More from the beach! - The Littles

The littles love the beach! They stayed busy busy busy.

Ninja moves!

Duke wasn't a huge fan of the waves and water. He had more fun digging on the shore and meandering along the edge of the ocean.

Our silly girl!

April miscellany

Nothing like dirt and water for some outdoor fun!

Chilling while Mom and Dad purge and clear out the garage.

Maddie made the sweetest card for Nonna—so creative I took photos to remember it!

And then Caleb wrote an acrostic. I think my favorite line is "Top quality day"—or is it "Astonishing birthday" ??? That's Essentials class at work! 

These guys headed off to a friend's nerf gun birthday battle. 

The older "twins" discovered one morning that they had dressed like twins.  

And who knows what's going on here. But the younger "twins" are always good for a laugh!

Maisie's birthday part 2

Daddy and I snuck up to Maisie's room on the morning of her birthday while she was still sleeping. We brought a pancake with a candle and her birthday crown with 5 diamonds on it, and we woke her up singing "Happy Birthday." She thought that was THE BEST!

Then she got to come down and break through her birthday sash taped across the kitchen entrance! (And I missed that picture.) And she saw her birthday banner hanging in the living room—made from paper with candy on it just like she had requested.

We had chocolate chunk pancakes with whipped cream for breakfast—the birthday girl's request of course.

Sweet Sisters

Maisie got to open presents at breakfast! 

Is this not the cutest picture?!? 

Then we were off to the toy store for Maisie to pick out her own birthday present - her gift from Bubby and PopPop. And boy was that a hit! Maisie had such a hard time deciding...but she finally decided on a get-well baby doll kit and a baby doll stroller.

And then it was over to the zoo! We hit the newest section—a fabulous water park and play area for young kids. It's amazing, really. Treehouses, life-size lincoln logs, HUGE dinosaur dig plus lots more.

It was a super fun day celebrating our super fun girlie! 

Maisie's birthday - part 1

A couple days before her birthday, Maisie also got to have one big birthday party with Gabriella and Nonna. 

Duke's faces lately—cracking me up!

I made a bunny cake for the girls. 

But for Nonna, I made pizzelle, which we paired with ice cream and these adult-beverage-soaked cherries and mint. 

And Maddie gave Maisie this little bear she sewed.