We hypothesize that Opa had a great birthday!

 

On Sunday we threw a belated birthday bash for Opa with a science theme.  The girls and Mommy had a fun time putting together a banner with shaving cream art bubbling out of the beakers and the use of the periodic table as a creative element. The colored shaving cream was an interesting experiment that may need an adjustment or two.  

Funny enough, the whole family coordinated our outfits around Opa's (and Ba's, it turns out) favorite color.  It was pretty funny, we didn't even get the memo. 

Lots of laughs outside due to Daddy and Opa's antics. And yes, even Mommy coordinated her gray sweater with some yellow pants.

 

 

Look at those sweethearts!  

 

We all lean in to help Opa blow out his birthday candles on his traditional German Black Forest cake. 

 

Ellie is getting the hang of it, but still needs a little help. 

 

To end the party with a (literal) bang, Daddy demonstrates his knife-opening champagne trick. 

 

No frogs at this Princess Ball!

 

Evie got all dolled up to attend the magical Princess Ball with Daddy this Saturday.  Here she is coming down the royal staircase to meet her loyal subjects.   

Evie helped Daddy adjust his bowtie, and continued to help him out all night.  He got a pink bowtie to match Evie's pink dress. 

Our beautiful girl with her shy smile. 

And this is her coy look (she gets that from Mom). 

Dad and Evie demonstrate their dip. Throughout the night, Evie enjoyed pulling Daddy onto and through the dance floor.  Daddy also impressed everyone by being able to identify all the theme songs from old TV shows.  

Our other little princess, Ellie, gave them a royal send-off before they set off to the ball. She and Mommy had a great date night of Thai pineapple fried rice and Wiggles. 

Snowquester!

Well, the snow forecast was suddenly increased to 5-10 inches in our neighborhood the night before Snowquester was about to begin. But true to its name, the forecast was dramatically slashed to less than an inch. However, before the snow started to turn to rain, the girls had an opportunity to enjoy what was left.

With the snow just starting to turn to sleet, Evie went outside first (while Ellie was taking her nap).  She managed to make her first snowman! (Even he looks a little sad about the impending rain...)

With Evie's cheeks starting to turn red, we knew it was time to head inside!

Ellie awoke from her nap and went outside too. Unfortunately, the sleet had turned to rain and it wasn't quite as fun as she hoped. (Alas, the snowman is already melting...)

Dad tried pulling her around on the sled, but you could see she was a little disappointed with her "first" snow storm. I guess we'll have to wait until next winter!

Dancing with Globie the Big G

  

We got free suite tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters on Saturday so headed out to the Verizon Center to check it out.  Ellie was delighted to see Globie the inflatable mascot with all his cool tricks.  That was her favorite part of the whole show. 

Ellie and Evie go in for a closer look of the court. 

 

Ellie models her new white sneaks while chowing down on a cream cheese sandwich. 

 

Ellie must have thought she was a VIP as she took many cell phone calls during the game. 

Mom gets a break from helping Ellie climb on every chair in the suite. 

 

Later, Evie lets loose with some Travolta moves as everyone goes down to the court for a YMCA dance-along. 

Who's our little sweetheart?

 

Ellie was full of fun this Valentine's Day morning, getting a kick out of running from Mommy until caught.  Poor Evie has a bad cough/runny nose so has been taking it easy in her PJs in bed the whole day, poor dear. We hope she feels better soon so she can collect all her valentines. 

Meanwhile, Ellie got a kick out of playing hide and seek. She kind of gets the concept, but not quite as she always gives away her hiding place by giggling hysterically.  

 

Peek a boo, we see you! 

 

Look at our little angel, beaming in the light and holding her valentine for Ba and Opa.  Can't get cuter than this! 

New Year, Gangnam Style

We had a fun week leading up to the Chinese New Year this Sunday!  Evie, Ellie and Mommy made many crafts like dragons and snakes since it is the Year of the Snake.  On Sunday, we  headed over to Ba's and Opa's to celebrate (and check out their new kitchen!) 

The girls wore their beautiful Vietnamese ao dais, and were very excited to look like twins! 

 

Big smiles from Ellie. 

 

She also was thrilled to receive some hula hoops, and quickly set to work jumping through some hoops.  Look at that face!

 

Then we head over to Grandma's, where Evie helped serve the cake with Aunty Nguyet.  

 

Ellie had some fun bouncing on Opa's lap.  

 

We pose for a picture with Co Ba - don't know why Ellie looks suspicious though.  

 

Soon, Evie was demonstrating her dancing moves - the butterfly is pictured here - and little sister Ellie was right behind her. 

 

Oh, yeah!  Yup, we think she'll do great in drama camp this summer.  

Superbowl Sunday!

The girls were excited to celebrate Superbowl Sunday and host Sammy, new baby Lara, and their parents Emily and Paul for some apps before the big game. Evie was happy to demonstrate the swing, but Sam went right for the trains.  

3-month-old Lara took in the giant TV with big eyes - what a cutie! We had a lovely visit with the Kallaurs before they had to pack it up and get Lara and Sam to bed. 

The ladies all wore their purple in support of the Ravens, the night's victors!  

This is how we watch the Superbowl in our neighborhood: cream cheese sandwiches, bananas, and Noodles and Doodles on the iPad.  Wha? There's a game going on?

 

During the halftime show, Ellie let loose with Beyonce on the mike.   The red stuff around her mouth was from our homemade pizza. Oh, yeah, who knows who to party?!?