DisneyLand

  After hemming and hawing about whether to go to Disney for Havana's 5th birthday we decided to go for it. We took Amara for her 5th birthday and Havana has been waiting two years to go for her fifth birthday (check out photos from that visit at http://twosmallgems.blogspot.com/2012/06/happiest-place-on-earth.html and http://twosmallgems.blogspot.com/2012/06/mickey-mouses-birthday-wishes.html) 

Wwe didn't want to not do for her what we did for her big sister so off to the Magic Kingdom we went!

 The girls being older, we did more things and as a result we had an even better time that our fist visit. At the same time, the girls were still young to believe in the magic of the characters they met and were captivated by the shows. We got to experience more rides now that the girls met height requirements. We stayed up late for Fantasmic which more than lived up to the hype. We also saw a few other shows including one where Havana was elated to see Stitch come out and dance and shake his booty. It was during that performance that I was reminded of what the magic of Disney was all about; Havana had no idea a character she loves would make an appearance or was even at Disney, for that matter. So when Stitch came on stage, those baby blues got as big as silver dollars. Havana couldn't help but stand up and start to dance too!

 

Amara was a little braver when it cames to the rides. She was fixated on the ferris wheel the moment she laid eyes on it (which was from our hotel.) On our second day, she and her Papa went for it while Havana and I did something more her speed.

  (the carousal was just right for Havana.)

 The whole family took an animation class where we were taught to draw the Cheshire Cat. Havana couldn't sit still for more than a few minutes two years ago and now, Baby Gil was engaged during  the whole fifteen minute class.

Cars Land wasn't open last visit. We found the rides to be super exciting and the setting nostalgic (well the adults did!

                               

The Birthday Girl wore her Elsa dress the whole morning!

 Amara wanted to return to the Haunted Mansion. Havana would have nothing to do with it this time around so Amara and I went so "a ghost could sit in our lap."

All in all it was a very fun few days. We may choose other destinations for future holidays but we will always remember our days at Disney with a smile.