We're Going to Disneyland!

I can't remember when exactly it was that we found out that my parents were going to take our family, and my sisters' families to Disneyland, but I do remember when we told the kids about it.  I debated on whether or not to tell the kids, or to wait and just surprise them.  I ended up deciding to tell them because if I had waited Delaney wouldn't have really understood what it was.

Oh, it was Sunday, October 2 and I didn't realize that we did all these clues with the kids wearing only their swimsuits.  For that time of the year, it just seems so normal.  Now, in December, it seems a little weird!

I wanted it to be special, so we set up clues around the house that left words the kids would have to put together to make a phrase.  Scavenger hunts are so much fun!!!

The first clue stated:

Guess what? In December, we have a big surprise for you.

The surprise is for the family, which include Nana and Papa too.

It would be so fun to tell you, but instead we’ll make you look.

There are clues around the house, could be in a sock, a drawer, or book.

The first clue is hidden in a spot near a door,

But this door doesn’t swing open, it slides across the floor.

 They quickly figured out that this meant it was by the back sliding glass door.

 There, they found the word "We," and the next clue.

 It read:

Way to go, you found your first clue, I’m sure you feel so great,

But don’t get too excited, for the surprise you’ll need to wait.

Another clue awaits you, but maybe you’ll find some luck,

If you go and pick up, a kid-sized monster truck.

 This quickly realized it was Camden's monster truck, but they searched and searched and couldn't find it.

 When the reread the clue, the realized it said "under" and then they found the next clue which contained the word "are".

Delaney just kind of went along with it all! :)

 The next clue read:

Hooray you found the next clue, are you having lots of fun?

Hopefully it’s not raining because you may have to get in the sun.

For the next one please don’t look in the oven or on the wall,

Because the next clue is hidden in the inside of a ball.

They had to think about this one, then they remember the HUGE blue ball in the backyard.

 Inside this clue was the word, "going".  Boy this clue got them thinking!  They first said, "Sunsplash," and, "I hope it says Sunsplash."  At only 1 point, Camden actually said, "Maybe it's Disneyland."  But they dismissed it for the notion of going back to Sunsplash.

 The next clue read:

What great little detectives you are shaping up to be.

It won’t be long before you solve this exciting mystery.

T he next clue is hidden in a place that’s pretty cool.

It’s inside something you need to take everyday to preschool.

 

 This clue was great because it could involve Delaney It was in her backpack.

 The looked through that backpack and just couldn't find it!  It was in the front pouch, which they eventually figured out.

 This clue said, "to".

 And the final clue read:

Are you getting so excited to find out the mystery place?

We can hardly wait to tell you, and see the look upon your face.

A princess will help you with this clue, it was hidden while she slept.

To find it look inside the case where the sleepy princess movie is kept.

We thought this one might be fairly easy, I mean, "Sleepy princess," but we did have to walk them through this one a bit.  I just loved how excited they were to find out what this final clue said.  Once they pieced it together, they ran to where the movies were.

 Searching for the movie...

Still looking...

 Aha, got it!

 What's it going to say?

 It had the following letters, "ney", "Dis", "nd", "la"

 They pieced it together...

 ...and read, "We are going to Disneyland!!!"

 

So exciting!!!

 Camden's back was always to the camera!

Delaney didn't know exactly what it was...

 ...but she was excited to hear that this is where the princesses live!

 After talking about Disneyland, we got out the book we made the last time we went there.  This was when Makenna was 3 and Camden was 2.  I was pregnant with Delaney.  The kids had a great time looking at all the pictures and seeing a little bit about Disneyland.

It was the topic of discussion everyday for the next 2 months.  I loved every minute of it!