Disneyland 2010

This was Hank's second exposure to Disneyland, but last year hardly counts (click here to see how little he was...or scroll to the end of the post for a few pictures). He and I flew down with my students (no Dad and no Grandma!) and he was a total champ on the plane. While we waited for Dad and Grandma, we spent a lot of time with the stuffed animals at the Disney store. Dad and Grandma came later that evening and they got to spend time with Thomas, Vanessa, and Josie. My group performed on Friday and I got time to hit the park with my students, and then we had a family day on Saturday. Same favorites as last year...Small World and the carousel! He was pretty good with the characters, choosing to cling to me while they were close and then waving and blowing kisses when we got a safe distance away! He met Chip and Dale and when we saw a shirt with them on it at Target a few weeks later, out of nowhere, he said, "CHIP!" My mom and I were shocked - it's amazing what sticks with them! (I can't believe I didn't buy him this Mickey...but I figure, there will be many more trips to Disney and we have to save something! At least, that's what I tell myself to feel better!).

Mickey was the first character he saw when we got to Disneyland...as long as I was close it was okay, but he DID NOT want to touch him, no matter how much I hugged Mickey, aka Hot Dog, yes, Hot Dog. My students got a kick out of the fact that he calls Mickey Mouse, "Hot Dog". At this point, he can say all the names (Minnie, Daisy, Donald)...but you try to get him to say Mickey, and all that comes out is "Hot Dog!" This all started because the album we've listened to in the car since he was tiny was They Might Be Giants...who just so happened to write the closing song to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...guess what the song is called...HOT DOG! Once he got old enough to put together that they were talking about Mickey, it just stuck. For awhile, he'd point to his mouse ears and say, "Hot Dog" and we were all so confused. Then it all clicked...and so, "Mickey" is now "Hot Dog". The end :)

Spotting the "Choo-Choo" right above us!

Leaving the park...he skipped and jumped the whole way (if you look closely, you'll see that his feet are off the ground!). The kid was having a great time!

The whole gang...well, except for me, but someone had to take the picture!

Josie and her new doll...she was a madwoman while driving the doll in the stroller. We all had to watch our ankles! Very funny!

Hanging out at T and V's house in Long Beach...the two goofy cousins!

This is how tiny they were last year! Oh my goodness - they're so grown up now!

Auntie Ness and Her Disney Pix

Here they are...the photos from Auntie Ness's camera: http://www.josiebeanlily.blogspot.com

She even did a special movie for Hank's first time on the carousel :)

The Happiest Place on Earth...

Back in January, when I was supposed to be going back to work, my long-term sub asked if I would be able to take my students to Disneyland. At the time I thought, "Of course! Hank will be so old by then, and he'll be sleeping through the night, and it will be nothin'!" Well, live and learn.

It was such a difficult process - in the weeks leading up to Disney, I had to go in and conduct and was basically working, but with no child care and no pay (just for the love of it all - do I win a prize?). Hank was not too happy about being with someone else during the class and proceeded to cry for the whole hour that I taught, while my poor sub tried to distract, entertain, and field all the dozens of people who thought THEY could make him happy (nope, just mom could do that!).

Needless to say, I ended up conducting my class with him in the Baby Bjorn. A true sight to see and I only wish I had a picture. The kids thought it was hilarious and would play peek-a-boo while I tried to work with them, Hank thought it was great because he was connected to me and had the attention of a whole class of kids, and I...well, I had a backache.

I do think all the exposure was good for Hank...for awhile he was sticking his arm out in a fist (think "Olympics 1968")...rather than Black Power, we thought he was trying to conduct. It might just have been the early stages of a wave...but we won't discount the time he spent watching me conduct, and I will still hope he'll become a famous musician or conductor because of it! hehe

During the trip, Hank: had his first airplane ride (never cried-woohoo!), visited Disney for the first time (loved "Small World), got his first tooth, and learned to wave. Not bad for a three day weekend.

We also got to see Uncle Thomas, Aunt Ness, and Cousin Josie while we were in Disneyland (another bonus of going). A VERY, VERY big "Thanks!" to Grandma Hardy and dad (of course!) for going with me on the trip and taking time to help me out - even when it would have been more fun to be partying it up with the Long Beach Hardy Fam!

Bring on the pictures. (Note: I was working a lot, so I don't have many, but we'll all have to hit up Josie's blog once she gets pictures up)
Watch out for your hair! (Grandpa Hardy said he has had his share of hair tugging while flying...)Grandma Hardy worked wonders to keep little Hank happy during the flights. What a blessing (cuz this kid doesn't sleep!).

Dinner together on the first night. Hank shared his prunes with Cousin Josie - how nice :)

This picture cracks me up...I had one where the kids didn't look so crazy, but their eyes look INSANE in this one! What goofballs :)

Mornings were the best...they'd wake up early and smile at each other, roll around, and try to poke each other's eyes out (with some hair pulling on Hank's part...ahh, good habits).

Diaper time!

Do you think she was happy?

"Small World"

Neither of the kids could take their eyes off the characters. They were soooo into it!

When B, T, and V went on Splash Mountain, we sat outside and watched the ride. Everytime people came down the "waterfall", they'd scream and Josie would do this hilarious face. A woman next to us kept watching her and cracking up. That Josie gets 'em all laughing!

We did Disney...

There will be a post dedicated to Disney later, but these summed up how we all felt after a whirlwind trip to Disneyland!

(The one of Hank makes me feel like the worst mom ever...put that kid to bed already...his eyes are purple! Scary, huh?!)