From Belle to Hogwarts.

 Day 3 was our "make your dreams come true" day. Sure, the entire trip was like that but this day we really planned for the kids to have their own, special time. So, we split up! I went back to Disneyland with Lucy, Simon and Kathy while Matt and Carter boarded a bus to go to Universal Studios for the day. Carter has been obsessed with Harry Potter since reading the entire series last year and couldn't pass up an opportunity to visit Hogwarts. Having some boy time together was perfect for the two of them.
It's funny, but even at Disneyland, only having 2 kids instead of 3 felt so much easier! Kathy was able to help with Simon when Lucy wanted to go on a "big kids" ride, they took turns taking naps so we could let each one do special things one on one and we were able to take the day a little slower since we got there an hour before the main gates opened to the public.

 The ride lines were so short in the morning we walked on to about 4 different things!

 Lucy wasn't so sure about Splash Mountain (after her Space Mountain adventure!) but after riding it once and giggling the entire time we HAD to run back in line and do it again! Luckily, there wasn't a line yet so we literally walked right back on the ride for a 2nd turn. So.much.fun.

 We rounded out the morning with Winnie the Pooh, Tarzan's Tree house and another turn on the carousel (Simon's favorite!) before beginning Lucy's special transformation.

 Lucy has always been a good mix of sporty, smart and girly. She can wrestle with her brothers but then go upstairs and play with Barbies. But, she really loves princesses. So we saved up and with the generosity of grandparents, we reserved a special afternoon at the Bippity Boppity Boutique. She chose to be Belle and watching her makeover was one of my favorite memories ever. Like, ever. It was so magical and perfect and just so Lucy.

After her hair, makeup and nails were done she got to have a private photo shoot inside the castle. I started tearing up at one point because I just knew she'd never forget this moment. 

 And then it was off to meet princesses! Seriously you guys, money well spent. No standing in lines, no waiting, no pressure to rush through a meet and greet. She was escorted through a "secret" door, had private one on one time with each princess and got to talk to them about anything she wanted.

 Once we finished up she was exhausted from all the excitement and crashed in the stroller for a well deserved nap. This timed perfectly with a little boy who had just awoken from his nap and was ready to play. We wandered over to Toon Town which was absolutely perfect for a curious, busy boy who wanted to run, run, run. The little houses, play areas and cars were just what Simon wanted and I didn't have to worry about Lucy feeling like she missed out on anything while napping.

 After a ride on the tea cups, some more character meet ups and a cotton candy snack we finally headed back to the hotel for a pizza dinner.

The boys had a long but amazing day. Matt said Carter was in heaven all day as he wandered in and out of shops on Diagon Alley, went on rides and bought a new wand (I think that brings our total up to 5 now?!). He brought his Harry Potter costume with him from home so he could wear it all day, which was just perfect for this wizard loving boy.

 Giving them this special boy time together was so  needed and perfect. I love that they both got to experience this together and it really made Carter's week. Definitely a huge highlight for him!