Back From Southern California! :)

After successfully surviving hours of driving with 6 kids in the car, my friend and I have returned home, feeling pretty awesome in our mothering skills. ;)

We had a really great trip down and back, and I had a lovely time visiting my friend (a different one than I drove down with).  It was rather odd, though.  I didn't end up taking any dolls with me!  I can't even remember the last time I took a trip without one of my vinyl friends accompanying me. ;)  We had to really pack light for this trip, though, so I decided that it would be better to go without this time.

I also didn't take that many pictures in general.  This trip was more about living and enjoying life than documenting it all. ;)  But I did manage to get a few fun shots at the Disney Store that I thought you all might enjoy. :D (I made most of them really large so you could see as many details as possible.)

I always love seeing all of the cute plush characters available for sale.  Here are the smaller ones...

...and here are the big guys.  There was a really big stuffed Beast on the other side of the display that was tempting, but he was $30...what?  I just saw the sign on the top!!  I could have gotten him and someone else for $30?!  Man!!  I missed the boat on that one! :(  Oh well...maybe next time. ;)  Maybe I misread his price tag, too.  Maybe he was more than $30.

Here are the new princess dolls!  It was so fun to be able to see all of them in person. :)

And here are the rest of them on the other side of the display.

There was a lot of Cinderella stuff on display, as Cinderella is being released on Blu-ray for the first time this October.  Little Gal was thrilled to see so much of her favorite princess. :)

This set would be fun.  It includes the Fairy Godmother, Cinderella, Prince Charming, Anastasia and Drizella, and Lady Tremaine, along with Cinderella's work dress and the pink dress made by the mice.   

I also enjoyed getting to see the Disney Animator's Collection dolls in person, too.  They're a lot cuter up close. :)  Belle may just have to make her way to my house eventually. ;)

Some of the Brave merchandise.  Most of the large displays were either Brave or Cinderella themed.

The Merida and Angus set.

I took a closer picture of the Limited Edition Merida doll, but there was a little too much of my face reflected in the plastic, so I won't be able to share that one with you. ;)  

A close up of lovely Queen Elinor.  She really is a beautiful doll.  And it almost looks like she has a couple of small strands of grey hair on the one side.  To be completely movie accurate, they should be a lot thicker, but I'm glad that they at least included them. :)

The Brave mini doll set.

There's something about the Disney Store that always puts a smile on my face.  I have so many happy memories of making a special trip to the Disney Store in my growing up years.  Going to a Disney Store now brings it all back.  And come on, how can you be unhappy in a store that has sparkly red floors? ;)

So I'll have a few fun products to review in future posts, because my daughters and I all had a little souvenir money to spend. ;)  Middle Gal chose the new 12" Snow White doll...

...and a mini plush Rapunzel (which is absolutely ADORABLE!!).

Little Gal chose the new 12" Cinderella...

...and the Fairy Godmother to go with her. :) 

As usual, Oldest Gal had the hardest time choosing.  By the time we had all made our decisions, she was still trying to figure out what she wanted to buy.  Then I just happened to ask if there were any more mini plush Rapunzels in the back, so the very helpful employee went back to check.  She didn't have any mini Rapunzels, but she did have one large plush Wedding Rapunzel left. :)  Bingo!  Oldest Gal fell in love with her and bought her. :)

And I bit the bullet and bought the newest 12" Belle doll.  Her face was much more pleasant in real life, and her dress is just gorgeous. :)

I also picked up a couple of small things for my Blogoversary Giveaway, but you'll just have to wait and see what those were! ;)  

Stay tuned for more detailed reviews of the things we bought.  I just wanted to get a quick post up so that you all knew I was alive and well. :)