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at SSC
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

We got babysitters for the night for all of the kids (T. and K. and Dylan and Cameron) and took off to see Shakespeare Santa Cruz’s production of The Man in the Iron Mask. Chloe had to come with us, of course!

She fell asleep before the show started and I thought we were off to a good, calm start! But, she woke up just as soon as the play began!! She didn’t cry at all, but she was kind of gassy and, as a result, she was grunting and groaning a lot! So, I took her to the back and walked her up and down in the hopes that she would fall asleep.

The girl was so interested in all the hubbub up on stage — lights, strange voices, booming, sword fights, etc. — she managed to stay awake for the entire first half!! The upside was that she was out cold for the second half, despite booming, clapping, laughing, and all other manner of noise!

In the meantime, the big kids had Vallarta for dinner, presumably played well together, and were put to bed at about 9:30pm by our awesome babysitters. We came home to a quiet house (and, see, I now have time to write a post!). It’s late, but I’m so tempted to stay up just because it’s all peace and quiet and down time for me now! Tomorrow will be another day..and we’ll have T. and K. to up the energy levels in the house!

DSC_7842
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

So the first day was just me and the kids, a day not without it’s fair share of challenges! We got into San Marcos only at 3am or something. We left Santa Cruz at 4pm, but had to stop for dinner, to comfort Chloe, to go to the bathroom, blah blah. At the end of it all, an 8-hour drive became an 11-hour one and Tom and I got very little sleep. All told, I was operating on only 3 hours…and noooo caffeine. Bummer. But look at this smile?? In the end, Day One was worth it. The kids still had a blast.

driving school
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

Both kids got their driver’s licenses. Cameron had a tough time controlling her car. She ran into a lot of walls and had to have her car physically dragged back on track by an employee!

focusing!
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

She’s really trying to stay on track!

dylan drives
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

Driving school for 6+ was next door, so Dylan got to go next. He did great!!!

fairy tale brook
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

One of the kids’ favorite rides was Fairy Tale Brook. It’s totally mellow and has a little scene from The 3 Little Pigs, 3 Billy Goats Gruff, Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Hansel and Gretel. They wanted to ride it again and again! It was awesome that the line for this ride was short!!!

another go
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

On Thursday, the lines were relatively short, so Cameron and Dylan got to try driving twice !

cargo ace
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Glad there were enough rides for the kids to do on their own!

safari trek
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

Friday and Saturday were awesome days. Tom’s meeting ended at noon, so he was able to join us and the kids could do the rides for which they needed chaperones.

excited!
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

Coastersaurus
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

They got to ride a roller coaster…

pirate reef
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

…and they got to get drenched on Pirate Reef!

soaked!
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

Glad tom was so hot he wanted to get drenched!! I didn’t really want to!

wet and happy
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

kids play area
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

One of the cool things about Legoland is that some rides have a play area for kids. Kids do legos, parents wait in line!

back on Fairy Tale Brook
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

They were also super excited to show Tom all of the stuff they enjoyed from the day before (like Fairy Tale Brook)!

chloeee!
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

tom and chloe
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

legoland express
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

day 3
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DSC_7938
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

I’m on a ride without a baby!
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

Had a great time!! We will be back!

capt’n crank’s challenge
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

On our first day at Legoland, Tom was at a meeting at CSU San Marcos! This meant we could only ride the things I could go on with the baby on my chest and rides that Dylan was tall enough to chaperone Cameron on…

He loved being the Big Brother!

He held her hand, helped her up the rides, made sure she was heading towards the exit, etc. In short, he was great!

heading on to the ride
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

sweet
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

legoland express
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

DSC_7834
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

dune raiders
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

Dune Raiders was another attraction I didn’t have to do. Dylan made sure Cameron had her mat to slide down and then, at the bottom, he made sure the mat got returned to the proper place.

going back for cameron’s mat
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

He’s so responsible and is such a sweet big brother!

forced clothing buy
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

On the first day at Legoland with the kids, I got both Cameron and Dylan some Legoland hats (we forgot Dylan’s hat at the hotel and we had to get a hat for Cameron in the interest of “fairness”), but there was no plan whatsoever to buy any souvenir “gear” for Chloe.

She must have sensed this subconsciously! While we were enjoying a leisurely lunch at one of the park’s restaurants, Chloe unleashed a huge sploot that shot up her back. Bad luck that I didn’t pack an extra onesie in the stroller for her! But, what luck that this happened on Day Two. This meant I wasn’t alone–I had Tom to help out! He changed her and then afterwards, I took Chloe (clad only in a diaper) to find a new onesie while Tom stood in line for rides with the big kids.

The choices were pretty limited (i.e., just ONE style!) and, of course, it said, Legoland! And, boom, just like that, she had her own little Legoland keepsake!