What's a 40-something Mom and a 5.75 year old boy to do on a Sunday afternoon when there's nothing on the calendar that needs doing?
Go to Disneyland, of course!
Long story short, I didn't tell him where we going and by taking a circuitous route to get there, trying to throw him off, resulted in it taking far longer than it should have.
After we arrived I said I needed to go to the bathroom. As we walked into the ladies' room I almost literally walked into a good friend of mine, Jen! We pointed at each other and said "You!" We laughed. Ok. *That* made the extra traffic and time on the road worth it. If I had taken our normal route we never would've bumped into Jen and her family. We had known the other would be there that day, but had totally different plans and didn't think we'd see one another. How fortuitous to run into some of our favorite people! We spent a little time together so Cub and her son could have time to play while the adults talked. They went to their special event and we headed into Disneyland.
The first stop every time with Cub must be Star Tours. It's his favorite ride. Sorry, Camera Guy. Attraction. It was very crowded on Sunday. An 8 out of 10 on the Crowd-o-Meter! Needless to say, we didn't get on too many attractions. When we got over to Haunted Mansion the line was extra long because of the overlay of Nightmare Before Christmas. I asked the CM (Cast Member) at the end of the line how long the wait was and she replied "1 hour." I turned to Cub and told him the line was SUPER long today and asked did he want to wait or go to the Pooh ride. He said Pooh. At which point the CM asked if it was just the 2 of us. I replied that it was indeed, just the 2 of us. She indicated for us to follow her. She led us past the long line of people waiting and past the hearse, up the stairs to the front of the line! We were escorted by another CM into the first chamber within a minute! What a kind thing she did, letting us go up to the front of the line! She didn't have to do that. But, sprinkling pixie dust is a perk of her job.
Pixie dust is Disney-speak for creating magic for someone. By her taking us to the front of the line and not have to wait, she made magic happen for us! we didn't think we were going to be able to ride that ride. It's not something the CMs are able to do for everyone every time. That's part of what makes it special. We floated through the attraction as if Tinker Bell herself had sprinkled us with her pixie dust and taught us to fly!
As we moved through the park after that we headed to the Winnie the Pooh ride. The CM was just moving the rope across the entrance, closing it. I asked what happened and she explained it was "down" (not working). Ok, we said, we'd go wander through the store at the end of the ride (most Disney attractions have a store at the end that you have to walk through in order to get back out into the park) and see if the attraction was working again when we came out. It was not. However, Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore were in their Meet-and-Greet spots. We hadn't taken pictures with them in a long time! Cub was up for waiting to see them after we learned they were about to go on a break.
So wait and see them (except Pooh) we did. When we got to the spot where Pooh would've been we were told his break was a little longer and they were sorry, but we couldn't wait where we were as it was a hazard. Huh? Um, how about if we wait over here to the side? Another family in front of us got angry and huffy with the CM who was trying to explain to us the situation. We got neither angry nor huffy and after that family left the CM let us stay, albeit a little more out of the way, for Pooh. It would be about 10 mins. we were told. 15 mins. later, Pooh emerged. Cub had been a trooper about waiting! Of course, having the iPad along to play with helped. :)
So I got pictures of Cub with Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore! Hooray! What luck! Or was it more pixie dust? I choose to believe the latter. That's what it sure felt like, anyway.
The line for Buzz Lightyear attraction was shorter than we had seen it the whole time we were there that day, so we hopped in line and rode the ride, feeling pixie dusted not to have waitied as long as we might have earlier in the day.
I asked Cub if we could ride Pirates of the Caribbean before we left. I know he's a little scared of the waterfall drops. He was a little hesitant but said ok. As we approached the queue I was shocked (shocked, I say!) to find it completely empty and not roped off! It had just come "back up" from being "down" and there was no one waiting. We almost ran through the queue to get to the front! We were on in no time! How lucky were we? Wait, no, I think pixie dust was at work again for us, knowing that Cub was starting to wear down for the day, growing increasingly tired as we neared bedtime.
He snuggled in close and buried his face in my side as we approached the first, and admitedly, larger, of the 2 waterfalls. I LOVED IT! Having him still want to snuggle to me to feel safe, left me choked up. Afrer the seond, smaller waterfall he rode the majority of the rest of the attraction with his hand resting on my leg. I felt warm and loved. This was my favorite memory of the day. But, I knew he was done and needed to get to the car quickly when he lay down on the bench-seat of the boat and lay his head in my lap after we went up the waterfall to disembark.
My only disappointment of the day was I tried unsuccessfully to purchase a limited time only ceramic mug fashioned to look like Minnie Mouse as a pumpkin. I was told they were out resort-wide. That would've been the icing on the proverbial cake of my day. But, upon reflection, and discussion with Cub today, we both really had a great day together, just us, no Camera Guy for a change, and made some fun memories, just Mommy and Cub.
It was by far one of my favorite days with Cub in memory. Our journey was sprinkled with pixie dust from the minute we stepped out of the car.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
A Prayerful Journey
A few weeks ago I started saying a prayer each night after Cub had climbed into bed and the light had been turned off. I left a silence after I had thanked God for whatever I wanted to thank her for that day and I let Cub know that the silence before I said "Amen" was a time that if he wanted to say something he could. He's not yet taken me up on that offer.
Fast forward to yesterday. Cub had his last day of church camp. He'd been there each day this past week. The kids were divided up into groups based on their ages. Cub was in the youngest group, this being the first year he was old enough to attend church camp, seeing as he's starting Kindergarten next month (gulp!).
Each age group put together a prayer to be read at the closing service on the last day of camp. It was obvious that each child had gotten to add something to the prayer that they were thankful for. The first line of Cub's group prayer was "Thank you for food." The next line was "Thank you for Legos." Yup. That one. That was the one I knew he had contributed. My Lego-loving son. When he's not talking about Star Wars, he's talking about Lego. He prefers to talk about his Star Wars Legos.
Tonight after I turned off the light and started singing to lull him to sleep I got through a few songs and then he reminded me I hadn't given him a kiss good-night yet and I hadn't said the prayer. Wow! Really? I had skipped it a couple of nights here and there to see if he noticed or cared and until tonight, nothing. Great! Get your face over here and let me kiss you good-night! I did and then I asked him about the closing group prayer at church camp yesterday. Had each child gotten to contribute what they wanted to say thank you for? Yes, he told me. And then, fully knowing the answer to the question I was about to pose, I asked, "Which line did you add?" "Thank you for food.", was his response. Whaaaa???? You could have knocked me over with a feather. Seriously? Yes, he told me. Not the one about Legos? No, that was another boy. Wow! Cool! This from my kid who usually tells me he hates Jesus to get out of going to church. Mind you, it doesn't work, but still, he tries. I tell him Jesus loves him anyway.
And THEN! He told me that he wants to start saying thank you for the food before we eat. Excuse me? Who ARE you and what did you do with my son??? Should we start start saying grace before dinner again, like we do every so often? Yes, that would be a good thing, he says. To thank God for the food. Um. Ok. I like that idea, I say. How about we take turns, I'll say it sometimes, you can say it sometimes and Daddy can say it sometimes, ok? That sounds like a plan, he says.
And then that was it. The end of that conversation. But, I smiled and felt a warm glow as I sang the rest of my songs, rubbed his back and lulled him to sleep, thankful for this wonderful child who wants to thank God for the food. During my prayer he whispered "And for Puppy." I thanked God for Puppy, who is Cub's best friend and stuffed dalmatian.
Somehow I don't think I'll have a fight on my hands tomorrow morning to go to church. And I doubt it has anything to do with the fact that his favorite friend is going to be there and he hasn't seen her in several weeks. And I doubt it has anything to do with the plans we've already made to go to Starbuck's for croissants for breakfast before church. But, if these come into his decision-making process not to make it a difficult time for me, I'm good with that. As long as he goes. And I know he'll thank God for the food.
My journey tonight has been one of prayer, thanking God for my son.
Fast forward to yesterday. Cub had his last day of church camp. He'd been there each day this past week. The kids were divided up into groups based on their ages. Cub was in the youngest group, this being the first year he was old enough to attend church camp, seeing as he's starting Kindergarten next month (gulp!).
Each age group put together a prayer to be read at the closing service on the last day of camp. It was obvious that each child had gotten to add something to the prayer that they were thankful for. The first line of Cub's group prayer was "Thank you for food." The next line was "Thank you for Legos." Yup. That one. That was the one I knew he had contributed. My Lego-loving son. When he's not talking about Star Wars, he's talking about Lego. He prefers to talk about his Star Wars Legos.
Tonight after I turned off the light and started singing to lull him to sleep I got through a few songs and then he reminded me I hadn't given him a kiss good-night yet and I hadn't said the prayer. Wow! Really? I had skipped it a couple of nights here and there to see if he noticed or cared and until tonight, nothing. Great! Get your face over here and let me kiss you good-night! I did and then I asked him about the closing group prayer at church camp yesterday. Had each child gotten to contribute what they wanted to say thank you for? Yes, he told me. And then, fully knowing the answer to the question I was about to pose, I asked, "Which line did you add?" "Thank you for food.", was his response. Whaaaa???? You could have knocked me over with a feather. Seriously? Yes, he told me. Not the one about Legos? No, that was another boy. Wow! Cool! This from my kid who usually tells me he hates Jesus to get out of going to church. Mind you, it doesn't work, but still, he tries. I tell him Jesus loves him anyway.
And THEN! He told me that he wants to start saying thank you for the food before we eat. Excuse me? Who ARE you and what did you do with my son??? Should we start start saying grace before dinner again, like we do every so often? Yes, that would be a good thing, he says. To thank God for the food. Um. Ok. I like that idea, I say. How about we take turns, I'll say it sometimes, you can say it sometimes and Daddy can say it sometimes, ok? That sounds like a plan, he says.
And then that was it. The end of that conversation. But, I smiled and felt a warm glow as I sang the rest of my songs, rubbed his back and lulled him to sleep, thankful for this wonderful child who wants to thank God for the food. During my prayer he whispered "And for Puppy." I thanked God for Puppy, who is Cub's best friend and stuffed dalmatian.
Somehow I don't think I'll have a fight on my hands tomorrow morning to go to church. And I doubt it has anything to do with the fact that his favorite friend is going to be there and he hasn't seen her in several weeks. And I doubt it has anything to do with the plans we've already made to go to Starbuck's for croissants for breakfast before church. But, if these come into his decision-making process not to make it a difficult time for me, I'm good with that. As long as he goes. And I know he'll thank God for the food.
My journey tonight has been one of prayer, thanking God for my son.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
The End of a Journey
Here I am on the night before the last day of preschool for Cub. Last.Day.Of.Preschool. Ever. After this summer it's off to (gulp!) Kindergarten. Three years at this school, done.
I'm feeling old. How did kindergarten get here so fast? And yet, why hasn't he graduated from college yet? I mean, it feels like he's barely been alive long enough to be finishing preschool and at the same time he's been around FOREVER!
The days are long and the years are short.
Leaving school today I passed by the piles of Emergency Kits outside the office that we're asked to put together each year with a spare set of clothes and a snack for the kids in case they have to shelter in place. To be honest I haven't done one for him the last 2 years. Oops. But, I did find the one I put together for him his first year of preschool. It's got diapers in it. That made me smile, thinking back to those days. Boy, am I glad those are over! I have to admit it was a little startling and nostalgic to see that bag. But, then I wondered, why didn't they get rid of that 2 years ago when I didn't claim it? Seriously.
He knows how to whistle. After Camera Guy and I each showed him maybe once how to do it he taught himself because he really wanted to know how to do it. He dresses and undresses himself. He's finally learning to take care of *all* his toilet experiences himself. He is going to summer camp this year and Mommy and Daddy won't be around during the day to do that sort of thing for him anymore, or come August when (gulp!) kindergarten starts either. He's still got training wheels on his bike. That's ok.
I am so amzazingly proud of how far he's come in learning to do things. I am so amazingly excited for the things ahead of him to learn in (gulp!) kindergarten.
I'm terrified of the things he's going to learn in (gulp!) kindergarten but, mostly because I'm going to have to help him with homework. I mean, really? Me? I guess I'm fairly confident I'll be able to help him with homework through probably 3rd grade. After that, I may have to get a copy of the Teacher's Manual for each of his subjects so I can brush up at least a day before I have to help him with a new subject.
He knows tomorrow is his last day of preschool. He has said that makes him sad. But, he hasn't said he wants to stay there either. He's heard his friends name all the schools they're going to and that they aren't the same name of the one he'll be going to. I don't know if he's made the connection yet. He hasn't mentioned anything about not seeing these friends again. We'll see when that reality hits him.
He's come with me to register him at the new school. Poor kid has NO idea what lays ahead. We've told him he's going to learn to read and write and do math, but I doubt he really knows what that means. I'm very sad his days of playing all day are coming to an end. At the same time I'm excited for the new learning ahead.
I'm melancholy tonight about the end of this journey through preschool.
I'm feeling old. How did kindergarten get here so fast? And yet, why hasn't he graduated from college yet? I mean, it feels like he's barely been alive long enough to be finishing preschool and at the same time he's been around FOREVER!
The days are long and the years are short.
Leaving school today I passed by the piles of Emergency Kits outside the office that we're asked to put together each year with a spare set of clothes and a snack for the kids in case they have to shelter in place. To be honest I haven't done one for him the last 2 years. Oops. But, I did find the one I put together for him his first year of preschool. It's got diapers in it. That made me smile, thinking back to those days. Boy, am I glad those are over! I have to admit it was a little startling and nostalgic to see that bag. But, then I wondered, why didn't they get rid of that 2 years ago when I didn't claim it? Seriously.
He knows how to whistle. After Camera Guy and I each showed him maybe once how to do it he taught himself because he really wanted to know how to do it. He dresses and undresses himself. He's finally learning to take care of *all* his toilet experiences himself. He is going to summer camp this year and Mommy and Daddy won't be around during the day to do that sort of thing for him anymore, or come August when (gulp!) kindergarten starts either. He's still got training wheels on his bike. That's ok.
I am so amzazingly proud of how far he's come in learning to do things. I am so amazingly excited for the things ahead of him to learn in (gulp!) kindergarten.
I'm terrified of the things he's going to learn in (gulp!) kindergarten but, mostly because I'm going to have to help him with homework. I mean, really? Me? I guess I'm fairly confident I'll be able to help him with homework through probably 3rd grade. After that, I may have to get a copy of the Teacher's Manual for each of his subjects so I can brush up at least a day before I have to help him with a new subject.
He knows tomorrow is his last day of preschool. He has said that makes him sad. But, he hasn't said he wants to stay there either. He's heard his friends name all the schools they're going to and that they aren't the same name of the one he'll be going to. I don't know if he's made the connection yet. He hasn't mentioned anything about not seeing these friends again. We'll see when that reality hits him.
He's come with me to register him at the new school. Poor kid has NO idea what lays ahead. We've told him he's going to learn to read and write and do math, but I doubt he really knows what that means. I'm very sad his days of playing all day are coming to an end. At the same time I'm excited for the new learning ahead.
I'm melancholy tonight about the end of this journey through preschool.
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