Disneyland, Anaheim CA

Today was fabulous. It couldn't have gone more smoothly. The crowds were low, it was a bit overcast - the sun came out later, and the day was incident free (no lost hats or 'lost' lunches!)

Disneyland is an amazing place. Very well staffed, and superbly maintained (as it should be for the entry cost). Everything was clean and ran so smoothly. I am so proud of the kids and how they handled the day. We arrived at 7am to go through security, and collect pre-paid tickets, and left at 5:30pm. The 'Fast-Pass' tickets that enabled us to just turn up at a ride and not wait in line were fantastic. A superb day all round.

Waiting for entry - Halloween themed Disneyland

Oliver's face looked like this all day!

This 'Yoda' backpack was cool!

Another happy child!

Exiting 'Alice in Wonderland' - the batteries ran out after this one, and quite frankly no photo could do justice to the fun we had all day today! It is 'The Happiest Place on Earth!'

Santa Monica LA

SItting at Santa Monica Pier - 23 deg - gorgeous day.
Just donated to the Obama campaign, and am now the proud owner of several Obama badges :)
Low key day in preparation for Disneyland tomorrow.

Hurricane Sandy

Seems we have been very, very lucky.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9639244/Hurricane-Sandy-live.html

Last day in the RV

Spent the day washing, cleaning and re-packing in readiness to return the RV tomorrow, pick up our hire car, and head to our final home in Los Angeles.
The kids were very good and tolerant of our day today, that we took them to see 'Hotel Transylvania' this afternoon. What a great little film that was. We all really enjoyed it.
So what have we learnt about living in an RV for 5 months?

• We don't need a 6 bedroom house to treat each other charitably - though, I do miss the space! 
• The kids all talk in their sleep - Ben and Oliver are best of 'frienemies' even when unconscious.  At least Tori and Phi stop fighting when they are asleep. 
• Sophia and Oliver grind their teeth - unfortunately they get that from me. 
• Give the girls a light source and a book and they are happy well into the wee hours of the night.
• We can live without tv. I knew this. This confirmed it.
• An RV is easier to keep clean than a house.
• Driving on the wrong side, and driving a heavy vehicle, both take about 1 week to get used to, then they feel as natural as breathing.
• We don't need stuff. (Let me clarify that shoes are NOT stuff ... I really missed my shoe collection and cannot wait to get home and reorganise so my many new pairs fit in the closet.)
• There are some dire campgrounds out there, but more often than not, there are some beauties. TripAdvisor and RV reviews are your best friend.
• Living in an RV teaches the kids to put things back where they belong. I hope this lesson is not forgotten too quickly upon our return.
• Make sure you remember your highschool physics - you can get a rather large rock out from between two tyres if you use leverage!
• Schooling on the road is taxing yet greatly rewarding. I know the children have seen and experienced things that conventional schooling just could not offer, and I hope those new learnings can be drawn upon, and contextualised, for the rest of their lives.
• Discretion is the better part of valour ...
• I love my kids.
• I love my husband.

Now, we just have to survive Disneyland on Wednesday, and all will be well!

Los Angeles

Just arrived at Ventura Ranch, our RV park until Monday am, when we return the RV to pick up a hire car and drive to our final homestay. A beautiful 30 degrees here. Blessedly there is a jumping pillow at this park, so we have sent the kids off to jump whilst we clean and pack up.

Joshua Tree CA

We have spent the day at Joshua Tree National Preserve. We began the day with a tour of Keys Ranch, where Mr Keys and his family spent their life in the early 1900s. What a dry, difficult life they lead. Afterwards we drove around the park to various points of interest such as Jumbo Rocks and Chollo gardens. We had a picnic lunch at Hidden Valley in the park and took a short hike there through the rock formations.

Tomorrow we head to Los Angeles. The holiday is, sadly, almost over, and we have about 10 days left until we fly home.

Ranger talk at Keys Ranch

The mountains around here are all boulders - seemingly stacked in impossible formations

On the ranch

Ranch house

Mr Keys collected anything and everything he could find

Joshua Tree

Sophia working on her Ranger Workbook

Chollo Cactus

Mojave Desert CA

Spent most of today driving through the Mojave desert on our way to the Joshua Tree National Park for two nights. Dry, dry, dry .... boring scenery ... and a little more dry to look at. We did break our trip at the Mojave National Preserve Visitor Centre (also dry) for a look around, Junior Ranger workbooks, and a bite to eat.

In the Mojave visitor centre

Diner in the visitor centre

Mojave desert

Mojave desert