Twinkle Star is born!

This will be my first installment of our California vacation pictures....as we have too many to post at one sitting. We left June 23rd for a visit to Huntington Beach with Chris's Aunt and Uncle. We had a wonderful time! We were on the go for most of the week, but wouldn't have wanted it any other way!

After an easy plane ride with an almost two-year-old, we arrived in sunny California. Luckily, we have a great little traveler! Our first day there, we decided to head to Downtown Disney for lunch and a little shopping. One of my students gave Leila an end of the year present - a gift card to the Build a Bear Workshop. We saved it to use in Downtown Disney because that shop offers things that others do not. We were not disappointed!

Letting a 23 month-old choose her animal...not an easy task. Leila kept changing her mind. Here she is checking out a doggy. Huggable? Yes. But not quite what she wanted.

How about a black bear? Yep, this is the buddy she finally went with. Very fitting right, since California's flag has a bear on it? I thought so!
Pumping the stuffing in. "I dood it, Mommy!" No help needed or wanted from the parents.

Watching the stuffing twirl around in the big machine.
Leila chose the red heart over the gingham heart for her bear. Here Daddy and Leila are placing the bear's new heart inside and stitching her up.
Wow, so many choices for clothing! The final wardrobe included a denim skirt, a Disneyland t-shirt, sequin purse, Minnie Mouse t-shirt and MICKEY MOUSE EARS. The ears are SO cute!
Oh yeah, I also forgot that the bear got "big girl panties". Since Leila is working on potty training, we thought the bear might need some too. You can't see them in the photo, the skirt is covering them. Since the bear has been at home, we have had to let the her try going potty MANY times at Leila's request.
At the end of making an animal, the computer asks you to name your new friend. So, Chris says, "What do you want your bear to be named?"

A one second pause occurs. She is thinking. I also begin trying to think of a good name. Before anything even enters my mind, Leila says, without hesitation, "TWINKLE STAR!". Welcome to the Tavern Family, Twinkle Star!

We celebrated the newest member of the family (not pictured though) with lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe (also in Downtown Disney). We had pushed lunch time a little later than usual and the start of the meal was NOT good. We were seated right next to the huge gorilla. She did not like when he "talked". After some tears, a glass of milk, some Teddy Grahams and a walk around the cafe with Daddy, Leila was happy again. She even ended up liking the gorilla!

Look for the next posting soon....Day #2 in Cali!