Rumor has it that she kept Macie in her car seat and set a DVD player on the toilet, allowing Macie to watch a baby movie while she sat Indian style in the bathtub and ate a night time snack of pop corn and peanut m n m's. She called Dad and laughed at how silly the two of them must have looked. When she determined that I was "out cold" they ventured back into the main room and got ready for bed themselves, but sleep didn't last long for the Frankwick girls as Macie and I woke up really early. Macie was having a rough night, and being in the same room with her wasn't much fun. The second one of her cries jolted me out of sleep I was up. "Hello Macie" was the first thing I said, the second was "can we go to Disneyland now". Mom told me that the park didn't open for another 5 hours (since it was 5am), so we ate breakfast, watched some cartoons, and cleaned up the room for check out.
It seemed like 9am was never going to come. When it finally did, Mom, Macie, and I all took off for Disneyland. When we arrived outside I was SO excited I could hardly contain myself!!!
Because we got to the park right as it opened we beat a lot of the crowd and were able to walk around and meet some of my favorite Disney characters. Minnie was full of smiles, and so was I as we posed for a picture.
After going to see the Little Einstein show we rode some rides. Here I am in a Chinese Take-out carton on the Ant ride.
Can you believe they let Macie ride as well?!?!? Mom was proud of her for being so brave since the ride went super high and spun around.
After a ride on the caterpillar train I took a break to hang out with my good pal Pluto.
So much excitement, and the day wasn't even close to being over!! When Macie and I were both too exhausted to keep our eyes open Mom placed us in our comfy stroller and we took a much needed 2 hour nap. We woke up refresh and ready to go!
On our way to check out some attractions we ran in to Mickey Mouse himself! It was great to hang out with him for a while- the two of us danced and laughed before I had to give the other friends a turn to greet him.
By the time it was 3:30 I had worked up a HUGE appetite, and was anxious to get to Ariel's Grotto to eat "lunch with the princesses." We arrived a couple minutes early and were escorted into the restaurant where Ariel was waiting. I ran straight for her and greeted her with the biggest hug ever. She was so beautiful I couldn't believe it. I monopolized all of her time, and forgot all about my rumbling tummy until the waiter called me over to my table for lunch.
I was served a lunch of mac and cheese with goldfish in it and wondered why Mom had never served up this fancy cuisine at home- guess its too advanced for her level of expertise. As tasty as it was, I found it hard to concentrate on my meal because everywhere I looked there were princesses!
The first princess to stop by our table was Cinderella. Mom caught me mid bite as I struggled to talk to her while the camera snapped a picture. Mom says that princesses don't talk with their mouths full, Ooops...
Belle came to our table next, and this time I put down my food to smile properly.
Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) was one of my favorites, she was so nice!
After the princesses left, the waiter brought out desert. Check out the platter in front of me- I thought Mom had died and gone to Heaven. Without hesitation, or consideration to acting like ladies, we dove into the desert.
Not wanting Macie to feel left out, Mom let her try her very first taste of chocolate. She loved it, of course, I mean she is a Schafer after all and I believe they carry that gene.
After a whirlwind day of food, fun, and fairy tales, we were pooped! When the sun set and the day turned to night we drove inland to Huntington Beach to see Jeff and Susan!!! I was so exhausted from the events of the day, but nothing could have kept me from running into Jeff and Susan's house to greet them with enthusiasm. After 3o minutes of hellos and hugs, I was forced to retire for the evening.
We spent the morning catching up on the last 8 months of life, and both Jeff and Susan really enjoyed getting to know Macie. At noon we loaded the car and headed back to Disneyland. Macie and I took naps in the car, but the drive was only 20 minutes so I was still in a deep sleep when we arrived. Mom carefully transferred me into the stroller and I slept the whole van ride into the park.
Mom woke me up when we reached "It's a small world." I jumped on Jeff's lap as we got in line for the ride.
The ride was a little overwhelming at first, but Susan helped me sing the song and my apprehension quickly disappeared! By the end of the ride I was singing the whole chorus and wishing we could go back for more. We had the best day at Disneyland riding rides, looking at all the amazing sites, and spending time with one another.
and Macie even got a pin that said "my first Disney visit!"
Needless to say we both crashed as soon as we got to the house and slept through the whole night. We woke up early the next morning ready for some more fun. I entertained Jeff and Susan with some antics that they had been missing for all the months I'd been away.
As usual, they had the house stocked with my favorite cuisine so I dined on nuggets as I ran around the house playing. After I ate breakfast Jeff and Susan surprised me with some unexpected gifts. Mom says that they spoil me way too much, but boy am I glad that they do!!! While Mom and I had been driving some cars at Disneyland, Jeff and Susan had been secretly shopping for me. They bought me all of the princesses; Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Ariel, Tinkerbelle, and Snow White!!! I could not believe my eyes!
Not only did I get gifts from Disneyland, but I also got to open some Christmas presents! I was super excited when I opened an Elmo kitchen for the fridge. Now I can cook with Mom in the kitchen! I don't know what I did to deserve all these wonderful things, but whatever it is I better keep doing it!
Before driving back to San Diego we all went out to McDonalds to eat and burn some steam before our long car ride. Wendy and I played around on the playplace together, and shared some laughs. I really love hanging out with Wendy and can't wait to see her when I get back in the summer!
When the food was gone and I was pooped from all the running it was time to hit the road. It was very hard to say our goodbyes. We LOVE spending time with the Jacklin's and are so grateful that they are a part of our lives.
The next morning I woke up in Grandma Judy's room and concluded that I was back in San Diego. Grandma and I went straight out to the beach, ate a picnic and played in the sand.
Macie was glad to be outdoors, and is looking forward to playing in the sand when she gets big!
Grandma had some work to to that afternoon, so Mom took Macie and I out to Lake Murray for a nap outdoors in the warm sun. When I woke up we went right over to Pa's house to hang out (and when I say 'hang' I mean hang.)
All of us drove over to his baseball field to spend some time together. While I ran up and down the play gym Pa nicely shared some of his orange with Macie and she really enjoyed it. Just like I did when I was little, she kept cooing for more...
When Macie was done with her snack the three of us explored the baseball field. We got to sit in the dugout with Pa and see what it was like to be a ballplayer.
One of my favorite things was taking a walk with Pa around the bases!
At dusk we headed over to the Umbarger's house to say goodbye to the family. As soon as I arrived I went straight for Chloe and chased her through the house. She was super excited to see me and I was glad I finally found someone who could keep up with me!
I had to admit that I was a little envious of Macie when she got to sleep on Chloe's dog bed in the first week of our trip, so Aunt Connie graciously allowed me to snuggle up in Chloe's kennel. I bet Macie's the one whose jealous now...
I had such an amazing time hanging out with my family, and am going to miss them more than I can say.
On our last day in San Diego Mom spent the morning running some errands while Grandma Judy and I went to the Ocean. In the afternoon Mom took us out to La Mesa to say our goodbyes to Pa. Before we got to the park to meet Pa Mom made a pit stop at our favorite Ice Cream place. She was determined to give Macie a few bites to celebrate her upcoming 6 month birthday as she had given me when I was little. At the park we dove into our treats. Macie seemed really excited when she held the cup in her hands,
but seemed unsure as she was tasting it. I think the problem is that Mom got vanilla instead of chocolate...
Macie gave Pa some big hugs, and told him that she was looking forward to seeing him in July when she would be moving and talking (we hope).
I had a harder time saying my goodbye to Pa- I didn't want to leave, and was SUPER sad that I wouldn't be able to see him everyday.
Back at the beach Mom returned our rental car and packed up the house before we went to dinner. I insisted that our last meal in San Diego be eaten at my Sushi place, so Grandma, Macie, and I walked across the street for some rolls.
I ate until my little tummy couldn't take any more. We went back to Grandma's house where I took a bath and passed out. In the morning I was rudely awoken by Mom. Apparently it was time to get dressed and go to the airport. I wasn't too excited to travel, but was eager to get home to see my Dad. We made it to the airport and through security without incident. Like Will, Grandma Judy was able to get a special pass to help us to the gate, so Mom was very grateful. Macie sat in my car seat with Grandma Judy while Mom kept tabs on me as I ran around the terminal.
Time flew by and before we knew it we were called to the gate to board our plane. We gave Grandma Judy big hugs and thanked her for a wonderful trip!
San Diego was AWESOME, and I know that this summer we are going to have tons of fun at the beach. I plan on learning to swim so that I can get on a surf board in July!!
On the plane Macie made herself comfortable in my car seat, while I got to sit in my own seat like a big girl!
Before long I was rubbing my eyes and Mom made me a bed across two seats (she sat on the floor where our feet go). I was out cold a few minutes after my head hit the pillow and slept the whole first leg of our flight.
Despite the cold weather, and 4 feet of cold snow I am glad to be home with my family. Don't get me wrong, I am counting down the days until I get to go back again, but for now I am looking forward to spending some time at home!
