Day 1: Gold Medal Birthday!

Gymnastics.

 

As if there was any question about what would be Ariel's number one. We are having a gymnastics party at the recreation center to celebrate her birthday. 45 minutes for party and 45 minutes to jump on the trampoline, swing on the bars and balance on beams. A good time to be had for sure. And it looks like we'll be signing her up for gymnastics class in June. Sounds like the beginnings of a future Olympian.

 

Day 3: The Princess of Tangles

Ariel used to be the favorite princess in the house, but my daughter's loyalties have shifted to Rapunzel. She loves the soundtrack (as mentioned in "Gimme a Beat" post), the movie, and of course the featured heroine.

She likes to wear my scarf and pretend its her long hair. Eric and I are forced to play the roles of Flynn Rider and Mother Gothel, respectively, and any chance she gets to dress up is a good day. Ariel even has a wig to go along with her dress and looks like a fairy or elf with it on. Cute and strange.

P.S. Honestly, if you have not seen this movie, you are missing out. We'll worth the time to see it.

Day 2: Hola, Amigos!

Yes, she's still into Dora the Explorer and all of the fun that follows. Actually, we're having a Dora themed party for her. Ariel's favorite episode is "Dora saves the Snow Princess," but I couldn't tell you why. Maybe because its a double length episode or that is has a princess in it. Your guess is as good as mine. For Christmas, we bought her a book of Dora stories (that closely follow the TV episodes) and you'll never guess which story is requested 9 times out of 10?

Dora is just good, clean fun and how can one not appreciate that?

P.S I made the dress she is wearing in the picture.

Day 4: Mermaid Ambitions

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Ariel who wanted to be a mermaid. Wait a minute, is that how the story goes?
Recently, we took Ariel to the pool, where we stayed wet and wrinkled for 3 hours!

She would stand at the edge of the pool and throw a toy in water. Then she would jump in and we'd catch her, "swim" her out to the toy and then back to the pool.

 

On one toss, she chucked the toy half way across the pool, I turned to see where it went when she jumped in. And no one was there to catch her. Panicked, I fished her from the bottom and hauled her up. Ariel came up spluttering and laughing. "Mommy, I went under the water. I touched the bottom." So glad only Eric and I were traumatized.

Day 5: Best Auntie Ever

Vicki has got to be Ariel's favorite person, hands down (sorry grandparents). I think they get along so well because they share similar personalities. They like to wrestle and have photo shoots and get dressed up. If all relationships could be so full of life and love.

Thanks Auntie Vicki, bestest auntie ever.

Day 6: Of Books and Worms

Ariel has an insatiable appetite for reading (an inheritance to be proud of). Most days she would rather look through books than watch TV (sweet).

Her tastes vary, but she enjoys books with bears, treats/food, and princesses. Some of the more recent titles gracing her bedside table include "Snoring Beauty" by Bruce Hale, "Bats at the Beach" by Brian Lies, "Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet" by Jane O'Connor.

In any case, we all enjoy the stories at bedtime.