Let Your Sparkle OUT!

After watching the movie "Barbie in a Fashion Fairytale" and while singing the theme song "Let Your Sparkle Out," Avrey came dancing into the kitchen wearing this fancy little get-up.  Of course I couldn't resist snapping a quick photo!

Brave

We went to see Disney's new movie Brave in the theatre as a family.  Avrey was very excited to see the movie and had been for some time after watching the previews online with her Dad over and over.  Truth be told, I believe her Dad was more excited to see the movie than she was. 

While watching the movie Avrey was pretty frightened during a few scenes and after the movie was over she wasn't too sure that she liked it at all.  It seemed the scary parts overshadowed the good parts and wrecked her overall enjoyment of the story.

Thank goodness... Aunt Anne and Granny to the rescue!  They surprised her with a Merida doll and wig AND of course the world was made right again!

Thanks Aunt Anne & Granny - you saved the day!

Cousin Kyle

Cousin Kyle from San Francisco came to visit us.  Even though we only spent a few days together we learned that Cousin Kyle is pretty cool.  During his visit he spent a lot of time playing with Avrey and Quynn and was very efficient when it came to making the girls laugh or smile.  The girls love him to bits and have been talking about him non-stop.

 We are so glad that you came to visit us Cousin Kyle!

Fun in the Sun at Granny's House

We spent a few days at Granny's house last week running through the sprinkler while the hot Alaskan sun warmed us up!  The girls got on their swimsuits and were ready for some fun.

Granny has the perfect driveway for running through the sprinkler because the black top heats up the water quickly and creates little pools that are just like hot tubs for the girls to splash around in.

 Avrey was brave enough to put her whole face into the cold water!

 Quynn mostly took advantage of the 'hot tubs' I mentioned above.

Such a fantastically refreshing way to spend a hot summer day in AK!

More Summer Fun Photos

Hiking the Byron Glacier trail.

 Our little dress-up queen.

 Rodeo queen in the face paint event.

Future 'super shopper!'

Bird Point

It was super sunny and almost 70 degrees yesterday, an exceptionally nice summer day so far this year, so we decided to get out and enjoy Alaska.

We drove out to Bird Point and did a little hiking.  Bird Point is a great beluga whale look-out spot just out of Anchorage however the only beluga whales we saw were the ones made out of stone.

 Avrey even 'surfed a beluga!'

Before we headed back into town we had to get a photo in the lupine - it was just too beautiful to pass by!

Swimming Lesson Update

Avrey passed Level 1 in the Swim America program she attends on June 5th!

She got to 'ring the bell' so everyone in the pool knew what she accomplished.

Her favorite part of swimming lessons is getting to the warm shower in the change room before all of the other girls.

Avrey was very proud to receive her first gold sticker to put on level 1 of her Swim America certificate.  Her friend Svea and her Grammy went with her to swimming lessons that morning (and it was her birthday) so it was an extra special day!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Avrey's Ballerina Birthday

We celebrated Avrey's 5th birthday 'ballerina' style!  The room looked 'pinkerrific'!

Avrey was pretty in pink as well.  She had her ballerina leotard on with her puffy pink tutu and her silverlicious tiara!

Avrey informed me that every ballerina needs a little sparkle so when she asked for some blush and lip gloss... Mama said "Okay just today!"

 

In our house lately there is a lot of monkey-see-monkey-do so of course Quynn needed a ballerina outfit too!

Before her guests showed up, Avrey showed Mama and Daddy some of the moves she had learned in ballet class so far.

 

Once the guests arrived it was all leaps, twirls, and pirouettes!

 In perfect ballerina form (from left to right) Haven, Avrey, Jossie, and Svea.

 Avrey decided she was old enough to run the show so... first she opened gifts.

Then she gave big hugs for the wonderful gifts she received.  Next it was time for snacks, cupcakes, and singing Happy Birthday.

Lastly the girls played Pin the Tutu on Angelina Ballerina.

 

Avrey's ballerina birthday was 'tutu' much fun!

Summer Fun!

Our summer is off to a great start!  The girls are having fun playing at the park.  Avrey especially likes the swings!

Avrey has swimming lessons on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  She is getting good at putting her face in the water and blowing bubbles!

  

 Avrey has ballet lessons with Ms. Theresa every Wednesday.  To get ready for ballet we went to a special shop that fits and sells ballet shoes. 

Avrey and Jossie loved the ballet shoes that were decorated in a fancy way.

Avrey felt very special when the young ballet dancer/shop worker was helping fit her feet into the ballet shoes.

Avrey's first day of ballet was a huge success.  She loved every minute of it and did not want to leave after the hour lesson was complete.  She is so excited to do it all over again next Wednesday and she loves Ms. Theresa!

 We have also been to the Saturday Market.  The girls loved painting on the paint wall, coloring with sidewalk chalk, getting balloon animals, and eating the yummy market food BUT MOST OF ALL they loved the pony rides!

Belated Mother's Day Post

We started Mother's Day off right by having breakfast with family at Jackie's Place.

 

Then it was off to Aunt Ann Campbell's house for impromptu mimosa's (which I think should become an annual Mother's Day tradition)!

 Next Avrey, Grammy, and I enjoyed some pampering at Vina Nails and then went for a Starbucks & Pizza Hut mommy/daughter date at Target.

 

When we arrived home I found a gift from The GAP under my pillow from my hubby as I was on my way to take a nap (yes... a real nap)!

The evening was topped off with a halibut dinner (thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law) and finally some quiet time to enjoy Desperate Housewives.

It was pretty much the perfect Mother's Day.  I feel so blessed to have these sweet little ladies call me 'Mommy'!