After fifteen hours at Disneyland yesterday, I can honestly say that my vacation has begun. Boy, it was a fun day but man I am wiped out! When we got there, we were told that we were the “guests of the day” which translated to free, reserved parking and an escort to a special parking spot. That has never happened to us in all my years of going there.
We never go on a weekend, but with The Hub’s company struggling, he was unable to take a work day off, so we just agreed to make the best of what we expected to be a horribly busy day. But you know what? We got there when they opened and got on all of the big rides with little to no wait time. By 2pm, the park was standing room only but by then we were ready for a break so we did a little shopping. It was a great day and it all worked out.
My 40-something body cannot take 15 hours of walking back and forth, though. I am literally hobbled this morning. I’m sure I am quite the sight.
Right Now:
I just had some toast and coffee. The Girl is going to see The Nutcracker with grandma and then later today, we are going to see our church’s Christmas show with friends.
This Week:
Christmas Eve will be spent with the in-laws and Christmas Day dinner will be reservations at a nice restaurant. Other than that, some wrapping and lots of movie watching. My eyes are still giving me a hard time so reading is a little spotty but I am going to try to get some in.
Reading:
I need to finish two more books before the end of the year, only because I am halfway through with them and just want to start the year off with fresh reads. Still reading The Rosie Effect. Sorry to say that it’s just not working for me.
Watching:
We watched Christmas with The Kranks and I hope to watch Deck the Halls and Christmas Vacation this week. Gotta work It’s a Wonderful Life into the line-up as well as The Christmas Story.
Making:
Not a thing. Although I will have to make something with the kids home this week. Yes. They are officially off for winter break.
Grateful for:
I am so grateful that our day at Disneyland wasn’t a bust. I really worried about the crowds. My kids, myself and The Hub do not do well with crowds but the day was fine and I worried for nothing. The only must-do ride we did not get on was Peter Pan. The wait for that ride was 2+ hours all day long. Crazy!
Happy Thought For the Week:
No work until January 7th. Hopefully, no drama. Lots of down-time.
You?
Book Chatter 
I’m not sure I could do 15 hours at Disney these days. Enjoy your break and your Christmas!
I don’t have as much downtime, but have most days off through the New Year’s. I’d try to explain how it falls, but it’s a bit complicated with vacations and comp days and…well, you get the idea. Complicated. I’m just glad to have some downtime. I didn’t plan on it originally but now have two books I’d like to finish by the end of the year and even a book on Christmas that I think I’d like to read then.
Lots of movie watching here too: still need to see Elf and my wife’s favorite version of A Christmas Carol from the 1950s. I’m sure there are a few others, but those are the main two right now.
If I don’t talk to you between now and Christmas, which I might not as I plan to be off Facebook and Twitter for a couple of weeks and off the blog too, you and your family have a Merry Christmas (and a Happy New Year’s too), to you, The Hub, The Teen and The Girl. 🙂
No work til January 7th? Color me jealous! I definitely want to get some Christmas movie watching in before Christmas has come and gone. Hope you have a relaxing break and a great holiday!
Enjoy all your time off! I have to teach through Tuesday and my girls have school on Tuesday as well. I go back on January 5th, but my girls go back on the 6th.
Sounds like you had a great start to your vacation and a fun time at Disney Land!
It sounds lovely and I love the way you are totally planned!
Sounds just like what the doctor ordered…some nice fun. I am ready for some down time this vacation and some reading.
Try to take it easy! You need a couple days of sleeping in to catch-up. I slept in today. I feel slightly out of it but after a shower I will be ship shape.
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What a lovely day at Disney! Although I don’t know if I could take 15 hours there (or anywhere other than home). Such a lovely picture of the four of you!
I have this week off, which is such a big thrill for me – it’s the first time I’ve been off for the holidays in years. As a result, I’ve been feeling really Christmas-y, which is also nice. I’ve got a few more presents to buy, but nothing specific so there’s none of that “where on earth am I going to FIND this thing-I-must-get?” which honestly makes shopping so much easier. Plus I want to buy some art supplies for my daughter’s gift and going to the art store is fun in itself. We’re thinking we might actually go to the art museum before Christmas and see the Michelangelo exhibit. But maybe we’re being a little too optimistic about that …
The one thing I haven’t done this year is watch Christmas movies. Really need to find those DVDs. And check Netflix, I guess!
Oh, and I love that you’re having Christmas day dinner out at a nice restaurant – that sounds so relaxing!
There are a few more things I could get but I think I will skip them!
I really want to visit the art museum soon. I tried to the last time my family was close to it but The Teen shot me down. I don’t understand because kids that are typically artistic, even in theater and choir, usually appreciate art but he gets bored and becomes difficult.
I am off with the kids this week but my husband is not so we are lounging around and then when he gets home each night this week, we will watch a Christmas movie with him. He’s off for Christmas though.
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My hubby and I go for LONG walks (5 to 7 miles) but we still totally die when we go to a theme park. I don’t know what it is…too much standing? The crazy rides? I don’t deal with crowds well either, and I’m so glad it wasn’t a total mess as I know it can be. (We’ve actually gone to a park and turned around and left after an hour or two it was so bad.) Like right now, I wouldn’t come within screaming distance of any of the parks. My wish for you is a little peace and relaxation over the next two weeks 🙂
Honestly, for me, the added aches and pains come from deydration. I don’t drink nearly enough when I am walking and standing around all day. Even when it’s cold out, you dehydrate and the muscles (at this age) don’t deal well with it.
It was a very good day and no melt downs… well, one tiny one.
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15 hours – wow! I know I definitely couldn’t hack that. That is so cool you were guests of the day – its obvious you were meant to go on the weekend 🙂 Enjoy your vacation and try to relax! I’m trying to get some reading in before the end of the year as well, but its not going as well as I’d hoped. Oh well, I guess I will just have to keep watching Christmas movies instead 🙂 Have a wonderful Christmas with your family, Ti!!!
I am still recovering from Disneyland. All that walking and standing around.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
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Looks like you all had a great day! Nice family pic!
Thank you! I wanted more of the castle in the pic but the cast member was practically falling off the bridge trying to grab the shot 😉
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Love the family photo from Disneyland… I’m sure a whole day there would have killed me! 😉
I love Disneyland so that helps, but I am still hobbling around today. Seriously! Aging is not fun!
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I hope you and yours have a great Christmas 😀 Tell your husband that his sweatshirt is AWESOME! #GoPackGo lol