James's celebrating continues

The week of his big birthday I prepared a feast of his favorites.  Roast leg of lamb, Alaskan king crab legs, and beef tenderloin to name a few.

We then took the celebration to  Perle' a champagne bar with Kevin and Cristi.

Champagne, crepes, and good company - cannot get much better than that.

Triple chocolate cake to share with the kids

Jackson and Michael liked the "40" candle, plates and napkins.

 

The cousins had a great time at their sleepover.  The iPads were coveted.  Thomson kept asking Elizabeth to sing him songs.  Andrew loved playing wild Super Hero games with Thomson.  Michael, James and Jackson played basketball and beyblades.

James received a tremendous honor this year.  

Physician of the Year

When he was announced during the ceremony, I surprised him - therefore I couldn't get any pictures of the big moment.  I knew for almost a month, it was so difficult keeping the secret.  We are all so proud of James.

May 20th - first day at the outside pool

Elizabeth's preschool completion ceremony

 Her teacher and the school director, Mrs. Hervey

It is such a warm and loving preschool, I look forward to another two years with Andrew. They sang songs, did a dance, then received their certificates.

Posing with her bestie, Allie.  She is excited that they will be going to the same elementary school next year.

On Mother's Day weekend Elizabeth and I attended a mother-daughter-doll tea party.  It was a cute little activity.

Lordy, Lordy Look Who's Forty!

James celebrated his big four-o.  Michael had the day off for elections, so the birthday guy took off and we enjoyed a family day.  After his favorite WV breakfast of eggs with ramps, biscuits and sausage we went to the zoo.  Everyone's favorite lunch:  sushi.  In the afternoon James took Michael and Elizabeth to the pool.

Elizabeth's Princess Birthday Party

We held her fifth birthday party a few weeks early.

 

 Two face painters covered the girls in sparkles and glitter.

With face painters, a bounce house, games, crafts, movies, and toys galore where were the girls?  In her closet.  There were at least ten girls in there playing dress-up and having fashion shows.

 

The fastest way to get everyone out of the closet?  Announce that it's time for cupcakes.  The procession of princesses down the stairs was darling.

From fresh strawberry cupcakes to fruit kabobs nearly everything was pink. 

Andrew enjoyed the face painters the most.  Anytime there was an empty seat he took it.  Monster feet, shark, beetle, sun, moon, shooting stars, dragon - he had it all.

When we went outside to do the jewel tiara craft most of the girls ran down to the swingset instead.  There were a few girls that stayed in the bouncy the whole time.

Fifteen party-goers were well-behaved and cute.  The girls played so nicely together.

 

After the party, Michael dug into the chocolate cake while Elizaabeth opened her presents.

 

 

Our 2013 Photo Shoot

Beautiful lashes wasted on a boy

 

 

 The guys

Elizabeth loved posing for the two photographers

 

 My loves

Say cheese!

 

 Elizabeth's Dance Recital

 Her ballet routine was "Never Grow Up" by Taylor Swift.  At the end of the performance the mothers came out and did the remainder of the dance with their daughters.  Each of us went to the center of the stage and gave the girls a flower.  There was hardly a dry eye in the audience.  I am so happy that we did this special dance together.

My little ballerina

 

 The tap number was called "Dance Myself to Sleep"

Elizabeth was thrilled to receive roses and to wear makeup.

At intermission she ran back on stage for one last picture.  The guys went home after her two dances.  She and I stayed until 9pm, but the recital still had not finished.  If it hadn't been a school night we could have tried to stay.