Disney!

My annual pass to Disneyland is the lowest-level pass, meaning it has a LOT of blocked out dates - all summer, all weekends, some additional Fridays and all holidays. The two weeks around Easter are also blocked out.

Luckily, our Spring Break started Easter weekend, meaning our Disney passes were all open the second week of our break. We decided to book a hotel room near the park, to get in two solid days of the magic.

Since Auntie Mel wouldn't be subbing during Spring Break, I invited her to come along.

We drove down Tuesday morning, and got into Anaheim by 10 and were inside Disneyland by 11. Our first stop was the Matterhorn, the ride Cora has been itching to try out for months.

She enjoyed our bobsled ride, despite the Abominable Snowman chasing us through the snowy mountain.

We got fast passes for Splash Mountain, and then got in line for Thunder Mountain. Violet rode with Auntie Mel, and I rode with Cora.

Though the park was busy with people like us - those still on Spring Break - we didn't wait in many lines longer than 30 minutes. Thank goodness for the fast pass system!

Thunder Mountain is just a fun coaster!

We were hot afterwards, though, and so we went over to California Adventure to ride the Little Mermaid ride. The air conditioning there felt divine!

We met up with Elaine and Vivian back at Splash Mountain, which we rode together. Elaine and Vivi were in the middle of a three-day Disney trip for Vivi's recent birthday.

Melanie suggested we head to a tiki-themed restaurant and bar near the Disneyland Hotel for dinner, an excellent choice. We enjoyed yummy tiki drinks (and dinner) under palm trees, with a Hawaiian-style singer playing live music.

On our walk back through the Downtown Disney area, we came upon a stage with a Rockabilly group playing. Cora broke out of her comfort zone - risking TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT - and danced with Vivi and Violet.

We then stopped at the massive Lego store, where the girls spent their monetary gift from Andy on new Legos. Thank you, Andy! The girls had such fun choosing their toys. Cora also bought new Disney charms with her money, while Violet chose a small Star Wars print to display in her bedroom.

We spent the night at a nearby Travelodge, which was cheap and cheerful. We were close enough to have a great view of the fireworks.

We got up and out the next morning, because the parks opened at 8 and we wanted to be there as early as we could manage.

We first got our fast passes for Space Mountain, and then went to California Adventure to get passes for the Cars ride.

Then, we got in line for the new Luigi ride, which featured dancing cars.

It was fun!

Then, it was back to Disneyland for Space Mountain. Violet's there, just too low to be seen. We need to remember to have her sit in the front!

Later in the afternoon, we met up with Vivi and Elaine and went on California Screaming, and I took Melanie to her car so she could get back to SClarita for work.

Then, I met back up with Elaine and the girls, and we said goodbye to Elaine and Vivi. They were going to begin making their way home, while we had fast passes for Star Tours.

After Star Tours, we went back to the other park for the Cars ride. Yes, we did a LOT of back and forth between the parks on Tuesday! Though Violet is almost 6, I was grateful for the stroller.

The Cars ride is so much fun - see Violet's outstretched arms here?

We then went on the newly reopened Soaring Over California ride, which Violet was tall enough for. Yay!

Next, we met up with our friends Jen, Trent and Jack at the Redwood Creek play area. At 42 inches in her shoes, Violet was finally tall enough to do the zip line. She was so excited!

Jen had come with some of their other friends, and they were all staying Wednesday night and returning Thursday. The kids played together for an hour or so, and then we reached our departure time.

After stopping for fast food on the way home, the girls and I were back home around 10 p.m. Not bad at all.

Until next time, Disney!

All in a Weekend's Work

On Saturday, we made our family return to Kidz Love Soccer.
This time, it wasn't Cora. Violet said a couple of months ago she didn't want to play t-ball after her tennis session - she wanted to get back onto the footie pitch!

She did just fine in her class of 5- and 6-year-olds. She's always been good at dribbling.

Later on Saturday, we used some Easter money from Nan and Pop for the girls to go to the movies. We've all been wanting to see Disney's latest, Zootopia, and this free Saturday was the perfect time to go. You can see Violet holding a Tsum Tsum of one of the movie's funny characters.

It was a really good film, one I wouldn't mind owning.

After the movie, we went to Lowe's to get Cora some new shelves for her room. She has big plans to display her new Star Wars Lego toys.

That evening, we rode bikes to the Habit. It was a fantastic time together (and yummy!).

On Sunday, Cora got to work on her shelving. She did just about all the work herself.

The finished result - the dresser and everything hanging on the wall above the dresser have been shifted to the left. The desk is now in the corner, with the two shelves above.

The upper corner shelf holds Cora's sports trophies, and the lower shelf holds her Lego Star Wars figures. She and Stace might create a backdrop to place behind the figures.

Stace also put in Violet's flower light, a present from Grandma for her 5th birthday. At least we got it on the wall before her 6th, right?

They had the cute idea of making leaves to go along the cord/stem. Violet loves being able to have a bit of reading time now after we've said goodnight.

Spring Break, Week 1

On Tuesday, Cora woke up at Sophia's house, where she'd had a sleepover. She had a nice playdate, while Violet and I baked and organized.

On Wednesday, Violet went with Grandpa, while Cora and I had a Mommy-big girl date. We had lunch together and then met Aunt Patty at Passages, a traveling museum focusing on the Bible.

We went to the museum in November, and now that it's about to close shop and eventually move to a permanent home in Washington, D.C., Cora wanted to take one more look. I was happy to oblige, and take the opportunity for some time with my big girl.

She checked out the children's area for a while, where kids could dress up like Bible characters, among other educational amusements.



We also looked at all the other exhibits, but no photography was allowed. We saw countless ancient copies of the Bible in a variety of languages, and Cora was able to write using a quill and ink, and make a stamped copy of a page on a Gutenberg's press.

That afternoon, Cora had a game, and Aunt Patty was able to watch Cora pitch and hit. Her team won, their fourth win. The Ducks are definitely playing better in recent weeks.

On Thursday, Violet had a doctor's checkup, and we ran some errands. The weather was gorgeous, so we dined alfresco for lunch. Lunch with my girls is something I miss now that they're at school.

On Thursday evening, Stace and I left the girls with Grandpa and Grandma, and took Melanie and Nick's new headboard to their home.

Looks amazing, doesn't it? My husband can do anything!

On Friday, we went out to the San Gabriel Valley to visit friends. We first stopped at Melanie's house, where the girls played with Heather and Sienna, and I got to hold newborn baby Andrew. Such fun to hold a tiny one again!

We then went further east, where we met up with JT, Callie and Jonah.
We met them at a park with a playground, hiking trails and a nature center. Here, the girls are feeling skins that snakes have shed.

We then took a mile hike around a beautiful trail full of flowering cactus plants.

After that hiking, we needed something icy to drink - 7-11 slurpees were perfect! I promise that Callie and Cora were pleased with their frosty treat!

We returned to SClarita in time for Cora to go to Hits and Hot Dogs at Coach Cory's house.

So, our first Spring Break week was a lovely combination of time at home and fun with friends.

Egg-shaped Love

I took Cora to practice one evening the week before Easter, and Stace enjoyed one-on-one time with Violet. I figured they'd go out for ice cream, but instead, I came home to the sweetest surprise that brought tears to my eyes.

Violet wanted to color an Easter egg, an activity I must admit I haven't been good about doing in recent years. She wanted it to be a present for me, and Stace helped her out, blowing the contents of the egg out, and making the egg dye.

It's beautiful, a lovely present, and was such a nice surprise. Violet's adorable note also brightened my evening: "This little Easter egg comes with love but today is a special day you get a gift!"

Fast forward a week, and the girls and I were cleaning the house. Cora pulled something off the table, which knocked the egg to the tile floor. Violet immediately burst into tears. Cora apologized and disappeared, while I tried to console Vi.

A few minutes later, it was Cora who brought me to tears - she emerged from her bedroom with the egg repaired as well as she could with tape. It was such a sweet and caring thing to do, and helped Violet feel better.

At Easter we celebrate Christ's LOVE, and I am so blessed to be surrounded by such LOVE from these girls of mine.

A Placerita Ramble

After our big Sunday, we laid low on Monday, our first day of Spring Break. Cora and I cleaned out some drawers in her closet, as she is interested in changing her room around a bit.

When Stace got home, both girls were itching to get outside. We headed over to Placerita Canyon for a walk.

It was gorgeous, as you can see, with wildflowers and green everywhere.

While walking down this tree-lined trail, I thought it reminded me of part of Ham Hill in Somerset.

The green was a bit like Somerset, too.

We carried on under the tunnel to the Oak of the Golden Dream, where we came upon this lovely scene.

The girls had a brilliant time, and so did Stace and I.

Easter Joy

We started our Easter celebration with church on Saturday night, where the girls had fun in their class.

On Sunday morning, I returned to help in the nursery, while Stace and the girls planted the new plants.

On Sunday afternoon, we had a little egg hunt for the girls at home, where we hosted the Easter fun. My parents, Melanie and Nick and Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty came over for a lovely afternoon.









Some of the eggs were part of a set of "Resurrection Eggs," which tell the Easter story through little trinkets inside the eggs.

For example, one has a little cup for the goblet of wine from Christ's Last Supper, and one has a tiny (plastic) crown of thorns. You won't be shocked to hear that the final egg is empty!  We all took turns going around the table reading the information, after the girls opened the eggs.

It was a great way to emphasize the real meaning of the day, now that the girls are old enough to take it in a bit more.






While I finished getting dinner ready, everyone then enjoyed a bit of croquet.

Happy Easter, one and all! He is Risen!

Garden Fun

Last week Cora and Violet decided to re-plant our veggie patch. Cora got right to work, weeding and  planning out what to plant.

On Saturday, we went to the nursery to pick out what would be in the garden. The girls chose strawberries, tomatoes, beans, carrots, cucumber and zucchini, along with some flowers.

The garden center was passing out lots of freebies to celebrate its spring opening, and we won a raffle prize - an insulated picnic bag full of things for the barbecue, and a great sun-shading gardening hat.












The girls handled all the planting on their own, with just a bit of advice from Stace.

The finished result!

The rest of our garden is blooming beautifully. We put some more flowers in over the weekend, but this photo was taken beforehand - just the annuals that are happy spring is here.

The irises are particularly lovely this year, as Stace divided them last year and placed them throughout the back raised flowerbed. The geraniums, lantana, alyssum and gazanias are also blooming crazy. Lovely!

School Fun

One of the best things about our school district is its music program. Cora is learning the recorder in third grade, and next year she can take part in the orchestra, if she so chooses.

To help the children decide if they want to learn another instrument in fourth grade, the third graders on Monday took part in a "musical petting zoo." Here, they were able to try a variety of instruments on for size.

Cora enjoyed the violin the best.

She also tried the clarinet, which is where I was stationed as a volunteer with my friend Elaine. We sanitized the mouth pieces after each student, while real musicians helped the children learn how to play them.

Cora also tried out the trombone, here, and a trumpet. (I don't know why my phone sometimes makes halos appear around the subject matter.)

Later in the week, I helped out in Violet's class, as always, and then in Cora's class. When I was in the room, the students all had computers and were working in a writing assignment for an assessment.

After school on Wednesday, the students taking part in the variety show had a rehearsal. Violet enjoyed herself a lot, and on her second go, made it all the way through her little rhyme, jumping the whole time. I hope she can do the same in April, on the big night!



Also, in recent weeks Cora had her 9-year-well check. She is very healthy, and in the 40th percentile for weight, and 23rd for height. Dr. Brockett said that if she maintains her place on the growth chart, she would reach 5'3" as an adult. Given her genes, I'd be very pleased if that were the case.