Glorious Two! (Euro Disney)

Oh my goodness! Our son is two years old!

So much has happened this year of Joseph’s life, and we have learned so much about ourselves because of it. I think back eight months to when we put everything on absolute hold and prayerfully agreed to accept Mike’s transfer to Germany.

There were many stressful moments, and all of them highlighted by love and support of family and friends.

Joseph’s birthday at Euro Disney was not only for celebrating him, but also to celebrate the end of our move and success in getting to Germany safe. Yes, we did the "American thing", but it was nothing short of magical. We celebrated Josephs’ life, our move, and our adventures we have enjoyed thus far.

Below is the link to all the details and pictures we took at Disney. If you would like the every day adventures please click on the picture link. There are many more details there.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=evu1dtf.2mg7qxwf&x=0&y=-vfyfw&localeid=en_US&cm_mmc=site_email-_-site_share-_-core-_-view_photos_button

We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and never left the park. From the moment we arrived we were on vacation. The valet took the car and bags and everything started moving around us with nothing for us to do. Daniel did not get to enjoy the park, but because of him, we didn’t have to wait for check-in or in line for rides (Yea Daniel).
Being at the park was an adjustment for all of us. I was much louder, chaotic, and busy than any of us were used to. The noise was Disney induced, not the crowds. The volume everywhere was just very loud to us. Europeans tend to be very quiet spoken and to themselves, although they tend to stand much closer (less personal space). We were a bit amazed by how everyone smokes (and, for some, not just cigarettes - as if Pixie dust weren't enough). And, when I say everyone I mean people of all ages. Teenagers asking for cigarettes from their parents. It is just a different culture.
We had planned a day trip to Paris and the Paris Sea-Life Aquarium, but it rained most of that day. Instead we dedicated our time to indoor rides. The best part about staying in the park was eating at the Disney restaurants. Mike and I were able to go to a nice, adult, restaurant to eat and not have to worry about how our two year old would act. It’s Disney! The wait staff was constantly at the ready with toys, distractions, treats, and cheerful voices.

Mike and I had the most enjoyable dinner out with Joseph ever. We had a view of the park and the perfect view for Joseph…the choo-choo train. The food was so yummy I even soaked up the sauce that was over my lamb with the bread at the table. I wish I could cook like that!

Joseph didn’t know who any of the characters were before we got there (except Mickey).

The first time he realized Mickey Mouse was ‘real’ he was bit by the Disney bug.

It took Joseph all of 30 seconds to figure out that Tigger liked to ‘Mump’ (Jump). They had a few good jumps together each day.

The funniest thing for Mike and I was when Joseph would dismiss the characters he didn’t care for. He would quietly and politely watch the first few moments of mime, hold his hand up slowly and say ‘No, no. Nooooooooooo! If the mime continued, Joseph would interrupt with ‘Hey… Hey… no-no-no. Bop, K? (Stop. Ok?)’. Finally Joseph would issue his ‘Bye bye’

He has no problem expressing what he wants.

The list of victims who fell to Joseph’s harsh criticism include non-other than Japedo, Pinocchio, Donald Duck, Mini Mouse, Boatswain Smee, Capt. Hook, Snow White, and a few we don’t even know the names of. By the end he was in love with Mickey, Tigger, and Goofy. He would run to them with excitement. Pluto became his best friend, once Joseph understood he was actually Mickey's dog.

On the way home we took the day to see Notre-Dame De Reims Cathedral (Our Lady of Reims) in Champagne, France in the city of Marne. This is the setting for Victor Hugo’s Hunchback ‘Quasimodo’ and the crowning place of several French King’s. It is also the second most adorned building in all of Europe and one of the oldest Archbishop seats. We didn’t plan too much; we just set the GPS and drove. Luckily, we walked right in while an English tour was being given to a small group of Americans.

The Cathedral, it’s history, and all of the adornments could easily be a blog entry or two of it’s own. There were chapels dedicated to Our Lady of Reims, St. Theresa, St. Joseph, Sacred Heart, Joan of Arc, and several others. It was beautiful, breathtaking, and amazing. Going to the Cathedral was the perfect ending to a perfect trip and not a bad way to get reenergized about the Easter season and how blessed we all are.

Pictures of Notre-Dame De Reims:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=evu1dtf.3nurcom7&x=0&y=-kh9omg&localeid=en_US&cm_mmc=site_email-_-site_share-_-core-_-view_photos_button

Pictures of Euro Disney (same link as above):
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=evu1dtf.2mg7qxwf&x=0&y=-vfyfw&localeid=en_US&cm_mmc=site_email-_-site_share-_-core-_-view_photos_button