THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH

I love Disneyland so I couldn't wait to bring Gillian for her first time. G was a little overwhelmed at first but her expressions of wonder and joy on "It's a Small World" were worth the trip. She took pictures with and got autographs from her favorite princesses Snow White and Belle and also Stitch and Minnie. Other characters she was scared of.

Her favorite part of Disneyland (actually California Adventure) was running through the water fountains. Hundreds of dollars and and hundreds of miles travelled and she's having the most fun just getting wet. We could have stayed home and turned on the sprinklers. Actually, there's Disney Playhouse and A Bug's Life 3D Adventure and lots of other things for kids so she had a blast. She was so cute wearing those oversized 3D glasses and swiping at the air in front of her trying to catch the 3D bug.

Gillian wasn't feeling well so her planned afternoon nap back at the hotel turned into an overnight sleep. So I ended going back to Disneyland by myself in the evening. It was fine by all parties. I was like a kid again, waiting in line on rides, walking through the crowds, stopping on Main Street to watch the fireworks, combing through dozens of Disney trinkets and T-shirts. I loved it.

Next fall we're having a big family reunion at Disneyland, with most of my relatives flying in from Hawaii. Can't wait.