The candles on my 40th birthday cake have long been snuffed out & the 40 pink bras adorning my front yard disappeared.
Much to the surprise of my daughter who at first was horrified and beside herself that they were even there to begin with.
Much to my surprise gosh darn it, turning 40 wasn’t nearly as bad as I imagined it was going to be.(That one surprised me) if anything it’s better. It’s been One surprise after another!
First my hubby surprised me with a this gorgeous necklace
Can you see why this little sparkler left me speechless?!?
Then throw in a whirl wind “40th birthday trip” to the happiest place on earth!
Yes, we went to Disneyland.
Without the kids.
At Halloween!
It feels like forever ago even though we have been home a few days already.
Because we have young children any “surprise” trip really isn’t much of a surprise. child care needs to be arranged and schedules need to be adjusted so I knew before hand we were sneaking off without the kids.
The hard part was not telling the kids until the night before we left.
One of my daughters worries and frets over every thing so we walk a fine line between giving her just enough information and not giving her too much. She’s the kid that if you tell her you’re going to grandma and grandpa’s house in two weeks she’ll pack five minutes later and then worry that she hasn’t packed appropriately.
I’m usually the one that does the vacation planning and prep but because it was a surprise all of that was taken out of my hands and my hubby planned everything.
The day we left I was scrambling to and find eTicket’s Hidden in my husband’s email along with catching up on a mountain of dirty laundry and packing for a California adventure.
That still small voice prompted me to check over our travel documents and because I listened we avoided some glitches along the way.
for example: our nationality change from Canadian to Danish. I wonder what my name sounds like in danish?Can you imagine explaining that at customs?
another mistake that could’ve been more costly were our “included transfers” from the airport to our hotel. Luckily I caught that one early and had a chance to contact WestJet vacations so they were the ones that had to scramble to find us a new shuttle service. (the original company last shuttle for the day left an hour before we were scheduled to landed.) Oops!
I don’t even want to know how expensive a cab ride would be from LAX to Anaheim would be.
When the west jet ticket agent learned we were traveling for my birthday she changed our seats and bumped us up to the “plus seats”. we enjoyed more leg room, free food & alcohol beverages from Calgary to LAX.
(Which by the way is the best way to fly ever.)
Normally I love to fly but this trip was exceptionally rough.
The first leg of our adventure I was convinced that I was coming down with a sinus infection. The pressure behind my eyes and nose felt like my entire face was going to explode!
The second leg of our flight wasn’t any better and the pain seeped into my gums and left ear.
Awe-some.
We found the nearest pharmacy first thing the next morning for homeopathic ear drops ( seriously America! haven’t you guys heard of Polysporin eardrops? they work like a dream?!?) more Motrin for pain and Anbesol to rub on my gums.
I felt like a hot mess. Seriously, how attractive could I have possibly have been when I am reminding my hubby I need him to drop my ear. *shakes head*
But I didn’t let and of that destroy my three day Disney vacation!
Last November we had a chance to see California Adventure and Disneyland all decked out in their Christmas finery so this was our first chance to get a glimpse of Halloween in the park.
Unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to go to Mickey’s Halloween party because the tickets for that sold out months ago.
But I have to say Disneyland without kids is a unique experience!
We enjoyed two character breakfasts { One at the California Grand and the other at Paradise Pier}
We had a meet and greet with ” Elsa and Anna” (Frozen).
Rode on all the rides that we didn’t get a chance to go on last time when we with the kids.
I had to laugh, my husband claims he isn’t a ride guy but he actually is!
We ate more ice cream then I do in an entire year, we laughed and enjoyed the silence of just the two of us.
I had a great time even though I was doped up on pain meds.
We rented a car and took a day trip to Santa Monica where we walked along the beach found the original location for muscle beach and got more ice cream on the pier.
We drove down rodeo drive and gawked at the fancy expensive stores and drove thru Beverly Hills.
You know just a bunch of touristy stuff the day before we had to go.
I finally felt that I was unwinding and relaxing and then we had to fly back!
Thankfully the plane ride back wasn’t as awful as the ride there which was a blessing.
We both were super excited to see the kids and hear all about their adventures while we were away.
A quick trip to the doctors the first day home and I learned the ear drops and sinus medication were useless.
No sinus infection.
No ear infection. She recommended a trip to the dentist. Did I mention I hate the dentist?
I see the dentist Monday for X-rays to rule out an infected tooth. (Ugh) who knew a tooth could hurt THAT much!
Because we were gone during Halloween we never carved a jack-o-lantern or purchased outrageous amounts of candy. no one was going to be home and it seemed wasteful and unnecessary.
But the kids didn’t miss out on anything while we were gone.
They went trick or treating in the mall with their big sister so they didn’t have to wear their snowsuits with the I costumes.
They had a Halloween candy hunt over at Nani and Gwa’s (grandma and grandpa’s) house and rounded out the evening with carving a double sided pumpkin.
The halloween candy is bagged and except for sneaking the odd piece Or two I have managed to miss most of the Halloween craziness.
So now … obviously the holiday madness begins to hit levels of pure crazy!
Already my friends on Facebook have been reminding me I have just weeks to shop and plan for Christmas.
The stores are overflowing with all sorts of Christmas goodies. We have “started” but we have three birthdays to get thru first!
Tomorrow my youngest turns 4 and I’m procrastinating.
I have a castle cake to bake, cool for an hour and then decorate.
And a dozen cupcakes to bake and frost.
And loot bags to buy and stuff. And a party menu to plan…
Which isn’t going by itself…
Now would be an ideal time for my fairy godmother to show up!
sounds like you had a great time. I would love to go to Disney by myself without the kids but that’s not going to happen anytime soon. 🙂
Looks like a great birthday, and the necklace is gorgeous! Hope you have a wonderful year!
A cake castle? I so want to see photo’s, sounds really neat!
It sounds like a fun birthday. Disney with just adults must be fun.
Your getaway sounds so much fun. I’m glad you took some time for just the two of you before all this holiday chaos ensues!
Happy Birthday. Disney is so wonderful. Helps to keep us young.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Sounds like it was an awesome one for sure! I had a mini meltdown on my 40th… I just couldn’t attach that # to me… now, at 45, I’m staring at the 5 # and well, the view from 40 doesn’t seem so bad after all 🙂
We went to Disnyland for our Honeymoon and again for my daughters 7th birthday. I love it there! What a great birthday trip!
You are one lucky girl! That necklace is absolutely stunning.
Wow, todays my bday and I would love love love to go to Disneyland. Great thing to start planning for next year I guess. I’m glad you enjoyed your 40th! Stay young!
Happy Birthday!!
Hope your day was amazing 🙂
happy birthday! I have been renadig your blog for years literally la. Commented for a few times but since I had changed my usernames so you probably don’t rmb me! Wanted to type Chinese but since I am at the office I have to do it quickly before my boss catches me xD. I agree with you, we don’t have to have any grand plans to be happy. Just follow ur heart!
The hubs and I go to Epcot sans kids for my bday every year! Kids of ALL ages have a blast at Disney! 🙂
Awesome!
We have never been to Epcot or DisneyWorld for that matter.
I heard it was HUGE and you needed at least 7 days to cover it all.
Is that true?
Or were they exaggerating?
Happy Birthday. Sounds like a fabulous trip.
Thanks so much!
We had a really great time.
I would trade a day of California rain over the snow we have here today in a heart beat!
Happy 40th Birthday to you! It sounds like you had an exciting and memorable day!
Oh my goodness, what a fabulous birthday. I am freaking out about turning 35 and just hope it is as great as your day
Happy Birthday! When I turned 40 last year I did not take it too well, amazingly I do not feel like I am in the 40’s.
Happy 40th birthday! Sounds like you had a great celebration!
You sound busy! lol…I’m so glad you had a mini-getaway and got to celebrate 40, my fellow 40 year old! 🙂
Disney without the kids sounds fun – except for the kids, lol. Sounds like you had a great birthday!
Wow you sure had an eventful trip. Thank you for sharing this with us. Hope you are feeling better and Happy Birthday.
Happy Belated Birthday to you! It sounds like an unforgettable celebration and I have to admit, there is NO place I’d rather be for my birthday than any Disney park! Also, I’m super jealous of your flight upgrade….what an extra special perk and fun way to travel in style.
I so love that you went there on your own, what a fun bday present.
Happy Birthday! Honestly I start reading your blog for over a year as a CD-Rom but your aictrle is always refreshing & enjoyable to me. Keep it up, have faith about what you are doing then good times definitely will come anytime. Enjoy your big day!
That necklace your hubby got you is gorgeous. He has great taste.
How cool of hubby to plan such an amazing getaway. Sorry you had some bumps along the way and ewww… dentist. I’m with you on that not being my favorite place to go.