Happiest Place on Earth.

Or Most Crowded Place on Earth (it puts Swiss Days to shame!). There were long lines, it was hot, we all got tired and cranky--but we loved it!








What worked for us:

1. My double stroller sucks (so hard to push, why?). Renting 2 singles from Disneyland the second day was wonderful!

2. Get there early and stay until the kids fall asleep--around dinner time. Once you get there it is too hard to go home for food/naps and then come back again.

3. Bring your own snacks, but they do have fruit, smoothies, chips, and water when you have to buy something to eat (at OK-ish prices too).

4. Lots of sunscreen for everyone.

5. Just to the right of Cinderella's castle (when you are looking at it) is a place where they hold outdoor weddings/events--if you go to the back, in a little corner is a private bathroom marked for a bride/groom. No lines--go potty here. Maybe it wasn't the cleanest but it was far less used and fits strollers.

6. Be prepared to wait in a lot of lines--and try not too freak out that your kids are swinging on the dividers, licking them, hanging on them . . . yuck but it is going to happen.

The girls favorite ride was "It's a Small World" and for the amount of time you wait in line versus the ride time, this one has by far the best ratio. Oh and do the switch pass thing with your Fast Passes (on the rides you can).

Princesses.

I have two little princesses who loved meeting their favorite REAL princesses at Disneyland. Presley was chosen to announce the princesses and we somehow got seated at the first table that each of the princesses visited.








Presley was star-struck and goofy. Stella just wanted to hug everyone. We also met Sleeping Beauty (or Booty as Stella calls her) but she was weird and none of the pics were any good). I need more camera practice.

The Beach.

My girls finally LIKE the sand. Here they are warming up to it at the wedding--then full on into it at Huntington Beach.








This last shot is of the girls with mermaid tails made of sand (hard to tell, but they thought it was so cool to be a mermaid).

Can I buy a house here, or anywhere only blocks and a cruiser ride from the beach, please?

Stella's New Room.

I no longer have a baby in a crib--but a tiny 2 year old in a very large bed!

Stella has been in her big girl bed for 4 days now and things have gone smoothly (today was the first day she did not want to nap). Mostly, she has not fallen out yet--I would be surprised if she could even get out by herself, so hopefully that will keep her from wanting to get out of her room on her own.



I am still waiting on a bed skirt and 2 stuffed animal owls (matches her bedding) for on top of the armoire. Maybe a second dresser for the closet--it is too cute and was from Ikea (I love the orange).

Preschool Graduation.

Not that it really means much, but Presley "graduated" from preschool! The kids did a little dance and stranger danger program, and then received their diplomas.



The kids also counted by 10's, said the Pledge of Allegiance, and recited the alphabet with letters and sounds. The best part was the book the teachers put together for each child--a record of the crafts, field trips and more they did during the year.

Auntie Kiki Visits.

Krista and the boys (Elliott and Jonas, 5 1/2 months) came for a visit! Krista came to shoot her friend's wedding pictures but we got to enjoy her, the twins, and her friends Kim and Bruce for 10 days!


We can only wish they could have stayed longer and that the weather could have been better while they were here (it snowed two of the days!). Hopefully they will be back at Christmas.

Party #2.

All day long Stella kept saying, "Birthday Stella". We had family, friends, presents, balloons, and cake--the only thing we forgot to do was sing "Happy Birthday" (Stella calls it songing). It didn't even matter that we celebrated 9 days late!








Thanks to Krista, Becka, and Camille for helping me with the chocolate butterflies--they turned out perfect! And Tami for the darling "2" birthday shirt (which is now covered in chocoate)!

Dress Rehearsal.

Presley has a tea pot dance in the local production of "Alice in Wonderland". Today was the dress rehearsal and tomorrow she performs in the matinee show. It is just too much fun to dress her up--and she loves it too.





"I'm a little tea pot short and stout. Here is my handle. Here is my spout. When I get all steamed up hear me shout, "Tip me over and pour me out!".

Stella is 2!

I can't believe my little Bug is 2! With her dad out of town, and both of my sisters coming into town later this week, I decided that we would have her official party (cake, presents, carousel rides) next week when everyone is here.

So today Stella got to wear the "It's my B-Day" pin, dinner and a present with the neighbors, and a small celebration with a cupcake and a gift from her grandparents.










Stella finally "got" that it was her birthday. If you ask her how old she is you will get several different answers--usually it is "10".

The most fun.

Presley was invited to a princess birthday party . . . .


She has not stopped telling me that it was the most fun EVER.