Ella & Gracie's Graduation Program at Love of Christ Lutheran Church

The baby girls are growing up! They are now graduates of preschool! To celebrate this wonderful day, their school put on a singing pageant and the girls got very dressed up for the occasion! Uncle Marky helped with their hair and they both looked gorgeous!

Little Ella Baby

Wowza! Grace is a knockout!

The besties together!

Some pics of the fam that gathered to see the girls perform. They adore all the love and support they get from their families . . .  and the boys love seeing each other! :)

I wanted a cute pic of my cute hubby, but this is what I got instead . . . 

On the jumbo TV!

Walking up to the stage . . .

This is the best pic I could get, on the huge TV. The girls stood in the middle of the stage, surrounded by other kids, and my camera is just not that good! But I thought this turned out pretty good!

Here is Mrs. Trimboli and Mrs. Waszak, two great preschool teachers! Thank you ladies!

Happy Mother's Day at LOCLC - Ella's Edition

Happy Mother's Day to Me . . . from Ella! Ella's preschool, LOCLC, does a cute Mother's Day tea. The mama's were asked to come 30 minutes early to enjoy the festivities. I received a paper corsage and sat down to look over some projects Ella made. One was a bunch of questions they asked Ella about me and wrote down her answers - those are always funny! The teachers asked all the kids what they love to do best with their moms; then they wrote all of their answers down and numbered them, the moms then had to guess which number was their kid's answer.  Jessie was able to pick Ella's quote and I was able to pick out Gracie's! I think that's so funny! 

The kids then sang a song to us and we shared lemonade and strawberry shortcake. 

What a great morning! 

I love my baby so much, she has enhanced my life in ways I never could imagined!

Love you baby girl!

Jessie and Gracie - look at those pretty girls! 

I love that I was able to share this fantastic morning with them!

My gorgeous baby girl, how is it that she is turning FIVE this year?! I cannot believe it for a minute! Where is the pause button? I hope she has as much fun as I do when I am with her, I am saving these precious moments as I know they will start to be few and far between soon enough. Living for today and for the BEST Ella hugs and snuggles!

Ella and Gracie's Christmas Program

I can't believe Ella is already performing in a Christmas program . . . my little baby is growing up so fast! Love of Christ Preschool had their annual Christmas program and instead of our boys (Jaden and Karsten), the girls were participating. Ella has been singing "We wish you a Merry Christmas" for weeks now. (It's the ONLY song she's been singing so I was a little worried if she even knew the other songs.)

Grace and Ella have such a special bond, some may think a little too close, but I think they are precious. They only want to be in school when the other one is there; if Ella gets picked up even a little bit early, Gracie is upset, or if Ella is earlier to class than Grace, I cannot leave until Grace gets there. They love to be together. This Christmas program was no different. As they walked to the stage, they were reaching for each other's hands. During the whole program, they sang to each other! They wouldn't turn towards the audience, just face to face. I wish I was closer to take some pictures, but I couldn't get any. You'll have to take my word for it - so sweet. They truly are as close as sisters. We are so blessed that they have each other. Love you baby girls! You make me so proud!

La la, all dressed up, ready to sing!


My handsome boys.


LOCLC Christmas Program


Ella's name in print . . . for the first time, but not the last!


Little girls, up on stage.


Aunt Mimi, Mama, and Me-la


Exiting the stage . . .


The cousins - Grace, Ella, Karsten, Jaden


My Mom took us out to dinner afterwards with Mimi and Ava. Every day I ask the kids their best and worst; what was their favorite part of the day and their least favorite. We went around the dinner table asking each person their best and worst and you know what Karsten said? His best was watching his sister sing tonight. Aahhh, I love my little buddy. My kids make my heart grow with love. And I am so lucky I get to share them with my wonderful hubby! These are the times that make it all worth it. xoxo

Ella Starts School!

So two days after our fabulous vacation to Indiana, my littlest munchkin started preschool! It was so hectic, trying to get things settled from the vacation, back to work, Karsten back to school, it seemed like her first day just snuck up on us. This was Ella's first little steps into the world of school!

Ella had been so excited to go to school. Especially since her older cousin (older by four days) was going to be in her class. Gracie and Ella have a really special, solid friendship; they play so well together. Because of our vacation, Ella missed the open house and the first two days school. Her first day was on a Friday, and the drop off didn't go so well.

Grace wasn't in class yet, and Ella started crying so MUCH! I was very surprised. I guess I thought since she was excited, she wouldn't be nervous - I was wrong. She was was a little, sad, crying Ella. It broke my heart! Gracie showed up and that seemed to calm Ella down a bit, until I tried to leave and then the little sad tears came again! I finally left and then I started to cry. All the Yori girls were crying that morning!

But of course, when I picked up my favorite little girl, she was all smiles and happiness! She was so excited to show me her school work. And my heart was bursting with pride and joy! She loved school and was so proud to share the things she made and learned. What a wonderful thing!

Here are the pictures from the beginning of the morning . . .

Mama's Day at Love of Christ Lutheran Preschool