Disney - take 6

At the beginning of November, we all trekked down to LA to see Aunt Hilary & Uncle Milton and all our friends at the Disney parks. This was Hazel's 6th trip in two and a half years, and she's quite the pro. She dismissed lesser rides she had already been on, rode her favorites twice, let me know when she was tired and wanted to leave, and wasn't disappointed when some rides were closed, as she probably knows the odds are high that we'll be there again... and she's right.She had great fun chatting with Tink and Vidia, sharing her own tinkering history and love of Vidia's favorite color purple. I'm always impressed at how much attention the cast gives to each child, as if they're their first and only visitor of the day. We've never felt hurried along.
The decor in Pixie Hollow is so much fun - too bad we were scolded for climbing on it. Really? Why have it right there where everyone's waiting then? A rare case of bad imagineering.

So nice to share the spinning rides with other adults and just watch the fun.
In Goofy's chair at Goofy's house. CARS land taking shape! This is main street in Radiator Springs. Opening next year sometime. We're so excited about this! We'll be back!
Some nice folks handed this balloon to Hazel - probably thought it more appropriate that a child carry it around. Too bad we had no idea where they got it, as everyone asked us about it all day long - even the Disney staff. 3D glasses for our 2nd favorite ride - the Toy Story arcade.
Just so you know, we did spend two days not at the parks. Here's Manhattan Beach, where Hazel enjoyed the free aquarium at the end of the pier and hunting for treasure on the beach. We came home with shells and rocks and a bone. She's sure it's a dinosaur fossil - I'm guessing KFC, but it's a weathered treasure nonetheless. Speaking of fossils, we also visited the La Brea Tar Pits. No pictures of that, but Hazel found it fascinating after her initial disappointment that there were only prehistoric mammals found there and not dinosaurs. I've never seen such a gooey excavation site. I had no idea that the tar was still there and is bubbly while not being hot. Educational for all.. Back to the park. I'm pretty sure that this is the same Belle we've seen every time. Again, always so happy to see each child. I think these are always my favorite pictures.

Sorry, not the once and future king of England, but good effort! Amazing that with the millions of folks who have tried, not one has ever been able to pull it out :)

This is my view while waiting in lines. What a patient little sweetie!This was our first time to see Rapunzel and Flynn, and then we watched the movie after our trip. Poor timing there. Hazel impressed them both with her ability to touch the end of her nose with her tongue. She had them all trying it, and one of the Disney staff was able to do it as well. You never know which magical Disney moment you'll experience next...
Each time we visit, we still find something new to do. I hadn't been to Tom Sawyer's Island in a decade, and now it has pirate highlights scattered about. Such a great place to run and climb. You'll notice a similar pose in the next several photos.
Round cage of bones from the 2nd pirate movie.
Tree fort lookout.

One of several graveyards at Disney. Hazel likes Sacajawea dollars.
And look at this huge stash of pirate treasure... out in the open for the taking... if you could pry apart the doubloons.
My brave little girl took her first trip inside the Haunted Mansion. The goblins and ghosties are much more festive this time of year, wearing their Santa hats. She wasn't afraid a bit.

We took a quick trip over to Desert Hot Springs to visit Grandma Kitty & Grandpa Don, who had conveniently just arrived at their winter abode. These pictures are from Thousand Palms Oasis. I'd never seen a palm tree forest before. Very neat.

The only wildlife we saw.
And just because six trips to Disneyland seems like a milestone of sorts, I thought I'd take you back to our first trip, when Hazel was just past age two. Such a wee little girl, and she loved the park then too. I dressed her in this shirt for the plane and told her where we were going.
Wasn't scared a bit of the fast spinning rides.

Or the swinging cars on Mickey's ferris wheel, which I find terrifying.
Well, maybe we needed the binky for a few of the dimly lit, loud rides like Nemo.

Here's to more Disney visits, more stuffed Disney pals, and more fun family time..