I often times sit back and marvel at Elsa's life; to think of all she has seen and witnessed. She has known hardship, and she has experienced grief. She understands more about life - and the harsh realities that accompany it - than most children at seven years of age. But childhood shouldn't be about grief and pain, it should about imagination and whimsy, wonder and color, hope and happiness.
In short, it should look something like this:
[Elsa Lelise, arriving at Disneyland for the first time, August 5, 2014.]
[Thumbs up from the birthday boy, Donald, as we wait to board the Jungle Cruise.]
[Her first ride! I'm pretty sure she thought all the animals were real.]
[Disneyland is perfection.]
[Teacups.]
[Dumbo.]
On day one at Disneyland we rode:
- Jungle Cruise
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Tarzan's Tree House
- The Haunted Mansion
- Peter Pan
- Carousel
- Mr. Toads Wild Ride
- Dumbo
- Teacups
- Matterhorn
- Big Thunder Railroad
And after the sun set...fireworks.
And that's what childhood is all about.
***Even though she didn't make it into any of these pictures, Elisabeth was in fact there and enjoyed riding many-a-ride herself!
