The Smarmy Guy

The covid fiasco story. I booked 5 pcr tests in Hollywood. When we got there we sat and I filled in 5 pages of information for each of us. Phew. Then the nurse came and said "oh, you're Canadian. We don't have the test you need". Ah, but I called and was assured you did. Then this guy comes out from the back and there is a bunch of whispered communication between them. Then we were told, we can do your tests but they're 149 each. I had booked 89 each. Which apparently was no longer available. I called the number on my appointment schedule and detailed the issue with my name and number. Then I saw the guys eyes and knew that I'd just called him directly. He and I both know that the test is 200plus anywhere else. So I start bargaining. Eric doesn't know that we're stuck dealing and is mad and trying to get kids in the car to leave. He had Jia sneak a picture of him. Now she is a super spy. She even got a picture of his car and license plate. After bartering hard we settled on 109 per person. I had to redo the paperwork for each of us.  We were there an hour. The tests took seconds. He was a total creep for sure. It was an unpleasant way to end our time in Los Angeles. Eric and I discussed openly in front of him that his new price point made it close enough to equal to stay in the US three more days of hotels and food. Which we could have done if the house sitter could stay. The creep had no idea that Canada border testing was ending in April 1st. He asked me if that was for real and was clearly distressed by the information.  Three other Canadians came while we were there. One stormed off. One was ok with the upcharge but couldn't get his results in time for his flight so was instructed to do it at the airport for 249. Third guy was in a heated debate when we left. Totally nuts.

So, because the situation was so questionable. When Luk started sneezing at home and had a slight cough we tested him at home. Still negative. Then in further questioning he said that his mouth was itchy. So his hay fever has hit him and we kept him home for it. Sigh. Eric explained to the principal today and Luk is allowed back tomorrow.  

Home/Covid rules.

We got our information from the border on our obligations re:covid. Which I had thoroughly read before we left. Then again as we entered Canada. Also an email just arrived this morning. Zero mention of masks required.

We sent the boys to school. Unmasked. The school masked them and sent an email stating they have to mask for 14 days. No big deal it's just a mask. But how and why did that change so suddenly.  How dumb. People around us here in Canada with covid and no mask required and only have to isolate for 5 days. We however, all healthy, who have been isolated and social distanced from everyone, tested negative and have no sign of covid have to wear a mask for 14 days. ?  Logic? Is there any logic left?  What happens on April 1st? 

Puppies

This is my trio with Jessica.  Not sure they missed me ;)  

We get to see them soon.  Just boarding the ferry.  

2nd Quick Update.

21 hours of driving. Eric did it all.  My hero.

We made it over the border at 7pm.  We're ensconced in the cutest hotel by the water in Tswassen. It's old. An actual key. Full kitchen, two rooms.  I'd come here again.  

Our covid tests were all negative. I spent 40mins on the phone chasing them down when we were a couple hours from the border.

I'm finally feeling a bit better. Having baby biscuits and yogurt tonight.

The only ferry reservation left was for 7am.

Best get some sleep ;)

I'm insanely excited to see the critters.

Quick Update

We're on the way home. Made it to Redding last night.  Took an hour to get covid tests with a shyster, total scummy situation.  Hopefully we get the results this sfternoon. Separate blog post about that later.

Then of course, the stress hit me hard and I had a brutal chrones day and night.  Kids and Eric were great about leaving me alone. Eric took care of Luk for me. Today is better but not great yet.  Sipping liquids today.  We could have driven longer last night but the fam took mercy on me and put me to bed while they took off and found dinner. I'm pretty dehydrated and shaky. Lots of napping today since I was up most of the night.  

Google says 7 1/2 hours to the border.

Universal

I'm not in the right head space to be all ra ra Universal.  We had a good day.  It was crowded. It was crazy hot. Half of the staff seem to understand the trials and tribulations of moving significant special needs kids around the park. Others do not.  When I'm home my plan is to write a descriptive rendition of our day. When I can rattle it all off on a keyboard.  They need some training and they need to work harder at accessibility and adaptions.  Phew. Perhaps the staff could all push a chair through crowds, up and down the hills for a while. Or wait in the full sun for a shuttle.

This never gets old.

This place really needs hours to explore.

Butterbeer!!

Kai uses our pockets a lot. Too sweaty to hold hands. We've been passing him back and forth for all of the park days.

Boys were in the bathroom so she played games. Crazy.  The people watching is amazing in Harry Potter land.

Blue!

This is the closest she's ever gotten to Blue. Haha.  Eric had to use a shuttle to get the boys down to the bottom lot. It took over a half hour!! So Jia and I had lots of time to spend with Blue and Tango.

This was exciting. We met Blue's baby sister Tango.  She's 6 months old and completely adorable. They are crazy realistic.

Bart is reaching...

And gave Jia a wet willy in her ear.

Haha. 

We were the last for photos. Scooby-Doo ran after us and gave Luk a kiss and Daphne handed him a pin.

Recreating.

Just having a chat.

We're sooo done at this point. We were waiting for our text from Forest Gump. Eric's favorite.  Cold drinks were soooo appreciated.

What a fun room!  Staying in Hollywood tonight.  

Covid tests tomorrow morning and then the long drive home.  I definitely need some naps.

Last day Disneyland

We arrived early and were totally precisioned on our app and finished the last few rides.  Kai was asking to be done.  Luk was in pain and we had to visit the nurse for Tylenol. That nurse at the medical center was the first one we've met who was familiar with a cecostomy! We had lunch ordered so we stayed to eat and watched a parade from our table. Dumb luck. Kai was screeching through the whole thing. Jia wanted to play more and she didn't get beinets or frozen lemonade yet so she was a tad sad to leave. Eric or I could have stayed with her but it was a mere 31 degrees at 11:30 so we were happy to leave.  We're back in the room with cold drinks, snacks and air conditioning :)

We shopped on our way out. Luk had a tough time finding something.  He doesn't play anymore. He's not a collector. He's too young to want clothes. He found a magnet Baby Groot shoulder pal :)

Kai found a Star Wars figurine set.

Jia already bought her vest but then found a Nick Wild.  

Eric and Luk bought me my first Loungefly bag!! It's too exciting. I've wanted one for years and years. Luk and Eric found some cash on the ground so I got to pick one out without guilt.  It was a really tough choice. Then on the way out I was wearing it and I heard a young girl behind me say she wanted a Grogu bag next.  I turned around and said "did you see my new bag?". She grinned.  Her dad said yes she wants that one next she already has four. I told her I was 56 and this was my first Loungefly.  So fun.

Goodbye Disney.

I've moved my stuff over. I am planning to take it into Universal tomorrow. Wrong character/place.  Oh well.  I might use it at home for a while too ;)  I even teased the kids that I'd be napping with it.  

Disneyland

We had a great Disney day.  We're exhausted.  The heat and walking have sapped us.  Kai fell asleep on Small World. I've looked and looked for this little house for years.  Found it by accident today. He's a little leprechaun that lives there.

Today was record breaking.

Thunder Mountain

Smugglers Run

Rise of the Resistance

Splash

Winnie the Pooh

Haunted Mansion

Indiana Jones

Tiki Room 

Jungle Cruise

Small World

Matterhorn.

Phew.

We're at Coco's Bakery waiting for dinner.  The hotel is across the street.  I'm pretty sure that after Luk's flush I'll be putting myself to bed super early.  I'll post pictures after my nap ;)

Minnie Mouse at the entrance, for the first time ever.  Celebrating women.  It was a big moment.  

Galaxies Edge.  Rey is behind us.

Love him. Miss the hugs.  He waved.

In an actual line. We were in a virtual line for Rise of the Resistance and we were able to do a stand by line for Smugglers Run while we waited. My wish for a teaching lesson for Luk happened.  He actually said "I regret how I acted, please do all virtual lines Mom".  A bit later we were in a hallway and someone farted ahead of Luk and I.  Full disclosure it could have been Kai. It was bad.  Really bad.  Luk is at butt level.  He looked at me in horror and said "please Mom, use the pass, use the virtual line".  Haha.  

In the DAS line, you're still in a line but it's considerably shorter and it constantly moves. 

Jia draws non stop. The line was slow so she drew and talked about the drawing, in detail. 

Inside the Milenium Falcon.

The picture didn't turn out, but it's funny.  We have to really keep our eye on Kai.  He will touch anything. It's still possible he'd eat found food. We worry he'll wander.  We almost always are hanging onto him.  Eric and I pass him back and forth. In this moment I told him he could touch buttons and he went into a super serious, over the top frenzy of button pushing.  Then we had a bit of a struggle getting him to stop when it was our turn to fly.

Jia wanted this vest last time we were here.  I didn't like that it was First Order.  She didn't forget and insisted on spending her money.  It is cute on her.  She also requested a crop top yesterday.  She went to Walmart with Eric last night so she could shop.  Another new look for her.  

Jungle Cruise. Possibly Kai's favorite  He loved all the puns.  We're not totally sure Kai wants to be here. He's happier at the hotel. He's been an amazing trooper.  Not much complaining.  

I spend a fair amount of time on the Disneyland app.  I haven't been taking many pictures.  Most of these are from Eric. Who doesn't normally take photos.  Oh, and he wants everyone to know he's not wearing a fanny pack...it's a utility belt.  Lol.

Another Disneyland day tomorrow.