Clarissa is 3

Our little princess has turned 3 and we celebrated with a princess party at AZ Air Time ( a fun trampoline place). This time we really just had the  cousins join us. I found an awesome deal on Group on and this place was super nice and accommodating letting my bring a cake and decorations without having to pay the outraged party package fee!

I started the day by spoiling Cissa and myself to a pedicure (and manicure for the birthday girl). She was in heaven! Later that afternoon we celebrated at her party with pizza, cake and presents. It was easy and simple, just what I needed to finish off our birthday season around here.

Clarissa is quite active and mischievous. She will still color on anything but paper if you don't watch her (I have my walls as proof). She is a HORRIBLE eater and eats baby food most nights for dinner. She likes pizza and Mac and Cheese (I think those are the only 2 non "junk" food things she eats). She will eat some fruit, but still very picky about it (pairs are her new favorite). She can down candy and cookies like a pro though! She's starting to want to do things herself, like dress herself and go potty alone, and I'm not complaining about it. She just gave up her bottle for milk (as of a week ago) and can be very stubborn at times. She talks A LOT and loves to sing and dance.

We love you little girl, and are so grateful to have you in our family!

Disneyland

Last year Cory and I planned on taking a family trip to Disneyland for the kids' birthday this year. We went small on their birthday parties so we could save up for a super fun "vacation". We left Phoenix Monday afternoon and got to California for dinner. We enjoyed dinner at our hotel with Cory's mom, sisters and nieces and nephews, who had already been in California since the weekend. The next 3 days were filled with intense park adventures, little drama, lots of fun and sun! It was great to have Cory's side of the family there. They definitely helped watch and entertain our kids. Christopher still talks about Disneyland everyday and we've been back for a few weeks now.

We decided we wanted to do 1 park per day, so day 1 was Disneyland. By far the most crowded of the parks, but still magical, although I have promised myself to NEVER go back in July! My highlights were the Indiana Jones ride (our very first ride of the trip) and watching the fireworks at night. Clarissa loved seeing Cinderella's castle although we never got to see her. We only saw Aurora, Tiana, and Sofia the 1st (who we saw on our 2nd day), but the lined were so big that we didn't get pictures with the princesses. I know, I'm a mean mom. I'll stand in line for a ride, but not to meet characters.

 

Drew had a constant smile on his face!

 

Love seeing Christopher's excited face!

 

 First ride I took Clarissa on.

  

This was a long day, and the kids were troopers.

Day 2 was spent at California Adventure. This day was hotter, but the park was not as crowded, which meant more rides and shorter lines. My now Clarissa had caught on to the idea of going on rides so anytime the big kids went to a ride she couldn't go (which was most of the time) she would start saying "rides, rides, rides..." over and over again until we found something she could do. I love the Bug's Life 3D movie and the boys really enjoyed it too. Clarissa freaked out and screamed the minute "bugs" starter flying her way. Christopher's favorite was California Screaming (their biggest rollercoaster) and Drew was pretty bummed he wasn't tall enough for that. He didn't complain much once we found Goofy's rollercoaster for him and Gabi to go on while the taller kids went to California Screaming.

 Christopher on California Screaming for the 3rd time!

 Bugs' Life Theater

Day 3 was spent a Knott's Berry Farm. My this day we were all exhausted and tired of standing in the sun. They had good rides at this park and an awesome kiddy section with a Charlie Brown theme, we just lacked energy and enthusiasm to really take full advantage of it. Cory and I have decided that we won't do 3 parks in a row again. I would like to try 2 park days that are actually split up with a break day because even 2 days in a row is exhausting.

We had great plans for Friday that included stopping at the outlets on the way home, but we were all so tired that we just drove straight through in a hurry to get home. This was definitely a vacation you need a vacation from!

 

The kids were so exhausted the last day, that going to sleep came easily! 

Drew is 5!

My sweet Drew turned five last month. I call Drew my little angel. Now, I know that if you look at his behavior he's far from an angel, but it's the small little things he does almost daily that make him MY angel. He can get really mad and fight with Christopher often, but yet he will always stick up for his brother and try to keep him safe. At times when I'm frustrated with Christopher's disobedience and defiance, Andrew is the first to intervene and try to make both parties happy. He'll give up the captain chair in the car, share his treat, whatever it takes to get Christopher calmed down and me not mad (yelling) anymore.
Andrew's a great friend. He makes new and loyal friends rather quickly. He's still super into superheroes. This year he wanted a Skylanders party. I've been enjoying decorating the kids' birthday cakes this year, and am pleased with how it turned out.
Drew is a great cuddle bug and LOVES to be tickled. He is NEVER the first one to get out of bed, even if he's the first to wake up. He just stays in his bed and waits for a sibling to wake us up. Granted he's a great sleeper so he's usually woken up by his brother or sister. He's easy to put down for naps (on the rare days we do them) and he's by far my fastest eater. Even when he doesn't like dinner, he still scarfs it down pretty fast without much complaining.
I love you my Drewzinho and hope you have a fabulous 5th year, and that you adjust to kindergarten well. Cissa and I will miss you while you are at school!