Tuesday, December 14, 2010

More Disney and Why I thought I Would Never Push a Double Stroller

So, where were we?  Oh yeah, we just walked through the gates of Disney and are on Main Street.  I'd like to point out that Chloe is growing HAIR.  Yes, hair, enough for it to do "bed head" and look messy.  That's my girl (about time). 
Anyway, this is Chloe looking at this....
 A "Nay-Nay" or "Horse" which was pulling a street car with Cast Members on it.  They were singing Christmas Carol's and dancing.  What fun!  Chloe seemed in awe and puzzled at the same time.  I love how Disney puts effort in to every detail...like the mouse ears on the horse's blinders. 

Next up - The Dumbo Ride.  This ride is popular and it has no fast pass option.  The line moves rather slowly, so it's ALWAYS the first thing we do when we enter the park.  After a short 20 minute wait, we were on!

 The Hubs is tinkering with his phone in the hopes of getting Chloe on video.  I'm not sure if that worked out or not...

Next up, "It's a Small World."  There was NO LINE.  I have a love/hate relationship with this photo.  I love the look of wonder in her eyes as she looks at all of the dollies, but I hate the shadows on her face, although, at the same time, they give this photo some character.  The lighting was tricky in there.
Then, we decided that we MUST HAVE COFFEE.  So, we visited a little coffee shop, where we had one horrible blend of coffee, but then we added milk and sugar and it was finally digestible. 

Camdyn was swinging around this garland wrapped pole, so I asked her to pose.  Of course, she obliged, because it was still early and I was just getting started with the camera.  Towards the end of the day she was less than cooperative when I said "Let's take a quick picture." 
I don't remember where we were or when I took this picture, but I love the look of distraction in her eyes.
When it came to family planning I often said that I had no desire to push a double stroller.  Something about the bulk of a double stroller and two kids in diapers at the same time just did not appeal to me (Kudos to those of you that do that).  Therefore, we spaced our kids out a little bit to avoid that.  My girls are 3 years and 2 months apart.  For the past 19 months I have avoided the double stroller scenario, but then, we started having stroller wars.  If Chloe was in the stroller then Cam wanted to sit in the stroller.  If Cam wanted to walk, then Chloe wouldn't sit.  I'd often end up pushing around an empty stroller while trying to keep tabs on two kids.  It was a little bit of a nightmare.

So, I buckled.  I bought a Sit-N-Stand LX on Craigslist for $45 and this is now the 5th stroller in my collection.  Y'all this stroller has changed my life!  And, I'm serious.  I used this stroller last week when I took Cam to the mall with me.  Usually, she is wandering everywhere and complaining about walking and she makes it impossible for me to concentrate on anything other than her.  Well, I had her sit on the back of this stroller and she loved it.  She read books, I tried on 5 pairs of boots, and bought a dress, and Cam even asked me to keep shopping.  I told her that she is my FAVORITE shopping partner.  To which she responded, "Even better than Auntie Liz?"  Um, it's a tie :)

We brought the Sit-N-Stand to Disney with us, even though it has more limited storage than our Jogger, or our Normal Stroller.  It worked out, though.  We just tied the cooler and my huge Vera bag filled with spare clothes, diapers, and princess dresses to the back of it. We put blankets and jackets in the storage basket. 

Now, this stroller doesn't really recline very much since the bench for the 2nd child is behind it.  But, when kids get tired they sleep anywhere, right?  And, that's what happened.
A few hours later, Cam was tired, so we put her in the front and somehow she got comfortable enough to snooze for 45 minutes while Chloe ran around looking at ducks.  I heart this stroller.  It's made my life so much simpler and for $45...I'm a happy Momma!  Nothing beats having two semi-rested kids at a theme park.


Notice that Camdyn is wearing a Rapunzel shirt from the new Disney movie "Tangled."  If you haven't seen it yet, you need to...and in 3D.  This is by far the best movie Disney has made in a decade.  I would watch it again and again and I think I enjoyed it as much as Cam did.  She purchased a Rapunzle "Darbie" (Barbie) and Flynn Ryder too, who is by far, the most handsome prince of all. 

See ya tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday.  I have a few more photos to share (imagine that).

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Those are beautiful pictures! Love them. We also loved Tangled. My 6 y/o boy didn't want to see it at first, but it's a movie great for boys, too. He loved it. We also have the Sit-n-Stand stroller. The only thing I don't like about it is that there is no place for them to really rest their head when they take a nap. I guess your daughter dealt with that just fine! Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Cole said...

The Dumbo ride is Mommy's favorite! And the Jungle Cruise, too...

Sassy said...

Love the pictures! You have always taken great pictures but I can really see you coming into your own "style". Love it!

We have never been to Disney at Christmas time so it's neat to see it all decorated. Very cool!

~Sassy

Also, my double stroller has saved my sanity MORE than once. I don't know how I would ever have gotten by without it! lol

cooperl788 said...

What great pictures! My sister has a double wide stroller, and it always gave me a nightmare of a time when I would babysit the kids. But I like the idea of a sit 'n stand - not so bulky for getting around. Your trip to Disney World looks like it was a success for the whole family! Love the shot of Camdyn's distracted face; there's something about it that says, Hurry up and take the picture already!

Ashley said...

I love my sit and stand too. It's so great your kids can sleep in it! Mine never sleep in the stroller, even at Disneyland!

Jennifer said...

Okay...the Sit N Stand is my favorite. I don't know what I would do without it! Glad is working for you too :) You have totally taken me back to Disney. I haven't been there in 6 years or so and I just relived it through your girls. It looks like they had a great time :)