Rylann's First Haircut

Can you believe it? This child made it all the way to 4 without having her hair cut. All that changed when she found out that if she got her hair cut, she'd get her favorite color choice of bows and GLITTER! She ended up getting about 4-5 inches trimmed from the back, and she said her favorite part was getting her hair washed.

Happy 4th of July!

Graduation Day

We had two people in our family graduating this year, Rylann and Uncle Aru. And the ceremonies just happened to occur on the same day. Rylann was pretty blase about her promotion from preschool to kindergarten, and was basically over it as soon as the ceremony began. She much preferred watching her beloved uncle graduate from high school, and so did Tristan, since he was able to munch on cookies and guzzle juice at the reception. In fact, there are very few pictures of Tristan from this day since most are either a running blur, or a crumb covered, eating monster.

Running away from mommy before Rylann's graduation.



Look! She's happy! She's excited! And then...



I survived preschool, and all I got was this lousy certificate.



Posing with Uncle Aru







You can almost feel the love, can't you?



And here Tristan is, displaying the boorish manners of a one year old.
Yes, that bread *was* supposed to be for the whole table.

Savoring every last little piggy bite.

Could it possibly be...more Disney?

Okay, I am as tired of uploading Disneyland pictures as you are of seeing them, BUT...here are some more.

Rainbow Brite Manny

So we always bring along glow sticks to Disneyland that we make into necklaces for the kids. They're super cheap, and the kids love seeing them glow on the rides. Both kids had abandoned their necklaces at some point in the evening, and Manny ended up with them on his head, in true early 80's headband workout style.

As we're driving home at night, I dozed off, and Manny stopped at the supermarket to pick up some Red Bull and Snickers and other "uppers". I wake up as he gets back in the car, and he's still wearing the glow necklaces on his head, and really, his hair is a mess, and he looks like Richard Simmons gone raving. He's just missing the short shorts and tube socks.

I burst out laughing at him and pointing, and he had totally forgotten he was wearing them. Apparently, when he had gotten to the checkstand, the employee looked at him with a smirk, and asked him. "Having a good night, huh?". Of course, it's not as funny now, and especially without pictures, but deliriously sleepy me kept laughing about it for 10 minutes. Poor Manny.

Happy Birthday to Me!

For annual passholders who visit the park on their birthday, Disney gives you a gift card with $69 on it, which is the cost of a one-day ticket. It never expires, and who can argue against free? Manny can't, so away we went to celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day, Disney style.

I swear, Tristan begged to go and meet Handy Manny. Really.

See? Told ya!




Tristan loves petting the goats at Big Thunder Ranch.




Tristan poses on his own terms.

One of which is that he prefers to take pictures alone.

Looking at the waters of the Rivers of America.

Tristan waving at the steamboat. "Bye bye choo choo!"

Cheese!

Rylann showing off her new Build-A-Bear creation to Pluto.

Tristan keeps getting more and more at ease with the characters.

Playing checkers at the pirate hideaway.

Rylann hard at work. Why?

To get the treasure chest, of course.

Rylann ran across the suspension bridge over and over, and over again.

There she goes!

Way up high in the treehouse.

Rylann and Iridessa, her fave fairy because of her rainbow making abilities.



And with Tink!




Two of them asleep! At the same time!




Um, wait, see that guy on the bench? Make that three asleep.

Legoland!

We descended upon Legoland for the first time together as family this past weekend. The kids had a great time, especially Rylann, our veteran visitor. For some reason, the height limits are really high on almost all of the rides. So Tristan couldn't do very much, but he had a great time at the playground and looking at all of the miniature buildings. Just so you know, we separated, and Manny took Tristan while I took Rylann and the camera. So that's why most of the pictures are of Rylann. I'm not playing favorites...so far.

Rylann's favorite ride. Can you see the future?



Check out that intense concentration.



Rylann playing in one of the many playhouses on the playground.

A big smile from my little guy.

Rylann's always willing to pose.

Rylann practices her jousting. She was a little rusty, but quick on the uptake.




Why do the boys always get the long eyelashes?



Checking out a miniature city.




This was so Rylann's idea.

And now for my favorite part of our Legoland trip. Check out this little gem that was in the bottom of one of the buildings. Those Legoland folks certainly pay close attention to details, don't they?