The Many Adventures of Keira!

This is our page to document our family's adoption journey- starting from when we first started planning for our little one, to when we brought her home. We're also going to keep this updated with all of the things that Keira has been up to since she's been home with us here in the U.S!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

The Birthday Girl in Princess Heaven

December 20th, my little baby turned 3 years old!!! We spent the day at Disneyland and she was in absolute Princess Heaven! Mom, Gigi and Max arrived and Lorraine was able to come too. Disneyland is absolutely beautiful during the Christmas Season...all the lights...it's a "must do" for Christmas. This was Sleeping Beauty's Castle. We just happened to be right in front when they did the transformation from the regular lights to the Special Winterlights they put up.

Small World!!! They updated Small World for the Christmas Season. It is definitely a sight to behold. We go to Disneyland every Christmas, but I am always in awe everytime.

These were some pictures before we headed out to Disneyland. Max and Keira decided that since they couldn't make Snow Angels, they would make Tile Angels instead. Not quite the same effect, but just as fun...at least for us watching them :).
The gang's all here! This was when Doowa, Max and Auntie Gigi arrived. They all jumped on the couch to read "Where The Wild Things Are".



The next morning was when we headed to Disneyland. Here are Auntie Gigi, Max and Keira on the Tram from the Mickey and Friend's Parking Lot. This picture cracks me up since it's so typical of the family chaos that goes on. Max was playing around with Keira's hair and the look on her face is priceless! LOL

Here are Dan, Mom, Lorraine, Keira and Max all standing in Line at the Finding Nemo Submarine ride. WOW! Keira loved this ride. All through the ride, she was yelling and waving "Hi Nemo!!!" "Hi Dory!!!" She loves Finding Nemo and it's so much fun now that she recognizes all of the characters.

Uh OH! PRINCESS HEAVEN!!! We had lunch at Ariel's Grotto in the California Adventure Park. I had read mixed reviews on the food and the experience and it honestly looked like more of the bad experiences with late seating etc were all later in the day. Because of that, I decided to make our reservations for lunch as early as possible. Definitely the way to go!!! We were seated right away, the food was absolutely FANTASTIC and she saw just about EVERY princess.
When you first step in, you meet Ariel. Ariel and Cinderella are Keira's favorite princesses, so she was absolutely thrilled.


Each of the princesses were introduced one by one and went to each of the tables to meet the kids. Ours was one of the last tables even though we were right in front to see all the princesses come out (they went around in the opposite direction from where we were). It couldn't have been better. Because we were one of the last tables, each of them were able to really take the time to stop and take the time to talk to Keira and wish her a Happy Birthday. Here is Keira and Cinderella. Keira and Sleeping Beauty


Keira, Max and Belle

Keira and Snow White

Here we were waiting in line at the Haunted Mansion. They made it in the "Nightmare Before Christmas" theme which is always alot of fun.
We had a wonderful time. Keira is still not quite used to holding 3 fingers up as her age, but she'll get it soon! I can't believe my baby is 3!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Fun Downtown

Dan and I were off this weekend and decided to take Keira to Downtown San Diego to go ice skating. Where else can you go ice skating in an outdoor skating rink in 75 degree weather??? Dan is from Maine, so he was pretty much born with ice skates on, but he hasn't been on ice skates in a few years. He broke a bone in his foot believe it or not when someone ran over his foot when he was on his motorcycle in traffic. Yes...ran over his foot with their car. Thanks to his super duper strong Harley Davidson Motorcycle boots, he was able to walk away from it. He didn't realize though that he had a broken bone until his foot really started hurting more and more when walking. He decided to go ahead and give ice skating a try.


Keira was much better at balancing herself on ice skates than I thought she would be! I think it's because she likes to walk around on her tiptoes all the time. Must have helped her with her balance. She went around once with Daddy, but after that first round, she was done. Dan skated around for a bit more until he was tired, but he really thinks that his foot is healed now and is looking forward to skating more.


She really did pretty good



After that, we headed over to the New Children's Museum. Keira painted the VW Bug and was able to handle getting a little paint on her better than last time. She really hates getting dirty and wanted to stop constantly to wash her hands!
We really had so much fun and need to try to make it down a little more often!