Abigail's 3 yr Portrait

For Abigail's 3 year picture, I drove over to Portrait Innovations in Brookfield. I just love how you can leave the studio with your pictures in ten minutes! The lady photographer was really good with Abigail. I thought I would have to help get her to smile, but the photographer took the reigns and Abigail enjoyed all the attention. It's great to see her shine on her own.

I've never picked the number block picture before, but I do like the benefit of instantly knowing how old she is in the picture. I think they should add 9 months and 18 months on a block because those are the milestone pictures I'm always flipping over to age check when I look back ;)

And the photographer was nice enough to humor Lydia by taking her picture with Abigail, [even though I explained to Lydia beforehand that she already had her pictures taken (see Lydia's 4K school picture along the right panel)] but Lydia knows how to assert herself, I'll just say that. They pulled their own chairs on the scene and this picture surprisingly captures their silly selves quite well. "May Your Spring Be Silly" seemed to me and the photographer to be an appropriate caption, but Lydia thinks 'Fun' sounds more princess-y.

Yes, Spring will be here very soon! :)

Lydia's Ariel Birthday Party at Chasing Tales

Lydia was excited for her party. She helped set up the room yesterday and we hung our homemade jellyfish from the ceiling, and she even helped decorate the cake.

Lydia pulling Abigail around just before our guests arrived. When they did, she wanted to introduce everyone to everyone.

Abigail and Violet

Addison, Matthew H. and Lydia

 Lydia showing her friends the cake. She's a natural little leader. 

 Some two-on-two games went on with the grown ups. Lots of room to play!

From 11-11:30, the hosts organized games, starting with the parachute.

Playing popcorn!

 The kids went under the pillow parachute.

 What a cutie, Matthew is!

 Playing prince/princesses and dragons. The kids loved being the dragons and catching the grown ups.

Reaching high for the Under the Sea bubbles.
The kids were encouraged to catch them on their nose, belly, and toes.

They were the Bubble Ooodles from Gymboree, and might be the best bubbles.

 Pizza
The boys didn't fuss at all about the princess straws, princess place mats or everything pink. I did have regular party hats instead of mini tiaras, and distinctively boyish goodies bags for the two boys.

 Gifts
Addison is so sweet. She said a few times, "this is the best party ever!" And she was thrilled that Lydia gave her Skittles instead of M&Ms because she's allergic to peanuts.

Matthew H., Addison, Heather, Isabelle, Ethan, Aaliyah, Abigail, Ariel

 Cake
It was awkwardly brought to her because she wanted to sit the cute little birthday chair.

 More free play

Our party room time was 10:30 to 12:30, but we could clear the room and play as long as we wanted. The last of us played till 3. I think everyone had a fun time. The party wasn't at our house, but I'm still tired!

Happy 5th Birthday, Lydia Marie!

We flew back home on Lydia's birthday. She wore her birthday pin from the resort and the TSA security lady noticed and wished her a happy birthday, and then told her she had to take it off before walking through. Oh, TSA... we love you...

  Daddy played some games with the birthday girl.

 I scrapped together a little birthday cake.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY! MAKE A WISH!

What more could you want? I know we couldn't wish for more in you, our incredibly sweet, kind, friendly and smart girl. We're so proud of you!

at first just Rapunzel in her basket

On Monday, she got to celebrate her birthday at school and try out her new bike at home.

"Finish line, here I come!"

then whatever she could find in her basket

She wanted to set up an obstacle course.

When she got stuck she sported her frustrated face.

 But was so excited to get to one door

and back to the other door.

Disney Day 5-Hollywood Studios

 We spent our last day at Disney at Hollywood Studios, and we started it off with Disney Jr's Play 'n Dine breakfast at Hollywood & Vine.

The girls danced along with Handy Manny, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Sophia the First, and Doc McStuffins.

 The golden coach used in filming the new movie, Cinderella, was on display on Streets of America.

 We had a little fun with the umbrella alluding to the Singin' in the Rain movie. Sometimes it magically rains when you stand under it, but apparently not when it's really raining.

 After meeting all the Disney Jr characters, we went and saw them on stage.

It was just like watching the Disney Jr channel, except here bubbles fell from the ceiling.

 Toodles!

 At Pixar Place we did the Toy Story Mania ride. You wear 3D glasses and pull the string to shoot balls at a screen. It was fun, even for Abigail!

 We found Minnie in her dressing room. She was nice about watching the girls dance and showing them her awards.

 We all like Minnie Mouse, especially in her fancy dress!

statue of 1930's director

After finishing up Animation Courtyard we saw the live musical Voyage of the Little Mermaid and rode through movie history on the Great Movie Ride.

The Muppets fountain is fun, as was the 3D Vision show. Lydia would reach out to touch what appeared to be right in front of her nose!

 After that we stopped for lunch and did the Frozen sing-a-long. They were well trained for that one!

Took a photo here because Mickey's giant Fantasia hat was totally taken down, and it does't sound like its ever coming back!

 The best show at Hollywood Studios was the Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage. Good way to end our time at the Disney parks.

 Every time we walked back to our room, we passed by the elephants graveyard from Lion King, but this time we played in it, and before dinner our little Elsa played at the resort's Nemo playset.

And that concludes our Disney family vacation! We packed up that night for another early departure with the Magical Express the next morning. It was really nice to stay on site and not have to worry about navigation.