I Three

 We still think of her as our baby, but she's been in panties over a year, sleeps in a big bed, and negotiates like a teenager.  She is sassy, stubborn, and independent, but equally sweet, snuggly, and fun.  Her fearlessness keeps us on our toes, but is a joy to watch, and she has unwavering determination, always doing things "by myself," usually in her own unique way.

This year, we decided to have a friend party for Kaylee's 3rd birthday.   She chose a Mickey Mouse theme and I promptly found this blog.  Hooray for people willing to share their great ideas!  We certainly had fun Mickey Mouse bowling, playing 'Who Has Mickey?' coloring Mickey pictures, Mousekercising, and eating Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets followed by Mickey cupcakes. 

 On Kaylee's actual birthday, we were spoiled to have grandparents and cousins visiting.  With a 4th of July birthday, Kaylee is going to have to put up with excessive red, white, and blue her entire life.  Then again, she also has fireworks for her birthday every single year. 

 

 

We feasted on Jello parfaits, blue and white chips with red salsa, veggies & ranch, watermelon, and (not pictured) wings, hot dogs, & corn on the cob.  Yum.

There were more Mickey Mouse cupcakes and hats, along with "Who has the Mickey," a cake walk with Mickey characters (and stickers instead of cake), a treasure hunt, and gift opening.   

And here is our big girl.  Her hair is a mess because she wanted to do it herself.  She is sitting with her cousins, the big kids, with no concern or awareness of mom and dad.  And she is so focused on the task at hand, eating dad's chicken wings, that there is no pausing for smiley pictures.  Our baby, is not a baby anymore. 

We love you Kaylee LaRue!

Disney Take 2

 At the end of March, we were looking over our calendar for the rest of the year.  It was filling up quickly.  Matt said, "You know, this is the last Spring we won't have any kids in school.  We should take a little family trip somewhere."  After such a fantastic trip to Disney World last spring, it wasn't hard to decide what we wanted to do.  We roped our parents into the adventure, and 3 weeks later we were on our way to Disneyland.  Since the trip was planned on such short notice, we decided to surprise Danny and Kaylee.  They thought we were just dropping Grandma and Grandpa off at the airport.  When luggage was pulled out of the trunk, dad found a present for them too - their little Disney figurines.
"Where do they live?" asked Matt.
"Disney."
"Guess where we're going right now?"
"Disney!?"   

And I'd like to say it was magical and brought tears to our eyes, like all the Disney commercials do, but in reality there was just a lot more confusion than anything. 
"What?  Really?  How?"  Once it settled in, both kids were giddy as could be. 

Matt and I have both decided, however, that it was more fun to let the kids know ahead of time so they could help plan and share in the excited anticipation.

Day one, we hung out at the pool, explored Downtown Disney, and met up with my cousin Michael who lives in the area.  We enjoyed dinner at Rainforest Cafe, except that the loud rainstorms, which occurred every 30 minutes, frightened my children so much that they spent the entire meal covering their ears. 

 Day Two we spent the morning at Disneyland and the rest of the day at California Adventure.

 Day Three we hit Disneyland hard - arriving before the gates opened and staying through the fireworks. 

Day Four we spent time in both parks, hitting our favorite Disneyland rides and California Adventure shows we'd missed the previous days.  By 4:30 we were headed back to the airport to fly home.

A few things I learned this time around.

1. My children don't share a bed well.  After Danny accidentally kicked Kaylee off the bed the first night, we made her a little bed on the floor.  They are, however, capable of sleeping in matching umbrella strollers.  

 

2.  My children surprise me.  And they are different.  Kaylee LOVED meeting characters and could spot them a mile away.  

 

Danny, however, had no interest in character interaction at all.  He watched, but didn't want to participate in Incredible Training.  When we were in Mickey's house, he was timid and didn't want his picture taken.  He even decided he didn't want to do Jedi Training this year.  But, invite this same kid to join us on a thrill ride and he was brave as could be.  Guess who was screaming most on Tower of Terror?  It was me, not Danny.     

3.  It's important to pause and enjoy the details once in a while.  Of course the big rides and shows are hugely fun.  There are so many amazing things to see and experience - Soarin', Big Thunder Mountain, Screamin', World of Color, Aladdin, Pirates of the Carribean.  But Kaylee & Danny found equal, if not more, joy in some of the smaller details and unplanned moments.  Splashing in Dot's Puddle Park, digging on Pirate Island, playing with $1 Store glowsticks before Word of Color began, dancing in the lobby of Disney Animation while we waited for Turtle Talk with Crush.  I am the type of person that likes an organized plan at a theme park.  Before we went, I had spent hours meticulously creating the ideal schedule for our group so that we could see and do it all.  I am still a firm believer in doing this, but it was good that others in my group reminded me to treasure the little moments, even if they weren't on the itinerary.   

 

 

 4.  Bringing grandparents is the BEST.  For us, having my parents along was a win, win, win, win situation.  Kaylee and Danny loved having them around - extra spoiling, extra attention, extra hands to hold.  Matt and I loved having them around - extra eyes to watch the kids, extra ride buddies for us (Matt and my dad did a mountain tour while my mom and I took the kids to the hotel for a rest), extra late nights kid-free (when Grandma and Grandpa take the kids to the hotel for bed).  And Grandma and Grandpa seem to love coming - extra magical time with the grandkids and kids.  Having my parents come with us on both Disney trips made the experiences even more wonderful.  

We decided after this trip that we should take a break from Disney and have some new adventures, but it may be hard to stay away after two magical Disney vacations. 

Hotel Hong

Tuesday, July 3 - My sister Anne, her 5 kids, and my parents arrive
Wednesday, July 4 - Alki Tide Pools, Birthday Party for Kaylee, Downtown Bellevue Fireworks
Thursday, July 5 - My parents head home
Thurs - Sun - Pike Place, Waterfront, Newcastle Beach Park, Waterfall Treasure Hunt,
                  Lattawood Park, Saddleback Park, Pirate Birthday Party for Eli
Monday, July 9 - My sister's family heads to Richland
Mon - Wed - Swim Lessons, LAUNDRY, playdates
Thursday, July 10 - Kids and I head to Richland with a quick stop at Ensign Ranch to check out
                  my girl's camp site
Thurs -Sun - Campfire with dogs and s'mores, Brave, Jet skiing, hike up Badger Mtn.,                         sprinklers, splash park, talent show
Sunday, July 13 6 PM- Return home
Monday, July 16  10 AM- Girl's Camp Meeting with my co-counselor and YCLs
Monday, July 16  2 PM - Mindy Swanson and co. arrive
Tuesday, July 17 Pike Place Market, Mindy and co. depart
Tuesday, July 17 6 PM - Depart for Idaho
Wednesday, July 18 7 AM - Arrive in Idaho
Wed-Thurs - Game night, family time, Carrie's birthday party at Chic-fil-a, Madagascar 3
Friday, July 20 10 AM - Depart for family reunion outside Lava
Fri - Sun. - VanEps Reunion, Camping, hiking, more s'mores, family auction, bucket decorating
Sunday, July 22 10 AM - Depart for Bellevue with dinner stop in Richland
Monday, July 23 11 AM - My parents arrive to drop dogs off
Tuesday, July 24 - 3 PM - Anne, Rex, & 5 kids arrive, pizza picnic, dog sitting
Wednesday, July 25 - Downtown Seattle - Pacific Science Center, IMAX, lunch at International Fountain, parents return, adult dinner downtown at Ivar's
Thursday, July 26 10 AM- Everyone departs
Friday, July 27 9:45 AM - Aunt Karen and Aunt Nadean arrive on ferry, Day at Woodland Park Zoo, Nadean returns to ferry
Friday, July 27 5 PM - Matt and kids depart for ward campout
Saturday, July 28 7:30 AM - Drop Aunt Karen off at airport
Saturday - Monday - LAUNDRY, pack for camp, watch a little Olympics
Sunday, July 29 - Grandma & Grandpa Mauger arrive to take care of kids
Tuesday, July 31 5 AM - Depart for Girl's Camp
Saturday, Aug. 4 3 PM - Return home from Girl's Camp

Wow.  Glad we survived that month.  It was SO much fun to see everyone. I also gained a new appreciation for hotel cleaning staff.  I washed a lot of sheets last month!