Romantic Spots at Disneyland Park

As you, my readers, know, I love Disneyland.  My parents and older sister all worked there when they were teenagers, and I grew up in Southern California, attending Disneyland often. 

Last night my hubby and I enjoyed a nice dinner at the new Carthay Circle Restaurant and then strolled around both parks for a date night.  It was very enjoyable and romantic.

It got me thinking about all the quiet, romantic spots in Disneyland that I enjoy.  I've read other lists, but, though some are spot on, I don't always agree with all the spots listed.  Haunted Mansion?  Not so much.

Let's make this interactive.  After you read through my list, tell me your favorite spots! 

So, here are 10 spots that I think are romantic and special if you happen to go on a date at Disneyland.  (or just some quiet spots for a breather during a long day enjoying the park . . .)

10.  The walk by the Rapids in CA Adventure--Now, rapids don't sounds relaxing or romantic, but the pathway that meanders by the rapids can be both.  Unfortunately, at peak times, it gets heavy with foot traffic, but you can find benches or little niches here and there to enjoy the area.  The path is surrounded on both sides by pine trees and the Grand Californian Hotel.  It has the feel of the Sierras and Redwood Forest.  You will either find piped, soft banjo or guitar music playing relaxing folk songs, or you might luck out and get there when there is a live musician playing acoustic guitar to songs like "Riders on the Storm."  Either way, the sound of rushing water from the rapids, the soft music, wind rustled pine trees, and shade spotted path all lend themselves to an enjoyable pause and look around.  My favorite time of the day for this spot is in the late afternoon when the breeze picks up and the rapids crowd starts to dwindle.

9.  Pirates Cove Island--My husband did not agree with this one, so maybe it is just me, but I think the little picnic areas all along the edges of Pirate Cove Island (or Tom Sawyer Island to anyone over 30 like me) are so nice.  Bring your lunch or picnic food over to the Island, hunt out a secluded bench or picnic table and put your feet up.  Watch the Mark Twain, the canoes or the ducks swim by on the Rivers of America and watch the crowds streaming around across the way in New Orleans Square or Frontierland.  This is a great spot for a relaxing lunch.  I like the picnic benches across the Island that face Frontierland, as they offer a little shade and are away from the loading and unloading dock.  They close the island before the sun sets, so this is not a night spot.

8.  Snow White Grotto--My friend got engaged here.  I mean what is not romantic about a stone well with the song "I'm Wishing" playing every so often?  Fountains surround, the castle backdrops your spot nearby, and swans swim around.  It is usually not very crowded, though occasional character appearances or tour groups may cause a temporary swarm.  You can find this spot on the right of the castle as you face the front drawbridge.  Take a penny and make a wish in the well. 

7.  The Big Wheel in CA Adventure--The line can be long for this ride, so go early or just buy a snack to enjoy in the line if you go when it is crowded.  I personally LOVE the swinging gondola on the wheel, but I know many of my friends hate it and get queasy even thinking about it.  There is a stationary gondola also offered on the wheel.  Great views are offered at either and you get to sit for awhile next to the one you love.  This is a great view at any time, though you get more snuggling and pretty lights in the chill of evening.

6.  The Fireplace in the Lobby of the Grand Californian Hotel--If you haven't wandered around the grounds of the beautiful Grand Californian Hotel, you need to do that.  Whenever we buy annual passes, we try to stay here once a year and do a mini vacation with the kids.  We eat breakfast at the Storyteller Cafe and enjoy the great ameneties at the hotel.  One of our favorite things to do is find a cushy rocking chair in front of the fireplace in the lobby and just talk.  Especially after a long day in the park, it is easy to just melt into the seats and chat with your spouse.  There will often be a live piano player in the lobby to make the experience even more special.  If you do happen to have your kids with you, just nearby and in eye view if you sit a little further back from the fire, is a little kid seating area and a TV playing classic Mickey cartoons.  Have them sit and enjoy Mickey while you get a moment or two with your sweetie.

5.  The side of Flo Jo Cafe walkway where you can view Racers in CA Adventure.  This has to be done at night to be romantic.  During the day, you will just see swarms of people and, though a cool backdrop on the ride, it isn't "pretty."  At night, though, they light up all of Cars Land just like Radiator Springs, but the "canyon" and red rock environment of the Racers Ride is lit up beautifully.  Since the viewing area is a bit removed and off the main road, you can find some quiet, enjoy the lighting and sit to chat with your date.  There is either seating on the side of Flo's Cafe where you can snack and still see the view from your table, or you can just go stand by the Racers viewing area and take in all the Disney magic and beautiful lighting for a few moments.

4.  Fireworks Viewing from the back of Fantasy Land/by Casey Jr.--Some of you might think I'm crazy for not recommending the fireworks from Main Street, but I am not a crowd person.  Though you get the full music and lighting effect of the fireworks show on Mainstreet, you also get a lot of people and, inevitably, someone standing in front of you affecting your view.  I like to go stand by Casey Jr. and watch the fireworks there.  You have to turn to the castle to catch the pyrotechnics from time to time, but most of the fireworks, and all the larger fireworks, are launched from behind Small World and the Toon Town area.  If you look in that direction, you get most of the action.  There are tables where you can sit, and the crowds are a fraction of a fraction (is there such a thing?) of what you would get on Main Street.  Unfortunately, you might have a harder time getting out of the park right away when the fireworks end (they close off the castle drawbridge during and for awhile after fireworks), but if you plan to just go on a few rides and leave about 45 minutes later, you'll be great.  Plus, you'll avoid the crazy tram ride lines that way.  I highly recommend viewing fireworks from a ride if you can time it correctly.  I've viewed them from Thunder Mountain (which is currently closed at the time I wrote this post), the Tea Cups--which is a great ride to be on during the parade, by the way, and Casey Jr. Train, and they are all fun places to view the fireworks. If you want the music, the narration, the lighting and the full effect, you have to join the many people on Main Street, and it is worth doing at least once.  If you just want to sit with your honey, escape the commotion and see some pretty lights in the sky, go to my spot, relax and enjoy the moment!

3.  Carthay Circle Restaurant and the surrounding terrace--As I said, my hubby and I enjoyed the new Carthay Circle Restaurant in CA Adventure for the first time yesterday.  I had salmon and he had a ribeye.  They were both delicious.  What we loved most was the departure this restaurant had from being very "Disneyland Parkish."  Though we have eaten at Club 33 and Blue Bayou, both very nice restaurants for the Disney visitor, the tables are usually all close together and the food is very standard. Carthay felt much more luxurious and special, and the food was definitely different from other park food.  The pace was slow, the waiters were pleasant and helpful, and the nod to classic Hollywood in the 30's was fun.  If the terrace isn't open when you go, ask the waiter or hostess if you can go stand on the terrace and they will open it.  We did and then enjoyed several minutes snuggling and watching the visitors and views from our perch above.  It was magical and fun.  I recommend this experience for dinner time when you can get the lights view.

2.  The Dining Patio in the Back of CA Adventure--Okay, the resort map I found online doesn't even LIST the name of this eating area.  They added this location when they remodeled the park last year.  It is in the back of the park by Goofy's Sky School.  There is a huge terrace with pretty decent food choices.  The best part of this area though is the shade and live music offered.  We have stopped here several times to listen to various bands play live-- Big Band style music, Irish band music, and folk music.  They were all FANTASTIC and it is never very crowded.  If you have kids, they can dance around and play while you keep an eye on them, relax and listen to the live bands play fun and soothing music.  If you go at normal times for lunch or dinner, you should catch a performance.

1.  Rancho del Zocalo at Night--Seriously I love this place.  The food is ho hum, though I do LOVE the Mexican Chicken Caesar Salad I order every single time.  I grew up and still live in Southern California, so I'm a Mexican food snob.  The tacos and refried beans they serve cafeteria style never had a chance.  However, the ambiance is AMAZING at night.  They have colored glass lanterns and metal cut lanterns all hanging fabulously overhead.  It is so romantic and dreamy. One area has an indoor/outdoor fireplace (shared on one wall) if you can snag one of those two lucky tables.  We always sit by the wall that hugs Thunder Mountain so my boys can wave at the trains that go by while my husband and I enjoy the dim, colored lights and outdoor patio.  There is no waiter, so you aren't hurried as you relax and listen to the acoustic guitar strums of Spanish music being piped onto the patio.  This used to be a little bit off the beaten path, but now that the new Fantasy Fair opened nearby (as of this week, actually), there might be a bit more foot traffic.  So sad!  I love my little hidden patio with romantic lights.

So those are my favorite romantic, quiet spots.  I know everyone has their own ideas.  What about you?  Is there a spot I didn't mention that you love?  Share with us in the comments!

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. . .

I apologize for the lack of posts.  I have some good reasons.

First I got a bad cough/chest cold two weeks ago.

Then I got the stomach flu over Thanksgiving break.  (From what I hear, about half of America had it).

Then I was getting ready for the boutique I'm hosting at my house this Sunday (I'm still busy).

Then Blogger told me I had reached my free photo storage capacity, and I couldn't write any posts with pictures.  I spent most of today researching the migration from Blogger to Wordpress--the complicated migration where I attempt to keep my subscribers and reroute to the new web address.  For now, I have upgraded my photo storage plan, but I have e-mails into friends to get me onto Wordpress soon.  It's time!

Another decision I'm pondering: Should I focus on celebration banners and scale back my scripture signs?  They are beautiful, but they are super time consuming for the price I charge.  I need to constantly pray about keeping a Biblical balance of ministry, family and creative business. 

After my tummy flu settled down a bit, we did a few, fun family outings this weekend.  Here are some pictures of our outings. . . (I can finally add pictures again!  Yay!)

They look like little angels here.  The posing lady made them fold their hands.  This cracks me up!

A family pic

Posing with my boys

Carter and Micah

The Christmas tree at Fashion Island Shopping Center in Newport Beach.  It is REALLY tall.

The fountain in front of Neiman Marcus.  The water changes colors, and the boys were fascinated!

We always end our Christmas at Fashion Island night with hot cocoa or coffee(me) at Roger's Gardens, a posh nursery in Newport Beach where they put up thousands of decorations and millions of lights every year.

 

 

First Days of School and My First Morning Alone

My kids both started school today.  It was a day of firsts--first day of Micah going to school at all (he is in preschool 2 days a week), Carter starting first grade, and my first morning alone due to school schedules in 7 years.  I always think of "lasts" when "firsts" hit.  There is a great poem about "lasts" out there by Karen Kingsbury called, "Let Me Hold You Longer. . ."  Get tissues.  For real--go grab some if you have littles who started school this week. 

I am ready to hand my kids to God's will and to teach them independence.  I'm not trying to keep them from growing, but I sure do want to cherish every first and last along the way.  They are a treasured blessing from God.

Let Me Hold You Longera poem by Karen Kingsbury

Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts;
First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts.

The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip,
The last night when you woke up crying,
Needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket
Wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me still small enough to hold
The last time when you said you'd marry me when you grew old.

Precious simple moments and bright flashes from your past
Would I have held on longer if I'd known they were your last?
Our last adventure to the park, your final midday nap
The last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten, last days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.
I never said goodbye to all your yesterdays long past
So what about tomorrow? Will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog in that old backyard pond
The last that you ran barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn
Silly, scattered moments and bright flashes from your past
I keep on taking pictures, never quite sure of your last.

The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight,
The last time that I tuck you in and pray with you at night.
The last time when we cuddled with a book just me and you,
The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson, the last vacation to the lake
Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.
I look ahead and dream of days that haven't come to pass
But as I do I sometimes miss today's sweet precious lasts.

The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test
The last time when I shout that "Yes! Your room is still a mess!"
The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there
The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass
I want to hold on longer, want to recognize your lasts.
The last thing that you need my help with, details of a dance,
And the last time that you asked me for advice about romance.

The last time that you talked to me about your hopes and dreams
The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.
I've watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass
If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold onto your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning, you'll be going far away
College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way
One last hug, one last goodbye, one quick and hurried kiss,
One last time to understand just how much you'll be missed.

I'll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed
So let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.

Fun Bible App for Kids to Memorize Scripture

We are on a roadtrip.  We are on a roadtrip that consisted of 10 hours of driving just the first day.  That isn't counting all the hours we are driving all the days after.  Thank goodness for ipads and iphones.  When I was little, my parents played the alphabet game over and over and we sang along to Kenny Rogers on repeat.  I don't think my boys would go for it.  I did print out some car trip bingo and other family games we can do on the road, but we all know the kids will still want some time with the electronic devices.

In adding some new apps to my iphone, I found a great one.  If your kid is in AWANA or you just want to do fun Bible games with them, look up the app, A Good Word. 

It takes selected verses from the NIV (I know--no ESV--super sad face) and has them catagorized by topic.  When you pick a verse from the list, it gives you a choice of two games . . . hangman or a word search.  It will bring up the verse with words missing, and the player has to either guess them in hangman or find them in the word search.  It is PERFECT for my 1st grader.

AND it's free. 

I know, right?  So add it to your smart device. 

By the way, I used to play "hang spider" with my students when I taught.  It takes almost as long to draw a spider hanging from a web string, and it isn't as morbid.  Feel free to borrow the idea for the class or home.  Have fun!

Disneyland Tips

I have deep rooted ties to Disneyland.  My dad and mom both worked there when they were teenagers--surprisingly, not meeting there.  My dad worked at almost every ride in tomorrowland and fantasyland--in fact he was there to witness Walt Disney pouring water from the different oceans into the canals when they opened It's A Small World.  My mom dressed up as Snow White to run the indoor Snow White Ride.  My aunt, my mom's sister, dressed up and walked around as the Snow White character in the park.  My older sister worked in the Star Tours shop when Star Tours first opened.  I remember her telling me about a giant water ride they were going to build called Splash Mountain.

My husband also has Disneyland ties.  His grandpa wrote the screenplay for Disney's Swiss Family Robinson movie, and, because of this, my father in law grew up around the Disney lots. 

Growing up, there was no such thing as season passes, but we would go to Disneyland often.  For awhile, when I was little, we had a ticket stub in the paperwork drawer with the E tickets we had bought on a visit. I remember shorter lines and long gone attractions like The Tuna Boat/Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant whose location now hosts the Dumbo ride, the People Mover ("You are now entering the world of Tron"), the original Rockets in tomorrowland--above the Tomorrowland Terrace (remember the elevator to the top?), Journey to Inner Space, and Bear Country Jamboree (I can still hear the snoring bear at the entrance to Bear Country).  I remember parking directly in front of the gates--long before the Mickey and Friends parking lot was built and trams were a given part of your visit. 

Some things remain the same, though.  Thunder Mountain is still my favorite ride.  New Orleans Square is still one of my favorite views in the park, and Disneyland is still a place that makes me happy--now because I can see my young boys enjoying all the fun I used to discover.

My husband and I have had four years of season passes, and through the years, we have learned some tricks to making the visits more productive and stress free for a family with young kids--especially kids with different ride preferences. I want to share some of our tips for your next visit!

The character breakfast at the Storyteller Cafe is less crowded than Goofy's Kitchen

1. Go early. 
My husband and I laugh because when we got married, he introduced me to Disneyland at night, and I introduced him to getting to the park when it opens.  He grew up in a night owl family who never went at opening, and my family was the early to rise sort of family who never stayed past 3 p.m.
Though night has advantages with cool breezes, decorative lights and fireworks, the way to beat the crowds is to get there right when the park opens. 
We have to go on Sundays due to our passes, which is notoriously the busiest day.  However, we get there right when it opens (8 or 9 depending on the season) and leave around 1:00 as the park is starting to feel the strain of the crowds.  It is a perfect amount of time when you have young kids.


2.  Fast Passes are your best friend if you have any kids over 40 inches--or if you just want to take a mommy or daddy break to ride a roller coaster and then swap turns watching the kids.

Almost every high demand ride and/or roller coaster has a fast pass.  Almost all--there are none for Toy Story or Matterhorn, for example.  (Speaking of Matterhorn, make note that they upped the height requirement from 35 inches to 42 inches.)  Like many people, Space Mountain is always the first ride my oldest son wants to ride at Disneyland.  If the line is short, they do one wait.  Otherwise, they go there first for a fast pass and meet up with us on the Teacups or further into the park.  (Further into the park, such as Pirates or Splash Mountain, is pretty much EMPTY early in the morning).
Fast passes, in case you don't know, are special tickets you get from machines near the fast pass rides. You slide your ticket or season pass in the machine and it prints up a special ticket.  They have a time window printed on them.  You come later than the starting time on the ticket and get to bypass much of the long line for the ride. 
Many people don't know this, but you can use fast passes AFTER the time on the time span window--just not before the time printed.  They don't expire that day--but you can't use them the following day or later--only that day.
You can get a limited number of fast passes at a time, but once the start window time on your fast pass starts, you start over--able to get fast passes again and still use your fast pass you already have. 
Since we have four passes in our family but only one kid who is tall enough for fast pass rides, we can get fast passes for two rides at a time (two tickets at each).  For instance, my husband can use the passes to get two fast passes for Space Mountain and then use two other passes to get fast passes for Thunder Mountain.  Once the start time for when we can get the fast passes hits, he purposefully goes and gets more fast passes for different or the same rides.  By the end of the day, we have TONS!
Rides that have fast passes are Autopia, Star Tours, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones, World of Color, the new Cars ride--Radiator Springs Racers, Soarin' over California, Tower of Terror, the Grizzly Rapids, Goofy's Sky School and California Screamin.  I might be missing one or two rides, but that is a pretty thorough list.
When it is really crowded, the fast passes run out quickly. For instance, the fast passes for the new Radiator Springs Racers were gone by 9:00 a.m. the other day, and the park opened at 8.  That is extreme, but when it is crowded, for instance, you probably won't get a Space Mountain Fast Pass after 5:00 p.m. 


This leads us to how both he AND I get a turn on the ride . . . switch passes.

3.  Use switch passes if you have kids under 40 inches. 
When my husband finally goes to use his fast pass ticket, he asks the ride workers for a switch pass--which functions like a fast pass ticket.  The idea of a switch pass is that he and my oldest can go on the roller coaster, but I can't because our youngest isn't tall enough and I have to stay and watch him--he is only 36 inches. 
Even if you have a fast pass, you can ask for a switch pass when you go on the ride. 
Once my husband is off the ride, he gives me the switch pass and then I get to go on the roller coaster with my son--I can get both of us (my older son and I) on the ride with one switch pass ticket.  (The adults have just essentially "switched" places).
Like fast passes, switch passes are good for the entire day, so I can go do other rides with my youngest rather than sitting outside the exit and waiting to do the "switch." 

4.  Avoid Certain Rides
Certain rides always have long lines.  You have to decide if it is worth the wait for your family visit.
We have learned that unless there is a freakishly short line, we don't go on Peter Pan in Fantasyland.  The line is always long.  It doesn't look really long, but it is a slow loading ride that is, indeed, long.  The ride itself is short and just okay.  My boys don't love Peter Pan, so we are okay skipping it.
We also don't go on Toy Story very much since my husband hates long lines.  There is no fast pass for that ride, and it is usually 40 minutes to an hour wait to ride.  Once in awhile we'll break out snacks and go through the line wait, but not very often.
Always check the wait time when you enter a line.  Some lines "look" short and are deceptively long waits--Bug's Land rides, Peter Pan, Casey Jr. Train, and Dumbo for example.  Some lines look long but are fast moving and not that bad--like Pirates or Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters.

5.  Know Options when Crowded
The park will have times when you can't avoid crowds.  Sometimes it is bad and you get grumpy.
We know that we will go run around on the Pirate Cove Island when it is crowded or go have fun over at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at CA Adventure.

Sliding at the Redwood Creek Challenge play area

Due to Cars Land opening, CA Adventure is going to be more crowded than normal for awhile and Disneyland is being blessed with fewer people--especially early in the morning.  Take advantage of that in how you plan your day. . .
Also, on hot days, everyone is going on the rapids, Pirates, or Splash Mountain.  Think of less crowded shady rides--Innovations, any of the films (Captain EO, Muppets or the Bugs Land movie). The Tiki Tiki Room, or the Rivers of America boats.
If you aren't sure, ask a castmember (employee) what rides have smaller crowds and will lend shade, or be age appropriate for your younger ones, etc.  They will be helpful.

6. Bring Snacks and Water
Disneyland will let you bring in anything but alcohol and glass.  As with all amusement parks, snacks, drinks and meals are pricey.  Plan ahead and bring your food. 
My kids love the churros at Disneyland, which are expensive.  I went to the market and found frozen churros.  I can cook them ahead of time and bring a couple as special treat snacks, saving several dollars in the process.  Bring some great protein snacks to give the kids energy throughout the day--cheese sticks, nuts in a bag, even sandwiches.  You won't get the fits and meltdowns that come with the sugar lows.
We put everything in our stroller, but they have lockers you can rent at the park fairly inexpensively.

There is a bag/security check area before you can enter the park.

When we do eat at Disneyland, our favorite restaurant is Rancho del Zocalo in Disneyland.  The boys get to watch the Thunder Mountain train go by, I get a delicious Mexican chicken Caesar salad and Ryan gets his favorite snack--chips and salsa.  Again, it isn't cheap (about 11-12 dollars per adult meal), but it is better than the burgers and fries around much of the park.

Sometimes we leave the park and eat at Downtown Disney--also pricey, but less.  We love the little Napoli restaurant on the end, and they have a little area where you can buy slices of pizza and salad "to go". 

7.  Double Stroller Tips--
Double strollers are a must with two small kids, but they are hard to place on the tram (which takes you from the parking lot to the park).  The tram has two sections--very front and back--for double strollers, and when it is crowded, you wait several trams to get a spot.  SO, walk from the parking to the park.  There is a trail leading to the park.  Ask any employee in the tram area, and they will point you in the right direction.  We've timed it a couple of times, and the tram and walking are about equal times on light waiting days--walking quickly, though.  When the trams are crowded, walking is much faster.

Also, when you enter Disneyland, there is an entrance for wheelchairs and double strollers on the far right of all the gates.  Often this line is actually shorter and people don't realize it isn't just for wheelchairs.  The gates for Disneyland weren't built for double strollers, so it is a tight squeeze to get through--doable, but tight.  California Adventure was built for the double stroller, so there is no special entrance on that side.

8.  Know the Right Time of Year for Hotel Visits and Missing Crowds
The park gets crowded around Christmas.  It is gorgeous, but people are on break and regular passholders come to see the holiday decorations and special ride makeovers for Christmas.  We are blocked out pass-wise for much of December, but we don't mind.

A rare Christmas visit

We usually come stay for a couple of nights in November--right before the decorations go up.  It is not very crowded, and we get to enjoy the stay more. 
October can get crowded due to the Halloween decor and special rides they offer.  The Haunted Mansion, for instance, gets a makeover, as does Space Mountain--scary extras. . .
Of course, spring break season gets very crowded with families on vacation and college kids blowing off some steam.  Again, we are blocked out for many of the crowded times.
If you come during a school break or holiday season, use the tips of coming early and using fast passes to help you get to more rides despite the crowds.


9.  Slow down and see the day through your kids' eyes.
If you try to get on as many rides as possible, never stopping to enjoy the parades or throw a penny in Snow White's well as she sings, you will miss much of the magic of Disneyland.  Sometimes when I go without my hubby, I am glad we can't do the roller coasters and fast pass routine (I have both kids alone when he isn't there).  I walk slowly, we stop and get character signatures, and we watch the swans swimming by the castle.  It is low stress and calm.  We get on only a few rides in a morning, but we have passes, so we can do the whirlwind visit next time.  It is fun having both kinds of visits.
If you have kids all under 40 inches or you have one adult with any kids under 40 inches, you are blessed!  You don't have to worry about the roller coasters and fast passes.  You can see them get excited about going on It's a Small World and grab your hand in amazement when a character walks by.  It is such a short amount of time that they really just love BEING there and you don't have to get on Space Mountain and Star Tours to call the day a success.

Enjoying a rare night visit--we prefer early with fewer crowds.

Posing by Splash Mountain and Winnie the Pooh Ride

Whatever you do--enjoy your time.  It is easy to let heat or crowds get you grumpy.  Sometimes the happiest place can seem anything but when you look around.  Take it all in stride and put it all in perspective.  You are in a very fun place enjoying time with your family.  Have a fabulous visit!

Women in the Word Wednesday: Sensitivity to Sin

My oldest has an extreme sensitivity to hair on his skin.  Haircuts are quite an ordeal.  We cut his hair at home with the TV distracting him.  He is old enough that he tries to keep his tears under control, but it is hard for him.  After the haircut, he has an immediate bath, and then we transfer him from the bath to the shower to scrub and wash off any stray hairs the bath missed.  We towel him off well, followed by lotion to soothe his skin, which indeed has little red bumps of irritation blanketing it from the short exposure to hairs during the haircut.  After lotion, we end with a good dusting of baby powder, brushing off any stubborn stray hairs that escaped the rest of the process.

If that weren't thorough enough, he refuses a hair cape during the haircut, so he wears onek of his larger T-shirts during the haircut.  After each haircut, I wash the shirt a couple of times and then stick it in the back of his closet.  If for some reason we accidentally pull out a "haircut" shirt for him to wear to bed, he tells me within thirty seconds that his shirt is "itchy" without even realizing it was indeed used during his last haircut.

Today was haircut day, and I thought again about how extremely sensitive he is to hair on his skin.  During my quiet time, I thought of that analogy with our sin.  When we are seeking God's will, praying, meditating on scripture, regularly reading His Word, and really seeking please God, we are sensitive to sin--we can be as sensitive to it as my son is to his haircuts.  We immediately regret impatient thoughts or wince at resentment that we might allow to creep into our heart.  The slightest sin can irritate us and get our attention.  We stay away from situations that tempt us to sin the way my son steers clear of even the shirts from his haircuts. The Holy Spirit steers us away from unrighteousness as we seek to listen to Him and do His will.

When we are neglecting quiet time, enveloping all our time with worldly distractions, and trying to tiptoe into gray areas and slippery slopes with which we feel conviction, we dull our sensitivity to sin.  We get spiritually lazy.  We get too comfortable with sins such as unkind words, laziness, lack of contentedness, selfish thoughts, or prideful behavior. 

We have to put on our spiritual armor each day and use the tools God gives us to fight our flesh.  Sin shouldn't feel comfortable to a Christian woman.  It should cause us much uncomfort and irritation.

I pray that I can rely on God, pursue holiness and be as spiritually sensitive to sin as my little buddy is to his haircuts.

Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance,"

Women in the Word Wednesday: Strength in Weakness

I love the story of David and Goliath.  It is so often told by people the way we would read Goldilocks to our kids, but we have to pause and remember that this TRUE, BIBLICAL account happened.  Small, young David stood up to a mighty, GIANT warrior with complete faith in God and what he could do with the unequitable situation.  David knew God loved to take unfavorable circumstances and turn them into a success for His clear honor and glory.  His faith and trust in God was strong from a young age.

We too can practice trust in God when circumstances don't seem to be in our favor, but God is calling us to have faith in Him and trust there is a reason for what He allows in our lives.

Yesterday I had Micah's speech IEP.  He has severe delays in articulation but is actually high average in language expression and reception.  In other words, he talks all the time and also understands what is said to him, but he is having problems pronouncing the words clearly.  He is very hard to understand--even for Ryan and I who hear Micahnese all the time.  They aren't sure if it is a disconnect between mind and motor control in his mouth or if he is just needing to strengthen muscles to get some sounds he is missing.  Time will give us a better picture.

I am completely confident that this weakness of Micah's is all in God's perfect plan.  God can use this in Micah's life for so many reasons.  It could be to give Micah humility, it could be to have one of Micah's speech teachers come to repentance and faith through God using us in his or her life, it could be to grow ME in trust or humility, it could be to grow me in empathy toward families with any special education needs (I was a teacher prior to kids), it could be to show Micah that any success he has later in life is controlled and chosen completely by his Creator, or it could be to bring Micah, somehow, to salvation.  Maybe it is merely to remind us this world is flawed and failing--to have us keep an eternal hope and perspective.  These are all guesses or ideas.  We don't know, but I am confident I don't need to know but, rather, to trust.  God is sovereign in Micah's "weakness."

Wouldn't that be something if Micah was a teaching pastor someday, speaking from the stage with clear, articulate instruction from God's Word?  Who knows?  Perhaps God will allow speech to always be a struggle for Micah.  I can't control the circumstances, but I can be obedient to trust in God's plan.  God is able to allow and then overthrow any difficult circumstance.  Even if He allows the weakness to continue, as with Paul's "thorn", there is a sovereign reason.  What is your current Goliath?  Are you trusting God to be sovereign and omnipotent in every circumstance?

II Corinthians 12:7-10   "So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

A Weekend in Arizona: Schnepf Farms

Storefront to Schnepf Farms

Our family went out to visit my husband's sister and her hubby this weekend.  They got married in December, and we wanted to see their new home and hometown. 

We waited a bit long for a visit, and it was starting to heat up a bit when we were there.  It wasn't crazy hot, it was probably in the 90's, but we are Southern California wimps who only do well when the temps are somewhere in the 70's.  However, it was perfect weather for living in water all weekend.

I got to go see my cousin's wife, Amy, and her four girls while I was out there too, and our family had lots of time in the pool, which Carter loved--Micah, not nearly as much, but his crazy fear of water is another post, another time.  Ryan and Carter went to a water slide park near Phoenix while I stayed behind with napping Micah.  Carter and Micah have spent the last three days staring at the maps of the water park and talking about the different slides--Micah loves to talk about them, as long as he doesn't have to actually ever go on them.  Carter, on the other hand, is savoring each moment he was there and asking when we can go again.  He is my adventure craver.

While we were there, it was the Peach Festival at Schnepf Farms.  I fell in love with this cute, little farm.  They had a drool worthy bakery, free carnival rides, pig races, goats, playgrounds, a great little train ride all around the farm, hayrides, music performances, and local produce kiosks all around.  Because of the lines and crazy heat (I'm a heat wimp), I didn't buy any peaches, but I have made a goal to grill some peaches for dessert sometime in the next few weeks.  I might even add a dollop of vanilla ice cream.  Gasp!

Enjoy some pictures of our farm visit!

There was a vintage, country feel all over the farm

They had almost sold out of all their baked goods, and the peach filled cinnamon rolls were gone, but I enjoyed drooling through the glass as the buttery, giant cookies and golden crusted pies.

All the vendors had local produce and organic foods.  This was a grass fed beef company's kiosk.

Ryan holding Micah, who refused to walk in the heat.

This pic sums up it up.  Ryan and Carter are all smiles, Jon and Katie are having fun pretending to be on their phones, and Micah is throwing a fit.

Hay maze

A run on the big slide

The big tunnel slide

Seriously, this picture couldn't be any better.  Carter (in red and blonde) is laughing and smiling because he is riding a roller coaster (his FAVORITE), and Micah (in red and darker hair) is staring in horror and holding on for his dear life.

Guess who wanted to go by himself again and sit in the front?

Kiddie rides are more his speed.  Micah enjoying the kiddie planes.

Slowly walking to the car at the end, motivated by the fact we were going to lunch and getting nice, cool, ice filled sodas and iced teas to cool off.  We had fun at the farm!

A Busy, Blessed Mother's Day

I will do a tea wrap up tomorrow, and you will be completely blown away by the tables at our tea this year.  The ladies did a terrific job being creative.
Today, I just wanted to share my Mother's Day yesterday with you!

Like many of you, I woke up to breakfast in bed.  My poor hubby had to work a little harder to create a yummy breakfast since I am watching my carbs.  I had a nice cup of coffee, scrambled eggs and bacon.  It was quite a treat!

We went to church and heard an AMAZING sermon on Psalm 23.  I had never heard it put into the context my pastor did, and it was such an encouragement.  It should be on our website to listen to after Tuesday morning.  You can hear it at http://www.compasschurch.org/.

We came home for about an hour, and I opened gifts.  I got two books I wanted and a cute yellow belt from Ruche.  My 6 year old made me a special coffee mug, and my husband topped it all with a generous gift card to the mall and a promise to watch the boys whenever I want to go look for some clothes.  I love to shop slowly by myself, which I never get to do!  What a treat!

Two Mother's Day books I got from my sweet family

After church, we went to my sister's house for pool play, lunch and gifts.  It was an absolutely perfect Southern California day--mid to high 70's with a little breeze in the late afternoon.

My sister and brother in law's beautiful backyard

More of the beautiful backyard

My nephew doing a flip off the waterfall diving platform

My 3 year old contemplating the pool

Our hosts

My other sister and her two girls

My mom, sister and niece

My niece is graduating from high school and is off to college in the fall.  She had me make this sign for her mom (my sister), since it was a little saying they would say to one another to get through stressful assignments she had in school.

I ate way too many kumquats off their tree.  They were so ripe for the picking!

My little swimmer enjoying his HUGE chocolate cake

Finally, we ended the day with dinner, more pool time and gifts at my mother in law's home.  It was my father in law's birthday, so we all got to celebrate the day!

How was your Mother's Day?  I pray you had a great day and realized what a very undeserved and amazing blessing it is to be a mommy!

Pinterest Recipe: Pizza Bites

My kids are BOTH picky eaters.  They will eat fruit and milk, which is basically why there are still alive, but protein beyond milk gets tricky.  The youngest will down some yogurt, but I can't overdo it or he'll sense I'm actually feeding him something that is healthy and stop eating it.  Sigh.
When we have pizza, they both tend to find ways to nibble around the cheese.  My youngest will turn his pizza over and just plain nibble on the crust bottom.  We have to pull out the big time discipline guns in order to get a few pepperoni or cheese bites into them.
I was curious how this Pinterest recipe would work from Rags to Riches.  They are easy peasy pizza bites.  It has lots of bread surrounding a little hot pocket of mozzarella cheese and pepperoni in it.  Plus, it is a dippable food, which always earns a higher score for a kiddo. 
So I adapted the recipe to my kiddos and tried it.  Instead of cheddar and mixed cheeses, I went mozzarella inside of the pizza bite.  Also, I made the same recipe on Zucchini slices for me--low carbing it.

Flatten a buttermilk biscuit

Top with pepperoni, mozzarella and more pepperoni

lift the sides and pinch the dough together

Turn it over for the smooth dough balls

Top with egg wash, parmesan, garlic powder and Italian seasoning

Cook and voila!

(Exact Recipe on the link above)

It was well received.  My youngest wouldn't eat it, but he is on an especially stubborn "I don't like that" phase. Afer his milk and a couple spoonfuls of apple sauce, he went on dinner strike.  He'll probably eat us out of house and home when he is 16 to make up for it.

My hubby and older boy liked it.  My zucchini variation was good too!  The parmesan crisped up nice and salty.  Yum!