Born To Resist

Have I told you lately that I love the following:

I have this in my living room.

Yes please to Disney art.

Almost a whole week without blogging. Sorry all 5 people reading my blog. I’ve had a crazy week that started with a visit from the Baird family and a trip to Disneyland. We had a blast (as always) and enjoyed the overly full park to our heart’s content. We also enjoyed saving money by not eating at any Disney-related restaurant. We packed lunch and then brought Del Taco in from the outside world. We ate in a little corner of Disneyland that is perfect for relaxing and letting kids run amok, Carnation Plaza. The kids have fun together and it’s really sweet to watch Josiah and Micah become kid friends that have witty little conversations and how well they play together. They just get each other. That’s not to say there’s little tiffs here and there or that they don’t annoy each other at times. But for 2 three-year old boys to play together as well as they do, I’m blown away. They see each other a few times a year and they just pick up where they left off. It’s very, very sweet. Seth and Mae are still betrothed to one another and I’m very much for pre-arranged marriage. Mae is much more touchy feely with Seth (including the shoving and smacking) where Seth would prefer her to leave him alone most of the time. Mae likes to hug him, stand next to him and even attempted hand holding. No go. Seth does enjoy yelling “MY MAE MAE!” at her. So that’s a good start. They are going to have an awesome wedding.

The downside to the Baird’s visit was that Cam was out of town. He was at a nerd conference about nerd things. Computers. He even got a nerd shirt with a Windows logo on it. I find this funny because Cameron would have been there with his Apple computer and iPhone. In your face, Microsoft!  Thank God for the Bairds and their willingness to love my children as much as they do. They both have very long legs which makes for easier and more efficient kid chasing. I didn’t feel so worn out by being the only Brewer parent.

I was glad to be reunited last night with my hubby. I’ll spare you details, but it was really, really nice.

We headed out to the Mouse’s house to see Captain EO. I was stoked to go,  I have vivid memories of seeing Captain EO. It was a BIG deal.

Well, we don’t have it in the budget to feed everyone at Disneyland. I gathered up a bunch of our change. I looked online and found a Coinstar at Albertsons. We ended up with $8.05, we shopped Albertsons for snacks. We got:

- 3 Cookie Go-Packs $1.00 each

- Albertsons String Cheese .33¢/each

- 2 Bananas

-Tortilla chips (on sale for $2.29, I had a $1.00/1)

-Fruit snacks (on sale for $2.29, I had a coupon for $1.50/1. I got them cheaper than the generic brand gummies)

Total: $6.74 (I also got a FREE bottle of Marsala Cooking Wine, so that’s part of the tax)

We saw Captain EO and then just played around Disneyland the rest of the time we were there. Josiah left Captain EO saying “We have GOT to get that DVD!” When we stopped for snacks, we got our free tortillas at the Mission Factory and grabbed some hot sauce at the condiment area in the Cannery Row eating area. I felt incredibly thrifty and fantastic knowing that we weren’t spending $30-$40 at Disneyland for dinner.

I believe we have another goal coming down the shoot as far as money saving goes. It involves a mouse, Florida and taking the kids on a plane ride. Obviously I’m talking about Walt Disney World. I want to use my coupon savings and abilities to get us to Disneyworld. I don’t know when, but I’m going to learn how with couponingtodisney.com
I went to Disney World in 1997 and loved it. I would adore being able to take my kids and Cameron. We have a few debts to pay off first and planning to do, but I want to do it. Anyone want to join us??

I’ll keep you updated.

When the crypt goes creak,
And the tombstones quake.
Spooks come out for a swinging wake.
Happy haunts materialize,
And begin to vocalize.
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize.

-Grim Grinning Ghosts, Theme song from The Haunted Mansion

Yesterday I mentioned Halloween at Disneyland a couple of times. While we were there Josiah tried on the top half of a “Woody” costume. This one minute  event has set off a need for all things Halloween in Josiah’s life. He must have “TRICK OR TREAT!” Yesterday we watched several Disney cartoons that involved Halloween (Lonesome Ghosts, Trick or Treat, The Mad Doctor) we also watched Tim Burton’s short film, Frankenweenie. This morning the madness continues. He woke up and instantly said TRICK OR TREAT, MOM!

Josiah doesn’t know that he’s still got almost 2 months to wait until he can officially TRICK OR TREAT and that most people don’t start preparing for All Hallow’s Eve until about 2 weeks before. The problem with Josiah is that he has Halloween in his blood. Mwahahaha!! I love October 31st. I have two or three Rubbermaid tubs full of decor to prove it. I decorate for Halloween about a month before. I do this for Christmas also… I’m really gung-ho about holidays in general. Oh, but Halloween, you wonderful, magical, horrible night! I love dressing up, I love scary  movies, I love fall time, I love candy. The feeling of it all just makes me tingle. Over exaggerating ? Nah, not me.

Shall I clarify something before moving on? I’m not a blood thirsty, demonic, Satan worshipping Halloween celebrator. I know that many of my Christian friends might be a little taken aback by my brazen enjoyment of what some call “The Devil’s Birthday”. Dear friends, a little spooky doesn’t take away my salvation. In fact, as an adult I see Halloween as giving the devil the ole’ middle finger. Dangerous you might say. Nah, I’ve got the big Man in the sky on my side. I’m not going to shy away of a few black spiders, Vincent Price movies and fake cobwebs because some people have decided to make Halloween truly evil. I do realize that people take Halloween too far and I know it’s origins. I take precautions for my children and for our home that night. If you as a believer aren’t comfy with the holiday, fine. I don’t have a problem with that. I’ve just always had a problem with people who try to condemn me (or my family) for enjoying Halloween in probably the most sanitized way possible.

Phew, with that off my chest I can reveal all the secrets of my love for this holiday…

My parents deserve kudos for many things in our childhood. You want to know what they were best at? HOLIDAYS. Whether it was my mom putting curlers in my hair for Easter morning, my Dad climbing ladders for Christmas lights or Mom staying up all hours of the night putting finishing touches on our killer Halloween costumes. Even we didn’t have tons of moolah, us kids weren’t aware of it. My parents were creative and we had fun no matter what. We always attended our church’s Harvest Carnival (aren’t they always called that or “TRUNK OR TREAT”?).  We didn’t dress up as anything scary, but we always had awesome costumes. We would watch every terrible movie on AMC during Monsterfest. I was also introduced to Hammer Horror films starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Nothing says Halloween to a 12 year girl like a British horror film! I grew up watching classic horror, all the Universal movies, silent films with Lon Chaney, Alfred Hitchcock movies, etc. As we got older we watched “newer” classics like Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th. Most of them are terrible, but perfect for the season. We never watched anything gruesome or blatantly gory .  That’s not what Halloween was about. It was about fun. It was about creating a feeling during a short season. One of my favorite memories was when we were allowed to go to Pic N Save (remember that place?) and pick out scary costume make-up. We came home with gobs of green face paint, Dracula fangs,  spirit gum and Wolfman hair. That night we were transformed! All six of us looked like the Munsters long lost relatives!  That one night is one of my most cherished childhood memories.

I could almost name every character, princess, & person I’ve been on Halloween. Among my favorites: Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Egyptian Queen, Poodle Skirt girl, Peter Pan, Fairy, Lydia from Beetle-juice, pirate and of course, Wayne from Wayne’s World. Best. Ever. Talicia and I dressed up as the titular characters for my first College Halloween. We stayed in character while working the Church Carnival. Man, we looked good pulling into the church parking lot in Talicia’s old car blaring “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

As a parent I’ve tried to make sure that my kids enjoy any holiday no matter their age. Josiah had all the fixins’ on his first Christmas despite being 3 weeks old. Kids are people that are so much more aware of everything then we give them credit for- make it extra special for them on holidays! Josiah’s first Halloween was a blast, we dressed him in green tights, Peter Pan costume and took him out for a night on the town! Last year he was a dinosaur and his sister (a scant 2 1/2 months old) rode along as a spider. Halloween was a full day last year. I took the kids to Babies R Us first thing and had them Trick or Treat in store. We watched fun movies and baked cookies. Cameron came home early and we packed up the stroller and headed out into our neighborhood. Then we packed up the car and drove to my parent’s house to Trick or Treat. I was fried by the end of the night. Cameron and I fell asleep on the couch watching some old movie. It was the best ending to the day.

Halloween isn’t truly upon us yet, but I’m counting. I’m actually going to make a calendar for Josiah to count down the days because he keeps asking me when he can Trick or Treat. I’m already planning their costumes and getting ready for the big night. I love being a Mom and giving my kids every opportunity to be kids and use their imaginations in every way possible.

Halloween 2009.

Not that all of you out there in INTERWEB world were dying to read my next post, but I know that I was saying “1,000 words a day!”. Rest assured I have been writing, just not publishing articles on here. You can go ahead a breathe that HUGE sigh of relief now. Go ahead…  I know you put other things in your life on the back burner waiting to hear what I would have to say. You can pick up your kids from the Grandparent’s house, feed your dogs and cats and finally finish your cup of coffee.

In all honesty I have struggled with topics, I think I’ll be asking for your help soon. I needed a bit of inspiration and yesterday it came! A sweeping, nostalgic muse came to visit me. To be more accurate, I visited it. Through the turnstiles of Disneyland we go…

Our dentist is in Foothill Ranch and I had my cleaning appointment yesterday. Instead of getting back on the 91 eastbound in rush hour traffic I decided to take the kids to Disneyland. I knew the crowds were going to be down because everyone is back to school and the stampede of Annual Pass-holders has come and gone. Josiah, as always, has interesting commentary as soon as he sees the entrance. “Mom, we have to park on the Mickey level.” Sorry kid, Donald Level it is. We managed to get right on the tram. We usually walk from the structure to the parks, but a request came for the “Tram Ride”. Bathrooms were not full, there was room to watch the Celebrate parade (where we sat with a cool Australian family) and Halloween stuff is on it’s way!

Soon and very soon it will be Halloween at the parks.

We walked onto several rides. We strolled on over to Toontown to see the main mouse himself. Josiah ran to him and hugged him. Then got instantly shy. Mae stood and stared at Mickey Mouse unsure of his motives (the guy is the CEO of a HUGE corporation) . Josiah gave Mickey a casual “See you tomorrow” bye and we were off once again in the heat. We ate a “cheap” (by Disneyland standards) dinner of turkey dog from a hole in the wall “Pluto’s Dog House” in Toontown. Bathroom break and then flying to Fantasyland. We never go over there. I don’t know why. I guess I have better things to do in the park. My kids aren’t big dark ride fans. It’s not that they are scared, I just don’t think they are thrilled with them the way they are by the animatronic or “thrill” rides. I also think that Josiah isn’t as familiar with the content. Who the heck is this Mr.Toad and where is his Pixar film?? I’m thankful for my parent’s vast video collection of classic Disney movies to introduce my kids to my old pals… that should snag them into Fantasyland more often! You could walk right onto “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride” ( you know the one where Disney literally sends you to hell? It’s a happy, jolly hell, but eternal damnation just the same).

The effects of slamming your head on a steering wheel can be seen here.

Josiah even managed to have his head slammed into the steering wheel on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, giving him a bloody lip. I don’t think the Cast Member noticed (it was his fault, for some reason our lap bar came up before we came to a complete stop) or we might have had a different experience… maybe free frozen bananas care of the mouse himself? He cried for a second and then we walked over to the Carousel. Mae was quite thrilled with this! She’s such a Princess… I mean that in a good way. All things pretty and proper. Not spoiled and demanding. She sat on her horse the whole time and looked around… surveying her kingdom and all who she rules over with kindness and compassion: “Hello royal subjects! Enjoy your day! Look at me! Aren’t I great? I mean my diaper is a little soggy, but nothing a little royal change won’t take care of!”

Our journey continued into the Bippity Boppity Boutique where I pretended to have $65.00 for a costume for my daughter. There was a Mom in there happily picking out an outfit for her daughter,

I'll be sewing one, Thank you very much.

fake Belle hair and all! The sting of jealousy pierced my heart! That wasn’t very Princess-like. I left feeling ready to sew up a custom costume for my little Princess. She will be one of a kind you hear me!?!

Off to Frontierland through the Carnation Plaza. It’s already crazy along the Rivers of America because everyone is waiting for Fantasmic! to start. Apparently the dragon (known as Murphy) is supposed to be working that night. They’ve updated him and had major issues with him complying with the demanding Disney work load. What a diva. I decided not to watch Fantasmic! and to jump on Pirates… here thar be air conditioning, mateys! Clearly I enjoy watching my children suffer small traumas because I turn on my cell phone just to see Mae’s face as we speed down the hill into all that pirate cursed goodness. Sheer terror/fun. I love my kids. They are pretty stinkin’ hardcore. Josiah decides that Pirates aren’t such bad guys after all. “Pirates are pretty good guys.” Sure. if you don’t count that whole dunking the town’s mayor into the drinking water well and selling women

Murphy the Diva... Check out miceage.com for more info.

to your fellow pirate scum. I practically drag my children off the ride and sprint for our stroller knowing that now is the time for escape! I couldn’t deal with the idea of being swallowed by the crowd of Fantastic Fanstasmic Fans! We made it safely to main street (Can I just say that there is nothing like Main Street at night? Perfecto!) and went for ice cream Mickey Mouse Cookies. The line at the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor looked like the line for Space Mountain on 4th of July. No thank you! I’ll have two terrible tasting cookies, please next door at the Carnation Cafe.  In Disney’s defense I love some of their deserts, particularly the cinnamon rolls, but these shortbread cookies tasted like the napkins look, brown and recycled. Mae also partook of a few napkin bites before I could stop her. So even she couldn’t tell the difference. We played near the flag on Main Street waiting for the fireworks. Where Josiah told Mae “Get up Mae. Princesses don’t crawl. They walk.” ♥

We watched the show for awhile and then headed into the costume/Halloween store. I talked to a great Cast Member about Halloween events. We were rudely interrupted by a wealthy and entitled woman who shoved a cheshire cat onto the cast member’s back and said “Ring this up.” I let her know she was rude. She told me that the cast member wasn’t there for my personal pleasure (Wrong. She is actually. Was the cast member there for only her pleasure?) “Mrs. Wonderful Guest/Mother flipped out on me. I told her she was making quality memories for her wide-eyed 8 year old daughter. I was super calm the whole time. I looked up at her to give her a patented Leigh stare down. With eyes this big they’ve got to be good for something. She flipped me off. I told her to chill out and that she was at Disneyland and once again reminded her of her daughter’s Disneyland memories. She hates me. I’m sure of it. Good. In your face lady!  Nothing like a good ole’ fashion Disneyland throw down!

How the fight was going to go down.

I was ready to mow her over with my double stroller!  The cast member approached me a moment later and apologized and thanked me for standing up for her. I told her that she was great at her job and I said that I’m sorry she has to deal with rude people like that. I then left the store and started crying and shaking. I get like that after confrontations… I’m a big wiener under my “tough guy” facade… I hope that most of the people that saw me on the way back just thought the fireworks display really touched my heart and reignited my child like spirit.

Finally arriving at the car, our faithful little Honda, I loaded kids, strollers and myself. Josiah looks at me (Mae is out like a light, by the way) and says “I love you too much, Mom.” That right there my friends is why I’m willing to walk through crowds, wait in lines, pay too much for a turkey dog, and fight with the rude women of this world! I love Disneyland.

Child-wrangling with Mickey.