Our last day at Disneyland

We got up bright and early on Sunday since it was our last day in California. We wanted to head to the park for a few hours, get a few rides in and then we would head home. Sakura is typically an early riser, so leaving early is never a problem - plus check-out was at 11:00. Since we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel this trip, we were fortunate and got to take advantage of Magic Mornings and enter the park at 0700.

Minnie was Sakura's companion of the day again, she loves her Minnie.

Sakura's 1st time on Tea Cups if you can believe that! She had never been on and may have a new favorite?! Well probably not a new favorite, but she loved it!

After a trip through Alice in Wonderland, Sakura posed for a picture. She does NOT like Alice in Wonderland she said that "It scared me!".

This little face is my Faaaaaaaaaaavorite thing ever!

Dancing through Toontown with Minnie

Let's go visit TinkerBell in Pixie Hollow

Sakura was walking in and Daddy was coming too, but Sakura stopped and said "Only Girls Daddy" .... Sakura was QUITE surprised when we were greeted by Terrance - a boy fairy - guess Daddy could have come afterall?!

Deep in conversation with Tink about the fairies on her top made by a very special friend who we call "Grammy Helen". The fairies are riding elephants, Sakura loves it!

Dancing her way out of Pixie Hollow.

As you can tell she was really moving!

Minnie's turn to dance.

Time for a little drive, just before heading home - Autopia

What an amazingly fun trip - celebrating Sakura is what makes our world go round. She is the MOST special amazing little girl and we are the most blessed people in the world having her for our daughter. There isn't a single day that we aren't thankful for this opportunity and grateful for all of the people who made it possible. First God, Airi (Sakura's BioMom - we hope that she somehow realizes what a special gift she gave, and how loved Sakura is), Across the World Adoptions (Lesley), Taz and Okada-San for taking such great care of Sakura while she waited for us, and our countless family and friends for always being there for us, and most important Sakura for being the BEST daughter anyone could dream of and more.

Look Who is 3 Years Old!

Sakura is 3 Years Old! It's hard to even remember life without Sakura. We enjoy every single second with our spunky, shy, strong willed, bundle of joy. At times Sakura is the most shy little girl ever - and then she surprises us and she is SO outgoing and sociable. Who knows what makes kids tick, we wouldn't change anything about Sakura. She woke up to a present from Mommy and Daddy - she got a special little friend and she enjoyed taking her Minnie everywhere with her the rest of the weekend, and every since we came home. It's SO sweet.

Sakura and her Minnie

Well I have wanted to do this since I very first saw it .... The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. You are suppose to be 3 years old, so ON Sakura's 3rd birthday we made an appointment for Sakura to get a Princess transformation - she is always OUR Princess, but now she was going to be an "Official Disney Princess". We had an early morning appointment - at 0720, which made for an early start! Sakura was awake early since she fell asleep about 6 pm the night before.

Heading to Disneyland - the beautiful 3 year old - Birthday Girl!

Minnie in tow

Sakura taking center stage at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Sakura chose the hairstyle with the crown. There were three different hair styles to choose from, and this is the one she chose herself.

True Princess pampering - complete with nail polish and make-up - she chose pink nail polish, and for her eye shadow she picked lavendar and green, pink lipstick and her crown was the blue one.

Look at our little Princess

Checking herself out in the mirror in the back - she was VERY shy and quite stoic throughout the process of hair/make-up/nails. We figued since it was a very special day, we would also get a Princess dress to go along with the whole Princess theme of the day - Sakura had three dresses to choose from and it was no surprise that she chose Belle.

WELL, it was a nice thought, but the dress didn't make it much past the photo package. She was scratching as soon as it was on - we barely got some photos (I will post the entire Disney PhotoPass CD in another post, these are just the snapshots I took).

I LOVE this girl - LOVE this picture.

She was giggling at the photographer after she finally loosened up.

Back to the special birthday dress - and off to ride some rides. LOVE the early entry, the rides are nice and not crowded!

Waiting for Dumbo

with DADDY!!!!! Daddy gets pretty serious motion sickness, so it's a real treat when he actually gets on a ride!

Next we headed to visit the Princess'. How cool is it that Sakura's very favorite Princess was there and was the first Princess we saw. Sakura was SO excited.

Sakura's other favorite - Ariel was second!

Back for another visit with Minnie - Sakura wanted her Minnie to see the "real" Minnie.

I'm not sure who Sakura's favorite character is ... it's a toss up between Minnie and Pooh I would say.

We spotted Goofy who Sakura also loves, and when Mommy asked, Goofy did the HOT DOG DANCE for Sakura's birthday - wish we had remembered the video camera and caught it, it was pretty darn cute!

Picture Perfect - Sakura and Mommy's favorite - POOH!

Think, Think, Think - that's what you do at Pooh's Thoughful Spot!

Hiding from Mommy aka: the papparazzi!

We headed over to Disney California Adventure for abit after Sakura took a nap (didn't want to chance not having one two days in a row and since we got up so early we didn't want a grump since we had dinner reservations at Roy's which we all wanted to enjoy :)

Dancing away with Phineas and Ferb street show, Sakura danced the entire time!

Happy Birthday to our little Princess!

Birthday Weekend at Disneyland

We opted to spend Sakura's 3rd birthday at Disneyland, it's basically become tradition. Since it was a special occasion we decided on the Disneyland Hotel. We arrived early in the morning on Friday and were able to check in upon arrival - I was SHOCKED. Daddy unpacked the car and Mommy escaped to decorate the room a little for our Birthday Girl, I wanted some special touches since we were there celebrating a very special day. We were thrilled at the renovations at the hotel, our room overlooked the new pool and was just beautiful.

Here Sakura was playing in the lobby while Daddy unloaded the car.

Silly Sakura!

All done and ready for the Birthday Girl! I had packaged up all of the gifts that arrived from family and friends before we left and took them with us, Sakura hadn't seen any of them, so she was surprised at everything.

Tearing into her presents! She LOVED everything, and wanted it open right then, we were able to divert her attention and head over to the park though.

Pointing at the little Asian girl on her special birthday dress.

Ready to head to the park with Mommy and Daddy - SO excited!

First ride requested was .......

Yep, King Authur's Carousel - her 1st favorite Disneyland ride was her 1st requested.

Waiting to see Minnie Mouse in Toontown.

LOOK Minnie baked her a special Birthday cake!

Making a wish in Mickey and Minnie's wishing well. I hope ALL of your wishes come true Sakura chan.

In deep thought - Sakura loves this spot in Toontown - there is a phone here, she always calls her favorite peeps when we visit.

TOONTOWN

A little popcorn as we watch the parade - Sakura LOVES to watch the parades!

Disneyland pets! Sakura got to feed the ducks before we headed back to the hotel for the day...Sakura had virtually NO nap so we turned in early - she kept saying she was hungry but by the time we got back to the hotel and ordered food she was fast asleep on Mommy. We had an early morning date for the Birthday Girl - so it was a good thing she turned in early. More to come :-)

Happy 3rd Birthday with friends

Can you believe it - Sakura is almost 3 so we celebrated her birthday a couple days early with the kids she spends lots of time with and her special teachers. Unfortunately with turning 3, brings advancing to the Preschool room and leaving behind her friends and her teachers. Miss Myra has been the one there every day, holding and comforting Sakura in the mornings when she was unsure of being left in a very unfamiliar place - she is just our rock - we miss her SO much and it's only been a week. Here are a couple of pictures from Sakura's celebration at school with her friends.

Ready for the cupcakes! (When Sakura was looking at these pictures she said "That's MY Drake"

YUMMMMY!

Sakura chose Little Mermaid - she really wanted Yo Gabba Gabba, but they didn't have it.

Sakura with Miss Paige.

And Miss Myra - I got a lump in my throat looking at this pic :o( This was Sakura's last day in the toddler room - we will really miss her first Teacher Miss Myra SO much!

*Note: Miss Paige was playing around and put the frosting on Sakura's nose.

Merry Christmas!

Don't give up on us ..... Mommy's PC died and Mommy doesn't enjoy blogging on the laptop, but here's a Christmas picture for you --- We visited Disneyland last weekend and Mommy just LOVES this picture of Me and Santa.