We made our every other year trip to Laguna Beach over Thanksgiving again this year. This year was special because it was our first time there as a family of six. Our trip was filled with many firsts for Devon and Ethan. A plane ride, a new state, the ocean, Disneyland, seeing where Uncle Dan lives, etc. I cannot express how well our trip went. It was WONDERFUL! The boys do have anxiety, but it seems to come out in anticipation of big events. The week before we went was hard for them. The day before we went was REALLY crazy! We saw lots of behaviors and built up excitment that couldn't get out without yelling at someone or breaking things. By Friday night when we finally got the kids to bed, our eyes were wide and Greg and I looked at each other and said, "What have we gotten outselves into?"
In anticipation of some fears, we planned a later in the day flight, so that we didn't also have to worry about getting up early and remembering everything we needed. We didn't have to leave the house until noon, so we had time to get up, relax, eat and finish packing last minute things. This seemed to help enormously! I was the most worried about going through security at the airport. I was envisioning Ethan saying something inappropriate and security seperating him from us to seach him. They were so good! We talked about being quite, walked them verbally through each step we would take and how long it would take. We had zero problems. They were very well behaved from that morning to the end of our trip.
We rented a house while we were there. It was gorgous and perfect. Two stories and the walls facing the ocean were floor to ceiling glass. We had a great view of the ocean, even though we were a couple of blocks away. In the past we have staying in a dumpy hotel because we don't stay in the room much. We were very thankful for a house for this trip. Just being able to cook at the house was huge. We could also watch TV after the kids went to bed because they weren't in the same room as us. My mom came along and stayed with us too. She was a huge help.
On Sunday morning we got up at 5am due to the 2 hour time change. We all got up and walked down to the beach. Devon had his camera and was acting like a Japanese tourist, snapping pictures of everything he saw. Ethan decided that palm trees are his favorite kinds of trees. We saw an orange tree on the way too, which was too cool. That first hour at the beach was something I will never forget. I couldn't stop smiling. Devon was a little bit apprehensive about touching the ocean water with his toes, but once he did, there was no stopping him. We rolled up pant legs and they were allowed to go up to their ankles. The surf was pretty big and we always worry about that undercurrent. Why we bothered to roll up their pants I'm not sure. All four were soaked within minutes. They were running in the sand, and jumping the waves. When the waves went out, they would chase them, only to run back to safety when they came crashing up on the shore again. We got some great pictures and videos. It was one of those moments when I'm so greatful for the squeals and laughs of children. I was so glad that we could give Devon and Ethan that opportunity. I'm not about stuff, but I really value the gift of experience. It was a time, when their minds were not on their fears and hurts, but they were living in and loving the moment. That isn't something they freely do very often. It was an amazing morning.
Another highlight was Disneyland. Due to their special needs, we qualified for a special needs pass. We got to do the "Fast Pass" entrance for every ride, which means that while other waited for an hour or more for a ride, we pretty much walked on the ride. At first we were feeling guilty when we went right to the ride, but then we hit Space Mountain. The ride broke down, so we had to wait about 20 minutes. Ethan did not handle it very well. He was kicking his siblings, pushing in front of other people, yelling and could not sit, or stand still. We then realized that if we had to wait in line with him on the other rides, that our day would not have gone so well. Our guilt diminished greatly. It was a long, but thrilling day. We even got to eat at Uncle Dan's restaurant. We had the best server in the whole place.
We visited the Aquarium on the Pacific and did a Whale watching tour where we saw lots of dolphins and sea lions up close. We spent the rest of our time at the beach. After carting down all the stuff you need at the beach, we had endless hours of fun. Hiking, watching tide pools, building sand castles, jumping waves, building damns in the rocky inlets, chasing birds, playing catch, sleeping, talking, and bonding as a family. Uncle Dan brought his sea Kyak down on Thanksgiving and Greg took all the kids out on it. Josiah and him even saw a whale while they were out. Unfortunately when him and I tried to take the one man kyak out, a wave took us out in only 3 feet of water. It was ugly. We came up laughing though.
On Thanksgiving, Uncle Dan was playing football on the beach with Ethan. He would chase him around, not quite catching him, while Ethan ran, and held up the back of his swimsuit because he couldn't get that string quite tight enough and his suit would fall down a little too far in the back. It was so cute. Dan made a huge Thanksgiving, it was awesome! My cousing Marit and her boyfriend Kim came for Thanksgiving. It was great to see them again. I saw them in October in Maine, but will miss them for Christmas this year. I only have 6 cousins, so we are pretty close with them. Marit is from Rochester, but has been living in San Diego for the last two years. We left the table feeling happy and fat...isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about?
On our last day, we got to drive out into the desert to visit Greg's cousin Shannon and her husband Greg, who live about 90 minutes away from Laguna. The kids were excited to see the mountains in the desert and just how different the landscape is from home. We had a nice time visiting with family that I hadn't seen in years. We even saw a hang glider on the way back again. We flew out on the red-eye that night and even that went smoothly.
Thankfully the days leading up to our trip were not a foreshadowing of things to come. I am feeling so blessed to have 4 great kids. I am overwhelmed with gratitude that we could afford such a wonderful trip! I know my kids will remember it forever. I'm so glad that the boys could relax and enjoy some great family time.
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