Getting Crafty

Ashlyn's new obsession is doing crafts. She has a great time creating different projects. She is an artistic little girl. She's been asking me to do crafts every day. Last week, we went to the dollar store and bought tons of craft materials. We got glitter, pom poms, jewels, pipe cleaners, etc. I have found some great websites with great crafts for her age. I'm really enjoying the time I get to spend with her while we are working on a craft. I am also really enjoying watching her create projects. I decided to take pictures of her work and I will post them from time to time.

The butterfly wings are Ashlyn's hand that I traced.

The flower petals are Ashlyn's thumbprint. Ashlyn made another just like this to give to her Gram.


The lion's body is Ashlyn's handprint.

Horse Time

Last Sunday, Ashlyn had her last horse competition for the season. As you can see in the pictures, what a difference a year makes! Last year, Ashlyn's Papa would walk right next to the horse and hold onto her. This year, Ashlyn is now big enough to ride all by herself. She also got a pink riding helmet to protect her head. She looks like a real professional on the horse now. Her love of horses continues to grow and she has so much fun at her competitions.

Her helmet is cute

Here she is entering the ring

I love this picture. She is a real natural on the horse.

She just loves riding horses.

I like this one because you can see her hair flying in the wind.

California Trip- Day 4

We wanted to make the most out of our last day. We decided to head over to Magic Kingdom first since it opened two hours before California Adventure. We got in the park before it was too busy and lines were long. We headed straight for the Haunted Mansion.

Dawson and I in the Haunted Mansion

Katy and Ella in the Haunted Mansion

Ashlyn doing her silly face in front of the Haunted Mansion

Ashlyn wanted to ride Splash Mountain again. The park was not busy yet, and we got to ride two times in a row! Ashlyn was so happy! After some rides, we headed over to California Adventure. We had breakfast reservations for the princess breakfast.

Dawson and Mommy waiting for breakfast.

They take a big group picture with Ariel before you are seated.

This was the same princess breakfast Ashlyn went to in February. It is such a fun experience. The food is really, really good too. This was a welcome treat, because all the food we had while in Disney was mediocre. This food was fantastic. Ashlyn was so excited to see all the princesses and had a great time talking with each one.

Belle gave her a big hug

Ashlyn and Belle

A big hug from Snow White

Cinderella was Ella's favorite since they have similar names

Ashlyn doing a little twirl with Aurora

They are all so nice!

After breakfast, we rode a few rides. We decided to take a break again at a shaded table so the babies could get out and stretch a bit.

Ella wearing Dawson's hat

Dawson and Mommy

He was giving me kisses

I had to return the favor and give him a kiss

My stylish little boy

Auntie and Ashlyn

After our rest, it was hot and Ashlyn wanted to check out the splash park. She was a little apprehensive at first.

She soon jumped in and had a great time.

She was soaking wet by the time she was done. She dried off very quickly.

We rode some more rides and ate dinner. It was then time to head back to hotel. We were all very sad to leave Disneyland. We had a wonderful time despite the crowds and heat. I think the babies even had a great time. I will never forget this trip and the smiles and laughter I got to enjoy with my kids. It was truly wonderful!

The next day we woke up and packed up. We grabbed breakfast on the way to the airport. The flight home went pretty well. Dawson decided not to sleep this time. He just played on my lap the entire time. He was very good. He fell asleep right before we landed. We all slept very good that night after such a fun filled and exciting trip! We can't wait to go back and are already planning our next trip.

California Trip- Day 3

The next morning we were up bright and early as usual. We wanted to get to park right at 8:00 when it opened it hopes of beating some of the crowds. We were there when the rope dropped. We ran and grabbed Fastpasses for Splash Mountain and headed to Fantasyland. This is the area where all of the rides are for smaller kids. We rode Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, The Teacups, The Storybook ride, and It's A Small World with a very little wait. The babies were able to go on all of the rides (except for the teacups) and had a great time.

Group picture on a car from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Ashlyn just loves the teacups.

Here we are getting ready to go in It's A Small World. Most people HATE this ride, but I LOVE it. It was my absolute favorite ride as a kid and it just brings back such good memories for me. I always have to ride it at least once. Ashlyn likes it a lot too.

This was towards the end of the ride, and we kind of got stuck in one spot for several minutes and had to hear the theme from It's a Small World over and over. I think it made Dawson cranky.

Ashlyn and I in Toontown

We didn't ride this ferry, but I think it is so cool.

We brought a double stroller for the babies to ride in. Ella really like the stroller. Dawson really didn't. He much preferred to be in the baby carrier attached to me. He is just so content in that thing. I'm just glad it's so comfortable.

We bought all of the kids Mickey or Minnie shirts. Here is Dawson's.

He looked so darn cute in it!

After riding some rides, we decided to take a nice break. We went over to the New Orleans area and found a great shaded table. The babies got out and sat in highchairs. This was Dawson's first time in a highchair and he just loved it. They sat in those things for over an hour just playing with toys.

Dawson enjoying his new freedom

While taking a break, we had to enjoy one of our favorite Disneyland treats, the Mint Julep. These are alcohol free and soooo delicious. I remember drinking these as a kid and they are just as good as I remember.

Along with our Mint Juleps, we had some beignets that were of course Mickey shaped and out of this world good!

After we ate lunch, we decided to go check out Splash Mountain. Ashlyn is tall enough to ride, I just wasn't sure how she would do. She took one look at the logs and the big finale hill and said, "I want to go on that!" My sister and I asked her a hundred times if she was sure. She kept insisting that she wanted to go. I told her there was a big hill at the end and she would get wet. She still wanted to go. We decided to go for it. I didn't realize it before, but she was able to sit in the very last seat next to me. She just loved the ride. When the big hill was coming up we warned her it was coming and she got excited. As we went down, Katy and I both looked at her and she had the biggest smile I have ever seen. Once we got to the bottom, the first thing she said was, "Let's do that again!" She is definitely my brave girl. She has been since she was a baby.

After our Splash Mountain adventure, we decided to head over to the other park, California Adventure. We were very excited to ride the new Little Mermaid Ride. It wasn't open in February, and Ashlyn was dying to ride it. It is a very cute ride and follows the movie plot. Ashlyn really liked it. Next, we headed over to the Disney Junior show. Ashlyn just loves Disney Junior. Her favorite show in the whole world is Little Einsteins. When she was getting ready to go to Disneyland in February, we found on the website that they had a live stage show that included Little Einsteins. I talked it up for weeks to her before she left. Well, when they got there and tried to go, they were told it was closed. Poor Ashlyn was so disappointed. I decided not to talk it up too much this time in case it was still closed or no longer there. We were very pleased when we saw it was still there. We also got there just in time to be the first in line. When they opened the doors we got front row seats. The show is very interactive and included all of her favorite shows. During some parts bubbles fell from the ceiling, tissue paper gold coins, and paper streamers at the end. I think the show entertained all of us. During parts Ashlyn was able to get up and dance. Ashlyn just loved it. I'm so glad she got to see it finally.

Mickey

Jake and the Neverland Pirates

Ashlyn with all the confetti she collected

After the show, we grabbed some dinner. Katy and I headed back to the hotel to get the babies to bed. My mom and Ashlyn stayed and rode the Little Mermaid three more times. The also rode Soaring Over California which Ashlyn also fell in love with. What a great day it was!