Sunday, February 10, 2013

4 YEARS OLD and time for a PARTY!!!

PROUDEST PARENTS EVER with the Birthday Princess!

We try and have a party every other year for Sakura ... or we have so far.  This year she is fully aware of what parties are and she couldn't wait for her very own!!!  Sakura chose the Princess theme - so I was on a mission to find perfect pieces to complete our Princess' dream.  I liked the "dress" theme instead of full on Disney Princesses, Sakura's favorite is Sofia the First, followed very closely by Ariel (if not tied), and then Belle - although if asked she would proclaim that she loves ALL of them!

(Not sure we can get away with every other year anymore - LOL!)

We arranged to rent out Jump Up for 2 hours.  So everyone arrived, and played and then we did cake and ice cream and presents and it was time to go .... seemed like a LONG two hours when these girls were frantically running around to me though - despite before the party I was wondering if she should have opted for another hour.  

Sakura's face was SO full of excitement - she loved every single second of her party ... and so did we!

Greema made a pretty purple number 4
and we had some pieces made to top her cake(s), Sofia's dress, and then Ariel (seashells), and Belle (rose)

Cakes, cupcakes and party favors (pixie dust made my Mommy)
since that's what they do at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Princess dress cookies
Party bags, water bottles, etc.
Sofia the First for the birthday girl
Cupcakes for the kids
Pixie Dust party favors

Sakura loved her Welcome Sign
(she goes by Peyton at school, dance, etc...I think Mommy is about the only hold out)
Beautiful little Princess! 
There goes Sierra climbing the rock wall!
Sakura is CRAZY for Miss Mayumi (Kariana's Mom)
Silly little princess
This was her ALL day!  Laughing and smiling here at Alicia

Sammie taking a spin on the rope!
Nicole hanging out in a ring
Ava Grace and Sakura getting in some time on the foam pieces
Sakura was SUPER excited to greet her guests
Here she is with her other Mom (Katie), Nicole and Sammie
We were the LUCKIEST parents ever when Katie offered to watch Sakura when Mommy went back to work
I can't even imagine who I would have trusted other than Katie!  We are sure BLESSED by this family!
And she loves her to pieces!
Sakura made sure to let Miss Clarissa know how much she loves her too!!!
Miss Clarissa is Sakura's preschool teacher
Time to play now!

VERY blurry, but how could I not post this???

Sakura with Maddy

AND running and running and running!

There goes Sierra again!!!
Can I say how beautiful she is?!   Sure I can, I'm her Mom!
Hmmmm where shall I run now?

OH and climbing!

Sakura with Anabelle
Beautiful Sierra hanging out
Even Baby Kayden had fun!

Playing games with the big kids

Fun times with Kariana
Maliaka's Mom (Katie) use to teach gymnastics ... Sakura got a lesson!

There she goes!





WooHoo!

All the way!

I think she liked it!

High 5 for Katie!
Rolling with Laurie (Don watching on)
Everyone had a blast from the looks of it!

Even the Moms (Heather!)
She's tiring out .... but not for long!
There's no time for rest when your friends are here to play!
Ava Grace and Sakura
Princess


Greema, Papa, Ralph and Joyce watching the festivities




Time for the cake and ice cream - Blowing out the candles!
Her expression cracked me up - Greema caught this one!  
Thanks for my presents everyone!
Going through the loot when we got home, there was barely enough time to open presents let alone look at anything!
Dinner with my Girl.





Monday, February 4, 2013

Sakura turns 4!

Sakura turns 4!

CRAZY but true.  Our little cherry blossom turned 4 years old today!  She chose Princess cupcakes to take to preschool to celebrate, and Mommy left work early (poor Daddy has been SUPER SICK for days, but actually got off the couch to head to pick up Sakura from school and go out to dinner) ... Sakura chose Outback for dinner - Macaroo and Cheese (although she ate more of my filet than anything else, which is fine).  They even brought a dessert to sing, Sakura wasn't fond of the singing 
"It was too loud Mommy".  Then we came home, she opened her presents from us, family and friends, and then we headed down to celebrate with Baachan and Jiichan (cake and ice cream).

Ready for presents!
A funny that happened while we were at dinner, was Daddy asked if we were going to take the presents down to Baachan and Jiichan's house to open, and Sakura excitedly asked "Presents?" ... we explained that yes you get presents on your birthday ... she was pretty excited about that!

From Auntie Nancy, Tripp and Kiki - Hello Kitty ART!
All done - Thank You everyone!
HAPPY Birthday Sakura!!!
Making a wish .... boy do I hope it comes true, she is my every wish come true!


Saturday, January 19, 2013

Tide Pool and Beach Day

Well everyone knows how much I LOVE Disneyland but honestly our whole entire time with Auntie Misty and Kumi these were my favorite memories!  I know that's hard to believe, but truthfully Sakura and I had a fantastic time visiting the Tide Pools and the Beach.

I'm not sure how these two pictures got moved out of place, and I'm equally as unsure about how to move them back down where they go ... so I'm leaving them here (out of place which makes me crazy, but better than not here at all!).


Ready to go to Seal Beach, Kumi was so sweet helping Sakura put her shoes back on.
All on her own, Sakura wrote her name on the beach!
How precious is this picture?  Kumi was showing Sakura the beach.  I LOVE this girl!!!
Sakura was eager to go and check it out (I was SHOCKED, as our last beach experience was less than desirable!)
Ready to explore :)
Running and playing on the beach
But NOT so sure about walking around on the rocks ... it was pretty "sharp" and a bit tricky to maneuver

Incredibly breathe taking though!
We saw TONS of sea life!  It was absolutely amazing!


I LOVED watching Sakura and Kumi play together
Building a sand castle?
We saw starfish!!!

After we visited the tide pool we headed over to Seal Beach ... after stopping to pick up some sandwiches for a picnic at the beach. 

Auntie and the girls going after water for their sand castles

Yes there were birds ... Sakura didn't like them but she has the BEST friend ever  Kumi is quite the bird chaser and took great care and concern for Sakura as Sakura would point and say "Kumi", Kumi would get up and run those birds off.  What a GREAT friend she is!!!



It sure doesn't get any better than watching two best friends play together at the beach ... a picnic lunch and great company are all anyone could wish for and more.  We love spending time together and again we are SO lucky and blessed to have them close by to share our lives together.

Thanks Auntie Misty for this perfect photo of Mommy and her girl!

Sadly our visit was over on Sunday morning.  We did get to enjoy a nice character meal together before heading back home.  What a fantastic mini vacation together.

Friday, January 18, 2013

A day at Disneyland with best friends ... doesn't get much better than that!

Sakura and Mommy snuck away to spend a few days with Auntie Misty and Kumi.  OMGoodness we needed it (well Mommy sure did anyway).  We are SO lucky and blessed that our friends (who like I've said a million times are much more like family) moved closer and we get to spend time together!  Sakura and I drove up to Anaheim and got to the hotel just after Auntie Misty and Kumi arrived and checked into the room - perfect timing ... just like the whole weekend was - absolutely perfect!!!  Once we checked in and got settled, Auntie Misty was gracious and offered to drive us around, as Mommy is a BIG chicken in traffic - so we headed to Party City (Someone is going to be FOUR years old very soon and there is a party planned for a princess!!!).  We were successful in our shopping and I was able to get everything I needed (and a few extra things too!).  The girls were fantastic, and Auntie Misty provided much needed guidance in choosing things!   After we shopped we went to Pei Wei for dinner - YUMMMMMMM!!!!  After dinner it was back to the hotel as tomorrow we were headed to DISNEYLAND for a day together!!!  We got up and headed down to breakfast, then off to the park .... oops Auntie Misty forgot the tickets (LOL!) - luckily we left with plenty of time to spare as we DID have an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for two very special little princesses!  

Off and running tickets in hand - we got to the park, parked the car and headed for the tram to the park. Made it in the nick of time (actually a few minutes to spare!) and checked in for the girls appointment.  This was Kumi's FIRST visit to the BBB and Sakura was THRILLED that she got to experience it with her buddy (these two are like sisters honestly).  

Here are a few pictures from our visit!

Sakura aka: Cinderella
Two beautiful Princesses!
Like I said, Sakura was SO excited to watch Kumi get her first Princess transformation
Mommy was trying to get a good picture for birthday invitations!
It's All About the Shoes as Cinderella knows too well!
Chatting with Ariel
Three gorgeous princesses