From the monthly archives:

December 2012

Bibbidi Bobbidi Maile

by Papa K on December 31, 2012

On Sunday, Grandma and Papa Hawaii treated Maile and her cousins to a princess transformation at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Basically, it’s a beauty salon where they give little girls princess makeovers which includes a fancy hairstyle and makeup. I’ll be the first to admit that Christine and I weren’t thrilled, but we weren’t going to have Maile sit out while her older cousins got to play princess … and Maile absolutely loved the experience!

Remember that wavy, curly hair now ... because it's about to get slick!

Remember that wavy, curly hair now ... because it's about to get slick!

Yes, they put enough hairspray on to require the use of a face mask :) Maile actually loved this thing, might need to get one for when Mommy braids her hair normally...

Yes, they put enough hairspray on to require the use of a face mask 🙂 Maile actually loved this thing, might need to get one for when Mommy braids her hair normally...

Profile shot, hairstyle coming together...

Profile shot, hairstyle coming together...

Are you ready for your crown Princess Maile?

Are you ready for your crown Princess Maile?

Yes, yes I am!

Yes, yes I am!

The final touch, a wand that sprinkles glitter over everything (Dad note: And I mean everything. I'm still finding glitter on my clothes two days later...)

The final touch, a wand that sprinkles glitter over everything (Dad note: And I mean everything. I'm still finding glitter on my clothes two days later...)

Sound the horns, Princess Maile has arrived!

Sound the horns, Princess Maile has arrived!

Princess Maile and Daddy

Princess Maile and Daddy

Princess Maile and Mommy

Princess Maile and Mommy

I give thee the royal court: Princess Katie, Princess Emily and Princess Maile

I give thee the royal court: Princess Katie, Princess Emily and Princess Maile

Thank you Grandma Gail and Papa Cal for making our little girl’s princess dreams come true for a day!

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Maile Girl Goes to Disneyland, Day #2

by Papa K on December 29, 2012

On our second day at Disneyland, we got down to business and met some princesses! We actually spent the day at the California Adventure side of the park and started our day at Ariel’s Grotto where we had breakfast alongside “real” Disney princesses. Maile and her cousins were blown away that they actually got to meet the princesses. (With the exception of Minnie – Maile Girl still isn’t a fan of the non-human characters 🙂

First up, Maile and her cousins met the hostess, Princess Ariel:

And then it was just an ongoing stream of princesses while we ate breakfast (Belle, Cinderella, Princess Minnie and Aurora)…

Maile Girl was particularly tickled to meet Belle - she has a Belle dress that Grandma and Papa gave her...

Maile Girl was particularly tickled to meet Belle - she has a Belle dress that Grandma and Papa gave her...

Cinderella!

Cinderella!

Seriously, I can't believe this is really happening!

Seriously, I can't believe this is really happening!

Don't worry, it wasn't all princesses - we also hit some rides like the tea cups!

Don't worry, it wasn't all princesses - we also hit some rides like the tea cups!

Grandma Gail and Papa Cal will go anywhere with their girls!

Grandma Gail and Papa Cal will go anywhere with their girls!

(Click here for the video.)

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Maile Girl Goes to Disneyland, Day #1

by Papa K on December 28, 2012

On Wednesday, we hit the “big show” so to speak – we got up bright and early and drove over to Disneyland. It was definitely one of those times when I wished I could be inside Maile’s little head hearing/seeing/feeling what she was. We had talked up Disneyland a little bit, but there really is no way to describe it. When we entered the parking lot, she said “Is this Disneyland, Daddy?” Not yet Maile Girl, not yet.

We had a great first day at the park – hit some rides, wandered all over, smiled, laughed – all the things you are supposed to do at the happiest place on earth. And as you’ll see from the pictures, the day ended with Maile completely zonked – dreaming whatever little girls dream after their visit to a magical place…

Yep, Maile Girl is here. That isn't a fake castle behind me, it's the real deal! (Dad note: Well, technically, it is fake ... but we'll let it go...)

Yep, Maile Girl is here. That isn't a fake castle behind me, it's the real deal! (Dad note: Well, technically, it is fake ... but we'll let it go...)

Coolest breakfast ever!

Coolest breakfast ever!

Who's that with Papa on the rocket ship? (BTW - This was Maile's 3rd time on this ride - Daddy went twice and then tagged Papa in as his head was spinning!)

Who's that with Papa on the rocket ship? (BTW - This was Maile's 3rd time on this ride - Daddy went twice and then tagged Papa in as his head was spinning!)

Maile and Daddy on the Jungle Cruise. The look on her face is 1/2 what in the world is going on? and 1/2 get me out of here!

Maile and Daddy on the Jungle Cruise. The look on her face is 1/2 what in the world is going on? and 1/2 get me out of here!

Maile and Daddy in line for Maile's very first roller coaster ride...

Maile and Daddy in line for Maile's very first roller coaster ride...

... whew, just made it!

... whew, just made it!

Maile LOVED the roller coaster! In fact, she only cried when we got off because she wanted to go again and Daddy said the line was too long :)

Maile LOVED the roller coaster! In fact, she only cried when we got off because she wanted to go again and Daddy said the line was too long 🙂

Since Mommy is 36 weeks pregnant, the roller coasters were a no go, but she and Maile still had some quality time on the carousel!

Since Mommy is 36 weeks pregnant, the roller coasters were a no go, but she and Maile still had some quality time on the carousel!

Argh, I can't quite get this sword out of this stone. If only I had ...

Argh, I can't quite get this sword out of this stone. If only I had ...

... two cousins to help me out!

... two cousins to help me out!

Maile at dinner - I think we can say that our day 1 mission was accomplished!

Maile at dinner - I think we can say that our day 1 mission was accomplished!

All in all, a great first day at Disneyland! Thank you Grandma Gail and Papa Cal!

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Maile’s Adventures in Legoland

by Papa K on December 27, 2012

On Wednesday, we headed down to Legoland to ease the girls into their theme park adventures. It was a great choice – Legoland gets two thumbs up from all of us – it’s kind of like training wheels for Disneyland. Smaller crowds so its easier to get around and the lines are much shorter. The rides are a bit tamer too – lots to do for the 5 and under set. Plus, legos are awesome.

Our first ride was a helicopter ride. It went up and down, turned a bit. Allowed Maile and I to sit together. Perfect way to start - and she loved it!

Our first ride was a helicopter ride. It went up and down, turned a bit. Allowed Maile and I to sit together. Perfect way to start - and she loved it!

Let's go up again, Daddy!

Let's go up again, Daddy!

Maile may not be afraid of heights, but she is NOT a fan of lego lions that growl at you when you stand next to them to take a picture.

Maile may not be afraid of heights, but she is NOT a fan of lego lions that growl at you when you stand next to them to take a picture.

Of course, we were joined by our cousins, Katie and Emily on our adventure to Legoland...

Of course, we were joined by our cousins, Katie and Emily on our adventure to Legoland...

... and with them around, we can have fun just about anywhere!

... and with them around, we can have fun just about anywhere!

We were walking by this stage show with 4 singer/dancers and Maile just walked over and plopped herself down on this ledge. She proceeded to watch the next 15 minutes of the show completely enthralled.

We were walking by this stage show with 4 singer/dancers and Maile just walked over and plopped herself down on this ledge. She proceeded to watch the next 15 minutes of the show completely enthralled.

... and then she met the girls herself and was blown away!

... and then she met the girls herself and was blown away!

Meet Hello Kitty Maile (thank you Grandma and Papa!)

Meet Hello Kitty Maile (thank you Grandma and Papa!)

This airplane ride that went around in circles was Daddy's ... er Maile's favorite - we went twice back-to-back (yep, I taught Maile the old, get off and run really fast to get back in line move. She executed it like a pro!)

This airplane ride that went around in circles was Daddy's ... er Maile's favorite - we went twice back-to-back (yep, I taught Maile the old, get off and run really fast to get back in line move. She executed it like a pro!)

Mommy, mommy, I'm flying!

Mommy, mommy, I'm flying!

Great times at Legoland – thank you Grandma Gail and Papa Cal!

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QT with the Cousins in Anaheim

by Papa K on December 26, 2012

On Tuesday, we traveled down to Anaheim with the whole family, Grandma and Papa Hawaii, Katie, Emily and Uncle Steve (Aunty Nao is meeting us in a few days). The primary purpose of our visit is to hit up Disneyland, but we are already having a blast before even getting to the happiest place on earth!

Grandma and Papa made sure that Maile, Katie and Emily will arrive at Disney in style with their very own Disney princess dresses. I'm told that Maile is wearing the "Belle" dress - in fact, Maile has told me that, many, many times.

Grandma and Papa made sure that Maile, Katie and Emily will arrive at Disney in style with their very own Disney princess dresses. I'm told that Maile is wearing the Belle dress - in fact, Maile has told me that, many, many times.

Maile is old enough now that she is picking things up from her Japanese cousins - including the two fingers next to the face for pictures pose.

Maile is old enough now that she is picking things up from her Japanese cousins - including the two fingers next to the face for pictures pose.

Yes, more princess dresses! The house that Papa Cal rented for the week is amazing. Everything is Disney and there is a great game room for the kids to play in - including a full Disney/costume warddrobe. I think Maile actually thinks this house is "Disneyland" - wait until she sees the real thing!

Yes, more princess dresses! The house that Papa Cal rented for the week is amazing. Everything is Disney and there is a great game room for the kids to play in - including a full Disney/costume warddrobe. I think Maile actually thinks this house is 'Disneyland' - wait until she sees the real thing!

Maile is a huge fan of air hockey - bring it!

Maile is a huge fan of air hockey - bring it!

The house has bunkbeds - Maile had a grand plan that she was going to sleep with her cousins in the bunk beds. This lasted for about 10 minutes. Maile is now sleeping in our room :)

The house has bunkbeds - Maile had a grand plan that she was going to sleep with her cousins in the bunk beds. This lasted for about 10 minutes. Maile is now sleeping in our room 🙂

Much, much more to come…

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Santa Came to Visit!

by Maile Girl on December 25, 2012

Santa is a good man. Such a busy day and he took the time to come visit my cousins, Jake and I! I couldn’t believe it. One minute we were playing and the next minute the big guy was here giving us presents! It’s because I was a good girl this year. I was very brave – no tears, but Katie did have to hold my hand. (Dad note: you can see how we did last year and the year before.)

Emily and Santa - she just marched right up - so brave!

Emily and Santa - she just marched right up - so brave!

Jake can't wait to dig in to his present!

Jake can't wait to dig in to his present!

See how Katie is holding my hand to support me? So nice of her.

See how Katie is holding my hand to support me? So nice of her.

Santa, thank you for the present - I knew you would come!

Santa, thank you for the present - I knew you would come!

This is going to be surprising, but Daddy captured the whole visit on video!

(Click here for the video.)

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Katie and Emily. Are. In. The. House.

by Maile Girl on December 23, 2012

Maile Girl here. GUESS WHAT?! Katie and Emily are here! Yes, in San Francisco! At my house! I showed them my room and my toys and we colored and played games and slurped noodles and ran around and cuddled and read books – and that was all in just the first couple of hours! We are already having so much fun and we haven’t even gotten to Disneyland yet! (Dad note: we are all headed there after Christmas.)

Sorry, Daddy, I guess I ruined the picture, but I just can't believe my eyes!

Sorry, Daddy, I guess I ruined the picture, but I just can't believe my eyes!

Katie and Emily speak mostly Japanese, but Candyland is a universal language apparently because we were able to play just fine!

Katie and Emily speak mostly Japanese, but Candyland is a universal language apparently because we were able to play just fine!

(Dad note: Christine and I have been playing A LOT of Candyland since Maile got it for Hanukkah so we are very happy to add some new players into the mix.)

Can you guess which one is my lunch and which one is Katie and Emily's?

Can you guess which one is my lunch and which one is Katie and Emily's?

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Family Portrait by Maile Girl

by Papa K on December 19, 2012

For some reason Maile is convinced that her baby sister is going to have purple hair. Perhaps this is a premonition of the future that Maile is having. Or perhaps she just thinks baby’s are born with purple hair. Regardless, in a few weeks Maile is either going to be a bit disappointed … or Mommy and Daddy are going to be VERY surprised 🙂

(Click here for the video.)

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30 More Days…

by Papa K on December 18, 2012

30 days from now on January 17th, we’ll get to meet Maile’s little sister. We. Can’t. Wait.

Hang tight baby girl, we can't wait to meet you!

Hang tight baby girl, we can't wait to meet you!

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Fun with Nesting Dolls

by Papa K on December 17, 2012

A couple weeks ago Maile was at a friend’s house and became fascinated with these nesting dolls they had. Imagine how excited she was when she opened her Hanukkah present from her Cousin Donna to find her very own set – brought all the way in Russia no less!

Thanks Cousin Donna!

(Click here for the video.)

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