Turning 5 is BIG. Afterall, in Kristina's eyes, she can do
anything and
everything now...now that she is 5. We've had birthday parties for the last 2 years and decided to do something different this year.
Kristina knew we were going away to a hotel but we broke the news on Sunday morning that we were going to Disneyland. She was
so excited exclaiming
"Are you kidding me?" as we packed up a few of her favorite stuffed animals and headed out.
We arrived Sunday afternoon at the Grand Californian Hotel and checked in. As we unloaded our few pieces of luggage, the valet brought Kristina a few autographed photos of the Princesses! How did they know? Was it her Rapunzel shirt...or the light-up Princess rolling tote bag she was pulling? That's Disney, service with a smile.
 |
| The Grand Californian Hotel adjacent to Disneyland and California Adventure |
 |
| The Registration Lobby of the Grand Californian |
We settled in and decided to venture to Downtown Disney to check out the shops and get some dinner. Note to self: Kristina does not like loud noises -- stay away, far-far away from the Rainforest Cafe next time. After waiting 30 minutes to be seated, we placed our drink order. Moments later, the (fake) gorillas started to beat their chests and roar. Then the lights flashed and the thunder clapped -- LOUD. With hands over her ears, she screamed with tears streaming down her face. A friendly waitress came to our aid and offered to move us to another table --- two tables away. I mean, really. In the midst of a crying child clutching to her daddy in fear, I ordered the waitress to "make our drinks to-go." She soon found a table outside on the patio and all was better.
 |
| I took this picture just moments before fear took over Kristina... The gorilla can be seen just to the left of Kristina's elbow. |
 |
| Feeling better out on the patio and dipping into daddy's whip cream drink. |
The next morning, we enjoyed some Room Service before heading over to Disneyland. Kristina was excited to take the Monorail into Disneyland ~ we could have ridden the Monorail all day and our princess would have been happy. As it turned out, one of Jon's co-workers/friends also had the week off from work and was taking his wife and daughter (who is a few months younger than Kristina) to Disneyland on the same day so we made arrangements to meet. As soon as the girls saw each other, they grabbed hands and ran off to the play area in Toon Town. It was a perfect day of very short lines, beautiful weather, and lots of "let's do it again"s after *most* of the rides. Kristina fell asleep in my arms towards the end of dinner that night...which was a perfect ending to my day. :)
 |
| Having a little breakfast on the wee balcony. It overlooked a rollercoaster at CA Adventure. |
 |
| We met our first character of the day....PLUTO! |
 |
| Hmmm, not too sure of this Goofy dude... |
 |
| Daddy won't be driving anytime soon with Kristina.... |
 |
| Oh, yeah -- there's "the" mouse! |
 |
| Kristina and her friend, Jasmine, were buddies from the get-go. |
 |
| Stopped by Minnie Mouse's house |
 |
| By far, Princess Tiana (The Princess and the Frog) was the nicest of ALL princesses. |
 |
| Getting an autograph from Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty). NOTE: Jon and I had to ask someone "who is she?" Next time we'll brush up on our Princesses before going! |
 |
| Hugs from Princess Jasmine |
 |
| How could we say "no?" |
 |
| After seeing the Princesses, Kristina had her face painted, too! |
 |
| Daddy's favorite Disneyland treat...is now Kristina's favorite! |
 |
| Having so much fun as a family |
 |
| What a surprise to find Rapunzel!! |
 |
| After dinner, my princess fell asleep in my arms. God, I love her... |
When Kristina awoke the next morning, she announced "
I'm 5 today!" We oooo'd and ahhhh'd after each gift and card before heading out to CA Adventure.
 |
| Five years old with an attitude! (This style of dress is 100% Kristina created...even down to the MissMatched socks. The socks are sold mismatched but I believe Kristina originated the idea!) |
 |
| The Birthday Loot |
 |
| Grammy and Poppy gave Kristina a Deer Music Box...and it plays "You Are My Sunsine"... the song that Kristina and I sing to each other all the time. |
We chose to go to Californa Adventure (amusement park next door to Disneyland) on Kristina's birthday because of the princess luncheon over at Ariel's Grotto located in the Park. Ariel is still Kristina's favorite princess and she was so excited to meet her as soon as we arrived at the Grotto at 1pm. As we began to have lunch, the horns would announce the presence of another princess. To see Kristina jump to attention with eyes wide open and her jaw dropping to the ground as each princess arrived was priceless. Hugs were plentiful that hour!
 |
| Deer Crossing...or is that "Deary" Crossing? |
 |
Even princesses need a break from all the rides.
(Jasmine gave Kristina her "Princess Jasmine" costume to wear during the day.) |
 |
| Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure -- where all the magic happened that day! |
 |
| The visit was so brief (since there are other people in line) that we didn't even get pictures of each girl alone with Ariel! |
 |
| Oh my gosh...it's Snow White!! |
 |
| Belle, from Beauty and the Beast |
 |
| Kristina and Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) |
 |
| Cinderella and Kristina posing! |
 |
Kristina's "birthday brownie." Note the matryoshka doll -- just to remember that there is a girl in Russia who gave birth to Kristina and then gave us the greatest gift in the world.
We don't forget that. |
 |
| We're singing "Happy Birthday" to Kristina while she contemplates a big wish. |
 |
| When Jon saw Ariel by herself, he grabbed Kristina so they could have some one-on-one time. |
 |
| Saying good-bye to Ariel. |
 |
| Kristina was on cloud 9 after meeting with all the Princesses! |
 |
| Woody!! |
 |
| Buzz Lightyear - the only character who couldn't sign autographs. |
 |
| Love this photo -- captures Kristina in a fit of giggles high up on the Ferris Wheel! |
 |
| Tall enough to ride the rollercoaster!!! And she LOVED it! |
 |
| I guess this Goofy guy ain't so bad afterall! |
 |
| Late at night yet Kristina still has enough energy to model in front of Lightening McQueen! |
 |
| The girls hang out in the Grand Californian lobby watching cartoons in the really cool rocking chairs while the parents start saying our good-byes.... |
 |
| At the end of a long day, Kristina starts to fall asleep on the floor while daddy still shops. |
What was quite evident during this trip was that Kristina is still highly sensitive to loud noises and fearful of dark rides. Over a year ago, Kristina handled "
It's a Small World" at DisneyWorld just fine, but "
It's a Small World" in Disneyland was a different story. The music was very, very loud so we had to cover her ears and wipe the tears. And let's just say, the "
World of Color" nighttime show at the end of the day at California Adventure was the epitome of "
I don't like this~I want to go home!"
Overall, it was a fantastic three days away as a family celebrating our darling's 5th birthday. But the celebration didn't stop at Disneyland....we still had to celebrate at school!
The day Kristina returned to school, daddy and I showed up at 3pm with cupcakes, juice boxes and goody bags in hand. The kids were so excited and we truly had a fun time setting up, chatting with all the kids, and seeing Kristina soak up the attention. And this was the first time that Jon was able to be off of work and attend her birthday celebration at school! They don't do this in Kindergarten...do they? They probably just ask you to send the cupcakes over and they handle it. I'll miss making a big deal out of her special day...and she not minding mommy being there doting all over her...!
 |
| All the kids are "on" the carpet while Kristina and daddy set up for the party. |
 |
| Getting ready to light the candle and Kristina is already eyeing "her" cupcake. |
 |
| Blowing out the #5 candle! |
 |
| The Happy Birthday Girl! |
 |
| Friends Andrea, Valerie and Gaby |
 |
| Kristina and BFF, Gaby. And yes, that's a SECOND cupcake on Kristina's plate! |
 |
| Kristina's favorite teacher, Mrs. Maurine. |
 |
| Miss Erin has seen Kristina grow up since her first day at school 2 1/2 years ago. |
 |
| Kristina and one of her teachers, Miss Cassandra |
 |
| Sigh...my little girl isn't so little anymore! |
 |
| Daddy and his "big" little girl...she has him wrapped around her finger! |
FYI: Some updated Kristina statistics...
*
Weight: 38.7 lbs.
*
Height: 42 1/2" tall
*
Clothes Size: 5/6x
*
Favorite Movie (for now...): Santa Paws, The Princess and the Frog
*
Favorite TV Show: SpongeBob Squarepants, still
*
Favorite Outdoor activity: Riding her bike (
now asking to take off the training wheels!! We'll see...)
*
Phrase of the Week: "
That's disgusting!" (We found out it's the phrase other students are now using at school...)
*
Favorite Color: Pink
*
What Kristina wants to be when she grows up: "A rockstar!"
Happy Birthday, Kristina DeAnn. You have now celebrated more birthdays with us than not with us -- another milestone!
We love you dearly!!
