End of the year Kindergarten picnic

The boys' kindergarten had a end of the year field trip to a near by farm. We took a tour of the farm and fed the cows. It was a family farm with chickens, sheep, pigs, horses and cows. The cows were the big hit because we could get up close and feed them. Zachary was the bravest and really enjoyed feeding the cows. He and the other kids laughed really hard when I had the cow lick my hand. They kept asking me to do it again, but none of them tried it.

























Cassidy enjoyed herself, she even had a friend from school who came with her little brother. Thomas on the other hand did not really want to explore and stayed close to mom and dad.

Stewart is explaining the farm machines to Cassidy. You can spy Zachary in the middle of his classmates with the Boston cap on. I have to make sure I send the boys to school with their Keppe. I would hate for them to be the only ones in the school without one.


















After the farm tour, we headed up a walking path. The kids were all given a card that had empty squares on them. We were to fill in the squares by answering questions posted on the way. We stopped at the spots marked by balloons. Cassidy was able to use her German to translate the questions for us. We could answer corn, juniper bushes and cows, but there were several plants and flowers we could not answer. The kids drew pictures of what the plants looked like instead.

At the end of the trail was a big open field, where we stopped to have a picnic. The kids also received Gummi Bears for all their efforts along the trail.



Running back down the path.

Disneyland Day 5, Our Last Day

Our last day, we let the kids all choose one ride to go on before we had to drive back home. Thomas choose Buzz Lightyear. Cassidy wanted to go on Space Mountain and Zachary choose Cars.


























Did I mention that I really liked this ride?

The boys had to entertain themselves while Cassidy went on Space Mountain with Stewart. The found ants. On Cassidy's birthday Stewart was grilling outside while the kids were playing. Stewart showed them antlions that were around our patio. The kids would find an ant and drop it into the antlions trap. They thought this was the coolest thing. So Zachary and Thomas were catching ants at Disneyland to take home and feed to our ant lions.

Zachary loved looking at the map. Every morning I made sure we had a map for each kid. I didn't want to hear the fighting. I ended up getting maps in different languages, so there would not be any mix ups. Zachary is pointing out the ride he wants to go on next. Unfortunately Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride was closed during our trip.

They boys were able to pose with Buzz Lightyear while we were waiting on Stewart and Cassidy to ride Crush's Coaster. Luckily we were able to take advantage of the baby switch for most of the rides. So Stewart and Cassidy would wait in line for the rides. When they came out, Stewart would stay with the boys and I would get to cut in line to go on the ride. I would take Cassidy with me. There are two seats after all.





























We said our goodbyes to Disneyland and headed back home. Stewart had to work that night. A special thanks goes out to his coworker for letting Stewart come in a few hours late.

Disneyland Day 4

Our first stop this morning was Space Mountain. Stewart and I went on it the day before, but Cassidy was wearing flip flops and was just a half inch too short. So today she wore her tennis shoes that increased her height by half and inch so she was able to ride on it. She loved it and it became her favorite ride.


We had lunch at Restaurant des Stars today. Remy and Linguini came by while we were eating.

Stewart and Cassidy took the train into Paris. We figured she would be the only kid who would really appreciate Paris and remember going. They went after lunch and came back after dinner. It was a quick trip but they saw the two most important sites. And were also able to walk around and see a few fountains and other points of interest.

























This proves she really made it to Paris.

Cassidy and Stewart visited Notre Dame. Cassidy thought this gargoyle looked like the one in Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame. The boys and I stayed at Disney Studios and went on the Cars ride about five more times. Then we walked over to Disneyland Park. Thomas played at the playground while Zachary took a nap. We watched the Parade and went on Its a Small World again.

After another long day the kids fell fast asleep. Cassidy was on the top bunk and luckily the boys are not too big to share the bottom bunk. It also helped that they were so tired they both would fall right to sleep.

Disneyland Day 3

Today we started out at Walt Disney Studios Park. Our first stop was Cars Quatre Roues Rallye. Luckily McQueen or Mater didn't have any speaking parts. I don't know if I could handle them speaking French. But it was a great ride for the boys.


























The Flying Carpets over Agrabah was fun but not a favorite.



























Disney Studios was much like Universal Studios, we watched a few films on how cartoons were made. We also attended Stitch Live!! Cassidy's favorite attraction. It was an interactive movie with Stitch. Stitch was on the big screen exploring the galaxy in his space cruiser, but he would interact and talk with the audience. Cassidy loved that he fell in love with one of the members of the audience. Another part of the park put us on a tram to see different movie props. We watched and felt the heat of an explosion.

Then were thankful for our boy's raincoats when the floods came rushing at us. Zachary got to see a war torn city.



























The Stunt Show Spectacular was a lot of fun too. I liked the car that was driven backwards. The boys like the motorcycles and the guns.

Cassidy played in the rain while we waited for the English version of CineMagique. Zachary just needed a break.

























We ate dinner at the Agrabah Cafe back in the Disneyland Park. After dinner we were able to watch the Disney showtime spectacular. It include Buzz, Woody and Jessie. Mickey spoke French, Minnie spoke English, I think Donald spoke English as well, and Goofy spoke French. The script was very good that we could follow what was going on even if I only understood half of the conversations. It ended with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.

Our Mickey's watching the show.


Our day isn't over. We walked under Cinderella's castle this time. And we found the dragon. And yes all three kids were clinging onto me as we walked into the cave.

We ended the day walking around the Robinson's tree house.


























Thomas found a cannon which made him and Zachary very, very thirsty. I didn't mention that our day started off a bit rainy. So instead of having our fun end with cold wet kids, we dressed them for the rain. This way I didn't have to tell them to stay out puddles. It made the whole day much easier. But the rain stopped and they boys were allowed to take off their jackets, but their rain boots and rain pants stayed on.

Disneyland Day 2

After a good night's sleep and a breakfast of croissants, baguettes and Nutella we were ready to start another day.

Zachary wants to be a big boy. He was very happy when we gave him his park ticket to get in the gate. Then did not want to give it up. So Stewart gave him a Fast Pass ticket that we didn't use. He carried it around with him most of the day.

Peter Pan's Flight, did I mention the haunted mansion made our kids scared of every ride in Disneyland. Cassidy was nervous and help on to her dad during Peter Pan's flight. But here she at least let go long enough to cover her ears.

Thomas had to have a Fast Pass ticket to hold on to just like Zachary's.

They weren't scared of the Tea Cups. I think it has to do with all the sun. And they didn't go as fast as I remembered. But the kids had fun and that is what counts.

Its a Small World is a must see.

When you leave the boat ride you get to walk through this display. Inside each monument or building is a little TV that has a cartoon showing off different things about that country. It took us a while but we finally found Germany.

Outside the castle the story of Sleeping Beauty was being told. They did a great job combining French and English. It made things seem a little more romantic. When the story was all told we walked up to the top of the castle.

We found the kids favorite attraction, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast. Buzz is using etch to give us our mission. We must destroy Zurg. I found Buzz speaking French quite amusing, but forgot the video camera.



It was a fun ride. We sat in our space capsules and used our laser guns to shoot enemy targets. It even kept your score. I had the high score, but then again the ride stopped right in front of one of the highest scoring targets.