Cycling!

Laura was getting too big for her old tinkerbell bike, so she got a new bike, the lil' honey.


Of course, the real reason is that Anna REALLY wanted her own big girl bike. she rides like a champ!

Spring Sprang Sprung

Spring is here, that means you get to put on some brown clothes and play in some dirt.

Laura modelling her gardening clothes.


Laura really likes my garden. She's been dutifully watering it whenever she gets a chance. She helped me plant some peas, carrots, and spinach so far. Beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers are coming later.


Spring also means Easter. Emily made the kids REAL grass in the bottom of their Easter baskets. Which is great, because I'm not picking up the fake plastic grass for 8 months.


Peeps. I'm sure they're good for you.


The Easter bunny brought more than candy... More ballerina outfits! Laura showing off some dance moves.


And a bonus ballet video.

St. Patty's Day at the Beach

It isn't uncommon for us to hit the beach on St. Patrick's day... in Florida. However, this March has been tropical and we even hit the beach on our 80 degree St. Patty's day. If I recall on our last trip to Florida in March, it never got much over 70.

Laura in her green Shamrock shirt. She's making a leprechaun trap.


The ice went out on Prior Lake on St. Patrick's day, but Anna was disappointed we wouldn't let her swim, even though she brought her swimming suit.


Anna loves her ballerina outfit. Here's she's practicing some dancing.


Third Position?


Pirouette


I think this is something, not sure what.


Recital over, time to read a book.

Laura's Room

I obviously can't only paint Anna's room. I asked what style room she wanted, and naturally she decided on Cinderella. My first idea was a bed made of old rags and to move the washing machine into her room. She doesn't appreciate my sense of humor.


Laura's bedroom with her new carriage bed and painting. (Yes, the alternating vertical bars are paint... LOTS of tape went into this project.)


Laura in her Cinderella dress modeling the room.


Laura's happy with her bed.


A great place to sleep.


She even gets to sleep under the cover of a veil. Fit for a princess.

Princess Anna's Room

For the past few months, Anna's been boycotting her room because it was light blue, and light blue is a boy's color. When I asked what color I should paint it, she said pink, just like Laura's. Given that variety is the spice of life, I offered to paint it purple & pink like Disney's Rapunzel ©, she thought that it would be great. Since anything worth doing is worth overdoing, I designed a scheme on the computer:



So after a few days of taping (and a little painting), here's the finished product.


Anna loves her room now, and even slept in it!


Lots of purple and pink for one little room.


That's one happy princess.



She's flying high (no more Rapunzels © jumping on the bed!)

First trip to the ski hill

We decided to take advantage of our fine winter weather and hit the slopes. About a week ago Emily drove the kids by Buck Hill by our house, and the kids got really excited, so we had to take them.

Anna's first time down the hill. Since Anna knows no fear, this came about as natural as can be. She did have the sense to hold onto me, at least for the first few runs.


Laura's first run. Laura took a ski class ahead of time and learned some valuable fundamentals.



Laura kept insisting that she can do it herself.


Anna and I cruising down the hill. I really need eyes in the back of my head. Once Anna saw Laura going by herself, she insisted on doing it too.


All in all, a very successful trip. Both the girls had a ton of fun, and are ready to go again soon.

Disney World 2012

Well, we thought it was about time to take the princesses to Disney World in Florida. Mostly for selfish reasons, we decided it would be best to surprise them, and tell them about it as we were driving into the Magic Kingdom. We were so successful, that they were asleep when we got there.

Welcome to the place where dreams come true! Which is convenient, since you are already dreaming.


It didn't take long for Laura to perk up. It's a small world, Peter Pan, and the carousel made for a great start.


And of course, a lollipop.


Make that 2 lollipops.


Disney knows how to show off, even a Grinch like me is impressed by the Castle.


No trip to Disney is complete without a visit with Mickey!


Given that our girls are princesses, their #1 goal was to meet as many as they could. First off was Aurora/Briar Rose/Sleeping Beauty/Princess Scary Blue Eye Shadow.


Of course, Belle in her castle ball gown.


Laura made a point to tell Cinderella that she played HER in her preschool play.


The girls' favorite princess is Rapunzel, so he had to endure a very long line for her. Rapunzel was great, and who knew, the kids loved it.

BTW: They could rename Disney World to 'Line World' or 'Queue World'. I am pretty sure they have a team of psychologists on staff who study how to make you sit in line and tolerate it.


You have to ride the teapots, and the ladies loved it.


Even Mimi enjoyed them!


Dumbo was ok. If was just a 35 minute wait for a 1 minute, it would be ok. However, it made it tougher that some other girl in line purposefully poked Laura in the eye when she told her she wanted the pink dumbo, while the responsible(?) adult just watched. Come on, we're trying to have a civilization here!


Well, the highlight of the trip was dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table INSIDE the castle. The girls were bouncing off the walls, to be sure. Here snow white stopped by to make sure she was having a good dinner.




Aurora with another visit.


Ariel! Anna was really looking forward to a visit with Ariel.


And a visit by Belle in her peasant dress (I guess the formal gown was just too much to wear all day)


The Animal Kingdom Safari was really cool. I vote they could use more animals at the Animal Kingdom, but that's just me.


Baby Elephant getting a drink.


They got to visit with Pooh.


Emily's favorite, Eeyore


And Tigger.


Laura got to visit with Jasmine and Aladdin.


But Anna was a little sleepy.


Back at the room, they kids took turns sleeping in the Bayou.