Friday, December 14, 2012

Twirl-A-Riffic!

My little ballerina turned 3 last weekend, and I just had to shout about it.   We started off the morning with hugs, kisses and donuts.   Then we let her open a few family gifts (mostly because I knew her Aunt Lynn had sent her some over.the.top. tutus that she could wear to her party).  We then rushed upstairs for one of the more effortless mornings to get her dressed.   
Her new tutu's from Aunt Lynn

 I then set everything out for her Ballerina party including:

*Fancy wine glasses for their Fruit Punch (found at the DOLLAR STORE) 
*Pink Pretzel Wands (Pretzel rods dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with sugar crystals)
*Cotton Candy (Wrapped in scrapbook paper cones...also found at the DOLLAR STORE)
*Sliced Strawberries
*Peppermint pink swirled marshmallows (TARGET)
*Pirouettes (DOLLAR STORE)
*Ballerina cupcakes (just a toothpick/wrapper set I found at TJ MAXX) 
*Pink Lilies (that are STILL going strong...$5.99/Whole Foods) 
*Free"Hello Kitty Ballerina" print off
*The makings for a "fairy wand" (I found it all at HOBBY LOBBY)
*Tutus for each of the party guests made like THIS.  If you don't know how to sew (or don't want too) I have heard great things about THIS method.  (Again, I found it all at HOBBY LOBBY...@ Christmas they have 10 yards of tulle on sale for $5!)
*Every wall mirror stripped down and laid on the floor so the girls could dance in front of them.
*Ballerina books checked out from the library scattered throughout the party. 




 Once the party guests arrived, they went right to work making their fairy wands.   We wanted to make sure they were dry for our dance party!  

K's dad thought it was easiest to finger paint the rod...he was right!

Anna crying over a hang nail (that she is still nursing)

Daddy finally calmed her down so she could make the perfect wand.

The girls dancing with their wands and tutus.

E teaching Anna a cool new dance move.

Eating cotton candy and punch.

Blowing out her candles on her birthday cupcake.

Super happy (and pumped with sugar).

Waiting to open presents.

Opening "fairy dust" from Miss Rachel.

Loving the gift opening. 


Below is a video of Anna with her friend "K" just dancing and singing while we cleaned up.   This is pretty much how Anna likes to spend her days...we still have the mirrors down for her enjoyment : )  
Happy 3rd birthday my little ballerina!  


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

A Magical Getaway: Final Farewells

">





Day 6:  Unfortunately the night before I caught some sort of stomach virus (in which Todd caught 24 hours later) so we had to stay on the ship at the Cozumel port.  It sounds like they had a great time soaking up some rays,  seeing a pirate ship, seeing a movie in the on board theater and hanging out with my parents.   

Day 7:  So we may have been too wiped to take pictures : )   With Todd being sick and me recovering the kids spent some time in the Oceaneer Lab and the Oceaneer Club on the last day and really seemed to enjoy it (Eli didn't want to come out each time I went to check on him).   We then decided to skip dinner* and see the Final Farewell Show and I'm glad we did.  Both kids were in awe, and Anna kept on saying, "WOW".   
*That was the one problem with our kids ages...we never had time for the night activities because they were always passed out...and so were we!

All in all, we had a MAGICAL time and made many memories.  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!   

P.S. If this wasn't enough, my mom also did a more thorough series of blog spots found: 

AND

here   

(I told you she was more thorough...) 

Monday, December 3, 2012

A Magical Getaway: Day 5



">

Day 5: Our second day off the ship found us at the beaches of Costa Maya.  We decided to go rogue this day and go of the beaten path.   We found a taxi and headed to the restaurant Tropicante where they served great food and drinks at great prices with free lounge chairs for us to enjoy on their slice of the beach.  This is by far the least expensive way to see the beach!!!  This was Anna (and technically Eli's) first time experiencing the beach.  They loved it...it was hard to even tare Eli away.  That night we ate dinner at Parrot Cay where we enjoyed yummy Caribbean fare.

Final 2 days Tomorrow!  

Sunday, December 2, 2012

A Magical Getaway: Day 4


">

Day 4: Our first day off the boat!   We went to Grand Cayman to Boatswains Marine Park where the kids were able to swim with sea turtles (supposedly the only place you can) and Eli learned to snorkel in a huge lagoon with sea turtles and 200 different types of fish.   It was a great day and the kids were able to experience so much.   Once back on the ship we got ready for Pirate night!   This was such a great time...Eli still enjoys dressing up like a pirate at home.

Day 5 Tomorrow!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

A Magical Getaway: Day 3

">

Day 3:  This was a special day because it was my Mom's birthday!  After dropping Eli off at the Oceaneer Lab (different from the club,  more science type activities) we took Anna down for more dancing : )  They had a program every morning called "Wake up With Disney Junior" where they had choreographed dances for the kids to go with their favorite Disney songs.   She was in heaven.   Todd then stood in line early for the Disney Princess meet and greet.   It was well worth it!   Anna's face was as Todd put it, "like a teenager at a Justin Bieber concert".  For dinner we went to Lumieres a french restaurant based on the movie Beauty and the Beast.  Magnifique!

Day 4 Tomorrow!