I finally made it to the big day! Friday, July 18, we celebrated TWO precious years with our darling Millie Janalee. I cannot believe how fast time has flown! Our all time favorite moments in Disney World was when Millie Janalee met Minnie Mouse. She absolutely loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and "Nouse" and "Mick." So, naturally, I decided on a Minnie Mouse theme. Everything was perfect for our small family birthday weekend! Don't get me wrong. We did it up BIG! We just didn't have a large guest list this year. Ha!
Susu, Pawpaw, Kay Kay, and Hughes made the trip a day earlier than the rest of the crew to be here on Millie Janalee's actual birthday. We had a big day planned including a day at Magic House, the children's museum in St. Louis. Susu and Pawpaw also wanted to take her by the American Girl store. So I woke my little sleepy head up early for her birthday donut. As you can see, she is much like her Mama in the morning. It takes a second to wake up good. She immediately found the life-size "Nouse" balloon in the living room. We sang "Happy Birthday" for the first of many times after I lit the candles on her donut. She needed a little help blowing them out, and she actually preferred her cereal bar over the donut. Haha! So I ate the donut, of course! Yum!
After breakfast, we were all gathering our last minute things before heading out for a fun-filled day when Millie Janalee came around the corner. She had found her birthday stash and wanted the gift inside the Minnie Mouse bag. Susu told her of course she could open it!
There was a gasp and a sweet "Oooooh!" And then there was the moment she asked to wear them. The sparkly red Minnie Mouse shoes. So I let her. She wore them proudly. Along with the old lady purse. Susu and Pawpaw sure know how to make this girl smile!
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| "Pwease!!" |
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| One happy Minnie Janalee! |
[I kid.]
[Kinda.]
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| Celebrity status! |
Her Bitty Baby came with a special book too, and we all know how much Millie Janalee loves a book! She was in heaven. Until it was time to leave.
Thankfully her little fit didn't last too long since there was a full out block party outside the doors! Radio Disney was there blaring music, hula hoops were everywhere, and there was dancing in the street. Millie Janalee and Pawpaw did some hula hooping. Susu gave it a try too. Hughes pretty much tolerated the whole American Girl store dance party morning. Which still makes me giggle actually.
It was the perfect way to start our birthday celebration! It's like they knew it was her birthday.
We eventually made our way to Magic House just in time to grab some lunch at the little cafe there. The food was tolerable, but Millie Janalee didn't care. She enjoyed her grilled cheese and lots of other snacks we brought from home. Then she was ready to run and play!
There were so many different directions to go and lots to see and do. We followed the map and hit up the areas I thought Millie Janalee would enjoy most. The special exhibit of Sid the Science Kid was one of her favorites though. Also, she may or may not have had her first date in the car by herself in that exhibit too (see the yellow car). They look very serious. Ha!
Another favorite area was the area specifically for ages 0-6. There weren't older wild kids running over her or knocking the little ones down. Everything was age appropriate, and she had a ball! The water table was too fun. Just look at her face! Pawpaw and I stared as she showed us that she actually knew what to do when she cooked. She put all the tops on the pots and pans and poured condiments on her foods before taking a bite. It was the cutest thing! She and Susu went shopping in the market. She bought all the plants that were on sale. Ha!
We came across a baby weigh station, and I couldn't wait to see how much she weighed. 25 pounds! My 6 pound 13 ounce baby girl is now 25 pounds y'all!
We made our way through the various rooms and exhibits. Susu and Millie Janalee enjoyed their first proper tea party with Raggedy Ann. She's pretty much been obsessed with tea parties since.
The day was long for some of our crew. When Susu and I brought Millie Janalee downstairs, this is the view we came up on...
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| Worn out. |
Since Russ had to work all day, we saved her big gift from us til he got home. It worked out well since she was napping. Russ got home and set up her new fancy little kitchen. I placed Minnie Mouse close by to greet her, and we anxiously waited on her to wake up from her nap!
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| Surprise! |
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| Wakey wakey! |
"Heeyyyy! Huh? Okay. Huh? Byyyyeee!"
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| Chit chat |
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| Cooking Daddy a strawberry |
She tried on her cute dress from Susu and Pawpaw before continuing her work in the kitchen. Lots of frying the strawberries and microwaving the grilled cheese.
It wasn't long before Uncie Buck and "Bwee" arrived with even more gifts! Aunt Nana sent Millie Janalee her very own slide! It was all over after that. She slid and slid and slid. She's a pro now in case you were wondering.
Since it was her birthday and we had guests, Millie Janalee stayed up way past bedtime. Not that we even pretend to actually have one of those these days. She dressed in her matching pajamas and Susu put her to bed with her Bitty Baby.
Sweet dreams, birthday girl! The celebration has only begun!
