My kids surprised me at Disneyland

Rick splurged and bought us all tickets to Disneyland's Halloween party on Friday, which started at 7pm and went until midnight. All four of us were super excited to go and looked forward to it all week. But I have to admit, I geared up and prepared for meltdowns and tired, frustrated kiddos. I mean, my kids normally go to bed around 8ish, and D-land can be a bit overwhelming for anyone. Throw in Halloween costumes, pitch black nighttime, trying to meet up with friends and 2 kids at different ride levels. I was ready to go and have fun, but I was ready with a big dose of patience, just in case.

PATIENCE NOT NEEDED.

My kids were so excited and thrilled to be there, they were on their BEST BEHAVIOR. It was Avalon's first time at age 3, and Loudoun's second time. Not once did either kid want to rush ahead, or go somewhere other than where we were at, they walked nicely to and from the parking lot, they didn't get antsy in line and they didn't whine about anything. Avalon hung out with me most of the time and I took her on the little rides, and Loudoun hung out with Daddy and our other friends and went on the big rides. We came together and did stuff as a family, and sometimes swapped kids so I could go on big rides with Loudoun.

Rick and I could barely limp back to the car from pure exhaustion, but it was one of the best outings we've had with our kids ever. Avalon did a great job walking most of the night, but I have to admit, my favorite part of the whole evening was carrying her from ride to ride, talking to each other, and seeing her joy from looking at all of the lights, the Disney characters she recognized, and the thrill from riding tall rockets and shooting Buzz Lightyear from a rotating car. And when she got tired towards the end, she put her head on my shoulder, but still talked in my ear, because there was no way she was giving in and falling asleep before it was over.

FUN TIMES.

I apologize for the cell phone quality pics

Our favorite visual all night was definitely the castle. 

Rick and I should've stood slightly different so we could've had pumpkin heads. 

We scarfed dinner down at 9pm, so that we could get back on more rides.

.

It took 30 minutes of convincing her before we left to let us put a long sleeve shirt under her costume. Once we got there, she totally forgot she had it on.

Waiting to take off on Matterhorn.

We rode the carousel at about 11:30pm. I'm surprised she didn't fall off the horse.

Nothing like sugar to wake you up at 11:45pm.

Scary, yet such nice manners.

This was literally 4 seconds after I fastened her carseat buckle.

And we were so tired the next day, we slept in until 10am and spent all afternoon playing DJ Hero in our pajamas. With the clouds and drizzle all day, I couldn't have asked for anything more.