Ethan became a photographer at the happiest place on earth

I just wanted a picture of me with John Steinbeck's quote next to the Millennium tree. It's an amazing discovery: somehow the Disney people were able to get cross-section of this tree and display it at the "Redwood Creek Challenge Trail" in Disney's California Adventure. The tree fell in a rainstorm and it was estimated to be over 1,000 years old. So I asked Ethan to take the pictures and once the camera was in his hands, he started position the camera in all different angles. Trying to "coax" me into being a better model (I guess?), he said "work with me, baby." I busted out laughing and just laughed the whole time he was taking pictures. I do hope Ethan does not become Austin Danger Power.

Because he's gotten such a positive response from his mother, he decided that he should take more pictures. I do have to admit: he was a pretty good photographer. These are some good examples (although his favorite model is, of course, his lovely mother... : )

Ethan and mom spent one afternoon in the park just the two of us. It was wonderful spending time with Ethan because he's so agreeable and is simply fun to be around. We took advantage of the Photopass photographers and had some pictures taken together.

Mr. D's five minutes of fame at the happiest place on earth

If you know Mr. D at all, you would agree that he is one of those folks who do not like attention of any kind. Outwardly reserved and often times with an air of aloofness, he is never the one to seek lime light... But if you got game, you got game, baby. And it happened at the happiest place on earth where he was truly at the center of attention.

One of the fun things at Disneyland are these live performances which happen not inside a building, not in a theater - it's right outside, under the sun and the sky. The bright and colorful display of the props; the outrageously exaggerated costumes and the loud, blasting music. You can't help but slow down and stop for them (not to mention that they pretty much block the entire "street" for these shows.)

It was snack time for us. We stood at the Hollywood Blvd. and here comes the parade of characters from the "Monster Inc." Isn't it great? A snack and a show - everyone's watching and gawking; and for once Henry's top of lung shouting "Kitty" did not even raise an eyebrow. Mr. D was the designated popcorn holder and since we were so focusing on the show, no one really noticed that Mr. D was enjoying the popcorn ALL by himself. That's until one of the "monsters" asking for assistance from us human.

Mr. Monster pointed at our direction and his words came through the microphone quite clearly: "Over there, sir, in the green Oregon cap, would you help us?" I turned around and looked at Mr. D who just put a handful of popcorn into his mouth and was munching rather loudly. He heard the call, shook his head and averted his eyes (if his mouth weren't full, he would probably say "No way, no how!") The request was repeated, "Sir, would you help us?" Mr. D, still focusing on chewing, did not respond. I took the popcorn from him and a pat on his shoulder, "C'mon! Go help them!!" He walked out of the crowd rather dejectedly. Yeah, I don't think I'd be pleased to give up on greasy popcorn, eh?

And the conversation went like this:
Mr. Monster: "What's your name, sir?"

Mr. D: "Don"

"Where are you from?" (Oh, you couldn't tell by his t-shirt and cap?)

"Oregon."

"Don from Oregon. Where you are from, do people think you are funny?"

"Uh... Not really."

"Oh, people here at California Adventure do!"

"Haha."

And Mr D was given an assignment which the pictures below will demonstrate how well he accomplished the task.

While these two "outfits" earned quite a bit of laughters, the next one was the one making Mr. D famous.

Henry's tantrums at the happiest place on earth

This is Henry at his favorite spot in Disneyland - Tarzan's Tree House. Yes, he was quite cocky - he did not need any help to climb up the stairs. He rudely cut through many adults and children leaving his mother trailing behind him with apologies and trying to catch her breath. (Whoever said that having a young child keeps an old parent young should have his or her head examined!) So the first round of climbing was fun and mom got to snap a couple of pictures of Henry in action.

Dad and big brother were in line waiting to do the "Indiana Jones" ride. The tree house provided good distraction and a bit of exertion (mom's hoping that Henry would tire out and, perhaps, take a nap?) As almost all things with Henry, mom's plans meant nothing to him whether he knew it or not. At the end of our second round of climbing the tree house, Dad and Ethan came to find us because they'd done the ride. It's time to move on to the next ride/adventure except Henry disagreed.

Have you ever been to a crowded place where you wish you could just put something down at a parking spot to secure it? Well, I know just the "thing" to do: Take Henry with you and try to convince him why he needs to abandon whatever activity he is happily doing and come with you to do something else or go someplace else. Henry will not have any of it. He will scream at you " I don'ta like it!" (Here you have to imagine the Italian accent.) and if his words don't produce any results, he will simply protesting by flopping down on the concrete ground. Like so:

It's amazing how effective it is to keep people away from you. I wish I'd thought of this when I go shopping at Costco on Saturdays. And what was a mother to do but quickly snap a picture or two? There is a saying and it goes something like this: "Revenge is best served cold," eh? The next picture gives you a better perspective:

Henry did not disappoint those who knew that there ought to be more than one episode of temper tantrums. It happened where the flying Dumbo is. No doubt it is a strange concept for a two-year-old that one must behave civilized and wait in line for rides. The word "patience" means as much as "poop"; and the phrase "Wait your turn" sounds much more like "blah, blah, blah" to Henry. People might tolerate his cutting in line at the tree house, they certainly aren't going to put up with him trying to run ahead and ride Dumbo. Finally we were sitting in the flying Dumbo. Dad was encouraged (and threatened) to take the privilege of sitting with Henry because mom needed a break... uh, no, mom wanted to take pictures. It was a fun ride in all honesty and Henry's laughing and squealing did bring smiles to many faces.

Another ridiculous concept for a two-year-old is: one must get up and leave when the ride is over. Try explain to Henry why he had to get out of Dumbo when it stopped. If you think that "wait your turn" is a hard concept for him; "It's someone else's turn" makes even less sense. And here shown mom's wisdom of having Dad be by Henry. Dad would sooner admit that he adores Snow White than having to admit that the child flopping on the ground is related to him. He wouldn't let it happen. His solution was quite direct and no fuss (except from Henry.)

Henry did not go quietly. He hollered and called out "MAAAAAAAAAAA, PEEEEEEESE" (Translation: Mom, please!) His cold hearted mom just raised up the camera and took pictures of him.