As if that wasn't enough. .

If you are just joining us, I am re-counting a VERY memorable trip to Disneyland. You can see Part I and Part II here.

We finally arrived at D-land just about 30 minutes later that I thought we would. Not bad with the aforementioned pit stops. We met up with my parents and wondered around the park for the rest of the evening. D-land closes at 8:00 p.m. on a week night when school is not out. I thought my kids would be fine staying until the park was closing. They usually go to bed at 8:00 p.m. but we were vacationing and had a long day in the car, so, I thought they could make it.

We headed out to our car which was parked in the D-land garage. Those of you who have been there know that place can be a zoo. Everyone is getting off the tram and making their way to their cars in mass droves. I, of course, have a stroller and have to wait at the set of Elevators to get to our level. After a nice wait, I push the mickey button and proceed to our floor. . . except, as I stroll out on to the level, I start to walk down the corridor with my parade until I realize. . . we were in 3D. . . but I don't really know WHAT level that was! WAS it Mickey? I have no idea. I start to think this is going to be a very long night of trying to find my car with 4 tired kids.

We head back to the elevator and I am mentioning that I am not sure where are car is to Abby and she pipes up. . . WE ARE ON DONALD! I looked at her in amazement and said, "How do YOU know?" And she said, because I LOOKED! And because I remember walking on BLUE TILES! Wow. I couldn't believe my luck. Thanks to my little braniac, we were not going to have to spend any additional time in the parking garage.

We loaded up and went through a drive through (don't you LOVE being on the road?) and headed for our hotel, which was not to far from the park. Nevertheless, Jaxon had fallen asleep before we even got there. In my mind I was wondering how I was going to get me and ALL THE KIDS up to the room without multiple trips, or without leaving the kids in the room while I get the stuff (HELLO!! Madeline!) Abby says she will get the dolly, we will load it up and get all of us up to the room at one time.

As I was checking in, K picked that moment to throw a COMPLETE hissy fit. Screaming uncontrollably and all. The lady was kind, and understanding and tried to check me in (while fielding a phone call) as soon as she could. Although it wasn't seamless, we were getting through the check in process ok. We got up to our room with the dolly loaded up and wheeled it in with our food (just purchased) and the kids immediately started unloading their stuff, taking off shoes, and eating their food. I requested that we have a hand washing before eating and went to turn on the sink. . . .

NO RUNNING WATER.

NONE.

NOT A DRIP.

NUTS.

So, I call the front desk, and she says she will send her maintenance guy. It is just after 9:00 by this point, and as we wait for the maintenance guy more things start to get unpacked. He comes to our room and says he thinks the water tanks have been turned off. Ummm... not a good sign. I call the front desk and she says she will assign me another room, but I have to come down and get a key.

Load up all the kids. (Now TOTALLY TIRED, and TOTALLY UNRAVELING) Take them to the lobby, get a new key, go BACK up to the room, load up our stuff on the dolly. Now DRAG ALL THE SCREAMING CHILDREN to room #2 and start to unpack. . . AGAIN. By this time, Jaxon was BEGGING to go to sleep (nearing 10:30) and I granted his wish. Wade (just recently learning to sleep in a bed) chose this point to get out of bed several times until I was at the end of my rope. . . (REALLY? DO YOU THINK I WAS AT THE END OF MY ROPE??? NO??)

Finally. . . Quite. . . Dark. . . Kids asleep at 11:00 p.m.




Wake up call by Wade?





6:00 a.m.