{ajm}

Mallory loves to climb. I think she had a blast climbing around at IKEA on Tuesday. After suffering ungraciously through two scrapbooking stores she and I headed to IKEA for lunch and some playtime. They have great kids stuff and a lovely area for testing out the merchandise before buying. These pictures prove to me that point and shoot cameras and I don’t always get along. I hate the image quality and the HORRIBLE lighting caused by the ever present flash. But I am happy to have the memory of her fun even if the picts are too terrible to show in public. (yes, I know this isn’t a "private" forum. But her grandparents begin to foam at the mouth without photographic proof of Mallory’s antics)

I grew up in a relatively big place. My long-suffering parents-who are classically north-south-east-west (Daddy) and landmarks (Mother)-taught me how to navigate. They also both contributed to my "I can do anything-go anywhere" attitude. I want Mallory to have that kind of confidence, more even than I do…..so if people (big and little) learn from watching, my goal is to lead by example.

Yesterday morning we headed out to explore some of Orange County, directions and maps by google in one hand, ambitious list of places to go and see in the other. Thank goodness for the traveling DVD player and Little Einsteins ’cause we got lost! OK, took many scenic turns. Serendipity abounded as we had the opportunity to see the beautiful pacific coast from Newport Beach. We also found Sprinkles where I am planning to return later in the week, a public park with toddler sized swings and slides that is very near our hotel, and found the first two places on my list.

And that folks was all before lunch!

Because I think posts without pictures are boring, here’s one I took of the flowers growing just outside our door!

Mallory and I headed over to see Mickey this afternoon. As it was just us girls, I only took the point and shoot  & and I’m so glad I did. We arrived just in time to see the afternoon parade. Very cool, I had not seen this particular parade and I was impressed. It was our second character sighting as there was a number of Jungle Book characters just inside the main gates. After the parade, Mallory and I wandered into Mickey Land I think it’s actually called ToonTown.

asking me to tickle her

learning to navigate and read maps just like her mommy (with Disney park maps)

running into Goofy and Pluto

She adored climbing around on this cute little car

so pleased with herself

an up-close and personal view of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle

And finally, any Main Street U.S.A. wouldn’t be right without lots of balloons.

A totally great way to spend the afternoon!

I’m amazed at the subtle (or not) differences between the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland. Obvious difference #1: Sleeping Beauty’s Castle vs. Cinderella’s Castle.

What do we do first?!?!?

we still love the tea cups-in fact I like that the Disneyland version has these cool lantern things hanging from vines. It’s charming without the "ceiling."

sweet girl

another favorite: Dumbo. She started pointing and urging us closer (grunting) as soon as she spotted it.

DIsneyland has several new (to us) rides. An Alice in Wonderland ride. We were happy to have experienced it early as it was plagued by mechanical difficulties later in the morning. A "storybook boat ride "through minature villages of favorite characters. And from Dumbo, Casey’s Circus Train.

The carousel is currently under rehab so we headed "next door" to check out Disney’s California Adventure.

They have King Triton’s Carousel so we rode sea creatures on Paradise Pier.

And then it was time for lunch!

at the "happiest place on earth"

Ben’s spring break (he is close to finishing a masters in mass communication) fell early this year. At least I think the first week in March is early, but I would take ANY excuse to leave cold Nashville for a warmer place. Mallory and I are tagging along to sunny southern California and are planning to play while he works.