She had a very busy Birthday Day.

First it was school where she and another friend share the same birthday... so cupcakes galore!

Then it was soccer practice... home for a quick dinner (her choice popcorn shrimp and fishsticks)

Then she went to a friend's Birthday Party... home late for sour cream rhubarb pie and a couple presents.

This weekend she is having her party... as of now 8 girls will be here... she's beyond excited. We went out and bought a new party dress... as she tried it all on for Stewart last night she said, "Don't I look like I'm 7?

The girl who wanted to be called, "almost 6-year old girl"... is officially 6 now!

Ainsley woke up this morning yelling, "Mommy am I 6 today?"

When I said, "Yes, birthday girl!"

She let out a "Woo Hoo... I'm 6!"

And 26 of these little things headed off to school...

We froze at the soccer games this weekend. I snapped a couple pictures and in fear of hand freezing off quickly put the camera away. Kids did really well... Ainsley has much more self confidence and is getting more "into" the game... she even scored a goal! It helps having the same coach and teammates this season.

With the heat in the car on high we tried to unthaw as we headed over to Walker's game. Again freezing cold... if only the sun would have peeked out and the wind not blow it could have been manageable. Walker's game was yet another eventful event... his buddy from school is very competitive, when Walker would try and kick the ball... his little friend would push him down! Parent is oblivious to the whole thing... so the protective parent in me is getting upset... what do you do???

After about the third time of this Walker had enough... and pushed the little boy back... secretly Stewart and I were shouting, "Yeah... good job Walker!" Was glad that he stood up for himself. Later in the car we had a talk about it and told Walker what to do next time it happens.

New water heater installed as well this weekend... long story short... broke the main valve... had to call the city to have the water turned off... five trips to Lowe's during the process... but one happy little boy, who got a cool fort out of the deal.

And lastly pictures of Ainsley and Daddy doing homework... Mommy had to take Mr. Smartypants (Walker) upstairs for a bath since he was saying all the answers!

We arrived 15 minutes before game time... while we waited for everyone to show up Walker practiced with his ball running all around the field... so game time finally happens 25 minutes later... to say the least he was tired.

His game was a crazy thing to watch... some kids are off watching the nearby dogs... some are reluctantly walking around the field... a few were crying... a couple were really "into" soccer and then there's Walker who had the most fun watching his shadow has he ran around the field... offering a kick now and then... falling down lots... and totally having fun.

He's excited for his next game on Saturday.

The craziness begins...

Monday: Walker has soccer practice

Tuesday: Ainsley has soccer practice

Thursday: Ainsley has soccer practice
Walker has a soccer game

Saturday: Walker has a soccer game
Ainsley has a soccer game

This will more than likely be our schedule until Memorial Day!

Mulan is happy to have us home... the yowling has finally stopped... and she lets the kids play "baby" with her.

We made it home safe and sound... it was a very bumpy ride coming into Salt Lake City... and quite the weather shock. We left the sunny CA 70's to find SLC was a breezy 40. Brr cold for Stewart who opted to wear shorts and a t-shirt home.

Was looking at the pictures and thinking of the time we had in Disneyland. I didn't take as many pictures as I thought I was going to. It was hectic trying to drive the strollers... listening to the kids... watching out for the hoards of people that also decided Spring break was the time to attend Disneyland... and take in all the sights. I took around 850 pictures... of all the pictures I took... the ones that hold the most meaning for me aren't the ones that showcase the wonderfulness of Disney. They are pictures captured while the kids were enthralled with something.

It's Ainsley face as she saw Tinkerbell for the first time high above the float...

The way Walker kept himself entertained while we waited for the gates to open in the morning... walking toe to heal... arms stretched out... back and forth along a pattern on the path.

How excited Ainsley was to watch the princesses arrive...

Lastly how enthralled Walker was with the Disneyland Railroad... he would lean his head against the fence... waiting to catch the first glimpse of train coming around the corner, and then scream something about the train coming... followed by train noises and little hand movements showcasing how a train moves.

Other thoughts and randomness:

Most impressed with the cleanliness... you get really spoiled in Disneyland... case in point... right before our flight yesterday went into the bathrooms of Long Beach Airport... it makes you do a double take... paper all over the place... in need of a good cleaning.

Also impressed with the gardening... it's amazing to look at the gardens... the topiaries cut just right... the grass green and all at perfect height... the flowerbeds free from weeds... the mulch not a bit out of place... truly amazing how it looked. I was so impressed that I had to google "disneyland landscaping" when we got home... had to know how and when they maintain all of that.

The fresh produce was amazing... loved eating ripened juicy oranges instead of what you get here at the grocery store.

Will miss eating our frozen lemonade ice cream. I will be looking at the grocery store this week for this item though.

Only ended up loosing one item... my sunglasses... can be easily replaced though.

Only had one burnt scalp... Ainsley's (next time will put sunscreen on her part)

Best ride we all agreed on Pirates of the Caribbean.

Only one yucky encounter... Merlin was signing books and pictures... we were in line and I leaned in to hear what he was saying. Person in front of me, turned around and with thick accent said loudly/yelling, "I AM STANDING HERE!! (while pointing at the ground) People... you got all kinds of them.

Best Food experience... Goofy's kitchen.

Favorite Character experience... Cinderella, Belle, Mary Poppins and Bert, Snow White & the Prince. They were so into chatting with the kids, asking them where they were from, their pins, their day etc. While others just posed for a picture before leaving.

Most memorable moment... Walking back to the hotel...(it was Walker's idea). Once outside of the gates he threw the biggest yuckiest fit... wanting to opt for now riding the shuttle which had already left. He screamed and cried... I carried and dodged flailing arms and legs... pausing to let him try walking again. About half way there I told Stewart and Ainsley to just go ahead while I put Walker in the grass and said, "hurry up and throw the fit... get it over with so we can catch up!" He got it over with and then we proceeded down the side walk like nothing was wrong. The life of a three year old.

Most surprising thing... Pins. Never thought we'd get into them but it was a fun way for the kids to remember their day... by picking out their favorite event of the day.

Today we spent the day catching all the things we had wanted to see earlier in the week. We started off the day at the Finding Nemo submarine ride... it is usually a 2 hour wait!!! But we got in right when the gates opened and headed over there... our wait was just an hour... long but Walker entertained himself running his hands up and down the chains that separated the lines. The ride was fun... the kids loved the whole thing of getting in a submarine, and seeing all the underwater activity. It was definitely only a one time ride though.

The other "biggie" ride we wanted to do was Pirates of the Caribbean... everyone agreed it was one of the best rides we went on... Stewart grabbed a fast past for the Indiana Jones ride and the kids and I people watched and ate ice cream while he went on to enjoy that ride.

Stopped in for Jasmine and Aladdin's Storytime, went on the Jungle Cruise, toured Critter Country where Walker fell asleep so Ainsley and Stewart went on the Winnie the Pooh ride.

On the way over to California Adventure Park we ran into Belle... the last princess we had been on the look out for. Ainsley was so excited to have all the princess sign her book. She had spilled ice cream all down the front of her pants and was so worried about how she look for Belle... so cute.

The last thing on Ainsley's list to see was the High School Musical 2 show... we had great viewing right up front. Other things on the parents list were seeing "Golden Dreams" a short movie about the first people of California... it was really good! Then off to the Mission Tortilla Factory... we got fresh tortillas right off the machines... so warm and tasty! Then toured the Boudin Bread Factory, they make sourdough bread, which many of the restaurants in Disney serve... also tasty.

Last stop of the night was a stop at the Pin store. Walker choose a Pirate pin and Nemo Submarine. Ainsley choose more Princess pins. All in all it was a fun trip... by all means not a relaxing trip... but great memories were made and fun times were shared.

We are all ready to get back to the humdrum of everyday life though.

Today was "ride day"... we had early morning entry passes... so we had a bit of a jump on the crowds.

First stop... Buzz Lightyear's Astroblaster... it was great you sit in carts and shoot the targets for points... trying to beat Zurg. We were able to walk right up to the ride and get in... twice!

Next stop was Autopia... a bit of a wait but fun for the kids... so glad they won't be driving for years to come... they drove while Mommy and Daddy sat in the passenger seat... they got easily distracted and were bumping into things.

Over to the teacups... I stood and watched... Stewart got the kids spinning good... threw them back in the seat a couple of times... then a quick run to Alice in Wonderland... Snow White's Scary Adventure... Pinocchio's Daring Journey... Mr. Toad's Wild ride... and Haunted Mansion. Whew... that was a bunch in a relatively short amount of time.

Then we switched parks... headed to California Adventure and did Playhouse Disney Live on Stage... had all the kids favorite shows as puppets... Handy Manny, Mickey's Clubhouse, My Friends Tigger and Pooh and Little Einsteins.

Ran into Goofy, Cinderella, Snow White and the Prince while we were waiting for the Aladdin's Musical Spectacular... which really was amazing... Ainsley sat with mouth opened for the entire show. Walker got on and off the seat 47 times... not because he was bored... it was for fear of stopping for a moment because he would have fallen asleep.

Then again off... to the Princess Dinner... to dine with Ariel, Jasmine, Cinderella, Snow White and Ainsley's favorite... Princess Aurora.

Afterwards we again fell into the right timing and got great seats for the Pixar Parade... something we had been trying to see after the last one we waited for was cancelled. Leading down the road was none other than Lightning McQueen... Ka Chow... making one happy little Bug!

Last stop for the night the Pin Trading store... never thought we'd be into this... but it's a fun thing to collect. Each night the kids say what their favorite moment of the day was and then we find a pin that matches.

Tomorrow is our last full day at Disney... kids tonight said, "I'm going to miss Disney"

Today we spent all day at the park... didn't seem like we saw as much as we have the past two days. We did Mickey's Toontown first thing in the morning... had early passes... so we (along with others) were named honorary citizens of Towntown. Then it was a long wait to meet Mickey... but hey you can't leave Disney with out a picture with Mickey. Then we toured Mickey's house, Minnie's house, Goofy's house, Donald's Boat and Chip and Dales Treehouse.

Today the weather was a bit more manageable while standing in lines... that being said we headed over to the Go Go Coaster... and the 40 minute wait time seemed to fly by quickly... all that wait for a 20 second ride. Both kiddos loved it... Walker wanted to go again but after the long wait we decided 1 ride was plenty.

Toontown took up most of the morning so we grabbed a quick lunch and then headed aboard the Columbia ship... looks just like a pirate ship... and toured around the river. Walker loved it so much that he was didn't want to get off!

Ainsley had been wanting to get her face painted so we headed to the Fantasy Faire and caught the show of how to be a princess. Boys not so thrilled... Ainsley giddy with delight at seeing the princesses all together. Ainsley looked through the pattern books for her face painting design and passed a pirate one... well once Walker saw that he was all into the face painting thing!

Went over to Adventureland and the lines/people were almost unbearable! Did do Tarzan's Treehouse... quite the stair workout!

Then it was over to Rainforest Cafe for dinner... an interesting place to eat... we sat right by the elephants for dinner. I was worried about the frequent rain/lightning storms with the kids (Walker freaks out with that stuff) but they both enjoyed the experience.

Both kiddos wanted to got back to Build a Bear workshop to spend their money... such a cute store/idea. Kids each got a cat that they lovingly stuffed... gave it a heart... a voice... and a Disney outfit. Ainsley got a pink cat named, "Heart" and dressed her like Sleeping Beauty. Walker got an orange cat (looks like Garfield) and although he said it was a girl he wanted her dressed in a Peter Pan outfit... name is still being decided.

Last stop of the day was a final ride on the Train around the park...(Walker's all time favorite thing to do) We also decided to stay and watch the Disneyland Parade again, since we had a much better view.

Tomorrow we are doing the early entry into Fantasyland... shuttle leaves at 6:30 am!