Crazy Dance

The dance recital finale...the Crazy Dance!!! :)  Although you might not be able to see our little dancers they were definitely dancing crazy with their friends & fellow dancers :) Good job dancers!!!

Encore Performance

It was a wonderful recital & we are thankful that Papa Will & Nana Marci were able to enjoy the show too.  Nicely done girls :

Dance Recital 2014

Dance Recital 2014 with my little ballerina & my hip-hopper :)

Recital Ready

Today is the big day as it's "Dance Recital Day" & the girls are getting some pampering done with Taylor before they perform.  Break a leg girls....you have worked so hard all year :)  So proud!

Dress Rehearsal

 

Gracie & Taylor have been besties since they were babies as have their mommy's & they started dancing together at the age of two in Baby Ballerina's. Oh the memories...good luck tomorrow girls :)

Fancy Nancy Gracie

Introducing Fancy Nancy

Today was Gracie's last book report of  the school year. She has had some very interesting book reports but today was very special as she got to pick her favorite book & present it too her class & all of the parents in a speech with props.  She chose the book Fancy Nancy as she likes to be FANCY. Good luck to our little Fancy Nancy :)

Memorial Day Planting

Enjoying our family tradition of planting flowers over the Memorial Holiday Weekend.  And the girls love too!!! :)

Soldier Field 10 Miler

Kick'n off Memorial Day weekend at the Soldier Field 10 Miler with my brother-in-law & Joe.  We finished the race on the 50 yard line with our photo on the jumbotron as we crossed the finish line, very cool!!! Only thing cooler would have been if it was at Lambeau Field, Ha ha :) This may be a new Memorial Day tradition for us.

Spring Sangria

Cheers from our sunny backyard...80 degrees feels so good!!! :)

Cubs Vs. Yankees

Enjoying a warm spring night at the friendly confines & celebrating Derek Jeter's farewell tour.  Cubs Win, Cubs Win 6-1 :)

At The Old Ball Game

Saturday family fun enjoying our first cubs game of the season.  

Cubs Win, Cubs Win!!!

Frozen Birthday Party

Surprise it's Elsa!!!  A fun-filled birthday party which included lots of singing & dancing with our favorite Princess Elsa. #Frozen

Surprise Guests

Look who came back to see us after their flight got cancelled at Midway.  Another day of fun after dinner at our favorite spot, Dunlay's On Clark :) Safe travels Papa & Nana.

Introducing Conor Jr.

Well after what sounds like was quite a discussion during "free choice" today at school, Josie has decided to name her blue baby, Conor Jr. after she & Conor discussed baby names.  Someday they plan to get married & they will have their own Conor Jr according to Josie :)  And good news, Conor Jr. is a cubs fan too!!!

Happy Post Mother's Day

Happy Post Mother's Day to me :) Before heading off to school Josie informed me that I have another baby to watch now besides her beloved baby that she's carried around since she was able to move & that I watch for her everyday while she's at school.  She fondly calls her "Baby" & "Bubba".  Since she had to get to school & didn't have enough time to name her new baby that she pulled out of the toy closet, she told me to just call her "Baby Blue".  So here's to a fun-filled day with me, Bubba & Baby Blue.  Oh & of course Ella the Elephant too!!! :) This little girls always cracks me up.

Mother's Day Cookbook

This recipe book was compiled by the 2nd Grade class & each child shared one of their favorite recipes that their mom cooks for them.  Gracie shared her "Salad By Gracie" recipe which is not a surprise since according to Gracie & Josie salad is my favorite food :) 

Top 10 Reasons Why I Love My Mom

Another adorable Mother's Day gift from the other little girl I "heart".  Of course, in per "Gracie Style" this gift was well hidden & presented to me today too.  I love her Top 10 List & my favorites are #3 "I know my mom is smart because she is my mom".  Well said Gracie & you are one very smart little girl too :)  And #2 makes my heart melt "I love my mom because she works so hard at being my mom."  Awe gifts from the heart are the best gifts ever!!! #happymothersday

All About My Mom...By Josie :)

Josie came home with the most adorable Mother's Day Gift from school.  Gracie even helped her hide it & she gave it to me today :)  They had a professional photographer take the kids pictures & then the teachers interviewed them.  Oh how I "heart" this little girl & this wonderful gift too.  I love all of her comments about me & sometimes I guess I do act like I'm 14 years old too.  LoL Enjoy!!! :)

Mommy's Blessings

Happy Mother's Day...I enjoyed the day with my favorite little ladies :) XOXO

Happy Cinco De Mayo

Cheers from lunch at Las Fuentes :)

American Girl Party

Gracie & Lanie all "dolled up" for an afternoon of fun at an American Girl themed party at school.  Have fun girls :)

Kentucky Derby Winners

What a better way to end her First Communion Day than to have her horse be the first place winner in today's Kentucky Derby.  Way to Go Gracie.  Brady & Mitch respectively won 2nd & 3rd place.  Funny that no adults won?!?!?!  Way to go kids!!!  Spend your money wisely. 

Cousins

Gracie's cousin Jack celebrated his First Communion today too.  It was fun getting them together after their ceremonies to celebrate together.  What a special memory for them too. Congratulations cousins Jack & Gracie :) We are so proud of you.

Brunch At Dunlays On Clark

The First Communion celebration continued at one of Gracie's favorite restaurants Dunlay's On Clark.  We surprised her with a special First Communion Menu which included some of her favorite things.  Her smile says it all :)  It was a fun-filled & delicious family brunch celebrating this special day.

Let's Celebrate

It's time to celebrate Gracie & this special day with our families :) 

The Ceremony

It was an absolutely beautiful ceremony which began with Gracie carrying in a rose :) Parents were able to sit in the row behind their child so it was wonderful to share an "upclose view" with Gracie.  And an added benefit that we were able to capture some priceless photos of her during the ceremony.  Thanks to our families for sharing this very special day with Gracie.  It meant as much to her as it did to us & it will be a memory she'll always remember :)

Gracie's First Communion

A beautiful sunny day & a beautiful little girl all ready to enter St. Clement Church for her First Communion.  She has been preparing for this day for months & she has even been counting down the days until this special day would  arrive.  I'm so happy & excited for her as I have such fond memories of my First Communion.  It was especially nice to get to church early to take pictures with some of her friends & her class before they all headed in for the ceremony just like my parents did on my special day when I was in second grade many moons ago :)  Congratulations Gracie...we are so proud of our little lady!!! You are a beautiful girl inside & out. XOXO