Thursday, September 24, 2015

Remembrance

Every year we visit Daddy's firehouse for their annual 9/11 ceremony.  It is such a nice way to pay tribute to those that were lost that day and help those that were born after 9/11 realize why it is such a significant day in our history.  In addition to the thousands of people who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and American Airlines flights...343 firefighters lost their lives running into the buildings when others were running out.  We will never forget their bravery.
 Posing with daddy pre-ceremony
 Sitting with Mimi and Cupka.
There are always some very special speakers at the event.  This year an army official who was serving at the Pentagon spoke after surviving the impact and burns over 50% of his body.  So very moving.  A retired FDNY firefighter who was working on 9/11 also performed the traditional four fives ceremony for fallen firefighters...this is an old tradition dating back to the old dispatch bells from FDNY.  They ring four sets of five bells to signal a fallen firefighter.  It is performed every year at the NCFD 9/11 ceremony.

 Sloane showed her support in her FDNY shirt.

Kisses for her hero.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

The Happiest Place on Earth!

For Sloane's actual birthday we took her to Disneyland.  There were definitely a few skeptics out there...she's not into the whole princess thing...she only really knows who Minnie Mouse is...she'll be scared of the characters...she won't get it...etc...etc...etc...
...well, all I can say is...WHATEVER!! We had THE BEST TIME!! Its truly is the happiest place on Earth!  Sloane LOVED it...and it was so great getting to experience it through her eyes!  We did it ALL...two days...both parks...parades...fireworks...SO. MUCH. FUN!
 Sloane's first "ride" was the Disneyland train (which seemed fitting) over to Toon Town.
 Her first official ride was "Its a Small World" (one of Mommy's favorites).

 She was is awe of the spectacle of it all.
Next up...Minnie Mouse's House in Toon Town.  Minnie Mouse is really the only character Sloane knows...but it was enough...she was not scared at all and ran right up to her to give her a hug!  It was as if she had seen a celebrity and couldn't stop talking about it all day!  
"More Mimmie Mou house please!!"



 On the way out of Minnie's house she ran into Daisy Duck and was super excited to meet her too!  

The obligatory family shot in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle.
 Here she is right after her first ride on "Pirates of the Caribbean" (Daddy's favorite ride).
 We stayed late and hit up the new Paint the Night Parade (which is reminiscent of the Main Street Electrical Parade I grew up with).  Sloane, again, was quite taken by the spectacle of it all...


 ...especially seeing Minnie Mouse at the end!

 We even stayed for the fireworks, 
which included some pretty neat projections on "It's a Small World!"

A great end to a great first day!
 Day two was on Sloane's actual birthday and she was "ready to party!"
 We started out on the teacups...which she loved.
 And then rode the Storybook boats...another hit!
 She even enjoyed the high flying rockets in Tomorrowland!
 Then, it was back to Minnie Mouse's house to see Minnie...she was so excited to see her again!
 Here she is making a wish in Minnie's well.

 She didn't want to leave..I think she truly believes she and Minnie are destined to be best friends.
 We then headed over to California Adventure.
 She loved the 3D Toy Story ride...
 ...the buckets in Bugs Land...
...and even the flying fish carousel...
 ...but the ride she loved most was The Little mermaid...so much so we rode it 6 times!!  Yep. Six. But it's actually a pretty cute ride...and it's air conditioned...yay!
 We had dinner at the Grand Californian and they brought Sloane a special Micky Mouse cupcake and sang her happy birthday...which she LOVED....the cupcake not so much...but Mommy and Daddy enjoyed it on her behalf!

We had such fun celebrating this special little lady at the Happiest Place on Earth!
Happy birthday, Sloane!  We love you sooooooo much!!


Sunday, September 13, 2015

Chugga Chugga Two Two!

I can't believe Sloane is TWO!! Where does the time go?  Seriously?  Such a blink!  I know every mother says this...but this seems like just yesterday:
And now this teeny tiny baby is turning two!!  To further the obsession we decided to throw Sloane a train party for her second birthday.  It was at Old Poway Park, which actually has a vintage steam engine that runs on weekends...too perfect...needless to say we ALL had a blast!
 The birthday girl!
 Lunch boxes and train hats ready.

 We got Sloane a teeny tiny cake because she notoriously doesn't like sweets and we knew she would take one bite and be done...I wonder if we'll be right?
 Custom train hat for the birthday girl!
 LOTS of people came to celebrate!!











 The vintage steam engine doing the loop around the park.
 A few moms waited to take pictures as the birthday group went to ride the train.
 Waiting at the station.



 All aboard!! Ready to go!

 They did three laps for the birthday girl and sang her "Happy Birthday" on the last lap...so fun!


 A picnic lunch in the park.

 Just about time to sing...
 ...Sloane absolutely loved having everyone sing 'Happpy Birthday' to her...and has since watched the video on my phone about 100 times!

And yes...she took one bite of the cake and said "no!"  Don't know where this came from...because anyone who knows me...knows my sweet tooth!
Such a special day celebrating our special girl!
We love you Sloanie Bear!