So, when we had to decide on another destination, the team decided on California--even though we had just been there last year. The trip would be different, mainly because we wouldn't be competing.
So, the trip began on Friday, March 16. We met at the airport and flew out to California.
Kendrick had went with us last year on the California trip, so he had flown before. But last year, he was only 6 month old. He was a lot easier to manage on the plane. He did ok on this trip, but we got a portable DVD player so he could watch his favorite "Elmo" DVD. The only thing he didn't get, was using the earphones. So, we had to turn the volume way down so we didn't bug everyone else. Most people had earphones in themselves watching/listening to stuff.
We flew on Jet Blue this year. I hadn't ever used Jet Blue to fly to California before. We flew into Long Beach. The airport was under construction and it was the type of airport where we got off of the plane outdoors. It was definitely a small airport!
The bus picked us up from the airport and we headed for the Hollywood/Los Angeles area. Our first adventure was taking classes at the Edge Performing Arts Center.
All of the team went to a hip hop class next. It was taught by Leslie Scott. She is awesome! So inspirational as well as a great hip hop teacher. She is 39 and doesn't look it at all! I thought she was maybe 25 or somewhere in her 20s.
I hadn't ever had a group take classes at a studio in California before. It was a great experience and something I will definitely do again! So much fun and such a good experience for the dancers as well. I think it was very educational. The studio we went to has a lot of famous people that go there and famous choreographers that teach there.
Well, the next day was our Disney workshop and performance. We woke up to a slightly rainy day! Oh great--what would it mean? It could possibly mean our performance would get cancelled? Well, we headed out for the workshop first.
It was St. Patrick's Day, so of course, I had festive shirts for us to wear. We took some pics.
We arrived to the workshop and the first thing they had the girls do, was fill out an audition application. The workshop was an audition simulation, so they made it as real as possible.
Well, near the end of the workshop, our Disney production staff person came in to talk to me. He said that our performance was probably going to get cancelled because of the rain. I said, "Oh, is it raining a lot now?" We walked outside and it was raining sheets of water and the wind was really blowing. So, I thought, wow, there is now way they are going to be able to dance on a stage that is outdoors and only partially covered!
Well, the show ended up getting cancelled and so we changed clothes and they headed back to the main entrance of the park to meet the moms. We were a little bit down about not performing, but what do you do? It is just one of those things. We tried to see if they could reschedule us, but they were not having performance on Monday and we weren't going to be at Disney on Tuesday. So, we didn't get to perform! Oh well, at least we had performed the show at our Pre Tour Show before we left!
Scott and Kendrick had ventured over to Disney to meet us for the performance. It was sorta a nightmare for them to get around with the stroller and everything. Luckily we had bought rain ponchos at home before we left and they were wearing them. But, I needed to get some cheap shoes that I didn't care what happened to so I could wear them around. So, there was a Target across the street that had some shoes that worked out fine.
We changed our clothes and got some lunch at Red Robin, which was right by our hotel and then we headed back into Disney. We figured, we're there, it's raining, but we might as well go do what we can.
One thing in our favor--not very long lines! We headed into Fantasyland to see what rides we could take Kendrick on. First ride--the carousel.
We walked around some more and went on a few more little rides. It started to rain a little bit so we got under a canopy that was over this Dumbo car. So, we took a pic!
I don't think we stayed there too late. Kendrick was getting tired and we didn't want him to get too cold. So we headed back and I fell asleep too!
The next day we were heading up to Six Flags Magic Mountain. This was one of the amusement parks that the girls were really looking forward to!
The weather was not rainy anymore, but it was just a little bit chilly, but not bad. The sun felt good!
Well, there was a "kiddy" section at the park, but not much. We went on a few rides and then hung out in this "ball" house. I don't remember what it was really called, but it had all these places you could put the rubber balls into and then they would eventually fall down from up above and you could pick them up and start all over again!
The next day we went to Disneyland again. We mainly stayed over in California Adventure this time. The weather was much better today and there was more people there!
We went on the Toy Story ride. Luckily, Scott and Kendrick didn't have to stand in line with me. Kim and Kaitlynn Blood and Shantelle and Neisha Martinez were in line and I stepped up with them and then Scott and Kendrick joined us when we got to the front. Kendrick was sleeping anyway.
We had a team dinner that night in Downtown Disney at the ESPN Zone. It was a buffet and was pretty good. The girls also got cards to go play games.
Our last day was at Knotts Berry Farm. Another day of fun riding roller coasters and checking out the sights.
We took Kendrick on a few of the kiddy rides and then we went over to TGI Friday's for lunch. Again, we were trying to kill time--I think next trip we wont go to as many amusement parks! HA HA
We flew back to Salt Lake City that evening and arrived at 10:40 p.m. Yes, we had school the next day. But it was drill first period, so I told them it was up to them if they wanted to come or not. No one came! HA HA
It was a fun trip and besides the weather raining out our performance at Disneyland, everything went well!
One thing I learned, 18 months isn't the best age to take a child to Disneyland. He didn't really understand why we had to stand in line and he would get impatient. I think in a few years he will really like it more!
I'm not sure where the trip will be next year. It will be a competition year, so I may see if they want to try competing in Florida. I haven't ever competed in Florida, so that might be the next adventure!
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