You're Going to Disneyland!

So Hubs and I figured a way to get the kids to Disneyland after the adoption. We were staying about an hour away.

We didn't tell the kids because we wanted it to be a surprise. Ok, truthfully we didn't want to hear "Are we going to Disneyland today?" because we were already hearing "Are we going to the Grand Canyon today?" over and over again all day.


The oldest already knew about Disneyland because she read our itinerary which she wasn't supposed to do. I suspect CDQ knew too. But the video it produced. Well, you'll see. Just watch the boy.

I've been to Disneyland, I think 4 times. I think I was like 5 the first time. I remember putting on my new short set, red shorts with a red shirt with straps that tied. I loved the shirt because it was a rainbow or pony or some object with gold glitter highlights. I loved the glitter. lol I had on a fishermen's cap to protect me from the sun. Very stylish and cool. *wink*

Anyhow, as we got closer, the excitement escalated. Only the oldest had been to Disneyland and the younger ones had no idea what to think exactly. I had told them the exit number so they counted down as we passed each one. They discussed meeting princesses and what kind of rides there might be. As far as they knew there were teacups and that was it.

Here they are at the entrance in front of the Mickey Mouse flowers. I had to get this shot because although I no longer have my photo album, I used to have a picture of me in front of this very spot.

There were characters signing autographs and taking pictures right as we walked in. They got to meet Snow White, Minnie and Pluto.

Um, Snow White was a little too much in character or something. She was kinda freaky to me but the kids enjoyed her. We were excited to be getting a picture with an actual mouse. Even if it was just Minnie. lol

We were next in line for Pluto but they dragged him off. Sucked. I was able to catch this pic as he was leaving. I thought it was funny that he was patting the kids.

Unfortunately, I didn't get too many pictures because I was riding with the kids. I had no idea how they were going to react to rides and such. As you can see in the photo above one child has a dreamy expression, the next looks like he's going to have a bathroom accident and the third looks up in amazement and wonder. Those looks shifted when they were on the actual rides. lol

I rode on the bigger roller coasters like Space Mountain and Matterhorn with the oldest. It was a little strange because I could remember riding the same ride with her mother years before with her in the same position in front of me and it being her mother's first ride on a roller coaster as well.

I was so disappointed that It's A Small World was down for renovations. That's my favorite ride and I wanted them to experience it.

I always wanted mouse ears, I think at some point I did get them when I was younger and perhaps my grandmother has them or something so I made a point of buying them each ears and having their names embroidered on them. It was towards the end of the day and we all had mouse ears. I wish I would have got a picture of everyone, but it was so dark and I didn't think all the ears would show up. I did get individuals though.

The oldest
Strawberry Shortcake

Poufy

The Boy (I got a better shot but I just like this one better for some reason.lol)

CDQ

I think they had a blast and I hope this is a day they will remember forever. Hubs and I talked about maybe going back in 5 years or so once we've forgotten what a PITA it was when they are older. It depends on whether there are toddlers or not to drag along.

Next... the Grand Canyon...

Still One Short

So, we left at 2 pm, not at 6 am like I originally wanted to nor at 11 am, like we said would be our drop dead time. Oh well, it was way more than either of us thought it would be.

We stayed in Williams, Az the first night but not until having the exhaust pipe bust 30 miles from the hotel. Needless to say, it was pitch dark when it happened. I still drove it into town. The next morning, I got everything and everyone loaded up and we set out to find someone who could fix it. There was one little shop in town that had a lift that could lift the van, really they were those hand crank flat jacks...can't think of the name.

Anyway, we paid $60 just to have them wire it up. Argh! I wish I could have lifted the van myself because I could have done it for less than $5 (the cost of the wire). Then we were on our way to Vista, Ca. The kids were pretty good because we rigged up this laptop to play movies for them. It hung from a clothes rack attachment I bought. Pretty Cool. Bigger than any portable DVD on the market that I know of and widescreen to boot! We plugged in speakers and they could have been at the theater.

Anyway, we dragged ourselves into the hotel there. Can I just take a moment now to tell you how much it sucks to be the only one lugging all the crap in? I mean I had to disassemble and reassemble Hub's lift every single frickin' place.

Hubs had spasms the whole entire time. He had to sleep in his wheel chair the entire trip because it was the only thing that would stop the spasms for him. I felt so bad and so helpless for him. On the upside he was able to get real showers because they had roll in showers for him, which we don't have at home...yet.

Anyway, bright and early Wednesday, I got everyone up, showered and dressed. We left on time but got lost and passed right by the courthouse. We didn't realize that when we did get to the courthouse there wouldn't be a parking space left in the whole lot. Luckily, I had experience with the CSUN parking lots and quickly found someone who was leaving (yep, I asked) and followed them until they found their car.

We were lost and late. But they had pushed us back and our wait was short. It was strange to meet the social worker. She wasn't what I expected, well, I don't really know what I expected but she has been an incredible help to us. The courtroom had fold up seating like at the movies and the kids took up an aisle. The social worker was telling me it was only going to take about 1o minutes and that it seems like a lot of work to lead up to such a short event.

I looked over and all the kids were sitting, they had saved me a chair. But that empty chair. We were one short. After all this, and all the years, Bela was still missing. I don't know what I thought. I've never really grieved for my Squishy. It's all been such a whirlwind that I haven't really had one single minute to really think about it all. I broke down in sobs. I know I scared the social worker. Hubs was worried. I told him we were still one short and he understood but I could see the concern on the social workers face. I didn't know what to say to her because I didn't want the kids to hear or to mention Bela on this day. I tried to calm myself and luckily I was able to in time for the judge to come out.

He introduced himself to each of us one by one. Then he told the kids what being adopted meant= forever family and asked them individually if that is what they wanted. Then he told us what it meant to be adopting the kids and Hubs and I agreed we would treat the children as our own and give them a loving home. It all went so quickly that I only got pictures of Poufy and the Boy signing and agreeing that they wanted to be adopted.


I don't know if we get copies of those but they did give me copies of the blanks before anyone signed. I 'm thinking of having the kids sign those in their shaky writing so that they can see.

It was funny because the oldest supervised our part in signing the adoption papers, she checked Hubs signature over his other shoulder as he signed. Then she watched the judge sign. She seemed to be relieved. They all were excited.

CDQ was excited. I could tell by the way she acted all noncommittal and said "Whatever". It's part of her RAD diagnosis. I told her I would take this picture of her getting cozy with the plant anyway. After I snapped the picture she came up and hugged me tightly. And that was it. Outside the social worker told us that all we needed was the court stamped papers and that was it. No more social worker, no more California. They were ours. I still didn't get it though...

Stay tuned for the next installment of our week long trip...