed.
The next day, back to Disneyland. More of the same. KrisDi tripped over a curb while carrying Chilkoot, went down to knee, then wrist, then back of Chilkoot’s head. We took a crying Chilkoot to the nurse, who checked him out and prescribed ice packs. He was fine, but it was scary for a few minutes. KrisDi’s knee took the worst of it, though. As I write this, 8 days later, her knee is still very sensitive.
Then back to America Adventureland for a short day. We had to leave early enough to drop off L & D at LAX and drive to Oxnard.
Fastpass is important. We didn’t figure out it was free until day three, and didn’t really figure out how to use it effectively until day four. I found decent beer at America Adventureland (at $10/bottle). Everything is expensive. The lines are long, and most of the rides are lame. And all the rides are short. But the kids had a great time.
Then, finally, we did something I wanted to do. We went to Oxnard and visited our old friends. We stayed with Jerry and Amy and their two kids. Saturday, I went and spent a bunch of money on beer that I can’t buy in Washington. We had a barbecue, grilled tri tip. Drank a lot. Went to bed late. Had to get up early. I suffered acutely all the next morning. We got home around lunch time on Sunday.
I think Chilkat will remember this trip. I’m not sure whether Chilkoot will. I hope he does.