Disneyland sans Diapers

After having to reschedule a couple times due to illnesses, we finally made it to Disneyland on Monday with the boys.

Vincent’s first trip to Disneyland was last May when he was three and a half. We used a day trip to the happiest place on earth as incentive for him to potty train. It worked- a month after he turned three he decided to wear underwear and there was no turning back.

Our intent was to only take Vinny. It was to be a special treat, a day where he would get all of our undivided attention. When we told him that it would just be the three of us he cried and said he really wanted is brother to go too. We obliged. It was his day, his accomplishment, and he wanted his best friend with him.

The day was amazing. There is something truly magical about Disneyland when you see it through a child’s eyes. That Walt really got it right. And Vinny was thrilled that his brother was with him.

This is my favorite photo from May of last year. What is it about Disneyland that makes children hug their siblings impromptuly? Impromptuly is a word- I swear.

Fast forward a year later...

We dangled the same carrot in front of Franklin in order to get the potty training rolling. A few weeks before his third birthday he decide he was ready to leave the shackles of Pampers and be a “really big boy”.

Franklin was tall enough for the Matterhorn this year- he screamed “get me out of here,” the whole time, while VW wanted to go on it again. This is a major role reversal for the boys.

The Toy Story ride is always a hit- Franklin loves to fight the evil Zurg. We had to ride it, and Pirates of the Caribbean, twice.

They both loved Autotopia and I discovered on this trip that Patrick gets serious vertigo on the teacups. He has earned himself a new nickname.

On Tom Sawyers’ Island, which recently reopened, Vincent said that I had to blog this photo.

And here are the boys in front of that same Alice in Wonderland door, one year later. Both so much bigger.

Before we left the house Monday morning Franklin requested Colette come too, just like his brother had done for him. We explained to him that Coco had to stay with Grandma and Vader because she was too little for rides. He understood, and asked if we could all go when Coco decided to wear underwear. I look forward to that day!