Bubbles

Violet recently went with Eric to the Science Discovery Museum for a special exhibit on bubbles.  I was at work that day, but Eric talked it up so much that I had to see it for myself.  Lucky Violet got to go twice.

After waiting in line for an hour, she got to walk around in a plastic bubble.  Parents could do it too, but being encased in a plastic bag in the heat while running in circles didn't appeal to me.

 Ready:

Set:

Go:

Faceplant!

Faceplant again!

After that it was time to go to the bubble show.  The presenter literally travels the world performing his bubble show.  It seems like a pretty awesome job.  The finale involved lots and lots of bubbles.

Gymnastics

Violet is currently in gymnastics.  She's gotten kicked out twice for not listening to the coach, but she is finally getting the hang of things.

Cartwheel

She went to a day camp there one day for spring break and the older kids taught her how to do a flip.

  

Easter Egg Hunt

 Violet recently went on a neighborhood easter egg hunt.  She waited patiently with her friend Emily to start.

 She admired all the spoils before her and waited for the bunny to announce the start.

 There were kids and plastic eggs everywhere.  After the hunt, she and Eric opened the eggs.


Hmmm. a cute plastic ring.

Another plastic ring...

And the next egg...wait for it...

A plastic ring!

It seems that whichever volunteer filled and distributed the eggs, they didn't mix them up very well.  Violet ended up with about 20 plastic rings.  None of which were small enough for 4 year old fingers despite being in the 3-4 year old section.  Violet didn't seem to mind a bit.  It was all treasure to her.

Afterwards, there was face/body painting:

And then Violet and Emily rode the train.

Later that day Violet dyed eggs.

Jenee Visits

My friend Jenee, her husband Norman, and son Nick visited recently.  Nick had a birthday party and Violet discovered dance dance revolution.

Then it was Disneyland two days in a row.  Violet and I went on It's a Small World.

Then she requested going on Thunder Mountain.  I was pretty worried about how she would do.

Waiting in line.

More waiting.

They measured her to make sure she was the required 40 inches, which she passed by an inch.

Just about to ride for the second time.

Violet said "This is the best ride ever!"

We miss the Odani's already and Violet keep pretending to go on a "venture" (adventure) to Hawaii.  She packed her bags (usually her frozen and tinkerbelle tin purses) and we travel to Hawaii.  We can't wait to go back for real.

* * *
Violet recently went to her second movie in the theater, Cinderella.  The big hit was the ten minute Frozen short before the movie started.  I have never seen Violet sit so quietly and so still for ten minutes.

The movie was a little long for her but we made it through.

Playdate!

Napping with dad

Joshua Tree

Earlier this month we took Violet to Joshua Tree.  It poured the first night we were there but luckily cleared up the next day.  Violet and Eric loved climbing high on the rocks as I watched from safer ground.

 She was fearless.  I had trouble watching them climb.

 Explored every crack and crevice.

Teddy Bear Cactus

Find Violet

Violet's favorite part by far was completing an assignment by the national park and then being sworn in as a junior ranger.

She had a pop quiz right before and was asked "If you see a pretty flower in the park, what do you do?  Do you pick it for mommy?"  Sort of a loaded question if you ask me.  Luckily they gave her the junior ranger status even though she put mommy above preserving our national parks.

Being sworn in.

Proud Junior Ranger.

Violet's 4th Birthday!

Next was Violet's actual birthday on January 12th.  Her school had a party.  Since preschool isn't public, we were allowed to bring sweet treats.

We got mini krispy creme donuts.  Violet requested them with sprinkles.  Because, you know, everything is better with sprinkles.

Then after preschool, it was time for a surprise trip to Disneyland with friend Kylee.  We had lunch at Ariel's Grotto so Violet could meet all the princesses.  We met Ariel on the way in. 

Then as we ate lunch, the princesses each stopped by to say hello.

Snow White.  She had the scary voice down.

Mulan

Cinderella

Violet didn't know who Belle was...

But she loved her.

The best part about all this was that the girls thought the princesses were real.  That was priceless.

Then since it was her actual birthday that day, there was more yummy cake.

Best cake ever!

Making a wish.

Afterwards we stood inline so the girls could meet Anna and Elsa.  Violet talked their ears off and they had to pretend to be interested.

Making snow!

Then there was the big doll house present from Auntie D.

Smiling with gum in her mouth.

Thanks Auntie D!