No longer waiting for life to happen: Disneyland!

Grandma took Bucket and I to Disneyland last week. He got to go because my mom loves Disneyland and thought it would be fun to take the grandkids, one at a time, with her (she goes several times a year). This year was Bucket's turn. I got to tag along, to run interference with Bucket, if needed.

Bucket hasn't been to Disneyland since he was two and a half.

That trip was hard for him. He screamed through almost every ride. It seemed to be a sensory thing - he couldn't take the black lights. And hated most of the motion rides as well. Here he is waiting for Dumbo.

I was trying to talk him through it, but we ended up having to get off the ride before it even started, he was screaming so much. Anyway... this trip wasn't as bad as we feared, but wasn't as good as I had hoped. I had to talk Bucket through almost every ride, but he did try, and survive, some rides that really scared him.

Here is the "we're finally here" face.

Bucket and Grandma outside the hotel.

Tower of Terror. Look at that terrified face. It took some arm twisting and working through a meltdown, but he did it. Brave boy.

He loved Redwood Creek. Just like he did at two.

Can't go to Disneyland and not get a picture with Snoopy!

Taking notes about how the Zoetrope works.

Bumper cars - more his speed.

California Screaming took some work. He was coming apart all through the 10 minute line (Yes! the lines were awesome all through our trip!) But here's the proof he liked it. Definitely didn't want to go on it again, but he did think it was fun.

Mater and Lightning.

Hand in Mr. Toad's mouth - another must have pic.

Teacups. He liked this one - we went on it three times.

The characters made him uncomfortable (same as last time), but he was a good sport and let grandma get the couple pics she wanted.

Pirate Island was also a hit. He spent quite awhile turning the crank to lift the skeleton and the treasure, trying to figure out how it worked and why you couldn't keep it up.