The Happiest Place on Earth

We talked to Maren about our trip to Disneyland for months before we actually left and even watched the informational DVD with scenes from the parks so she'd know what it looked like and what to expect. I think Maren was ready for Disneyland, but I'm not so sure Disneyland was ready for Maren!She may be only four years old and doesn't even weigh 35 lbs, but I'm telling you, she took the place by storm!

She charmed the socks off Mary Poppins and Bert (Bert even took her two doors down for the express purpose of growling like a T. Rex at Cruella DeVille, leaving the rest of the people in line behind us bewildered and likely annoyed)
She stole the show center stage at the Jedi Academy as the littlest padawan with the cutest hairdo
And she had the audience rolling with laughter when she was chosen to wake up Jose in the Enchanted Tiki Room (this isn't the whole thing; I was laughing too hard to remember to get out the video camera before this)

Our whole trip was just perfect. Really--for those three days, Disneyland certainly lived up to its moniker of The Happiest Place on Earth for us. What I came away feeling was such gratitude that I have a family who love each other and genuinely enjoy spending time together. I know not everyone has this happiness, and I am truly thankful that I do.I am also reminded just what an incredible little girl I am lucky enough to have--Maren was a dream kid! Not once did she cry, whine, complain, or beg during the entire trip. She rode happily in her stroller (that thing was worth EVERY penny; I'm now a total Maclaren convert), was game for anything (she went on every single ride and attraction for which she was tall enough, including all of the roller coasters, Haunted Mansion, and Tower of Terror) and kept up with us even until after midnight the last night. She was absolutely amazing!

And nobody guessed her favorite ride--it was Space Mountain! Not many four-year-olds would be brave enough to go on it once but little miss EXTREME Maren laughed and squealed with glee each of the three times she rode. Unusual, but perfectly fitting for her fearless personality! This is what I got when I asked her how she looked when she rode: