Bennett's First Trip to Disneyland

 Did Bennett have a good first trip to Disneyland?

 First of all, thanks for asking.  Secondly, yes Bennett loved Disney and everything about it!

By which I mean, he loved all the different places where he could play with trucks at Disneyland.

 He loved playing with trucks in the baby pool.

He loved playing with trucks while his sister ate ice cream.

He loved playing with trucks while hanging out with Daddy.

 Oh wait, here he is quietly enjoying some poolside relaxation.

 Which of course involved trucks.

 He played with trucks while he waited in lines.

 He also played peekaboo while he waited for his sister.

 But it was peekaboo with trucks.

 Occasionally he put his trucks down to enjoy a book about trucks.

 When he was really lucky, his sister enjoyed a roller coaster somewhere that had some dirt to use with his trucks.

 He's more than capable of playing with trucks midair while in someone's arms.

 I think John drew the line with playing with trucks on top of his head, though.

Bennett rode loads of rides and by the end of our visit he didn't even dislike the rides.  But his real joy was found playing with trucks in every different location he found himself in.

Happy first trip to Disneyland, Bennett!  Now I know why toddlers get into the park for free.

Don't Let the Crown Fool You

 We went to Disneyland last week, and our time there was very princess-filled.

There were many princesses to meet and princess things to buy.

 There was even a princess makeover.

 Anyone who knows Orelia, would know that getting a princess makeover and then getting to immediately meet the princesses was just about the pinnacle of her life thus far.

Orelia loves princess dresses, makeup, and crowns.

 She loves everything about it.

And we embrace that about her.

Which is why we made her an appointment at the Bippity Boppity Boutique to begin with.

 Cinderella is her favorite princess, so she of course chose a Cinderella gown and was downright giddy to meet her and show off their matching dresses.

 They spoke of the prince, Jaq and Gus, and the Royal Ball.  It was so sweet to watch the excitement in her eyes and to see her starstruck.

 I often describe Orelia as a "princess fairy," since this love of glitter and tiaras is central to her world right now.   It's the way she was made, and she's always been drawn to this type of thing.

I don't expect her to idolize Cinderella for much longer, but while she remains enamored, I will continue to chuckle on the sidelines as she wobbles around the house in glass slippers.

I see all kinds of posts on Facebook that are essentially ragging on traditional princess adoration by young girls.  While I agree that the concept of a damsel in distress is not what I want Orelia to admire, just because she's wearing a tiara doesn't mean Orelia is the type of girl who would ever need, much less want, anyone to save her.

 Don't let the crown fool you, this girl is full of fire and tenacity and strength.

Just because she chooses to put on a gown instead of a fireman costume doesn't mean she isn't bound for the Oval Office (or even a firehouse for that matter).

Often it seems to be the people without kids, or at least without a princess fairy of a child who love princess shaming the most.

I am all for giving kids - boys or girls - the choice of what to play.  I think girls should be given the opportunity to play with trains and trucks and fireman costumes, for that matter.  I am all for more modern movies and shows where the female characters are strong and leaders.

 I just want my kid to be happy and be herself.

 And this kid is a Cinderella-loving, saucy, smart, funny princess fairy.

She doesn't need to play with trucks or trains to be strong.

She might be a princess today, but one day she will be a queen.

Last Day of School

 Our girl is officially done with her Threes year at preschool.

This photo was technically taken on her second to last day of school, but I had to include it, as it was such a perfect Orelia-chosen outfit.  She won't go anywhere without a purse these days.

 While she still likes hanging from the monkey bars, climbing on top is the new trick.  She is three and three-quarters, after all.

 Bribery goes a long way in our house, and I promised Orelia a new dress to wear if she posed for ten photos in the dress she wore on the first day of school.

She's grown about two inches since school started (they did a fun growth chart project), and she seems to have somehow gotten even more beautiful.

 This silly little girl loved school from the beginning to the end, and I'm so grateful we have found this place for her to grow and learn.

 She has made so many friends this year and played countless games of chase, Mr. Fox, and "vacation" (her new favorite game where she takes every bag or purse in sight and goes on a pretend vacation).  She has eaten countless apple slices, watermelon chunks, banana thirds, and pieces of popcorn.  She has composted roughly ten thousand raisins, pieces of cheese, and beans.  She has worn at least fifty different dresses and only one pair of pants.  She has watered lots of plants in the garden, shown off her Wonder Girl powers, and ridden on every tricycle in the storage shed.  She has had fun.

Goodbye to wonderful Teacher Karla!

Next year is her last year at preschool, and I can't wait to witness all the fun she has!