Happy 2nd Birthday, Audrey!

Two years ago today, our sweet Audrey joined our family. Today she is a fiesty, assertive toddler with a sweetness that can't be matched! Today she went to school after one of her current favorite breakfasts (blueberries, dried figs, and cheerios) and we joined her there later for a birthday party with her friends. Afterwards we went to the toy store so Ellie could pick out a gift for Audrey and they're playing with that gift (a toy cash register) now! Tonight we'll have Audrey's favorite dinner (burger and fries with LOTS of ketchup) and birthday cupcakes for dessert. This weekend we'll celebrate her birthday with family and friends at her luau themed party in the park. Happy birthday to our beautiful girl!

Pictures from this morning in her birthday cupcake dress

"Audrey, how old are you?" "Five!"

Birthday party at school

Ellie's dance recital practice

This is a very busy week for us! We picked up our new car tonight, Audrey's second birthday is Thursday, Ellie's first dance recital is Saturday night, and Audrey's birthday party is Sunday morning. (Not to mention that I got a new job!) Phew, I'm tired just thinking about all the running around we'll be doing! Last night was Ellie's last dance class and we filmed her class practicing their recital piece and the finale. I've posted them below in that order. Sorry they're both from the back. We'll tape the dress rehearsal tomorrow night so will finally have a video from the front and will post that, too!

Summertime

Here are a few pictures from our busy month of May!

Trip to California....

BBQ on Memorial Day weekend

Ellie's first fish on their first fishing trip!

Cooling down with watermelon and friends

Memorial Day

First time in the pool this summer!

Black and white

Happy Birthday to me!

For my birthday, we all spent the weekend in Philadelphia and had such a fun time! We spent most of Saturday at the zoo and then went back again this morning to see the exhibits that we missed yesterday (we're members so free entrance and free parking - yay!). The girls were great and enjoyed staying in the hotel almost as much as the zoo :-)

Lori and her long lost cousin

with whom Ellie came face to face!

The girls' both loved the Children's Zoo, especially this huge bunny village!

Inside a tractor wheel

Lunch :-)

Audrey is doing her imitation of an elephant - the index finger in front of her nose is supposed to be the trunk!

Enjoying mini burgers and ketchup at Saturday night's birthday dinner!

Sunday morning and back at the zoo!

There were special events at the zoo this morning for Autism Awareness Day. Ellie got to meet lots of different characters, of which Audrey was terrified. She kept calling Abby, but when we got close, she freaked out!

We had such a fun weekend and are completely exhausted! It was so nice to get away though. We hope to go back again soon and see more of the sights of Philadelphia!

Happy Easter!

ABCs

Here is a short video of Audrey being goofy. At the end, you can hear her version of the alphabet, which is just too darn cute! Pretty good for a 20 month old :-)

First day of spring

Yay for spring! It was beautiful here yesterday so we celebrated the first day of spring by spending most of the day outside. We took the girls for their free Italian ice at Rita's (like we do every year on the first day of spring) and then went to a great park nearby. We finished the day off at Ellie's BFF's house and had a great time hanging out with friends. More of the same today :-)

Audrey at the park

Playing on the slide. Audrey was fearless at the park and would follow Ellie anywhere!

Audrey getting a ride in the Jeep

BFF was kind enough to let Audrey drive it, which she loved!

On the swings

JOY!!

Lucky charms

Happy (belated) St. Patrick's Day!

Everyone loves an Irish girl!

Kiss me, I'm Irish!

Haircut

Before today Ellie had only had two haircuts in her life. She was so bald as a baby that we didn't even know for certain that she had curly hair until she was about 2 1/2! Her hair has always been thin and she has recently started telling us that it bothered her because it was always getting in her face. We made an appointment for a haircut and when she said she wanted it short, she wasn't kidding! She knew what would look good and we love her new style. The only thing we don't like is that she looks like such a big girl!

BEFORE

AFTER