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!

Violet's 4th Birthday Party!

Seeing that it's almost February, I thought I'd get around to posting the pictures from Violet's birthday.

First we had the formal party at Pretend City, held the day before her birthday.

Violet in her party dress.

Violet and Auntie D

Craft project

Friends Mia and Carter

Good friend Jeff.

Proud Nana and Papa

Craft time.

And then there was cake.

Blowing out the candles.

Waiting in anticipation.

Blue teeth!

After the cake, the kids had time to explore the museum.  Violet was the last one to leave, clocking in at 4 hours later.

Now that the party was over on January 11th, it was time to prepare for her actual birthday on January 12th.