How We "Choose" Our Days

Do you ever wonder how people "choose" their days. I think sometimes we plan them the day before, and other days we wake up and "choose" what we are going to do! Yesterday I "chose" to go to Disneyland. I thought about it the night before, and questioned myself if I should go or not. I had a lot of work to do for our sale this week-end, but spending the day with my Riley & Morgan was awesome! The weather was beautiful, and actually so warm I got a bit of a sunburn which felt good. At eight months, Morgan was having a great time. I was a bit bummed that Morgan fell asleep through "It's a Small World". That is my favorite ride with kids. I just stared at Riley, as she took in all the magical things a Small World is filled with. It was a great day for me, and a little tiring as well. But I will always have the memories of my "girls", they grow and change so fast! I wouldn't miss that for a minute. Then there are other people, that I guess, wake up and decide they will "choose" to go to Country Roads and do a little bit of shoplifting, to the tune of about $1600! Apparently this woman did a bit of "S & S" as in shopping and stealing at Country Roads. My Boy Bryce, once again, caught a shoplifter! This woman is GOOD! Guess she's been doing this since 1995 according to the Orange PD! Below are pictures of some of the stuff she stole. She stole this bracelet right in front of Bryce has she was looking in a case with him standing next to her!!
She even managed to steal a big metal propeller, although that is when Carol "heard" newspaper! I told you she was GOOD! Look at the size of some of that stuff!! I was touched though that she was into recycling and cared enough to bring her own newspaper to wrap her stolen stuff up in paper! Guess life really is about choice. In my case I chose to go Disneyland, and in the woman above case, she "choose" to go to jail!!

Why Did I Listen to Her?

I would do ANYTHING for this little girl. Look at that face, how could I not? And for my other little girl, Katie, I would probably do just about anything for her as well, as I did last night. Yesterday was Katie's birthday and she wanted to go to Disneyland because SoCal pass holders get "Disney Dollars" which I think is like $72. When we ended up parking on the top of the four story parking structure, I should have known better, why did I listen to her? After all, it's a week before Christmas and the last day for SoCal pass holders. Katie wanted to have her birthday dinner at the Blue Bayou and then we were off to "It's A Small World". You know, crowds don't bother me and I'm pretty patient, but it was totally crazy over there! Just to get in line, people walking in every direction was enough for me. If it wasn't for Riley, I would have left, but I'm glad I didn't. It was a long wait, and poor Riley was so tired. Look at her little eyes, they tell the story, as my eyes must have looked the same way. But once it was our turn to climb in the boat and celebrate "It's a Small World" decorated for the holidays, everything turns to magic. And there is nothing better than seeing and feeling that magic through the eyes of a child! I had to laugh as we neared the end of the ride. All that "Small World" singing even got to Riley a little bit as she covered her ears. Sometimes, even when you shouldn't listen to "her", the memories you take home with you make it all worthwhile!

The Many Smiles Of Riley

We're here, at Disneyland as you can tell by the smile on Riley's face. She did a lot of smiling yesterday. I think the best part I enjoyed was the Disney Playhouse. It IS one of Riley's favorites and I don't have any pictures because I didn't know how to turn off my flash. There is something magical about sitting on the floor with all these little kids and then the Disney characters pop out on stage. ALL the little smiles make you remember WHY Disneyland is so magical. Here are some more of my favorite smiles from yesterday! No fear as Riley flies around in the air with Daddy as her little hands wave. It was a beautiful day at Disneyland yesterday, even if it was a little crowded. Sorry, the garden geek comes out of me at California Adventure. Disney does everything, first class, especially the landscaping. One of Riley's favorites, the merry-go-round! So, yes, that is Riley's finger up her nose as she poses for the camera as we wait for one of her most favorite rides. The train that goes around Disneyland. Our day ended with Katie & Vinnie treating me to dinner at the Blue Bayou. It sits above the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and for some reason, in my entire life, I've never been there. It was a nice way to end the day, as you see Riley hanging on the fence waiting to catch the tram back to the car. The on plus by living not far from Disneyland is they offer annual passes, which means you can drop in any time. I still remember when I was a little kid, my parents taking me and my sister once a year to visit Disneyland. That was our vacation, and we, just like my kids and Riley, loved every minute of the most magical place on earth, Disneyland!

We Went To Dizzyland!

We went to Dizzyland, or I should say Disneyland today. For some reason, it was really crowded. I have some photos of our day I'll post tomorrow. But this picture above is one of my favorites today. This is a ride for kids in Bugland or It's a Bug's Life. I loved that these women with the big ass hair were on the kiddie ride, and they had fun. For me, I'll calling it a day for now!

Dreams & New Years Resolutions

 
Katie gave me this picture for Christmas, which by the way looks much better framed than it looks here. And on a side note, I hate having my picture taken so I had NO idea where or when she took the photo. Then it came back. It was Riley's second birthday in August and we went to Disneyland. I can't remember the exact name of the place we were at, I think its "Mickey's Playhouse" over in California Adventure. I was sitting on the floor with Riley and we were looking up as all the cartoon characters we watched together on the Disney channel came out and performed. There were all these little kids sitting on the floor with the same look in their eyes. It's something I'll never forget. What never ceases to amaze me is the "dream" Walt Disney had so many years ago when few others dared to dream back then.

New Year's resolutions are like that in a way. We dream of things each year we would either like to do, like not to do, or change. And then life happens and our time gets away or we get sidelined and forget about our dreams until the next year. For the past five or six years now, I've wanted to write a book. I've had the title for a long time, "Geeks, Freaks, and Antiques. . . the Story of Country Roads". I've never thought I could write a book, but I do see everyday life, people, and experiences as stories just waiting to be told. And for those of us that spend time at Country Roads, there are stories of ALL kinds being made daily. So, I hope I can pursue my dream, my new years resolution and hope there are those of you out there with dreams as well that decide to follow them. All we can do is try. Here's to a 2009 filled with dreams that DO come true.

Happy 2nd Birthday Riley!

On this past Tuesday, the 26th, we all celebrated Riley's birthday at Disneyland! We arrived early to have breakfast in Riley's favorite place,Rainforest Cafe. It was a tad early for cake and ice cream, but none the less,she got to blow out her first birthday candle of the day!
Everyone was there for Riley; me, her mom and dad, Brande, and Bryce and Justine. We wouldn't have missed this day for anything! There is nothing better than a two year old at Disneyland. Just watching the excitement in her eyes made my day. We ate a late lunch over in California Adventure. We kind of stumbled into this restaurant without realizing how awesome it was!
"Ariel's Grotto" was the perfect place to celebrate a little girls birthday. As we came down the stairs; Riley,mom & dad, all had their picture taken with Ariel. Then as we sat out by the water,the various Disney princesses came to see Riley and wish her the happiest of birthdays! Then before we knew it, here came another princess!

Riley was loving it, and then Minnie Mouse herself showed up. Maybe it's Minnie's costume, but Riley was having nothing to do with her!! Lunch ended with the staff bringing Riley some cake and ice cream and singing Happy Birthday.
Disneyland, Riley at two years old, and my family really made for a "magical" day! These are the kinds of days I always hold close to my heart and am very grateful for.