The Happiest Place on Earth

In lieu of a birthday party this year, we spent N's 4th birthday at Disneyland. We decided not to take Lexi with us on this trip. We figured, she's so young that she wouldn't remember going. Also, we really wanted the focus to be on Nicholas, and with Lexi there, we wouldn't have been able to go on certain rides and we would have had to go back to the hotel for naps. So, as difficult as it was to leave her for 4 days, we decided it was best for everyone. Luckily my parents generously offered to watch Lexi.

We drove down Monday, but stopped in Canyon Country on our way to exchange Christmas presents with Jennifer's family (Jeff's sister). We then had a nice dinner with Jenn, Hailey, and Matthew before tackling the last hour of our drive to Anaheim. Auntie Becca met us at the hotel in Anaheim and spent the night, sharing a bunk bed with Nicholas in his kids' suite!

Tuesday was Nicholas' actual birthday...the big 4! He had a blast at Disneyland with both Aunties Rachel and Becca. He went on almost all the big kid rides he could get on, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Matterhorn, and Space Mountain. We did a huge chunk of Disneyland that day, and most of California Adventure as well. Oddly enough, Nicholas was a little shy about all of the attention random people were giving him, due to wearing a birthday pin. He also wasn't that into visiting the characters on this trip, which he loved doing when we were there last year.

On Wednesday, Jenn, Mark, Hailey, and Matthew joined us for the day. Nicholas had a blast with his cousins! It was great for him to have similar aged kids to enjoy the time at Disneyland. Matthew and Nicholas played Star Wars for much of the day while we waited in lines!

By Thursday, Nicholas was thoroughly exhausted and we made the 6 1/2 hour drive home. Our 4 year old had a great time at the Happiest Place on Earth, and we did too!

To view our pictures of Disneyland, click here.

Here's a small video I took of Nicholas playing a carnival game at California Adventure.