Tag: Date Day

Date Day with Abby

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The girls do a wonderful job playing together and having fun with the occasional fight or two. But sometimes it becomes apparent that they need some one one one time with me or Shaun. So today Abby and I headed out for a date day! We headed to the library to read and pick out some books, including Charlotte’s Web which I am very excited to read to Abby. After the library we had lunch at Abby’s favorite place… Red Robin and then some play time at her favorite play place. 
It was so nice to have this time with Abby. To talk, giggle and bond. It amazes me how much she has grown since September, what a change. The conversations we have and the imagination she has just blows me away. I am so happy that I can have these moments with her and I cannot wait for another date day!

A Special Date at Disneyland

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Yesterday Shaun and I decided to take a last minute trip to Disneyland. This time we decided to have a special date day with Abby while Ellie stayed with Grandpa and Nana! So we surprised her with a day to herself. That plan back fired a bit because when we arrived Abby seemed a bit sad. After coaxing her to talk, she told us that she was sad Ellie wasn’t there. Wow, tug at my heart strings just a bit but it certainly makes me realize just how close Abby is to her sister and just how much she loves her.

After talking with her a bit, she perked up and our day began. We had a wonderful day at both Disneyland and California Adventure. Abby had a few firsts during this trip, going on the Storybook Land boats and the Tiki Room. Abby loved the Storybook land boats, so much so that we rode it twice but the Tiki Room was not a hit at all. The birds were funny but the large talking Tiki heads bothered her a lot. Oh well, we will try it again soon! We also tried Star Tours, but Abby was just under the line and couldn’t go. She was a little disappointed, but we told her we will try again the next time we come.

We spent most of the day at Disneyland, but headed to California Adventure to catch a few of Abby’s favorites like The Little Mermaid and Toy Story Mania. While we were over there we played a few games where I won a big stuffed Bullseye for Abby and Abby won a big Goofy for Ellie. Abby also had a very special treat… Cotton Candy! The bag was bigger then Abby’s head, but don’t worry we didn’t let her eat it all. She enjoyed it and we actually enjoyed the little pick me up it gave her. The last few hours were spent back over in Disneyland and we had a wonderful time. Even though we thought she was scared, Abby asked on her own to go on the Haunted Mansion. So proud! We had a perfect evening and the perfect end to a day at the Magic Kingdom. Next time we will make sure Ellie comes too!

On the tram looking a little sad. As it turns out, she wanted her sister to be there.

So excited to see Minnie Mouse!

On the Carousel with Daddy. Finally got a big smile out of her  and a picture with Daddy too!

On the Carousel with Mommy. This is a rare event! Usually I am behind the lens.

Trying to pull the sword from the stone. Abby used as many tactics as possible to do it too!

Our first entrance into a land of our favorite Disney stories.

The little town where Pinnochio lives and the workshop where he was made.  All with the Matterhorn in the background!

Stopping for a bit of tea in Minnie’s house.

This was the craziest dishwasher Abby has ever seen. Minnie sure has a lot of neat things in her house.

Abby was very excited to see Mickey Mouse. She  practically hopped into his arms to hug him.

Careful, Abby is behind the wheel!

Mmmmmm, Cotton Candy! What were Mommy and Daddy thinking?!

One last ride on the carousel and Abby is nothing but smiles.

Mommy and Abby Date Day at Disneyland!

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Yesterday was a wonderful day! Abby and I had a date day, just the two of us! Abby was excited just to have some time with mommy, but what excited her the most was the fact that our date day was going to be at… DISNEYLAND! I don’t know a kid in the world who would pass up a day all about them at Disneyland.

Disneyland was not open as late as it usually is, seeing as it was the middle of the week but Abby and I accomplished a lot in our time there. Just after walking through the gates and on to Main Street, we ran into Pluto and Goofy! Abby had the chance to meet both of them and snag a few pictures as well.


From there we made our way up Main Street and headed to Fantasyland. The last few trips we made to Disneyland, Abby begged us to see Rapunzel but we always ran out of time. So, I promised her that we would stand in line to see her, even if it was the only thing we did that day. On our way we found Sleeping Beauty hiding out on one of the sides of the castle. Abby was so excited to meet her!

After our little meet and greet with Sleeping Beauty we hopped in line to see Rapunzel. Lucky for us the wait was less then 20 minutes, which was the fastest wait we have seen so far. When it came time to walk inside and meet Rapunzel and Flynn, Abby all of a sudden became scared of them and wanted to hide. She hid behind my legs and would not get near Flynn or Rapunzel. As we started to leave, Flynn started to talk with Abby at her level and before I knew it she was out from behind me and giving Rapunzel a hug. Then, without prompting, she gave Flynn a hug too! Luckily, what could have been 20 minutes spent in line for nothing, became a picture with a big smile. Honestly, I think it was a little overwhelming at first for Abby to meet her most favorite princess.
After we said goodbye to Rapunzel and Flynn, we headed out for a bit of lunch and then we hopped on to some rides. Dumbo for Auntie Kenzie, Alice in Wonderland for Auntie Jillian and so much more! Within a few hours we had gone on almost every single ride in Fantasyland! I think it was a record if you ask me. Abby had a few firsts that day, one being the King Arthur Carousel and the other being Mr. Toads WIld Ride. She had a blast on both and has said she cannot wait to go back on them.


As the sun went down, Abby and I headed for some food and found a small spot for us to stand and see the parade. Abby watched from my shoulders and soaked in every moment, especially when Santa came by. When the parade ended we headed to see Winnie the Pooh and then enjoyed the fireworks and snow in front of Sleep Beauty’s Castle, which is now decorated for the Christmas season.

After fireworks, we headed back to the car and then home. It was a wonderful day and I am so thrilled I had the chance to spend some one on one time with Abby. I cannot wait until Ellie is old enough to do the same and appreciate it. I am sure that time will be here faster then I would like it to be, so I wont rush it. Until then I will cherish the memories I have of spending a day at Disneyland with my little pumpkin Abby.

Mommy-Daughter Date Day!

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Today Abby and I had a mommy-daughter date day! It was our very first since Ellie was born and I think it was something long overdue!

To start I took a very hungry Abby to lunch. We headed to Red Robin where Abby and I had lots to talk about, like Disneyland, books, the park and lots more. Abby even made a little friend while we were there. She even decided to sit in the booth with us! Her mommy didn’t even try to stop her, I love it when parents watch out for their children like that! Abby had a corn dog for lunch and I have to say, this might just be a new favorite.

After lunch we headed to the library. Without Ellie with us we could take our time and really enjoy the library experience. We went through all the shelves of books and found some new ones as well as a few favorites. We sat down on the soft couches and read together for a bit. After reading a few books we headed over to look at the fish in the large aquarium that connects the children’s wing to the main library. Guess what… We Found Nemo! From there we found a few books for mommy and then headed over to check our books out. The library now has a self check out section, so Abby got to help scan the books and make sure they were demagnetized.

After the library we headed to the park and played for a bit. Abby bounced around from one jungle gym to the next, over to the seesaw, to the swings and then back to the jungle gym. It was a quiet day and most of the kids at the park were hanging out in the play areas for bigger kids. Its ok, Abby has a great imagination and ran everywhere making up games as she went along.

Before long Abby was exhausted. So we left the park and stopped for a drink; it was a pretty warm day. On the way back to the valley to pick up Ellie, Abby passed out and took what I would assume was a very good nap. She was snoring! Nothing like a great ending to a great day, and it was so wonderful to have some one on one time with my punkin!