Fun in the Sun - Part Two - Legoland

"The day" dawned and sweetP was up with the sun. I believe he could have been ready to go in two minutes flat. This is my child that on a normal day takes intense coaxing and threatening to get out of bed and get going. Just like his mother. I was cursing the hotel bed that required Dramamine to quell the sea-sickness. But we got up, got dressed and headed to Legoland via IHOP. You can't properly do an amusement park without a good breakfast.

We were off and running with the help of our GPS that was referred to as Dashboard Doris (a la ExpatKat). She was a great help, but she was a bit of a last minute gal. She liked to give directions once you almost in the intersection. But as the official family navigator, I made sure we were in the correct lane and ready for our next turn.

Until we were practically at the gate, we seemed to be kind of in the boonies. And then there it was. The boys could barely contain themselves. Except sweetE who said, "I want to go home." Poor kid. Our tickets were supposed to be at Guest Services. Dropped off there by our travel agents contact in San Diego. So we waited in line and talked to an employee who could find no record of our tickets. But Legoland is a magical place and rather than take forever to work it out, got some info from us and gave us tickets. Yeah, Legoland!

Ducky realized as soon as we walked in the gate that he had forgotten a very important item, a hat. He is very pale and is not known for vast quantities of hair on his head. He is not bald, just thin, quite thin. When he gets sunburned he gets ill, so a hat is a must for him. We had sunscreened at the car, but he needs all the protection he can get.

First stop, gift shop. He picks out a hat that screams "tourist!" and promises it to sweetP after the day is over. The boys want to pick out toys to bring home as souvenirs. So we have to explain that you stop and buy those things right before you leave so we don't have to carry them around all day. Except that is very hard to understand when you are not quite four and still want to be at home. And if you can't be at home, you want a toy from the biggest Lego store you have ever seen.


With maps in hand, we head off to find fun. SweetE is still not sure he doesn't want to be at home, but he is warming up to this place. We walk past the safari and this dinosaur. We mosey to the water works and sweetE says he wants to ride the safari. We head back to the cute little jeeps that drive a loop that goes past all kinds of animals all made out of Legos. We get in line and wait for about 45 minutes. SweetP is grouchy because this is a baby ride and sweetE can't wait. He has finally found his vacation spirit. When it is finally our turn, the person working the ride tells us that this is one of the few rides that has a line this long. Thank goodness. I might get grouchy if all day is spent in line. It is nice, tame ride and sweetE is ready for more. He wants to go again. Yikes.

In true parenting fashion, we persuade him to move on so we can try something else. The day continues with one fun ride or adventure after another. Before we decided this vacation we researched how much sweetE would be able to do based on his age and height. He could do all but about 6 things. We decide the line for the sky ride is too long and we will try again later. And then we arrive at the Volvo driving school. Both boys get to drive real (pint size) cars. And get their drivers licenses. The wait is only about 5 minutes or less. Yippee!


SweetE goes two or three times before sweetP gets done. He has a grin from ear to ear. Both boys get their drivers licenses and we remind them that they are only good in Legoland. I am happy to report that they will be good drivers someday.

The boys rode their first roller coaster and we have the commemorative photo to prove it. We rode the Dragon, their signature ride. Ducky and I loved it, but we knew we loved roller coasters. SweetE loved it and came out bouncing. SweetP thought he was "going to die." The photo shows three happy people and one very grumpy one. SweetE is my roller coaster buddy.

SweetP found rides that he liked as well. The ones that you could squirt water were good, the little log ride was good and the Bionicle version of the tea cups was good. Poor Ducky agreed to do the spinning ride with him and turned a little green. SweetE was sad that he wasn't big enough to go, but secretly I was glad. It gave me an excuse to not ride it.

We explored Miniland and took the boat tour. We had a blast. SweetE and I rode the Dragon about four more times. The boys picked souvenirs on the way out. We never did ride the sky ride, the line was still too long. But the boys drove a few more times. We are still hearing about Legoland every day.

SweetE fell asleep on the way home. Dashboard Doris directed us back safely. We collapsed back in our hotel room. We played musical beds. I slept with sweetE so I could get some decent sleep. Without good sleep I would get a migraine for sure. I missed out on our two days at the lake last year because I had a migraine that kept me in bed the whole time, in a dark and dusty cabin.

Tomorrow, the San Diego Zoo.