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'!

Avrey the Artist

Avrey has starting drawing a new picture for me to put up on the fridge on a daily basis.

It is so much fun to see where her imagination will lead...

 This is an illustration of Rapunzel, Flynn Ryder, Pascal, and of course the frying pan.

 This is a drawing of an Alaskan forget-me-not (the state flower).

 This is a picture of a lady who has taken her dog shopping.  Her dog is riding on the front of the cart instead of at the top where the doggie bed is.  The lady only needed fruits and vegetables today (or so Avrey tells me).

This is an illustration of Ariel (the Disney Princess) after she becomes a real human.

I can't wait to see what Avrey comes up with next week!

Q is for CUTE!

Although Quynn just turned two years old, she is getting to be such a big girl!

Here she is getting ready to go for a stroll with her baby.

 Here she is ready for a nap after playing at the park.

We love you Quynnie!

Avrey Graduates Preschool

On the night of May 17th Avrey was very excited.  As we put the finishing touches on her Lemon Tree Preschool 2011 - 2012 t-shirt and then picked out matching pants and hair ties, she told me many stories about Ms. Glenda and her preschool friends.

On June 19th Avrey graduated from preschool.  She had a great time bouncing with her friends at Pump It Up and then they all enjoyed a yummy pizza party.  At the very end Ms. Glenda handed out graduation certificates.  Avrey was the first preschooler to give Ms. Glenda a big hug!

 

Avrey just loved getting to know Ms. Glenda and her Lemon Tree preschool friends this year.  What a wonderful way to wrap up the preschool year!

Avrey Lost Her First Tooth!

Avrey is getting to be such a big girl!  A few weeks ago she was very excited to discover that she had her first wiggly tooth.  A few more days passed and one night after biting into an apple... she lost her first tooth!  Avrey immediately called Grammy & Pop Pop, Grandma & Grandpa, & Granny to share the big news.  Later that evening we prepared for the Tooth Fairy's arrival by placing Avrey's tooth in her 'Tooth Fairy Pillow' and then sliding the pillow under her own.  The next morning we heard a gasp and the fury of running feet as Avrey ran like a flash into our bedroom to tell us her amazing news.  The Tooth Fairy had visited her in the night while she was sleeping; she had taken Avrey's tooth but left a crisp pink sparkly dollar bill in its' place!