Here I am ...back in my old stomping grounds. Growing up in California provided me with many trips to Knotts Berry Farm and Disneyland. Typically, I went with my friend Susan and we would be dropped at the entrance when it opened and picked up by a tired dad when it closed. We would come home ragged and exhausted and broke, having spent all of our $13.50 saved from babysitting. We didn't have a debit card, a cash machine, power bars, or water bottles.
This morning at the hotel, I saw the familiar dad running with a forgotten backpack narrowly missing the air-conditioned van taking he and his already exhausted family to the park. Kids were in the restaurant whining about what to eat at the $24.95 pp buffet offered to hotels guests. Heck, my parents would have schlepped a box of Wheaties to the room and stolen milk from the free coffee pot in the lobby to "feed" before having the "best day of our lives". Further, no fussing would be tolerated: if you were thirsty, we found a drinking fountain. When we were hungry for lunch, we would scout the least expensive stand in the park and get a single hot dog, no questions asked. This was life, and vacation day, and all a huge privilege. In all of the years of living in CA, I maybe owned a single sweatshirt and I think I may have a blown glass (remember that stuff??) figurine somewhere. Kids now have bubble blowers, hats, princess dresses, and so much more... on demand.
I remember coming to this same hotel with the boys and the excitement was palpable (see photo). As a parent, taking your kids to a place like Disney is worth all of the hassle. Dave and I sat in the bar having a beer last night...at 9:45...watching 2 and 3 year olds watch a Disney movie and play with their newly acquired toys. We laughed, remembering our boys. We always had to get them showered and in bed, lest one of them would puke (too many rides), or start a migraine (poor Buzz)...
Life has changed and now the thought of puking and being dizzy or, God forbid, injuring my neck again, keeps me from most rides. There is something about walking through the Magic Kingdom. The rides look smaller...or did I get bigger? Susan's parents, who once ran me through the park, I am now leading through the park on their electric scooters. The fact that they still go is a testament to their fortitude and determination not to slow down too much. I hope, when I am 85, I am scootering through Disneyland with a beer in one hand and my big pocketbook in the other, dolling out $10 bills to the grandkids!
Life is good...don't be too frantic "buying toys" to enjoy the view!
CoffeeTalkMom
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