Disneyland!

We just got back from Disneyland!
It. Was. AWESOME!

Now, before I hear anything about E not remembering this trip and yada yada ya let me say this: It was a trip for us, Oma, Opa, and Uncle Brian. We wanted to experience Disneyland with him, even at this age. And what a great way to spend Mother's Day.

And let me tell you something else. I was actually surprised by how much E took in. We could see him absorbing the sights, sounds, and spectacles. For instance, after each float of "Mickey's Soundsational Parade," E would blink and calmly raise his arm straight up in the air. His expression was very, very serious. It was as if he was giving the singers/dancers his highest form of props.

Other highlights:

• Staying at the Grand Californian. Three nights at a hotel with all the magic and luxury Disney can throw at it. Taking E in the fantastic pool on a super-warm Sunday was especially fun.  
• Breaking all the sleep rules by overstimulating E, keeping him up past his bedtime, with short naps, while sharing a hotel room with five people and a baby, only to find that he slept all night!

• Taking E on his first ride: Dumbo. And then having him coo and point every time we saw it again. 
  

• Seeing a million cars in the new Carsland and laughing at E while he made the "motor" noise at each one. 
• Watching Opa almost get kicked off the Carousel because he was facing backwards trying to take E's picture the whole time.
• Taking Uncle Shaun out for dinner in Downtown Disney for his birthday (and Oma in honor of Mother's Day). 

• Eating a big Cajun dinner at the Blue Bayou. 
• Getting the Tiki Room show all to ourselves.
• Having Oma/Opa/Brian babysit E while Lisa and I rode all the big-kid rides and watched the fireworks. 

• E's clapping at the end of It's a Small World. 
• E taking about 10 steps on his own in Toon Town, right after getting his picture taken with Mickey. 
• Spending four days experiencing the magic that Disney musters through the eyes of a one-year old. 

So when is the next trip?!