Kate - 7 years old
Karen and I decided to do one-on-one trips with our kids this year. We liked the concept of this focused time with our kids. Karen took Zac to Universal Studios and Disneyland a couple months ago. Kate and I went to Disneyland Nov 7-11. We plan to do this again when Zac and Kate are older and we will swap partners. We’ll need to get Owen in the rotation when he is a little older.
I feel like this trip with Kate accomplished exactly our intended purpose. I’ve outlined some thoughts and moments from our trip that hopefully portrays the special time I had with my daughter.
Kate exudes kindness. I saw this over and over on the trip. When strangers talked to her she always responded so nicely. I noticed times of timidness and other times when she voluntarily talked to strangers next to her. She didn’t seem partial to some strangers over others. They were all the same regardless of race or culture.
By this time Kate has already had enough pictures. "No more pictures, Dad!!"
Okay...one more...and there may be cotton candy later.
It was rewarding to see Kate conquer her fears. Her first time (this trip) on Splash Mountain was dramatic and slightly traumatic! See pictures. She hated the drops. After discussing with Karen, I offered Kate a reward if she could conquer her fears. She did it!! Kate did three rides that were scary for her.
Disneyland was in full Christmas mode by 1st week of November. I generally stay away from all things Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but Disney does an incredible job. By the time we left I was just fine humming Christmas carols.
I realize the days are numbered where Kate displays such a need for her Dad. She wanted to hold hands everywhere we went. During the rides she locked arms with me and sometimes surprised me with her squeezes. As her Dad, I ate this up. I loved the affection—tried to soak as much in as I could.
Kate’s favorite ride of the whole trip was in Carsland—Radiator Springs. Near the end there is a final race between two cars. We did this ride 5 times and beat the other car all five times. When celebrating this feat Kate responds, “I knew we were going to win! I prayed for it!”
Toy Story Mania
There are corn dogs, and then Disney corn dogs. I couldn't believe she ate this whole thing.
Kate still loved the Little Mermaid ride. We hit it about 5 time this trip.
Another round of Radiator Springs, Cars ride.
Pineapple ice-cream...Mmmm.
Adventureland has this great outdoors areas with rope bridges, rock climbing, and rope swings. Kate and I had competitions.
One of my favorite moments of the trip has nothing to do with Disneyland. We left the park for some dinner and ended up eating at Mimi’s Cafe. The food was delicious. Kate kept telling jokes and creating little joke games during dinner. I had her in stitches—I mean she was in full belly-laugh mode. The 3/4 mile walk back to the hotel at 10pm was just as fun. “Don’t step on a crack or you’ll fall and break your back!” We did this the whole way back—walking hand in hand trying to get each other to step on the cracks. Kate was so giggly and happy. It was a perfect moment.
We were clocking in about 30,000 steps each day. Kate laid her head on the pillow about 3 minutes before this picture was taken.
Day 3: Final Day at Disneyland
The Christmas themed, It's A Small World was AMAZING!
Kate saved nearly $100 for this trip. She spent nearly all of that money on princess related items. Likely her favorite purchase were her Tinker earrings.
I loved that Kate was still in princess mode— likely the last time this would happen. She dressed up as Belle and Tinker Bell. She was so sweet with the princesses. During the parade or other performances Kate was not shy about waving her hand as high and fast as she could to the nearest princess.
Kate loved the churros.
The trip was a wonderful success. I think Kate and I have always been close. This trip was not intended to repair something or create some new bond. But, we both came away with a little more something — a little more bond, a little more trust, a little more love.
Kate, you will always be Daddy’s girl!
