Disney Land!!!

The Mathis family loaded up for the short journey north to Anaheim on Saturday. We met up with Carey, Gray, Gabriella and Bella, along with Gray's mom, dad, and sister. Gabe immediately fell in love with Gabbi and was quietly interested in little Bella. Carey and Gray have done an amazing job with these kids. Gabbi is just the sweetest and well mannered little girl, always please and thank you, and Bella smiles constantly.We all hung out at the hotel and had pizza and chicken wings on Saturday night. Gabbi and Gabe ran around the room - bouncing off the walls until it was finally time for bed. Gabe didn't know what to make of the new surroundings and kept sitting up in bed and pointing around the room asking his normal, "ehhh? ehhh?" He finally went to sleep around 10:30pm (normal bedtime is 8pm).

After a nice breakfast on Sunday morning, we gathered up the kids and headed to Disney Land! First stop, Dumbo. Then Carey and I rode Peter Pan (I want to see it with the lights on) and the Carousel - minus Gabe. Gabe hated Dumbo. He was much more interested in the ducks at a nearby garden.

We had a nice lunch, and rode a few more rides: the circus train, a river boat cruise (which the adults really liked), and then we all headed over to Toon Town. Kevin, Gabe, and I had a traumatic experience on the Roger Rabbit ride (picture tea cups, in the dark, with a lot of jerking and bright lights with scarey objects coming at you). Not fun. Gabe cried the entire ride, while I screamed, "Weeee! See Gabe this is fun!" and Kevin encouraged him with, "good job big man, its almost over." He was snug between us and it took everything I had in me not to throw myself on top of him, like a mom in a war zone. But that probably would have just freaked him out even more. Nevertheless, we survived the Roger Rabbit hell ride (two and a half thumbs down) and moved on to Goofy's play house where oddly we met... PLUTO!!! Gabe kept screaming, "pup, pup - rrrruufff, rrrrufff!" So we had to meet him.

After Pluto, Minnie's house, and another river boat ride through fairy tale land, the parents were tuckered out. We had a great time and were so happy to spend time with our dear friends. We'd love to do it again soon so if any friends or family would like to come out for a visit, we'll be happy to go back!

My first blog (a year and a half later)

What a day to start the Mathis family blog. It was packed with fun and full of activities.

We started the day with a trip to the coolest coffee shop ever called Java Mama. This place is the best. Its a coffee shop, with a playroom in the center of it and a bar around the playroom. It was opened by a mom who was looking for a way to meet other moms, sit around and have a cup of coffee, maybe do a little reading or work, all while your kid is happily playing nearby. Needless to say, it is now one of our local spots. I think it is the first conversation Kevin and I have had over breakfast in about a year (which was mostly about how cute Gabe is when he plays).

After coffee and some playtime, we rushed home for a quick nap and then scooted off to a friend's first birthday party. Gabe played with his favorite girl friends - meaning they smooched on him and he let them - and mommy got a little more adult time.

What next? Off to the Wild Animal Park. After picking up our friend Monique, Gabe got his second nap on the road while we headed up to Escondido (45 minute drive) for a couple of hours of safari time. First stop - the elephant exhibition. Gabe loved them- and I'm only transferring a little. The demo was great. The caretakers showed the audience how they positively reinforce the animals for lifting their feet so they can be cleaned and pedicured, and how the elephants will lower their heads for check ups on their eyes, trunk and ears. The best part was learning about how the elephants only do what they feel like doing - meaning they are never forced to perform tricks or behaviors. They work for rewards of carrots and sweet potatoes. The elephants we visited with were 2 out of 11 that were saved by the WAP from Swaziland, Africa. They were about to be culled due to lack of resources. Now they're in sunny southern California, living the high life. So like I was saying, Gabe loved hearing all about that. He was actually more interested in the two ducks that kept wondering into the arena.

Next, we ran, ran, ran, to see the lions, wildebeests, a baby elephant, a light post, some bark, two recycling bins and a fascinating fence post. We touched eight flags (in a row) and then Gabe discovered how amazing his shoes were. We walked up a hill, and down a hill, the same hill 4 times, chased a butterfly and a golf cart, climbed into a chair next to a stranger (but not a stranger for long!), stomped our feet on every wooden bridge we could find, and then scurried out to the car for another adventure (home).

It was a great day for the Mathis family - Gabe is an amazing kid and I couldn't ask for anything more in life.