Isla's Fairy Garden Party

"Far, Far away, in a magical place sits a small little fairy with her soft, smiling face.
She waits for her friends in the warm shining sun, won't you come to her house to join the fun?
The garden is full of fairies the flowers all dancing with glee,
All dreams and wishes will come true, as our little Isla turns three!"

Isla's third birthday party was pixie perfect! All her little friends arrived at 2:30; the girls dressed up in their fairy best. Isla sprayed glitter (pixie dust) in all the girls' hair so they could be like Tinkerbell. The party was held in our front yard and they had little stations to play in. The first station was flower pot decorating. I painted each child's name on the pot in fairy print and they could decorate with foam sticky shapes. Then I had a bubble wand station, hopscotch, bean bag toss into flower pots, swinging and sliding. Our first game was the rainbow walk. I played the main song from Tinkerbell and the little fairies walked around in a circle and would stop on a cloud when the music stopped. I then pulled out a color and whoever was on that colored cloud won a prize. Of course we played until eveyone won. The girls won stick on earrings and the boys won rain sticks. Next I explained the story of the tooth fairy and how she leaves behind coins when she picks the teeth. Meanwhile John was sprinkling nickles and pennies around the front yard. Each child got a little pail and then had so much fun treasure hunting for the coins. After a little game of duck, duck, goose, it was cupcake time. Cinottis made strawberry cupcakes with buttercream frosting and little fairy wings on top with edible glitter sprinkled all over. There wasn't a cupcake left! I also had made little jars of pixie dust (baby powder and glitter) and the kids had a blast sprinkling it all over and rubbing it on their arms and legs. The favors were their decorated flower pots filled with a shovel, seeds, mini pixie dust jars, and a bag of gumdrops. I had so much fun seeing all the little girls fluttering around in their costumes and the weather was perfect, again. We have had all 3 of her birthday parties in our front yard and it's always been gorgeous outside. Here are some of my favorite pictures from her party:

Happiest Place on Earth

That it was! Our first trip to Disney World as a family was such a wonderful time. John took off work from last Wednesday, the 21st to Monday, the 26th. We spent Wednesday, his 29th birthday, driving to Orlando and spending the day by the pool. My parents own a timeshare down there and it is such a nice place to stay. The Fountains have a huge pool area with a water slide that kept Isla entertained the whole afternoon. She also liked the jacuzzi which she kept calling the "hot bath". We sipped pina coladas and virgin strawberry daiquiris (for Isla) poolside and got our first tans of the summer. They even had a D.J. out there on a Wednesday afternoon so we got to dance in he water too. Thank goodness for ISR swim lessons because our little 3 year old has zero fear of water and she was even doing flips under the water. Little Leo loved his little float and was kicking his legs like crazy in the water.

And this is Isla's first bikini and I must say, she looks adorable in it. :) John isn't so sure how he feels about his toddler wearing a bikini.

Later that evening we enjoyed a pizza dinner and wine out on our balcony which overlooked the pool area. Isla had fun coloring and eating pistachios for dessert.




















The next morning we woke up bright and early to catch the first fairy over to the Magic Kingdom. Oh man, I'll remember that excited look on Isla's face forever. It's so fun to see and experience these things all over again through your children. I was so excited too. It's been a LONG time since I had been to Disney. Isla got a "First Visit" Button and a "Happy Birthday" button. The whole time in the park, workers and characters would say "Happy Birthday Princess" to her. So neat!















There it is, Cinderella's Castle!

















































The first ride we got on was It's a Small World, a classic. Of course right when we got off Isla wanted to ride it again but we just explained that we had a lot more rides like this to go on. Her face in this picture was pretty much glued on the entire day. She was just in AWE of everything at the Magic Kingdom.





























The boys hanging together while the girls rode the Carousel.





























It didn't take long for Leo to pass out in the stroller. He was a little overwhelmed.















Teacups with Daddy was a huge hit. It makes me dizzy just watching them going around and around. Isla also really liked the Country Bear Jamboree with the singing bears and moose on the wall. I didn't get a pic. of that though. Leo was passed out on me the entire show.















Isla and Princess Belle after storytime in Belle's courtyard which was a sweet little treat. The children gathered on stone benches while Belle and some helpers reinacted The Beauty and The Beast story. Afterwards you could line up and talk to Belle and snap some photos.




















Then it was off to the highlight of the trip...Bibbity Bobbity Boutique in Cinderella's Castle. This is where little girls are transformed into princesses. I was giddy myself walking into that salon. "Fairy Godmother's in training" were all dressed up and styling about 10 other little girls while we were there. They did Isla up with a princess do, glitter in the hair, makeup and a pretty sash. It was totally worth the money!

Leo is thinking, "Where am I? Get me out of this girly place."



















So excited to look like Cinderella. And I was impressed that she sat there as long as she did without even squirming.



















All done up and looking at her sash with her pixie dust sprinkled buttons. One button said Happy Birthday Princess Isla and the other said First Visit.



















She cracks me up how she stands with her hands on her hips now. Such a little lady.



















Bibbity Bobbity Bootiful!!!






































And then it was time to go home. WOW what a day! We were there from 8:30 to 5:30. As soon as Isla's head hit the pillow, she was OUT! Leo too. Then the highlight of the day for John and I...the NFL Draft. My Boy, Timmy Tebow, got picked in the first round (take that, every sports commentator out there)! I am so happy for him and hope he kills it in Denver. I'm definitely a Bronco fan now. :) Too bad the Jags were ranked the worst drafting team. Maybe they'll surprise everyone next fall. I know one game I will go to...the first game of the season vs. Denver. ;)

As for Disney, I cannot wait to go back.

Here is Isla at the boutique. I love her little eyebrow raise up and down when she is excited about something. I've been wanting to catch it for forever and now I got it! You have to look really closely, it's at the end after I ask her what she got. :)