Already a First Grader

Katie went back to school yesterday, and she is so excited to be a first grader! She could barely contain her enthusiasm the night before school started. After the jumping and squealing calmed down, she finally went to sleep. Then she woke up at 2:30. "Is it time to get up?" I told her she still had a lot of sleeping time before she got up. She said, "If I count to 100, will it be time to get up?"

Somehow she went back to sleep but hopped out of bed the moment she could. She was too excited to eat most of her breakfast and ran to the car to get to school.

After school, she let me know that school and her teacher were both a "thumbs up!" Later I asked her what the best part of being a first grader was. She answered, "It's good because you're not too big and not too small. You're more like one of the bigger kids, and bigger kids can mostly do whatever they love!"

I've got the world on a string!

The County Fair

When the county fair was open, of course we had to make the time to go! You can always make good memories there.

We started our fair experience by checking out the livestock.

I really like to see the llamas!

It was also pretty exciting to find some brand new baby pigs!

After we looked at the animals, I got to go into the bounce house. I always love that!

Then I waited in line for a pony ride.

I was happy to find the pony I had ridden before.

Then it was time to watch the police dog show. This man was wearing a padded suit and was playing the bad guy.

When he tried to get away, the police dogs got him!

Of course, I also had to make time to go in the giant bubbles in the pool. Every year I get a little bit better at moving in them.

When I wanted to sit and eat popcorn, Aunt Jennifer took me to the stadium where there was a "Tuff Trucks" show. My face showed how we all felt about that show. It was an experience that we won't soon forget though.

Before we left, I went on this little ride. When the cars moved up and down, it tickled my tummy!

Another county fair in the books!

Finally...a Haircut

Katie typically gets her hair cut right after her dance recital at the end of the school year, but this year, for one reason or another, her haircut was put off until late summer. Her hair was getting so long, and with the extra length, came tangles. She was so excited to cut part of the length off!

I was more than ready to get my hair cut!

While I waited, I practiced my eyebrow trick! 

I also played with Grandma! 

It was finally my turn. 

Snip! Snip!

I was happy with my end result. 

Grandma liked it too! 

My hair finally felt like it was summer. 

Thanks, Nikki!

Waiting for the Plane

When we got to the airport to come home, Katie spent her waiting time playing with Disney toys of course!

My booster seat  came in just perfect as I played Beauty and the Beast!

One Last Cool Down at the Park

The last thing we did in the park was to spend time in the Bugs Land Water Cool Down Area since the heat and humidity were still going strong. Bugs Land is set up to give you the perspective of being a bug. The grass and weeds tower above your head.  The water area that Katie loved is set up like a leaky hose.

Katie loved using the area to play and cool down, but unlike some of the other kids, she did not want to soak herself from head to toe. She found a friend there who wanted to be soaked, but they found a way to play where they were both happy in the end!

This is what the cool down area looks like from a distance. 

When I first started, I was nervous to go through the dripping part. 

I got my nerve up and ran as fast as I could through it. 

There was water running down this wall, so I liked to just hold my hand there and let the water run over it. 

It was nice to have a break from the heat! 

A Last Morning in Cars Land and Bugs Land

Katie wanted to spend her last morning in Cars Land and Bugs Land before we went home in the afternoon.

 I was excited when I saw the car, Cruz Ramirez, leaving the photo stop, and...

 ...Lightning McQueen driving right in front of me to take his place.

 After that close experience, I didn't feel like I had to wait in the sun for a picture!

 After that, I convinced Aunt Jennifer to go on Francis' Ladybug Boogie ride even though it sometimes makes her dizzy.

A Busy Afternoon

The rest of that day was spent meeting some other favorite characters and just enjoying the park in general.

We ran into Gaston walking through the park. I asked for an autograph, but he had to explain that he was illiterate, of course, and didn't know how to write.

I was excited to go on the Dumbo ride!

I just love a flying elephant!

As we walked off the Mark Twain Riverboat, we found Princess Tiana!

She was trying to stay cool in the shade like us!

Just like all the princesses, she was so nice!

I tried to find Winnie the Pooh. He must have been napping, but at least Tigger and Eeyore were around! 

While Tigger signed his name, I gave Eeyore a hug! He could always use one! 

It was fun spending time with my fluffy friends!

As we headed over to watch the parade, I found one of my favorites - Goofy!

He can always make me laugh!

In the afternoon, we got front row seats to the parade. I was pretty excited when Ariel made an appearance! 

Then Donald Duck went by. I'm pretty sure he talked to me as he went by! 

The princesses are always a favorite! 

After the parade, I was so excited to go and see the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln film! 

I just love standing in front of a castle!

Visiting a Favorite

We felt really lucky the next morning when we passed Tinkerbell's garden and realized that she had no line whatsoever. Katie always loves to see Tinkerbell, so off we went.

Katie let Tinkerbell know that she had met Captain Hook, and Tinkerbell didn't like that. She looked through Katie's autograph book just to make sure she had really met Captain Hook, and when she found it, she told Katie that his signature made her autograph book stink. She suggested that Katie tear out the page with his name on it. Katie thought it was so funny!

When I found Tinkerbell, I asked if she could sign my book.

After I told her I met Captain Hook, she looked for his autograph. 

 I knew she was going to find it!

 She thought it made my book stink. I thought it was funny!

 She told me she was adding extra fairy dust to her page to drown out the smell.

Who doesn't love fairy dust? 

As always,... 

...Tinkerbell was extra fun! 

I just love her!