A dream is a wish your heart makes...

After Ben spent Isabelle's Spring Break in NYC we decided to enjoy a little Spring Break trip of our own, but a few weeks late on purpose to miss all of the crowds and other travelers. We thought about a trip to NYC again but then looked at our two small girls and thought where is the happiest place on earth for these two...and of course the answer is always DISNEY!

We had most recently enjoyed Disney World in Orlando so we decided to shake it up a bit and this time booked tickets to Orange County California for the end of April. We told the girls the exciting news on Isabelle's birthday and gave them new Disney nightgowns and a countdown to the big day so the enthusiasm and anticipation began 30 days before our flights took off.

Aunt Tara happened to be traveling from Miami to San Francisco that same week for work so we convinced her to book her flights a few days earlier and have fun with us at Disneyland. It was so fun to have her there to enjoy the magic with us and three adults to two children is pretty favorable odds in all circumstances.




Soon it was time to depart and I am not sure which one of us was more excited. The girls were both great travelers like usual and we quickly found our way to sunny California. We booked rooms at the magical Disneyland Hotel so the fun began right away when we boarded the Disneyland Bus at the airport and headed to our resort. The girls sat in giant Teacups while we checked in and admired a Disney map the size of a huge wall. The magic didn't end in the lobby however, our room was filled with Disney touches as well. Mickey was on our lamps, faucets, mirrors, etc, and when we turned off the lights at night, nightlight fireworks lit up our room and played When you wish upon a star... quietly and sang us to sleep. The Disneyland Hotel was definitely a highlight of our stay in California. It was just a quick walk to the park and had yummy restaurants right on site. It had a private entrance to the Monorail and they checked our tickets right there and dropped us off right in Tomorrow land. We all slept like a baby each night as we were more than exhausted from all of the fun and our hotel was beautiful and clean and a perfect ending to our magical days.

For 5 straight days we woke early and played as hard as we could. We enjoyed Magic Kingdom three times and California Adventure once. Another perk of being a guest at the Disney Hotel was that we were invited into the parks an hour before the gates actually opened, and naturally being on a later time zone, the early mornings were our happiest times. We walked straight to Fantasyland and rode every ride once or twice before the park opened with no wait whatsoever. We also toured the Mickey Mouse Gang's homes and got to visit and chat with Mickey and all of his pals with no one waiting behind us to rush us through. The Magic Morning Hours were truly special and with two little ones in tow made a big difference to our experience.







Both girls LOVED the Disney parade and we watched it not once, twice, but three different times and cheered and waved and clapped like mad. Isabelle was almost tall enough for all the rides and showed no fear when it came to roller coasters. Her favorite rides this trip were Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and of course Dumbo. Olivia was so much fun at Disneyland this time because she was so in love with all of the characters. She loved getting her picture taken and would hug each one and was happy to see them again and again. She rode everything she was big enough for as well and especially enjoyed Small World, Winnie the Pooh, The Little Mermaid and the Merry-Go-Round. We ate yummy food each day like Jalapeño Stuffed Mickey Pretzels, Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas and of course Churros. One afternoon we had an especially fancy lunch at Ariel's Grotto where we enjoyed steak and pasta and the company of Ariel, Jasmine, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Belle. The girls were so excited to see the princesses and one Disney employee put her foot in her mouth when she commented on how beautiful Isabelle was and asked her if she was planning to come back to Disney in 20 years and play a princess. Belle looked at her like "What do you mean?"

We were extremely lucky in the character department this trip. We saw most of our friends multiple times and even got to dance hip hop with Mickey on stage. We took pictures with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Daisy, Donald, Cinderella, Ariel, Jasmine, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Jessie, Mary Poppins and Burt, Tinkerbelle, Rosetta and the list goes on. Two and six must be the perfect age for Disneyland because each time they saw a character they were beyond thrilled and couldn't wait to get their autograph and a hug.




Sadly 5 days is not long enough in the Happiest Place on Earth. Too soon it was time to board our plane and head back to hot and sweaty Texas. The California weather was almost "cold" to us in April and we spent most of the days in our hoodies, except for Ben who was finally cooled down to a normal body temperature. We loved every minute of our trip to Southern California and can't wait to return hopefully very soon. Since we've been home, the girls have rewatched all of the princess movies and are already starting a new Disney Jar to save up for their next trip. Olivia often tells us that We can go to Disneyland tomorrow and I'm just about ready to promise if she would wear panties 100% of the time I will buy us a return ticket! What a happy, joyful, magical little piece of the earth Mr. Walt Disney designed. And as the man himself said... Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.

Blue Bell

I am getting smarter. I have decided that setting easier to reach goals makes me feel more accomplished! So, instead of planning to run a marathon this year, which I would love to find the time to train and do someday, I set the goal to run a 10k instead. 1/4 of the race and 1/4 of the time/work! However, running in Texas is only enjoyable for a few months at the first of the year and then again for another month or so near the end, so I had to get right on it. Alee suggested we run the Blue Bell 10k in April and with Brenham just being an hour or so away from home and with ice cream waiting at the finish line, how could I refuse? We made it a family affair and my mom, Alee and I all ran the 10k together while Nick pushed Leo in the 5k and Isabelle rocked the 1 mile. Ben was on Olivia duty and Grandpa had the camera so we were all busy early Saturday morning. We were so proud of little Isabelle as she performed like an experienced runner and lined up alone in her race behind her age marker. They shot the gun and off she sprinted. She ran the whole mile without a break and even passed kids on the uphill turn. We were so thrilled that she finished in just over 10 minutes and took a couple minutes off her personal time while finishing 13th among her peers. Olivia was so excited for Belle and cheered and waved and probably would have run the whole distance with her if we would have let her. After a late start since we lost Alee before the race, the three of us ran a great 10k and enjoyed the beautiful Texas scenery all through the Bluebonnet Capital of the world. I'm pretty sure that I could run a marathon or more if I was running with my BFFs and chatting about everything under the sun as we go. I think for all of us Christensen's, running is our break from the day and we all look forward to our morning exercise. Just like promised, we were greeted at the finish line with every Blue Bell ice cream bar imaginable. I know I ate 2 or maybe 3 myself and I am quite certain that Ben's job of keeping up with Olivia was harder than my run and that he needed every single one of those ice cream bars he enjoyed. So check off that goal for the year, and on to the next one...potty training. Running a full marathon would definitely be an easier feat.

Easter 2012

School has had a dramatic impact on our travel schedule this past year. We are used to living out of a suitcase almost monthly so keeping our feet in one place has been sometimes painful. Luckily for us, Isabelle had both Thursday and Friday off of school to celebrate the Easter holiday this year so with the extra time on the weekend we quickly packed our bags and headed north to Dallas. It had been too long since we had visited Grandpa Van and Grandma Ruth's home and we were able to coordinate dates with Katrina and Gordon so that we could finally meet our newest cousin Caleb too. (Or at our house known as Cee-bus.) The girls were thrilled for the mini vacation and we even convinced Ben to join us for the weekend fun. It was just starting to get a tad too warm in Houston when we left and Dallas was just cooler enough that it felt lovely. We spent most of our visit outside, riding scooters to the park and spending countless hours on the trampoline. Grandma Ruth had fun Easter activities planned as well. We colored eggs with Grandpa and made a huge mess, hunted for eggs in the dark with flashlights and ate deviled eggs more than once. The girls also enjoyed playing the bells with Grandma and singing some Easter songs to help us remember the true meaning of the holiday. Uncle Joe, who is 18 years Ben's junior, had a date to the prom on Saturday night so we took Isabelle to the gathering place to take pictures and see all of the couples ready for their night on the town. Isabelle was thrilled to see all of the pretty girls dressed up in their fancy dresses, shoes and makeup and it was fun for Ben and I to see Joe (almost) all grown up since he was younger than little Isabelle at our wedding. Our time in Dallas went by quickly like usual and the girls were less than happy to get loaded back up in the car to head home. Thankfully the notion of hurrying home to see if the Easter Bunny left us any surprises took the sting off leaving just a little bit and we made great time on our way back only stopping once for fuel and treats. And much to our surprise, we came home to Easter baskets waiting for us by the fireplace complete with new Easter dresses Grammie sewed herself. Easter has become a particularly special holiday for me the last few years as I have become a mother. As we celebrate the rebirth of our land and everything that is good, it's especially sweet to me because both of my girls were born themselves in the Spring and I remember having a new babe at Easters past. What a blessed time of year.

The Houston Oil Ranch - Kindergarten Style

The Kindergarteners at Creekside Forest Elementary School ventured to The Houston Oil Ranch for the day this past Spring and no one was more excited to go than Isabelle. She counted down the days for weeks and prayed that it wouldn't rain each night. She wasn't sure if she was more excited for her FIRST bus ride, for the picnic lunch or for the ranch itself, but it was all we thought, talked and planned for for days. I was a chaperon for the big event, so Isabelle and I spent the day together learning all about animals and Texas and just having fun being together. We rode a train, fed goats and sheep, took our turn on a giant tire swing, rode a pony, played in the hay and ran from one place to the next with her classmates as fast as we could. Isabelle even had the opportunity to milk a real cow...but there was no chance she was touching that udder. If Belle and I ever get the chance to be together alone, she always holds my hand and sings Just the two of us... It was something we used to always sing before little Livi was born and my Isabelle still remembers those days. It was fun to spend the day with my big girl and I know she was so thrilled to have me there enjoying the ranch with her. Of course we talked about how much fun Olivia would have with all of the animals and in true Isabelle form she thought we should plan a trip back with both Olivia and Dad right away. **On a side note, Isabelle discovered that the bus was not all it was cracked up to be. She had an assigned middle seat between 2 boys in her class and cried to ride home with me instead in the car. She put on her game face though and suffered through the bus ride again and now has her curiosity answered about the joy of riding the school bus.

Isabelle turns 6! (Take 2)

One birthday party is never enough when you're turning 6, right? Grammie and Grandpa hosted a little family party at their house in honor of Isabelle complete with a bbq and fun and games outside. March is the perfect month to enjoy the outdoors when you live in the deep South of Texas and one of my girls favorite things to do is play in Grandpa's backyard. Since Easter was just around the corner and we all had plans to be elsewhere for the holiday, Grammie surprised the kids with an Easter egg hunt with candy, money and even tickets for special prizes in the eggs. Isabelle was once again spoiled with more birthday gifts from all of those who love her most and was especially excited for her new bigger sleeping bag and kindly passed her smaller version on to the always excited Olivia. It was a wonderful 6th birthday for a special little girl and we are so proud to be called her parents. Some things unique to Isabelle at the ripe old age of 6: * She still loves and lives mostly off of cheese. * Isabelle is debating between being a Veterinarian or a Fashion Designer when she grows up. * She picked up reading very quickly this year and was just reported at reading around a 3rd grade level. * Belle is and has always been an early to bed, early to rise type of girl. * No one loves her more than her sister Olivia, and no one teases her more than her sister Olivia too. * Isabelle could easily be a vegetarian and probably is about 90%. * Jelly loves to be busy and active. She loves P.E. more than music in school because she likes to MOVE! * Isabelle loves to travel and Kindergarten has really put a damper on her wings this year. After a few days in town she is ready to pack her suitcase again. * Belle really doesn't have much of a sweet tooth and can have an entire bucket of candy at her disposal and only eat a single piece. * She has her daddy wrapped around her finger. * Isabelle has to have a minor meltdown from exhaustion most afternoons after school. Kindergarten all day is just too long! * She loves to be fancy!!! Ruffles, bows, sequins, high heels, make up, jewelry, etc...Yes please!! * No one loves their family more than Isabelle. I have decided that 6 is the perfect age for a child. They are old enough to take care of themselves, mostly, but they are still babies and want their mama's. Isabelle is a little piece of heaven and I am trying daily to seize the day!

Isabelle turns 6! (Take one)

Where oh where has the time gone? Our little Jelly turned SIX years old in March and went from a toddler to a little lady over night!! Isabelle was so excited to share her birthday with her school mates this year and began planning her ultimate birthday party weeks in advance. Ben and I figured that this was the year to have a big bash since our little socialite was so excited to be the birthday girl and desperately wanted to invite all of her little girlfriends to her party, so we threw all of our time and energy Belle's direction and let our little party planner go wild. Isabelle's ideas ranged from a Dr Seuss party to a kite flying party at the park to a garden party with Barbie and so on but eventually she landed on a plan that stuck which was an "Almost Barbie Slumber Party" at our home complete with pajamas, glitter, make-up and all things pink and fancy. March 23rd was on a Friday this year so it was the perfect day for celebrating. Ben, Olivia and I met the birthday girl for lunch at school and brought cupcakes for all of her classmates to enjoy. Meanwhile, Grammie picked up the Barbie cake and balloons and put the finishing touches on her new silky nightgown while Alee and Co. drove down from College Station, picked up the ChiCk-Fil-A nuggets and made 2 dozen cupcakes. It was a family affair and I was grateful for all of the help I had to make this party just as special as our sweet Isabelle. Ben was shocked when I told him he would be too busy to work that day and looked at me like I was a little crazy when we asked him to get out his full size ladder to hang party decorations, but he was the good sport he always is and spent the afternoon hanging pink lanterns from the ceiling and filling the pinata. Soon enough school was over and the sun began to set and it was party time. We had decided that Belle should invite all of the girls in her Kindergarten class as well as her Girl Scout Troup but I was sure I would not have more than 10 or so RSVP. Boy was I wrong, the doorbell kept ringing and soon we had all 16 Kindergarten girls dancing and running wild in our house in their pjs. The party went off pretty much as planned. We ate yummy food, broke a pinata, painted nails and had glitter hair. We had a fashion show, played pillow games and ended the night with a diamond hunt in the backyard complete with 16 pink flashlights and 16 very happy little fashionistas. It was definitely a birthday party to remember and Isabelle was over the moon with all of the fuss. Of course Olivia thought she was the most important guest at the party and loved all of the girls and glitter and fun. I had great help from my parents and my sister Alex's family as well as my neighbor Kathryn and friend Shelly. They say it takes a village to raise a child, right? I think the same can be said about a 6 year old girl's birthday party!