Things to do in the morning.

The kids have checklists to help them remember to do everything each morning before school.  Miranda has re-done her with pictures instead of words.

This morning she added one task: Having a fight with Elizabeth.

Correspondence from Elizabeth

Chess Analysis

Last weekend Parker had a chess tournament which featured a chess master who provided analysis between rounds of games that the kids recorded during the tournament. He had a little canopy set up in the hard, and about 20 chairs, and people milled around listening to him review the kids games while we waited for the next round to start. The kids all enjoyed listening and engaging between runs on the playground, and once Parker realized that he was reviewing actual games from the tournament, he started recording them, so he could get the play-by-play. Here's the master's analysis of Parker's game, which includes a funny moment where Parker actually moves himself into check, and his opponent doesn't notice, which gets a big laugh, and is a teachable moment for the bemused master.

SM Beach

On Monday before Disneyland, we took the kids to the beach to climb on stuff. Not pictured is Miranda climbing to the top of the rope. Twice.

Day 2

Our second day at the Happiest Place on earth started out at California Adventure (CA). They alternate which days you do the Magic Morning at each park and Wednesday was CA. I didn't know what to expect with CA and therefore it didn't disappoint too much. It tries to re-create several California experiences like the wilderness and oceans with some branded crap like Cars Land and Bugs Life.  It has a big section called Paradise Pier which is a throw back to Coney Island or something similar. At that area, there is a huge roller coaster. Michael and Parker went on it the day before in the afternoon and loved it so I told Parker I would do it with him. We literally walked on it without a line and sat in the front. It was terrifying.   Parker then did it again alone and then with Michael twice more.  Four times in about 20 minutes. The girls and I did some smaller rides. Michael took one for the team and did the swings with them. Barf.  Then we all went to get "fast passes" for some ride at Cars Land that everyone said we had to do. The line for the fast pass was forever long, but then moved pretty fast.  The ride itself which we did later that day was pretty damn good.  Two cars mosey through a little land like the movie Cars and then race to the finish.  Good clean fun.

We also spent some time in this little playground area called Explorer Wilderness. They had net bridges, zip lines and other outdoorsy stuff. The kids loved it and we could have stayed there a long, long time.  Talk about more good clean fun.

 Mid day we had lunch and went back to the hotel for some pool time.  The water slide was open and all the kids went on it a lot.

Then we got dressed and went back to Disneyland where they wanted to do Pirates and Star Tours again.  Star Tours is pretty excellent. I was surprised they wanted to do Pirates, but they really liked it and we walked right on.  I took the girls on the submarine which was now a Finding Nemo ride and Parker did Autopia with Michael and then we Parker tried unsuccessful to get in the Jedi Training Academy (more on that later).  We did some more rides and then had dinner at some place near the Haunted House where I enjoyed some jambalaya and Michael had red beans and ride.  It really did look like New Orleans there. Even Miranda agreed.

Michael and Parker did another ride after dinner and I took the girls to see the Main Street Parade, which they loved.   We had seen one, a pixar parade, the day before, which they also loved, so I knew they would enjoy this one, lame as it may be. Then we went back to the hotel where Parker fell asleep on top of the covers but next to his custom made light saber.  (We told the kids up front not to ask for crap the whole trip as they would all be allowed one thing to buy.  Parker almost immediately wanted the light saber. Elizabeth waited until day three and then got a Minny Mouse outfit that matches one her friend Emma has, and Miranda got some stuffed animals. I could have predicted all of that.)  

Parker saw this sign and immediately knew the bug second from the right was wrong.

Finding Nemo ride.

Heading up to Pirates of the Carribean.

About to go down the first fall on Pirates.

Waiting for parade.

After the parade. Getting cold.

Sleepy Parker.

The long family having fun (plus some random dude)

Resort Living

When we decided to go to Disneyland we considered many options in terms of where to stay. In the end, we went with the grand Californian which is in California Adventure. More expensive but we thought the convenience and amenities would make it more than worth it. After going on the best roller coaster there four times with no lines during magic morning (when only hotel guests are allowed in), walking three minutes back to the hotel after lunch and spending our town time at this pool with waterside, we know we made the right decision.

Disneyland day one

Disney day 1

So far so good. Been on Matterhorn, haunted house, pirates of the Caribbean and small world. we also had a healthy reasonable lunch too. Lines have been totally short. Parker and Michael are about to get on Indiana jones. Then we'll walk back to hotel to meet up with some friends and swim a bit.

Good day for a chess tournament

11am. Parker wins his first match, using a rook roller.

Noon.Parker loses his second match. Is unfazed.

1pm. Parker wins third game. Is watching the instructor work through a game.

The standings at the halfway mark - team Wildwood placed 10th.

2:20. Parker loses 4th match.

3:15. Parker wins 5th match. Has the match analyzed by the master, discovers illegal move that neither player noticed, putting his king into check for several moves. Ultimately he prevails. Video play by play to follow.

4:00. Settling in for the final match. Wildwood is in 8th place, with trophies going to top 10 teams.

5:15. Parker wins his last match, the team takes 7th, and Parker gets a trophy.

Wasp!

Parker's class has been studying bugs or more specifically arthropods.  He was assigned a wasp to get to know in greater detail.    He made a model out of recycled stuff, a report from research at the library and a comic book they made on the computer showing the life cycle and other stuff. Then the whole class had a "arthropod museum" where the parents got to learn about all the bugs and ask the kids questions.  Parker was telling me about his wasp in such detail and so slowly it was almost difficult to keep focused.  At one point I said, Can I read your comic?  He responded, "Yes, but I'm not done telling you about the wasp yet."  I wish I had more patience! In any case, he was very proud and loved every bit of it.

Twins at Fairyland

This past weekend, I took the girls and their friends Beck and Bauer to a birthday party at Fairyland. I thought they had outgrown this place, but I was wrong. They had a great time.