Season of Sweet

When you mix us, the Messingers, sugar and alcohol together ... things can get a little crazy. That's pretty much what happened last week when the Messingers invited us over to make candy houses. It was, overall, a sweet time.

 

 

  

Happiness at the Happiest Place on Earth

I've written before about why we hadn't taken out kids to Disneyland. And frankly, I'm so glad we waited. I was a little skeptical about even this trip when, after telling the kids two days before that we were taking them out of school to go, Riley was sad. Not only was scared about the rides, but he didn't want to miss a day with his beloved teacher, who he was already sad about not seeing the week of Thanksgiving that was coming up. Luckily, by the time the day came around, he was adequately, albeit skeptically, excited.

Although we may have missed a more fantasmic, magical time period when rides like Small World or Peter Pan would have thrilled and satisfied - Disneyland with 6-year-old Riley and 8-year-old Holden was more a dream than we could have ever imagined the long-awaited, built-up, rite-of-passage, life-changing event to be. But to take these two through the park, stroller and whine-free was worth waiting for. While parents with kids crashed in strollers waited for the lame rides they paid so much money to go on while their child slept through it, we seamlessly went from line to line ... excitement brewing at every chain-linked maze we entered.

This was all true, even though the Disneyland we visited was not the Disneyland of my childhood in many ways. Tomorrowland is all changed around. Gone are the People Movers and Journey Into Innerspace. Even the rocket ships took on a new look and were in a different location. We hit it first, though. It was a good way to get our toes wet.

Next, we went to Star Tours. No amount of describing the ride could prepare the kids for the 3-D, barf-inducing thrill that awaited them. Riley sat still next to me, legs folded on his seat, trying to not slip around. Three seats down, I heard Holden yell: "This is AWESOME!"

Next, we went to Space Mountain. I thought there was no way Riley would get on this ride. But he never balked. Sure, he was scared and worried and still talking about how he'd never go on Star Tours again. But, even as Brenny pitched a fit about getting in line and ditched out before the ride, Riley seemed dedicated to the ride. He was with Kevin while I had a very excited Holden next to me. Holden was sure he knew all about one of the park's most popular rides, and felt prepared. He was not. "Nobody said it would be like this!" he yelled to me as we twisted and turned, climbed and dropped, in the dark. I offered him my hand which he quickly took. It was the kind of thrill that brings people to roller coasters - you're scared, you're not sure you enjoyed yourself, but you're proud that you survived. Riley also declared that ride off his list.

From there, we took it slow with Autotopia before having lunch and watching the Jedi Training Show. We got in one of the longest lines of the day for the Submarine Ride - now named Nemo's Voyage or something lame like that. As he had throughout the day, Riley questioned what was real and what was fake during the entire ride. Not wanting to take away the magic that Disneyland provides, I hesitated to tell him the truth. But, after a half day of "That's not real, right?" I told him to just assume nothing at Disneyland was real except the ground we walked on, the air we breathed and the water we splashed through.

Next up was Matterhorn. I thought no way for Riley, especially since we saw they changed the seats in the bobsled so everyone sits alone. It had been at least 15 years since I had been to Disneyland, and my memory of that ride was clearly not accurate. It was way scarier than I remembered. Especially the beginning with all the noise and the dark. Not being able to reach or see Riley was stressful, and I commented over my shoulder to Kevin behind me that we surely were The Worst Parents in the World for putting our kid on this ride. During a quiet moment, I was able to call out, "Ra? You OK?" His voice, strong from in front of me, yelled, "Yeah!" 

And, just like that, the kids were hooked on roller coasters. Holden balked at even going on Small World, but I thought Riley would enjoy it. Then, Riley said it was a boring "baby" ride. I was disappointed with it because, like all of Disneyland, it was changed for the holiday season. Nothing says inclusiveness and small world like little Islamic children singing Jingle Bells. Nice move, Disney. We felt the same way about the Haunted House. A childhood favorite I couldn't wait to revisit, I was more than disappointed by the Nightmare Before Christmas theme that took it over. While I had never seen the Tim Burton flick, I didn't think seeing it would have changed the bad taste I had over having "There's always MY way out" replaced with "Happy Holidays!" Shame on you, Disney.

The biggest fear of the day came from the pirates' pistols on Pirates of the Carribean. Riley wouldn't believe me when I said they weren't real. The Jungle Cruise's corny jokes didn't disappoint me, at least!

We took one more spin on the Matterhorn before hitting the candy and souvenir shops. We exited the park for dinner at Downtown Disney, scoring an outside table that allowed us to watch the fireworks. Last 4th of July, fireworks drove Riley inside. This time, he obsessed for nearly an hour, wanting to go inside before they started. But when they did? Boom. He was hooked, declaring fireworks "awesome."

All-in-all, it was a magical, happy day at the Happiest Place on Earth - the Magic Kingdom. 

The Little Team That Could

Despite a preseason record that was something 1-8, Holden's U10 Golden Sabers played fabulously enough to go from last to first in their second tier bracket. That earned them a spot in the quarterfinals Friday night - a feat none of us thought possible in those early days of fall.

They played a mighty tough game against the Blue Thunder and held their own. Ultimately, they lost 1-0. Each player improved so much during the season and they should be proud!

Is Santa Real?

The murmurings had been there for weeks, maybe even months. "I'm not sure if I believe in Santa," Holden mumbled one evening while I was reading "Henry Huggins" to him and Riley. Henry, the Beverly Cleary character, is about Holden's age - maybe a little older - and was also questioning the existence of Santa, the Tooth Fairy and all the wonderful, magical creatures who make children dream, and give parents ammo to ensure good behavior.

As we near closer to winter, Holden's musings on the existence of Santy Claus came faster. He'd raise his doubts without warning, in passing, with his brother - still full of wonder and belief - nearby. "Shhhh..." we'd say and whisk him out of his brother's earshot. "Let's talk about it later," we'd add, hoping we wouldn't have to.

But today, as we enjoyed one of our favorite family holiday rituals, Holden couldn't quell his doubts any longer. We were going through Grandma Sheila's dozens of boxes, lovingly removing the ornaments she's collected over the years. We love hearing where each came from and hanging our favorites at the front of the tree. Holden, though, walked away from the activity he's looked forward to for weeks. When he returned, he asked to speak to me privately.

We went in the other room and he said, "I have to know. Are you and Dad Santa Claus?"

"Well," I said hesitantly (after all, I'm the Jew in this relationship, I didn't sign on for the job of quashing kids' dreams). "What do you think?"

"I don't know," he said quietly. "I want to believe, but I also want to know the truth."

So I sent him to get his Father.

They returned and I told Kevin what Holden and I were discussing. He looked at me. I shrugged.

"OK, Holden. You're right," he admitted.

Holden's eyes got teary, as did mine. It was as if, in that moment, we were mourning a little piece of his childhood, and we all felt it.

He agreed to keep the secret, for Riley's sake, and to not talk about it at school. We explained how, although Santa may not be real, the magic and hope the character creates is. And, at this time of year, it's nice to have him be a part of the season - representing giving and filling children's dreams.

Holden got it, and returned to the living room to continue decorating the tree. Then, he made a big show of making his wish list for Santa, and got Riley inspired to do the same. He asked if he could be in on the Santa plan this year. He doesn't realize it, but he already is.

Kickin' It

Soccer Season Fall 2012 is well under way. AYSO continues to not disappoint by being the most disorganized youth sports organization around.

Holden is on the Golden Sabers, in the U10 Boys division. He likes playing goalie and is really, really good at it.

Riley is a U6 player on the Red Dragons. He still lacks focus, but has made huge improvements since last year and is having a good time.

Riley's 6th Birthday Party

Jumping around at Scooter's Jungle: