M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

My love-hate relationship with Disney started when the term "Disneyfication" was introduced to me in my communications class in college. Which was once the happiest place on earth was deconstructed and mutilated by sociology professors. But who can't love a cheerful mouse? As such it is, having small children brings you back to the mouse and its idealized world. It's just all fun, perfect, and beautiful. So, we went two days in a row to Downtown Disney for some fake cheer...and it worked!

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We met up with our friends Kim and Rob, OC Dental Couple of the Year.

It was like summer. Jamba Juice, I've missed you too!

Fernando as Nimmie, as Paloma calls her.

We found a really cool store called D Street, which has offbeat, vintage Disney products, even from underground artists. Disney, you got me again!

How cool is this Mickey.

Disneyfied caramel apples? You're killing me. Too cute!

P and I in front of the Lego store.

Woody, our buddy in a sort of pixelated appearance.

I also learned in my classes that the large circle with two smaller circles is the most recognized icon in the world. Paloma will even say "Mickey" if she sees something close to it. Scary!

Perfectly placed palm trees wave across the blue skies. Oh, and the kettle corn smelled so sweeeeet.
Day 2. We had lunch at the House of Blues. P colors and gets in touch with her inner child, which wasn't difficult to do.

It was even hotter this day. Jamba saved us again.Smell the urban happiness.
P makes a wish.
It's that lovable character again.

The magic of plaster made us feel like we were in front of the Mayan pyramid.

Driving the boats.

From a distance, Paloma got excited to see one of her favorite shapes looming ahead in gigantic form.

"'tar!!" (That's "star".)

Giving the star a hug. Ah, life's simplicities.
'twas fun!