The Garber Fam: September 2015

Ella Turned Three in Disneyland!

Blogging has been on my mind.... for months. I'm excited to share our most recent trip to Disneyland for Ella's 3rd birthday, as well as Ella, Josh, and Everett's first time to the park. Next I'm planning to go back to add posts from recent months to "catch up." Please stay tuned!

Our Goofy Group

Three kids three-years-old and under, four parents, two grandparents, and two great-grandparents visiting Disneyland together made for such a memorable and special trip. As a girl who went to Disneyland every other year growing up, I can't tell you how special it was to see my parents, grandparents, and sister and brother-in-law enjoy watching my own children there. Cousin time was loved by all three (as always), and soaking up the magic of this young age, along with the joy my family shared in doing the same was amazing.

Papa Goofy and Goofy's Gal Walking Ella into Disneyland

Disneyland with Great Grandkids/parents-- priceless!

The best way to describe Ella for most of our time in the park is starstruck. She had wide eyes and didn't talk as much as she normally does (which is nonstop, haha). She loved meeting the characters, and a highlight was the Character Breakfast we went to as a birthday meal when we first arrived. She proudly wore her birthday button that prompted staff and characters to wish her a happy birthday. When you ask her about her favorite thing in Disneyland, she often says the fireworks and parade. My mom and I couldn't keep our eyes off of her during the fireworks show as she watched from Chris's shoulders, since her complete fascination showed how magical it was to her. We loved seeing it through the eyes of a child.

She loved riding the carousel, Dumbo ride, Autopia cars, Jungle Boat ride, Arielle ride in California Adventure (although she said she was a "teeny bit scared"), and her favorite "It's a Small World" ride. We went on that twice, and she got the picture book based on the lyrics to the song as a souvenir. Another highlight was Ella dancing with Mary Poppins and Bert during one of their performances in front of the castle. Celebrities in her eyes (Mary Poppins and its soundtrack are her favorites so much that she's going to be Mary for Halloween), she didn't follow the moves much, since she was fixated on them the whole time! It was adorable.

Step in Time!

Meanwhile, Everett was an absolute trooper. He hung out in the stroller, snoozing and snacking along the way, and he managed to sleep through the parade and fireworks like a champ. He got through all of the meals out, as well as two long car trips. We knew taking him at this age would be a gamble, and thankfully we won. Everett enjoyed playing at Goofy's Playhouse, "It's a Small World" and the Ariel ride, too :)

We had fantastic service both in the parks, and in restaurants where we ate dinner in Downtown Disney. Both a low and a high was when Ella had her only meltdown at Tortilla Joe's during dinner, and our waiter served Chris his beer out on the balcony where we had taken her. Ella recovered from her fit, and so did Chris. Too funny!