Evie's Sixth Goes out with a Cupcake...

Our little girl got a little surprise on her birthday: an afternoon out with Mom!  We hit Old Town to go to Paint This! and this time, Evie decided she wanted to do her first mosaic. Of course, she decided to go with a LOVE plaque for her first project, and picked out a variety of glass tiles to build the piece.  We can't wait to see how it comes out! We wrapped up our afternoon with Yogi Castle and a trip to Hooray for Books, where she selected a Sticker Dolly Dressing book, of course. 

And speaking of Sticker Dolly Dressing books, she (and Ellie) couldn't be happier when she opened up Ellie's gift.  Unfortunately Ellie also thought the books were for her, which led to a little sister drama, alas. 

But in those initial moments, it was hugs all around for the best sister in the world! 

Our little entrepreneur was excited to get Monopoly Junior's party edition, while Ellie hams it up in the background. 

Even Dad could join us for the celebration, via Facetime.  He joins this portrait of the birthday girl and Mommy. 

And there is the other little love of our life. 

The girls proudly display Ba's artwork, painted especially for them. 

All smiles on a delightful sixth birthday...

Which we finish off with a final cupcake creation!

Evie's Sweet Celebration for her Sixth

This Saturday we had a delightful time celebrating her sixth birthday at home. Evie must have inherited her mom's event planning skills because she decided she wanted a cupcake-themed party and helped plan all the activities, including the decoration of some delicious Funfetti cupcakes.  All the girls got into piping in icing and giving each cupcake a different personality. 

Of course, who can resist sampling the toppings while hard at work?  

Chelsea and Evie show off their chocolate-covered faces, due to some delicious chocolate-covered strawberries.  Chelsea also models her aprons, which every girl got to decorate.

The birthday girl could not keep a goofy smile off her face. 

And of course, Ellie was all about the silly faces. 

Our girls had a blast with all their friends, making beaded cupcake necklaces and bracelets.

Look at all those great smiles before everyone let loose on their "silly faces." 

In addition to her party playlist, Evie also directed Daddy on how to frost her giant cupcake cake, and even added giant sprinkles to the top.

Another successful McDonald birthday party!  

Evie's big gift this year was a marble run, which she has been yearning for ever since our trip to San Diego's science museum.  She and Amelia had a fantastic time creating a rollercoaster for the marbles, with the help of Opa and Mommy. What a great way to end the day!  Happy Birthday, sweet girl! 

Flexing her artistic interpretation muscles...

Evie has been having a great summer at the National Gallery of Art taking advantage of their Summer Series, which has taken her to experience the paintings and sculpture of Italy.  Every visit, she gets a kick out of making a wish by throwing a penny in the fountain. 

Evie puts on her imagination and pretends to step into the picture - she opens her ears to imagine what the people are talking about in Canaletto's Entrance to the Grand Canal from the Molo, Venice. 

During the next session, she listens to the story "The Mysterious Giant of Barletta" before admiring the sculpture Giuliano d' Medici by Verrocchio.   

Later she made her own sculpture - a delightful snow-woman with some fantastic accessories. 

Finally, after her last Roman Holiday, we joined Lara and Sam for a delightful picnic on the Lawn with Emily, Ellie, Daddy and Mom.  Gotta love DC!  

Evie blows out six candles in New Jersey!

We ended our delightful trip to New Jersey with a birthday celebration for Evie.  

Evie was thrilled to get a new Richard Scarry book, her favorite author! 

She also is excited to learn some magic - soon she will donning her black hat and cape. By the end of the weekend, she had mastered the use of her magic wand. 

Popi, Ellie, Stan, Bebe, Evie and JJ share some laughs. 

Ellie Modeling the Latest in Eyewear

A free giveaway at the Yankee game... sunglasses sponsored by Evie and Ellie's favorite frozen yogurt store Sweet Frog.

Ellie decided to show off her poses to the camera - she looks as if she's channeling Robert DeNiro.  You talking to me?

The future's so bright she's gotta wear shades, despite the dazed and confused expression.

Ellie does her best roar. (Is she a lion or singing a Katie Perry song?).

Look at those pursed lips. How did she get them to glisten just right? I guess every model has her own secrets.

Ellie knows she's cool with that ever so slight smile crossing her lips.

Walking like an Egyptian in the Bronx.

Go Yankees!

Up to New Jersey for the weekend! Before we hit the beach we decided to go another 75 miles north to Yankee Stadium with Bebe, Uncle Dave, and cousins Stan and Juliana.

Evie had a few dietary guidelines for the game... cotton candy, ice cream and peanuts -- all gluten free (though I think that's more of a coincidence).  Juliana joins the cotton candy fun!

Here's Dad and Ellie getting ready for the game to start (with Uncle Dave and Stan just a few seats away).

Ellie's showing off her Derek Jeter t-shirt while overlooking the stadium. It's Ellie's first game at the stadium and last game she'll see Jeter handle the shortstop position in a Yankee uniform.

Here are all the cousins happily holding hands through six innings of sun, sugar and smiles.

Yep -- you guessed it -- the foursome supporting El Capitan!

Bebe joins the fun with her Yankees shirt too (sans Jeter).

Outside the front of Yankee Stadium it's Evie, Dad and Ellie. Are the girls most excited about being at the game or finally heading home?

Bebe along with Evie and Ellie standing on the interlocking "N" "Y."