Disneyland 2013

We're back! Three days a Disneyland wore us out but we sure had a great time. I can never thank my dad enough for giving Harper this opportunity. She had a wonderful few days.

I didn't want to take my big camera because I didn't trust myself to keep it safe (a smart choice on my part considering that my iPhone BARELY survived) so I opted to do just instagram pictures instead. I also didn't want to be so caught up with a big camera that I wasn't able to really be in the moment. Instagram is so quick and easy and it worked out perfectly for our trip.

I've already imported all of the pictures I took to Blurb and ordered a special Disneyland 2013 photo book for Harper. Did you know that Blurb will import your instagram pics for you and create a darling picture book? I ordered one of our 2011-12 instagram photos and was really impressed with it. I am excited to get this new Disney one. Harper is going to love it.

We arrived in California on Saturday morning. We checked into The Disneyland Hotel, freshened up a bit, and went straight to Disneyland. We took Harper on the teacups right away. She loved it. So did I. Her face was so priceless that I actually teared up. I don't think there are many things that are as magical  for a child as the teacups at Disneyland. After a few rides, we were all pretty tired so we grabbed some dinner and spent the evening exploring Downtown Disney. We let Harper make an Ariel bear at Build-a-Bear and then turned in early.

We spent the next day between California Adventure and Disneyland. Because we were staying at a Disney hotel, we got into the parks an hour early each day. We used that time to ride the really popular rides like Toy Story Mania (a Harper favorite, for sure... she loves any chance to shoot things), and Radiator Springs. We went back to our hotel for a snack (we had access to the E-Ticket room, which was constantly full of yummy snacks and drinks-- -- a total lifesaver) and a nap (Harper and Cash were both worn out from the early morning). Then we headed back to Disneyland for some more fun. It was so great to have Skye and Cash there. Having her favorite cousin to ride rides with her made the whole trip even more awesome for Harper. 

We had reservations to eat breakfast with the princesses on Monday morning. When we woke up that day, Harper decided that she would rather eat with our family at the Storytellers Cafe (we will have to eat with the princesses next year). She loved meeting Chip and Dale with Cash. After breakfast, we went back to the parks and spent the day taking in as much fun as we could. We finished our trip off by watching the parade that evening and stopping by World of Disney for a couple of souvenirs (Harper chose an Ariel snow globe and a princess bracelet). 

This was our first trip to Disneyland as a family. I'd never been with a three-year-old before and Colt hadn't been since he was really small. Therefore, we were pretty dazed and confused for the first day or so. Had we been better informed, we wouldn't have missed getting a photo with Ariel by five minutes (Harper did get to see her and wave to her, which seemed to be sufficient, thank goodness... she also got to see her in the parade). We learned a lot, like where and when to find the princesses, and will be better prepared when next year's trip comes around. It was great to experience so much fun together. I have always loved Disneyland but never imagined how amazing it would be to go as a parent. Harper managed to make the most magical place on earth even more magical for us.

See You Next Week

This ridiculously cute/adorable/perfect/happy face and I are headed to Disneyland in a couple of days. We are so (times 109,884,297,234) excited. 

I have quite a lot to do before we leave. I have to iron my clothing, pack, get our dogs ready for a dog sitter, get my daycare ready for the substitute, and clean my house (I'm one of those crazy people who deep cleans before a vacation). I also have a bunch of errands to run. The next two days are going to be crazy busy, which means I won't be around blogville much, if at all.

I'm trying to blog more and I've been catching up on my favorite blogs this week. I really do love this community and am grateful for the numerous ways in which it has inspired me to be better. I'm trying to comment a lot and be a really good blogville citizen. Do you have a blog that I'm not reading? If so, what is it?

I just wanted to show you the above picture of my darling girl and to let you know that I'll be posting a few Disneyland pics to instagram (un: joyfullyabby). Feel free to follow along if you'd like. Also, if you have an ig, leave your username in the comments so I can check it out (if you want to, that is). 

I turned on comment moderation, not because I think anyone is going to post terrible comments but because I want to be more aware of them so that I'll be better at responding. Now I get an e-mail for each new comment. Hopefully this will help me be better at replying!

Much love, my friends. 

Valentine's Day/Presidents Day Weekend Wrap Up

As many of you know, I love Valentine's Day. I love the colors and the candy. Also, Hazelnut and I met on Valentine's Day in 2008, making it an extra special day. We celebrated a couple of days before by going out for sushi. On the actual day, Harper and I had fun hosting a little party with our daycare friends. The kids decorated bags and exchanged Valentine's. It was super fun to have so much excitement (and cuteness) around our house on my favorite holiday. 

We gave Harper a new floor puzzle, a special Ariel dress, and an autograph/photo book for Disneyland. 

Colt and I are really laid back about gifts and I could care less about flowers, stuffed animals, or chocolates (well, I do care about chocolates... I just don't expect them). The weekend before Valentine's Day, Colt treated himself to a press (for loading bullets) while I took myself on a small pre-vacation shopping spree (it's going to be warm and sunny in California this weekend and I really wanted some cute new things to wear).  

I did have Harper decorate a card for Colt on Valentine's Day. We gave it to him along with a few of his favorite treats (Harper and Colt can put away a package of Chips Ahoy in one evening's time). We also gave Hazelnut a special anniversary bone (Tucker got one, too, so don't feel too badly for him).

We were expecting furniture Friday morning so we moved everything out when Colt got home that day. Harper, Colt, and I spent Valentine's Day in an empty house, eating pizza and watching a movie (Trouble With the Curve, which was super good... I'm a big Amy Adams fan). It was great to be with all of my Valentine's. 

We had a fun weekend. It was Kenzie's birthday on Sunday and we did a little celebrating. On Saturday, I picked up some lime green (Kenz's favorite color) cupcakes from Granite Bakery. That night, I went with the girls (Calli, Kenzie, and one of Kenzie's friends) went downtown for some Indian food at The Himalayan Kitchen, which was delicious. Colt isn't really open to Indian food (most likely because he has never tried it) and so I'm glad that Kenz likes to go with me because I love it.

On Sunday morning, we celebrated Kenzie's birthday with Colt's family by having brunch at Market Street. After that, we stopped by the taxidermist's shop to check on Colt's mount. I did a little thrifting that afternoon and then came home to watch a movie/snuggle with Harper. We moved our old love seat into her playroom and it's great because now I can be comfortable hanging out in there.

On President's Day, I took Harper and Cash out for a little fun (look at that photo below and just try to tell me that they aren't the cutest little cousins ever). I also wore one of my recent thrifty finds. This stripey sweatshirt is super comfy and I love it. Yellow probably ties with teal blue as my favorite color.  

P.S. Happy Birthday, Kenzie! Thanks for being my friend, sister, and kindred spirit. Thanks for bringing out my silly side and for loving me even when I'm done for before dinner. I seriously could not live without you. Who would be my beanie buddy? Who would talk with me about pointless stuff? Who would pour my shots? Who would make me laugh? Who would be Hazlenut's backup mommy? See what I mean...?