Over the Years Part 2

I've been doing these pictures for the kids every year. And I just now wrapped up the ones for Ages 3 and 5, and had to share (I realized I forgot last year ... I think? ... so sharing those too). It's so fun to see them grow over the years and to watch their interests morph!

First up ... Victoria!

And now for Alex's turn!

Daddy-Daughter Dance

A few weeks before the previously posted Mother-Son Dance, Victoria went wth Daddy to the Daddy-Daughter Dance! It makes me so happy that each kid can have special time with their parents.

Mommy helped the girl curl her hair and put make-up (!!!) on.

She was so proud to be with her daddy.

Once at the dance, she got to make a beautiful tiara.

And, she got to meet PRINCESSES!

One text I received had this video of her doing the family favorite: the YMCA. Of course.

She came back home all smiles and full of stories!

Mother-Son Dance

Alex and Mommy's first mother-son dance together!

And to make it even better, Auntie Megan and cousin Mason joined us. I'm sure I've mentioned before how much I adore my sister-in-law and love that she wants to do fun things together!

To complete the party, Megan's friend Stacee came with her son Max. Here's the group:

When we first got there, Alex wanted only to 1) eat the Lego brick shaped candy provided at every table (and prove that you could stack them together) and 2) watch everyone else on the dance floor.

He eventually started to warm up.

Especially when his cousin arrived. How cute are these two?! I'm so lucky!

When he announced he was ready for the dance floor, we were all in! The boys LOVED all the dancing!

I know I will never get enough of making this boy smile simply by twirling him on a dance floor.

We danced to so many songs, but our special request was YMCA.

Mason insisted on exploring the dance floor on all floors. Magically, his mom snatched him up every time he got too close to dancing feet ;).

We took breaks occasionally for pictures, to get specialty cocktails (Alex had some sort of Batman drink!), to eat the delicious buffet dinner or enjoy the hot chocolate bar and sundaes for dessert. Greysolon does an amazing job!

Alex was often strangely shy about pictures. It took some convincing ;).

And he usually had candy in his mouth even for the pictures.

Mason was a little more easygoing about pictures.

'Til next year, my fellow mamas!

Vic

Vic ... or is it Victoria? Toria? "Didi" like Alex used to call her? Lately, she has chosen "Vicki" only she wants it spelled V-I-C-K-E. Her name, spelled her way.

Some days her strong-willed nature, her perfectionism and insistence on having everything her way, drives me CRAZY. But even when I'm exasperated, I quietly cheer ... this is a girl who knows what she wants and has quite the tool box to make it happen! She's loving, beautiful, spunky, creative, fashionable. In no particular order, here is some of what she has been up to lately ...

Money! She is very motivated to earn money and save it up to buy good stuff. Mom is now working on the concept of: spend some, save some, donate some!

Art. Her happy place.

One day we found ourselves wearing matching colors!

This was taken back in December ... her birthday present was to go with mommy and Grandma to see The Nutcracker.

Hanging out with mommy at the coffee shop!

so proud to have her towel wrapped "like Mommy."

One of her favorite chores

So giving always ... she gave Mommy candy in a treat box since "you worked really hard today mommy."

This cracks me up. She loves the dentist and laid on her tummy to chat with the hygienist while waiting.

making buildings for a model city at mommy's work!

She had saved up her own money to buy a baby stroller. Happy and proud girl!

beautiful!

The first time she made sandwiches for her and her brother.

Finally a little video clip of her "driving" her dolls!