DiSneYlaNd 2009

Ok, so Disneyland truly is the happiest place on Earth. I am very ashamed to be posting this so late....but better late than never, right?? We had an amazing time. The kids were all good, and happy, and every day Ava took a nap in her stroller.

Jordan, Lexi and Ava in the pool at the hotel.

Of course, I am not taking a picture of myself in my bathing suit!! For that one, you had to be there~

As a tradition, you cannot go to Disneyland without getting a chocolate dipped waffle cone with sprinkles, and some of the yummiest ice cream ever. Lexi admits she's "saving some for later"

Ava and her "ice ceem"

Jordan, very much enjoying his.

Mickey Mouse

Pluto

Goofy

The new toy story ride is awesome!!! (it would be even better if you didn't have to wait so long, or even better better if it had fast passes)

Ava posing with Lightning Mcqueen while the rest of us rode "Soaring over California"

Daddy, Ava, and Mater & Lightning!

Dumbo

Goofy

Alright, notice anything odd about the expression on my face? This is right after I vomited my breakfast! For those who may not know, I am EXTREMELY claustrophobic. I have been my whole life. I like the air around me, and if I feel threatened that there may not be enough, or that too many people are near me (as in an elevator) that could steal my air, I begin to panic. No control over it, no matter how hard I try, my heart beats fast, I hyperventilate, and usually start to cry. (I still owe my 3 friends who flew with me on my first airplane an apology from when we went to Disneyland together. The plane freaked me out...and it was not pretty. Even the pilot came to my seat to try and help the situation)

We got to the finding Nemo ride on our early entrance pass, and there was only a 5 minute wait. As we approached the submarine, I started to wonder how this was going to play out. I warned my kids that mommy might not be able to ride it with them. Of course they were begging, and wondering why. As we got to the sub, I asked the worker if I could just peek down inside to see how small it was. It came, the rush of panic, and I turned around to begin climbing back up the stairs to the Earth above....then I hear kids crying and pleading, mommy please, please come with us! With a quick prayer in my heart, I turned around, sat in my very small seat, with only a very small window, and closed my eyes, to try and find a "happy place".

Despite, my fears, the ride was amazing. The technology was awesome, and the kids loved it! I was glad I could see their happy little excited faces. Even though mine looks like I am about to hurl.

Oh, and I also apologize to the other riders of the ride that had to see this grown woman panic, and almost stop breathing...so, so, sorry.

The classic Entrance Shot!

Ava rode Winnie the Pooh about 12 times (not kidding)

Ava hugging tigger with Lexi

Ava hugging Pooh with Lexi

This is HAPPY Lexi excited and waiting to go on Splash Mountain for the first time! (see video clip below to find out how the ride went)

Ava was SO good. She took a nap every afternoon, in her stroller. That was when the rest of us would ride the bigger rides that Ava couldn't go on. She was the "Perfect Angel" and I was worried about her for nothing!

Here we are waiting for "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" to begin.

Honey I shrunk the Audience...

Waiting for Buzz Light year....which happened to be a favorite for everyone!

Ava on the HORSEEEES!

It's a Small World...truly Ava's favorite. She still sings the song at home all the time!

Walking in our first day at Disneyland!

Jordan and Lexi on the balcony at our hotel.

Our arrival to Disneyland Hotel!!

Waiting for Buzz Light year...Again!

Lexi and Ava on It's a Small World

Alice in Wonderland

Lexi on the Teacups

Ava on the "cups"

Lexi on the Merry-go-round

Jordan on Merry-go-Round

I bought Ava her own pair of sunglasses, but apparently I should have bought ME a NEW pair. She would not give me mine back!

Ava, so excited to ride Snow White's Castle ride!

This was a cute photo backdrop at the Hotel with Goofy, Pluto, Minnie and Mickey

The Hotel had live fish in the ponds outside



Lexi was so excited to ride Splash Mountain this time because it was closed the last time we were in Disneyland. However, you can tell by her face, and the crying at the end, that the excitement was over when they reached the best part of the ride! We got her to go on it 3 more times, and it ended up being one of her favorites! (just not the first time)

Psssst.....pass it on!

When I was a little girl, I remember playing a game with my friends. We would tell each other a secret, and then end it with "pass it on" (knowing that everyone would soon know the secret). I have a new button on my blog that I am hoping you will all check out, and YES, pass it on!!!

It is a friend of mine from work, who is a great person I might add, hoping to adopt. Check it out and pass it on to all of your family and friends.

She's not my little girl anymore!

Lexi's Spring dance recital was titled, "Fairy tales & More". Her class danced to Sleeping Beauty, and there were other classes that danced to Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, and many other fairytale pieces. Ever since Lexi started dancing, we have given her a little "present" after the show to tell her how proud we are of her. She has been dancing since she was 5 years old. We started by giving her ballerina barbies, pet shops, and other toys that she was really in to at the time. One year we even had a trophy made for her with a ballerina on it. This year I found barbies in the fairytale theme. Since Belle is one of her favorites, I decided to get it for her this year.

When she finished the show, she asked me where her present was. I apologized, and told her that I forgot to bring it with me to the show, but that I did get her something, and it was at home on the table. She wanted to hurry home, and was very anxious to see her gift. I might add it was about 10:oop.m. by the time the show got over, which may play an important role in the events that occurred next!

We came though the door, and she sat at the table and began to pull the tissue out of the bag to find her Belle barbie. She then said, "Is that it?" I told her,"Yes, did you want some candy type of treat or something else?"

At this point, she folded her arms on the table, and laid her head on her arms staring at the doll. I could tell by the look in her eyes, and her shaking lip that she wanted to cry, but was trying really hard not to.

I then told her I would be happy to take it back and get her something else that she wanted. I was very confused at the entire situation. I thought she would love the doll. I proceed to ask her what exactly was the matter. She then started to cry and said, "I wanted flowers like all of the other girls!"

Ok....I am not sure when I missed the, "I am old enough to now want flowers instead of a toy, but I really missed it, and missed it big time." I tried to explain to her that she had never wanted flowers before, and had always preferred a toy treat, as she called it. She responded with a quick, "Mom, I am NOT a little girl anymore!"

To end the conversation, I told her that her dad would be happy to stop at the store on his way home from work and buy her some flowers...my daughter is growing up, and as sad as it makes me, I guess I need to allow her to do it.

Hershey Track and Field Day

This was Jordan's 1st year to compete in the Hershey Track and Field Day. He ran 2 races, and competed in the softball throw. This is him as he is coming to the finish line of one of the races. Way to go Jordan!

Lexi's 1st Grade Play

Lexi and her friend Paige performing in their 1st grade play.

Lexi and Paige

Lexi's entire 1st grade put on a play at the end of the year. It was Little Red Riding Hood. It was not the classic tale, but one with a twist and hilarious jokes throughout the entire performance. It made it very entertaining for all of the audience, because it was something we were not expecting. Lexi and her friend Paige were flowers.