Sunday, August 26, 2012

Every prima ballerina deserves a prima party...


Man, do we know how to ring in a fourth birthday or what?  On Saturday family and friends joined us for Evie's birthday party at Local Motion Studio to celebrate our little ballerina's big day.  We had a huge turn-out despite a big thunderstorm (but hey, it wasn't a hurricane like last year's Irene).  Evie was delighted to be dancing with all her friends!


A special surprise guest was cousin JJ, who had a blast in her tutu!  Evie was so excited her big cuz could make it, she even was very generous with sharing her Leap Frog!

 Look at those beautiful sisters decked out in their headbands! Do they know how to wear flare, or what?


Before we left the studio so the kids could partake in the dance class, the family poses for a quick picture. Note the tulle and tissue flowers on the barre - many hours were spent on those tissue flowers! 

Amelia traveled from Philadelphia with Aunty Mel and Uncle Brian and was so excited to be wearing her ballerina costume and hair up in a true ballerina bun! We also were delighted to see Sonali and Sachin, Priya and Amit, who came all the way from Philly too!  What great friends!

Evie gets ready to take off across the dance floor (Sam looks on like the good sport he is).  

Ballerina in (super fast) motion! 

Molly, Julianna and Evie listen to their teacher as they practice their dance moves (or maybe they are just shrugging, I dunno).  

Looks like Evie is getting pretty excited about the next part of the class!  They did an yoga pose that began with 'E' in honor of the birthday girl - something like the Easy Elephant, or something like that?

This picture is hilarious.  The girls lie back and imagine they are gazing at the stars... and little Sam is the moon in the middle. Or something like that. Around this time, as the lights dimmed, Sam decided this chick stuff was enough.  What a trooper! 


While all the kids were in class, the parents had plenty of time to admire and enjoy the dessert spread and catch up.  Dad loves those cream puffs from Costco.  

Of course, the pièce de résistance was Evie's ballerina tutu cake!  Mom came up with the concept of a bundt cake to create the tutu, and as always Dad executed it to the fullest!  It was his first time using a petal tip for the frosting and he did a wonderful job. Everyone was impressed and thought we had purchased the cake from a bakery! 

The girls line up to go outside and get some treats - Evie, Molly, Bryn, Sonali, Olivia, Shelby, Mallory, Molly, Annie, Molly, Amelia, Ava, and Riya. Look at all that tulle! 

Ellie enjoys her pink Funfetti cupcake. She couldn't get enough of the delicious pink frosting!  

Evie gets ready to blow out the candles on the cake!  Just look at her glowing! 

Yes, that *is* a little chocolate cake on my nose.  

Not to be undone, Ellie shows off her dance moves.  Ah, the boost a little sugar can give to your performance.  

The girls find a quiet moment in the studio for a hug.  Our little angels. 

Our very color-coordinated family.  Yes, Mommy did make Dad change out of his original red shirt, she is not ashamed to admit. 

Look at these beautiful ballerinas!  Could they *be* any cuter?!? 

I call this one "Three Future UVA Wahoos (and the annoying sister that comes to visit?)".  What a wonderful party.  Thanks to everyone who was a part of it! 

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Wet and Wild at the Water Park


It was time for our annual trip to Great Waves water park in Alexandria - this time we were joined by Opa, Ba, and Valerie, Thomas, Ava and Dylan.  Evie started in the Minnows pool but then tried the water slides, but her favorite part was playing in the inner tubes in the wave pool.  

Ellie loved every minute!  She kept trying to swim and didn't mind it when she went under water. She also loved splashing in the waterfalls.  

Then it was time for a treat - ice cream.  Ellie hasn't quite mastered getting the majority of ice cream into her mouth.  

Sticky but delicious nonetheless! 

Fairy and Fables Week at Ballerina Camp


Evie wrapped up this week's ballet camp with a delightful performance as a fairy princess.  


 She was an expert at performing her plies - one of her best performances ever! 


Here she demonstrates her happy face! 

She proudly holds the roses Opa threw at her feet. Brava, Evie! 


Sweet Home Alabama (?)


Last week we had a couple of visitors from Alabama: Aunty Michelle, Talia and Eric.  Evie was very excited to show them her ballerina moves and rainbow umbrella.  


 Ellie slowly warmed up to Aunty Michelle - nothing like a ride on the shoulders to get a great view (although I guess Aunty is a little shorter than Opa, her usual ride). 


Here she cuddles with Talia, who is going off to the University of Alabama in a week!  Mommy doesn't want to think of her kids going away ever - maybe they will go to online college like Eric!
 

Ellie demonstrates to Aunty Michelle that the plastic Little People suitcase actually makes a pretty good phone when flipped open.  What a fun visit! 

Monday, August 6, 2012

We Are Family! A Homecoming for Uncle Patrick in New Jersey


We traveled up to New Jersey this weekend to celebrate Uncle Patrick, Evie, and, of course, the Yankees!  The kids love running through the hallway  - Evie chases Ellie who is holding a picture of the family circa Christmas 2008.


Whee!  Big smiles all around! 
 

There is a lot to do at Bebe and Popi's - Ellie colors at the table.  I love how she is crossing her feet at the ankle. So cute! 
 

And there is also fun to be had at the water table, despite not being able to climb in!  
 

Evie also likes using chalk to draw some houses.  All our homes have chimneys with smoke coming out - she must like sitting my the fire like her mom. 
 

Earlier that day, Bebe, Dad, Evie and Uncle Patrick went to the Yankees Stadium to watch the game vs. the Mariners.  What a view from the seats! 

 

Whee!  Evie is amazed at the sight and sounds.  


.. and definitely by this monster bucket of popcorn! 
 

The next day we had a great lunch with the whole family there!  Ellie looks amazed! 
 

Evie is concentrating on her coloring.  


Bryn was crawling all over in her cute crab dress. 
 

Evie was being a good baby-sitter to make sure Bryn didn't go up the stairs.  
 

Molly and JJ carry Evie's ice cream cake to the table as the whole family sings Happy Birthday! 

 

JJ claps as Evie blows out her candles. 


 Now it's Stanny's turn...


...and Molly's turn. 
 

...and now Evie is ready to cut the ice cream cake with the help of Uncle Patrick. 
 

Before we head home, we gather the McDonalds for a family picture.  The gang is all here! 
 

...and Aunt Dellie too! 

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

I'm Splashin' in the Rain


It was a somewhat messy night, but that made for some fun memories.  It started with a dinner of spinach phyllo pie that Evie had fun crumbling into pieces before eating.  Then the girls had orange and red tongues after a dessert of popsicles.  Finally, after a brief summer storm, we headed out to do some puddle jumping, to Daddy's dismay.  But no dismay on Ellie's face as she experienced her first puddle jumping venture.  She loved it!


 Evie donned her raincoat and rainboots to show her little sis how it was done.
 

Uh, oh. Someone forgot to tell Ellie that you're supposed to jump in the puddles, not sit in them.  Whoopsie.  
 

At the end, Evie was running full speed through the puddles.  Then it was straight into the tub for a bubble bath.