Back at the end of August we went on a trip to Disney World.  We took lots of pictures while we were there (over 3200!) so it’s taking me some time to go through them and figure out what I want to share.  Here is the first day of our vacation:

We woke Hailey up around 6am and told her there was a surprise for her in the living room (she had no idea we were going to Disney World).  So she got right up to go see.

Opening her surprise box.

Reading the sign on her balloon that says, “We are going to Disney World.”  She seemed pretty shocked at first and didn’t know what to say.  When she realized we were leaving in a couple of hours she got very excited and ran to give me and Rich and big hug and said “Thank you so much!”

Other things inside the box included a new DVD (The Fox and the Hound) a new game for her MobiGo (Tangled), 2 autograph books that I made for the trip and a new shirt to wear.

The first autograph book I made for Hailey to take on our trip.

The other autograph book.

Hailey all ready to head to the airport, wearing her new shirt that says, “I’m going to the Walt Disney World Resort.”

Hailey and Rich on the airplane.  The flight went better than last years did.  Hailey complained she felt sick but she didn’t actually get sick this time.

Yay!  At the airport in Orlando!

We went to catch our bus to our resort and didn’t have to wait at all.  There weren’t very many people in line, which we were told was because of Hurricane Irene and a lot of people not able to come.  We were very fortunate to make it when we did as we were one of the last flights to leave from our connecting airport to go to Orlando.

Hailey happy to be on the Magical Express… but that smile didn’t last the whole trip.  When we got  to our first stop (Caribbean Beach) to let people off Hailey begged to get off the bus because she was feeling sick.  We couldn’t get off there and as soon as pulled out of the resort Hailey got sick  Fortunately she felt better after that and we were pretty close to our resort anyways.

Pulling in to our resort- Pop Century.  We stayed there last year and really liked it.  We spend such a small amount of time in our room that we have liked staying at the value resorts in the past to save money.  But I think after this year we are going to be staying away from the value resorts.  We had an amazing time but there were a lot of things that bothered us this year.

Hailey loved playing with the big legos while Rich waited to get our suitcases off of Magical Express.

She had a little time to hula hoop too.

Hailey enjoyed playing in the kids room while I checked us in.  I had done online check in before we got there, so it only took a few minutes for me to check in.

Off to find our room

After we got settled into our room we went to the food court to have some dinner.  Hailey enjoyed a yummy pizza.

Then we checked out the Everything Pop gift shop.

Hailey decided she wanted a Lotso teddy bear from the gift shop.  She’s posing in front of Lady, one of the huge icons that was near our room.

Hailey and Lotso in front of Tramp.

After a long day of traveling it was nice to just relax at the pool.

Hailey loved swimming in the pool!

A view of the main pool at Pop Century.

We were tired from our long day so we headed off to bed knowing that day 2 would be an early morning.

Hailey did not have school on her birthday this year, so we had to celebrate with her class on the day before her birthday.

She wore her birthday shirt to school and was very proud of it!

Another quick pose before heading off to school.

I brought in cupcakes to celebrate her birthday at school.  While waiting for Hailey and her class to come back from the playground I was able to talk to Hailey’s teacher for a few minutes.  She told me that Hailey is the sweetest little girl ever.  So I told her I thought so too  Hailey’s teacher said, “I really mean it.  I’ve met a lot of kids and Hailey is just the sweetest girl.”  It made me so happy to hear her say that!

Here are the cupcakes that Hailey picked:

Rapunzel for the girls

Cars for the boys

When the class came back Hailey got to pick a friend to help pass out the cupcakes and drinks.  She picked a little boy named L… according to Hailey’s teacher L is in love with Hailey.  During sharing time that day he had told the class that Hailey was the most beautiful girl in the class.

After the cupcakes were passed out Hailey got to wear the special birthday hat while the class sang to her.

She was so excited!

The next day (Friday) was Hailey’s actual birthday and there wasn’t any school.  She woke up nice and early, very excited about it being her birthday.  After she quickly ate her breakfast and got dressed we let her open her presents.

She was very excited about everything she got!  She spent the day playing with all of her new toys.

To celebrate her birthday, Hailey had requested we go to the Olive Garden to eat dinner- she loves eating there!

Hailey’s favorite part of her meal- cheese!

She loves the pizza too, but it’s really all about the cheese!

After dinner we came back to our house with Grandma and Pa to have cake and some more presents.

My mom made this beautiful princess cake and Hailey absolutely loved it!

Hailey and her Cinderella cake.

Blowing out her candle!

Posing with her new American Girl Doll (which she named Aveena) from Grandma and Pa, wearing their matching pajamas.

Hailey said her birthday was wonderful!  I’m so glad she enjoyed her special day!!  (Her party with her friends is next weekend, so I’ll post more pictures after that party.)

I asked Hailey these questions when she turned 3 and when she turned 4.  It’s so fun to see her answers change from year to year.

1. What is something mommy always says to you?  Hailey you’re cute.

2. What makes mommy happy?  When I snuggle with her.

3. What makes mommy sad?  When I’m not good.

4. How does your mommy make you laugh?  Tickling me

5. What was your mommy like as a child?  That’s hard.  She was silly.

6. How old is your mommy?  6

7. How tall is your mommy?  40

8. What is her favorite thing to do?  Play with me.

9.What does mommy do when you’re not around?  Talks to daddy.

10. If your mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?  For being a movie star.

11. What is your mommy really good at?  Being the best girl ever.

12. What is your mom not very good at?  She’s not good at going on the computer.

13. What does your mommy do for her job?  She doesn’t have a job.

14. What is your mommy’s favorite food?  Carrots

15. What makes you proud of your mommy?  When she goes in the swimming pool with me.

16. If your mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?  Rapunzel

17. What do you and your mommy do together?  We play games.

18. How are you and your mommy the same?  When we have the same hair.

19. How are you and your mommy different?  Our eyes are not the same.

20. How do you know your mommy loves you?  When she gives me hugs and kisses.

21. Where is your mommy’s favorite place to go?  The Olive Garden

Some favorites:

Favorite color:  Red
Favorite animal:  Giraffe
Favorite food:  Pudding
Favorite game:  Scooby Doo
Favorite toy:  My Rapunzel toys and Rapunzel tower
Favorite song:  Hush Little Baby
Favorite drink:  Chocolate milk and milk
Favorite movie:  Sleeping Beauty
Favorite snack:  Cheeze It’s and Cheese sticks

Lastly: What do you want to be when you grow up?  A mommy like you

It seems like I just wrote one of these letters to you, but in reality another year has already gone by and you are now turning 5 years old!  It feels like you were just born short time ago, it’s just not possible that it’s already been 5 years.

It has been another fun filled and busy year and the time flew by.  (Those days really are long and those years really are short!)  You have really grown up over the last year and you are no longer a little preschooler.  You’re in kindergarten now and you make sure that people know you are not a little girl.

It’s been quite a year for us!!  I decided back in February that I was going to leave my job to stay home with you.  I am so happy that I made that choice and have never regretted it for a second.  (Although I do regret the year and half I worked )  We spent a lot of time together doing activities and art projects and just playing together.  The time goes by so fast and I am glad I was able to have all that time with you before you started school.

In April we found out that you are going to be a big sister!  You have been very excited about the baby coming, but also a little bit worried.  You ask me and Daddy from time to time if we are still going to have time to play with you when the baby comes and you wonder if you’ll really be a great big sister.  We do our best to reassure you.

In May of this year you had to have an MRI because you had been complaining of headaches.  I was so worried about you.  You did just fine during your MRI (Grandma and Pa went in with you… I couldn’t go in because I was pregnant and Daddy was out of town.).  You were so brave and held perfectly still.  Everything was completely fine and I was very relieved!  Apparently you’re just one of those people who have a problem with headaches.

You finished up going to pre-k in June and then spent your summer vacation at home with me.  You complained a lot that you were bored with me… hahaha but I did my best to keep you busy and entertained.  Almost every day you would ask me if we were going to do something fun.  I did my best but you were anxiously waiting for school to start so you could have some kids to play with.

You were very excited on your first day of kindergarten in September!  Daddy and I brought you to school for your first day and you looked a little bit worried when we left, but I was sure you were going to do fine.  After we left your classroom I went to the car and cried.  Kindergarten is your first really big step towards your independence and I just wasn’t ready for it.  You were definitely ready though and you absolutely love school!!  On the days when there is no school you ask me when it’s going to be time to go back.

You still love all things girly.  You like dolls and princesses and wearing dresses and skirts, and playing dress up.  You love to sing and dance and put on shows for us to watch.  You also love Scooby Doo, Sponge Bob and the Smurfts.  You love to color and draw and some days you will spend hours quietly coloring pictures for me and Daddy.

You and Daddy have your special little games that you play together.  Your games make me nervous since they usually involve fighting and wrestling.  I try not to watch when you play because I’m so afraid you’re going to get hurt!  But I listen from the other room and enjoying hearing your little giggle.  Sometimes I hear you say, “Uh-oh, I have an injury.” But then you yell “FIGHT” and the laughing and fun starts all over again.

You love to snuggle with me.  Every night when you go to bed we read some books together and then we snuggle until you fall asleep.  I love that special time with just me and you.  Many times you will talk to me and tell me stories about what happened during your day during that time.  I know you’re probably just stalling so you don’t have to go to sleep but I just love our little conversations.  In the middle of the night you usually come and get in bed with me and Daddy and ask me to snuggle with you some more.  When you wake up in the morning you ask for more snuggles.  During the day you’re pretty busy and not very cuddly, so I have to take advantage of the snuggles when I can!

You are such a happy girl and you light up my world every day with your smile and laugh!  You make me and Daddy so happy and we just love you so much!  I remember one time you spent the night at Grandma and Pa’s house and we just didn’t know what to do with ourselves.  Daddy asked me, “What are we supposed to do without Hailey here?”  We love spending time with you and playing with you.  And even when you are entertaining yourself it just makes us happy to hear your little voice and the sound of your feet running around.  You are our world and we love you more than you will ever know!

I love you Little Miss!!  Happy 5th Birthday!

Mommy