When Peter Pan is asked how he flies, he has to stop and think. He realizes that "you think of a wonderful thought". The chorus of voices then sings to us that to "think of the happiest things" is the "same as having wings". That's how you fly. Musically they remind us that "when there's a smile in your heart, there's no better time to start". Our hearts are smiling with love for our girls and we find that our hearts fly a lot in this little family. Never Land has nothing we don't have - it's all right here.
(Guest columnist Anna)
A wonderful thought? Hmmmmmm. How about a nice day with Mommy or Daddy? That's my wonderful thought. On Saturday I spent a fun day at home with Daddy all to myself. I held my own bottles to drink and ate turkey, pears and sweet potatoes along with my cereal. We played and sang songs and practiced crawling. Daddy knows I like to try walking with his help, too. I napped a little but was having too much fun to do it for long. We giggled and talked and I played peek-a-boo. In case you don't remember how to play, I'll tell you. I hear "Where's Anna?" and I pull the blanket or cloth up to my forehead and then pull it down - so fast. Then I just smile and wait for Daddy to say "Peek-a-boo!" We sent pictures to Mommy and Hallie on Mommy's phone and they sent them back so we could share our fun days. Daddy and I got to hear all about the fun they were having too!
Mommy took Hallie to Hollywood to see
Peter Pan at the refurbished
El Capitan Theatre. They had reserved seats which meant no waiting in line and, popcorn and a drink for each of them. When they got there, Hallie showed her ticket to the usher and she and Mommy were led by flashlight to their seats in the front row! No big people to block Hallie's view - how lucky! Before the show they got to listen to the world champion organist play on the grand, gilt theatre house organ. When the performance was done, the organ and the organist were lowered right into the stage! What a surprise they had when the lights went down! At the sound of some tinkling bells, they saw a green light flickering around the theatre and when it landed, the stage lit up to show a castle with Tinker Bell herself flying and showering pixie dust and sparkles of magic. At the end of her flight, they were showered with pixie dust (and they quickly tried to cover their popcorn). Then the curtains went up and the magic began. they were riveted throughout and laughed and cheered with the rest of the families there to enjoy a classic. They applauded when the movie was over and had big smiles on their faces as they retraced their steps up the aisle.
But, the fun wasn't over yet...it was time for lunch.
Right next door is the
Disney Studio Store and Soda Fountain. At counters, tables or window, you can enjoy old fashioned Sundaes and, get this, Phosphates! Sandwiches, salads and chili bowls round out the food choices served there. Soon Hallie and Mommy were seated at the counter and checking out the menu. After coloring, and enjoying a Chicken Caesar Salad (Mom) and a Mickey shaped grilled cheese and fruit (Hallie), they enjoyed a Lost Boys Sundae
complete with cannon balls, pixie dust and a gummy crocodile. They watched it being made and had so much fun diving into the whipped cream for scoops of chocolate chip ice cream and hot fudge, hoping for a (malted milk) cannon ball. There was even time for a game of hide and seek between Hallie and the soda jerk. He had fun making her squeal and giggle as he popped up and disappeared in various spots around the soda machines. She didn't mind being called Tinker Bell by the employees either.
And, the story would not be complete without mentioning the trip back to the parking structure at
Hollywood and Highland As the girls were eating their sundae, sheriff deputies appeared and the street was blocked off to accommodate a protest march down Hollywood Blvd. Chanting people with banners and American flags were briefly filling the street to respond to someone demonstrating at the end of the block. It had cleared by the time Mommy and Hallie left the lunch counter (much to Mommy's relief) and they headed out to cross the boulevard. In true Hollywood Blvd. fashion, there was more to see. They passed a man being handcuffed as a man-headed Chewbacca gave his story to someone writing on a notepad. Mommy was distracted by a rainbow-wigged clown making balloon animals and when they made it across the street, she looked away from the clown to nearly bump noses with Sleeping Beauty! The third in the trio of, need I say, "oddballs" was an extremely gluttonous Elvis in jumpsuit posing with tourists. Mom was very sad that they were not close enough to each other for her to be able to get a picture postcard shot of the real Hollywood. They finally made it safely out of the depths of the parking structure and while waiting for the light to change, had a final glimpse of the greatness that is L.A. On the corner was, johnny-come-lately to the party, Spider-man. He clearly was waiting for his buddies to cross the street because, waiting for the same light, were Superman and Gene Simmons (complete with make-up and guitar) Ahhhhhhh, Hooray for Hollywood! What do you suppose their wonderful thoughts are?
What are your wonderful thoughts?
