Why I Cried at the Disneland Parade

The big girls turned 4 on Sunday.  Four!  As in, out of the "toddler" classification and now on to big girls status.  And this was only made more evident in our birthday exploits.  With our good friends in tow we spent two magical days at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.  But let's be real, it's not as if we'd never been to Disneyland before; but we'd never been been to Disneyland post four, and that made a huge difference.  Suddenly the girls are tall enough and brave enough (have to have the combo) to go on the "big kid" rides.  They dared the Space and Splash Mountains.  They harnessed the rapids. They strode confidently into the Haunted Mansion and as we light sped our way to Endor, Genevieve leaned over towards me and told me that this was amazing.  No child. ... you're amazing.  To continue to observe this transformation of people, witnessing the miracle of each pedal blossom, that is the most amazing thing I've ever experienced.  And for some reason, as the princess parade passed us down Main Street, and "Aladdin" leaned off of his flying carpet to wish the girls happy birthday (clearly identified by their official "birthday" buttons), my eyes welled.  You'd think by the fourth of these I'd have lost some of the sentimentality; but no.  It's the most magical thing in the Magic Kingdom.  Fortunately there's some child like wonder in them.  Arianna professed that when she grows up she wants to be a professional unicorn rider.  I was hoping for doctor, but I imagine if she can go pro at this it should prove lucrative.


In the mean time, enjoy Genevieve's face from Splash Mountain.