Easter parties

 Audrey got to celebrate Easter a bunch.  The first time was when the Easter bunny visited gymnastics.  The kids got their picture taken and were given a treat.

Audrey had an Easter party at preschool as well.

 She brought bunny treats for all her friends.

This picture doesn't have to do anything with Easter but I had to include it.  Chuck and I bought new bikes and we love the store we bought them from.  The people are all so helpful and friendly and they have this area for the kids.  They have a chalk board and 3 different sizes of bikes bolted down so they could ride while we took care of things.  The kids pretended to race.

Cinderella

 The Peoria Ballet's spring performance was Cinderella.  Audrey was so excited to see it because her teacher was Cinderella!

 We went with my friends Jenn and her daughter Kate.  We took them to the park for lunch then to the Ballet.  Those two are so cute together.

 Ready for the show to start

 At intermission they held hands while we walked around

 After the show we did the meet and greet.  The step-mother, step sisters and fairy godmother were there to sign autographs and take pictures.  They had assorted cookies and lemonade for the kiddos. 

 Audrey and Kate with the fairy godmother.

 Audrey's favorite part-getting to sit in the pumpkin carriage and get her picture taken with Cinderella.  She loved having Miss Allexe as a teacher these last 2 years.  We are sad she'll have a different teacher next year.  

Me and my beautiful princess.  We had such a fun girls day!

bowling b-day party

 Carter's friend from school had a birthday party at Uncle Buck's Fishbowl.  We haven't been there yet so it was fun to see.  The kids had a great time.

After bowling they had pizza and cake

playing outside

 After such a long winter the girls were so happy to play outside.  I took the girls and some of Audrey's friends from school to the park and they didn't want to leave.  Evelyn could not get enough of this slide.  I can't even tell you how many times she climbed up and went down.  She would let me help either

 We would spend the afternoons outside blowing bubbles.  She always puts the wand right on her lips.

 and playing with sidewalk chalk

this one isn't outside but cute.  Audrey's friends are always so sweet to Evelyn.  They let her play with them after school and look out for her.

40th Birthday Bash

 My friend Stephanie turned 40!  She threw quite the party to celebrate this milestone birthday.

 It was at the Eastport Marina with good food, drinks, great company and even a photo booth.

Since this picture was with her Salem Church friends she wanted us to look pious.  Didn't work out too well since most of us were trying not to laugh!

Ballerina Birthday Party

 Audrey wanted a ballerina birthday party this year and I had fun throwing one.  I was surprised there wasn't much to find in stores for a ballet theme so I ordered whatever I could find online including: bendable ballerinas, ballet slipper suckers, pink ribbon wands, personalized tags and I made pink Hershey kiss roses.

 I had tiaras and tutus for the girls and bow ties and top hats for the boys

 I wasn't sure if there would be enough cake for all the parents that stayed (the studio was ordering the cake) so I made strawberry cupcakes and decorated them with ballerinas

 My beautiful ballerina birthday girl

 I tried to get a picture of all three but Evelyn was already tired and not cooperating.

 Audrey's buddies Piper and Brea

 The studio had the table all set up by the time we arrived.  I just had to set out the roses and goody bags

 They started with stretches

 Evelyn watched from the doorway.

 They learned a cute short dance

 I was impressed with how well they all picked it up and really got into it

 One of her friends asked her mom if she wrote down all the moves so she could practice at home.  Too cute!

 Wheelbarrow races

 ready for cake

 All of her friends sitting at the table

 They turned off the lights when they brought the cake in and to sing

 She got to keep the ballerina figurines on the cake.  She loved her chocolate cake!

 They went up to the loft to open presents.  We got a group picture on the big pink couch

Audrey got a special chair to sit in to open presents.

Audrey had a great time with her party.  It was the perfect theme for her.  The kids all had fun with it too.

around the house

 This spring was filled with play dates with Audrey's best friend Piper.  They would get together almost once a week.  It was a treat when Audrey would go to Piper's house.  It would make for a quiet and productive afternoon.

 They always play dress up and have so much fun together.

 Evelyn got into Audrey's closet and dressed herself up.  I was impressed with how well she walked in the plastic heels.

 Evelyn was so tired she fell asleep on the rug in our bedroom.

 Two cuties snuggling during breakfast

Sasha's turn for snuggles