A Day in Disneyland

So we went to Disneyland today and I thought...I might share how we roughly spend our day when we do go to Disneyland...which has been quite a bit since Christmas.
Today we were going to meet up with a family-friends, and spend the day together..however, they were sick so they were not able to come. That meant that could take the day a little slower...we got there around 12:30 p.m. and had our lunch-homemade tuna sandwiches-in the car. As a side, I gave something to GZ to eat every 1/2 hour to an hour. It worked well and she ate all the food that I had hoped she would eat. In the past if I simply kept a 3 meals mindset she would hardly eat anything...so this new approach worked.
We first went to the Mark Twain's Steamboat but since we had 25 min I went to ride Big Thunder Mountain and got a pass for Stephen and he did not have to wait in line. Turns out though that we had to wait for yet another round before we got on the steamboat. GZ really enjoyed that, her papou will like to know that...his favorite ride, looking at the passing ducks, horses, goats, etc. After that we went to ride Winnie the Pooh, a ride that the baby enjoys, and we don't have a bad time either, and lastly we went to the Jungle Cruise. By the time we finished with Jungle Cruise, if you add also potty breaks it was around 3:30 p.m. meaning that 3 hours had passed since we entered the park.
Stephen and I were really hungry so we sat down to eat our PBJ which proved not enough so Stephen went to get us a hot dog and a pretzel (our two expenses for the day!) With full tummies we decided to head over to California Adventure for Toy Story...baby in the stroller hoping she would fall asleep. At CalAd we were greeted by their huge Food and Wine Festival banner so Stephen against my reservations inquired how much it would cost to sit in the food demonstration. FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tickets were sold out so we had to wait...to make things a little more compllicated GZ had finally dozed off. They told us we could not take the stroller in with us but eventually they made an allowance because our preciosa was sleeping and they let us get in. The food that was going to be demonstrated...Turkish Baklava! I did get some good ideas, as well as a small boost that it is not as complicated as it has always been in my head. It was not exactly the traditional dessert as I know it but the twist made it more enjoyable to the palette. I am not sharing the 'secret', hopefully one day or another I'll be able to serve it to you :o)
When the show was over the baby woke up and by the time the diaper change was done the parade started only to realize at the end of it that the park was closing...6p.m....already?
We decided to head home at that time so by 7 we were in the car baby in her pjs and ready for bed. And that's how this Disneyland adventure ended :o)

Little Helper

Gabriela Zoe has been helping me with putting away the dishes in the morning. I have wanted to record it for the longest time because it is so cute. Today we did not unload the dishwasher until the evening and so daddy was home and able to record it. We've got the greatest kid in the whole wide world....she always adds and smile and a giggle to our life!

25 things

I've wanted to do this for a while but I kept forgetting, so here is something I wrote and its pretty funny.
Here are some RANDOM facts...
1. I am watching Charlote's Web...the 197something version for the first time as I am writing this....quite entertaining :o)
2. I had to turn off the computer because I could not do three things at a time...watch the movie, my beautiful daughter and write!
3. Blue used to be my favorite color...now I just can't pick.
4. I started taking piano lessons when I was five, I wanted to quit when I was about twelve but I was not let to do so until I was old enough for voice lessons...seventeen. Then I took more piano lessons on my own free will when I was in college.
5. I wanted to be a plastic surgeon growing up but my music teacher told me I was going to be a musician. When that was proven true I did not want to admit it to her :o)
6. I DISLIKE small talk...but I have to admit that I have been a student of it for the last 10 years...still not super with it
7. I had to learn how to make friends when I was 18 years old and like #6 I am still learning...definately not a pro!
8. Nursing hurt MORE than labor and recovering (physically) from a c-section, however it has turned into one of my most intense joys. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.
9. Stephen proposed after we dated for 4 weeks and got married 7 months later.
10. I am not an opinionated person until I form an opinion based on facts. The only way to change my opinion would be to present powerful, convincing arguments against it...and then I may chose to not change my opinion. (it is an opinion after all)
11. I wanted to be a singer in order to tell stories...that's why I really like opera.
12. I am very dramatic in my reactions and my daughter has taken after me...oops
13. Even though I've wanted to be a singer there is a host of other things that I dream to be able to do one day...write, go to cooking school, teach God's word, become a lactation consultant, take painting classes, learn basic techniques in ballet dancing...I can't remember the rest :o)
14. I think sleep is overrated unless I haven't had my 8 hours.
15 My favorite physical activities are swimming and dancing.
16. I really like salt water (like Ariel's daughter) but I only like swimming in Greek peaceful waters.
17. I really enjoy cooking, baking...anything that I get to use the stove and oven.
18. I like looking up new recipes and getting ideas for my next cooking adventure. (I can relate a little to the No Reservations lady)
19. When my mom would ask me to clean out my closet every time she would find me surrounded with stuff...reading something that I found while I was cleaning out the closet
20. One of my favorite stories to share when parents tell me their children do not like to practice piano is when I got so frustrated with one piece that I tore the piano book in half. My mom made me get some tape and put it back together. When I was done she told me to put it on the piano and keep practicing :o) We still have that book at home...my sister had it after me and is a constant reminder of the unwavering character my mom possesses.
21. I process things very very slow and silently...and sometimes I make decisions in split seconds.
22. I really, really, really like Disneyland.
23. I enjoy going to museums and beautiful landscaped gardens...I like to get out even though I do spend most of my time indoors.
24. I have always preferred salty foods over sweet desserts and yet since I got pregnant my hormones have taken a loop and now give me chocolate any day...HELP!
25. I really enjoy entertaining in our home even though we have done it minimal to none since we moved to this new home! I better get crackin...

Party Time

Makenna trying out the harmonica...the harmonica
was a hit with the older kids :o) If fact it was Delaney
who was the blues queen that day.
Tolu showing Grandma Chris how to play the Maracas
Yummy strawberry cake!!!! Mommy was stealing
some for herself
Opening presents with the help of her cousins :o)
'I like uncle Dan!'
She picked the flute which means (whatever its in
God's hands) that she will become a musician...she
picked the one I wanted her to pick ;o)
Trying out the African Drum
Grandpa tickling her again!
With uncle Nikos, thia Sylvia and Tanya

We did do a birthday party for GZ and even though 90% of our guests were family we were so many we decided to do it at the club house. As a hostess...while a little frustrating when having to go to the house to get something we forgot...it was awesome first to get things out of the house, made it feel more complete and second when it was over Stephen and Dan cleaned up I went dress shopping with Jodi and when we got back we got back to a clean house. NOW THAT WAS AWESOME! The theme of the party was loosely musical which meant we had musical theme for favors, musical themed game, lots of instruments for the kids to play with. Other than that the colors coordinated with the dress GZ wore which was designed by her auntie Vasilia Luz. Towards the end of the party we also brought out a cake and celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday which was going to be three days later. Also it was a timed party...something I have never done before because it's pretty much impossible for me to start on time so what's the point...and because I don't like having the feeling that I am rushing people. However, because GZ is only ONE year old and needs a nap I just had to make sure we ended at a decent time. Everything went great especially with all the help we got for the final stretch. I am excited and looking forward for all the other parties we'll do for our preciosa.

Walking

About five days after her birthday GZ took her first steps! Stephen was with her and I was at work...no I am not a momzilla who will get upset that she missed it. I got to see her the next day and it was very exciting...I actually cried which is not a reaction I was expecting at all! She has been walking with assistance...stroller, chairs...anything light enough to push since Thanksgiving but these were unassisted, all by myself, I'm a big girl now steps :o) So wince then she has been falling and building her confidence. This morning whe walked from her bedroom to ours, she fell a couple of otimes, but instead of the usual ''I'll crawl the rest of the way' attitude she got up and kept walking!!! So neat and finally we have a video of her doing it to show for it. It has not been easy to get video of her before....so here she goes...watch out world!

Feeding

A few days ago we were eating eggplant parmesan with pasta and she wanted to eat by herself. It's easier I think getting food on a fork than a spoon so she really enjoys putting the food in her mouth. I am very proud of her and she smiles knowing that I am proud of her...so sweet!

Colors!

We started coloring this past week and I have her first drawing on my refrigerator...something I said i would never do!!! And here I am proud mommy with my baby's art on the refrigerator :o) A few days ago we sat ar her new table and chairs in her room and got a Fire Safety Coloring book her uncle Michael the firefighter gave her and we had fun coloring. She understands that you only color on paper and that makes me happy!!! as well as the fact that they are washable markers so when the marker misses the page it can easily be fixed :o)

Fun with Baby

Gabriela Zoe has been enamored with the window and the bushes, trees and probably squirrels that she sees running around in our 'backyard'. It is really neat to see her getting aware with the outdoors. One of our favorite things to do is going to get to the mailbox and play with the rocks. She has loads of fun when we do that :o)

Temperature

Gabriela Zoe had a fever last week so we checked her temperature often to make sure that everything was under control. After a couple of days she had the whole routine down and she wanted to check her temperature herself and check mommy and daddy's temperature :o) So on Monday we were able to take a picture of her doing it....proof that we are not just babbling...our child is smart!