Yes, when Christmastime comes to sunny Southern California, there's only one thing to do, and that's saddle up and head on over to Santa's Reindeer Roundup at Disneyland. And after Mommy got out of work the other day, that's just what the Sheehan posse did! Jack was psyched to meet the big red guy and was not disappointed -- though you might be to learn that the official Jack/Sheehan Family Santa pictures will have to wait for your Christmas card, and a special Christmas Day posting. But so you don't feel totally left out of the fun, here's a quick recap of Jack's Christmas Adventure at Disneyland!
The Reinder Roundup thing is new this year. Used to be Santa was down in the Town Square on Main Street, and to tell the truth, I kind of preferred that Victorian-style Santa. But the Reindeer Roundup is a cool and fun idea too. It's in the Big Thunder Ranch, a sorely underutilized piece of the park, and you can pet the reindeer, decorate Chiristmas cookies and of course, visit Santa in his rustic log cabin.
Mommy and Jack were having a heck of a good time. And for entertainment, there's a country swing band playing country-fried versions of holiday favorites.
The whole reindeer squad is there -- all eight of them.
But, where's Rudolph, you ask? Well, a special guest plays that role, and keeps Mrs. Claus company.
As usual at this time of year, Disneyland looks especially pretty at night with the holiday lights going up. This weekend the Mickey wreaths and a whole load of garland and filigree will go up, and there is a big candlelight ceremony with a choir and everything which we'll be attending. Thank goodness for our annual passes. We can all have fun together, and get out of the house on those rare days when my school or Genevieve's beastly work schedule permit.
The Christmas tree in the Town Square is extra-special this year, bedecked with tons of gold in honor of Disneyland's 50th anniversary.
Speaking of which, the 50th fireworks presentation is just so absolutely jaw-dropping, as I've noted in these pages before. So funny to think Jack has been to Disneyland around a dozen times in just his first seven months on the planet! (More if you count the times we came here when mommy was carrying him). Here is a little snap of the laser display during the Star Wars sequence, and it hardly does it justice. Lasers start blasting out of the castle and "explode" when they strike their targets around the park.
Jack looks as stoic as ever here, but when the Haunted Mansion part of the display came on he got fired up (no pun intended). This was the first time I've noticed him actually tracking the course of the fireworks across the sky, and in this show they literally zoom everywhere, out and all around the park.
Just to show you how incredibly bright these pyrotechnics are, this photo was taken without a flash and with the exposure wide open -- so it's a little blurry, but sheesh!
Of course, after the fireworks, the kind folks at Disney make it snow. That's right, snow, right there in Anaheim. Jack alternated between ignoring it and reaching out to catch the "flakes."
Of course, all those activites make a little boy verrrry sleepy...
And thank goodness. I am happy to report that after a few tortuous nights Jack seems to be sleeping through till morning! Time will tell if this is a permanent change, or a flash in the pan, but Mommy and Daddy are pleased to say they got decent nights of sleep the last two nights.
More holiday updates as they become available!!
1 comment:
Thanks you for those great moments! The picture of Jack holding his hand our to catch the snow is precious! (I couldn't get the video to play, but it could be my own ineptness!) And how adorable are those pictures of Jack peeking out from his crib!! Thanks for the treat!!--Love, Nanny
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