Mother's Day 2026

 

Celebrating the Big 5-0

 

Logan's First 8th Grade Track Meet

 

Mercer Mile Track Meet

 

Lia's Senior Prom

 

Ella's Belated 12th Birthday Party with Friends

Since we were out of town the first two Saturdays after Ella's birthday and I was seeing Les Miserables in Seattle with Lia and her friend the third Saturday in April, I wasn't able to host her friend party until yesterday, almost four weeks later.  Luckily, Ella understood and patiently waited all of these weeks until we could have her friends over to celebrate her 12th birthday.  Although a few friends were unable to attend, we had a nice party with most of her good friends from school.  We used the same bow-themed decorations from Lia's party and hosted the girls for dinner, dessert, gift opening, games, and some playing outside since we were blessed with a beautiful spring day.  Overall, Ella had a great time and I am so glad that we were able to fit her birthday party into this busy month.

The fireplace and mantle decorated before the party began.

The two tables in the kitchen all decorated in pink, black, and bows.

A close-up of the head table with the cupcakes.

Ella standing by her "welcome" sign before the guests started arriving.

All of the girls enjoying their dinner.

After dinner, Ella opened her gifts with her friends at her side.  Here she is with twin sisters, Harper and Ellie.

Ella with Gracie.

Ella with her dear friend, Vivi.

Ella waiting for us to sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

The group playing a funny version of tic-tac-toe.

The girls trying to drop candy canes into glass bottles.

All of the girls pose for a group photo.

From left to right:

Back row:  Vivi, Gracie, Addy, Ainsley, and Samantha with Ella in the middle

Front row:  Elsa, Lily, Ellie, and Harper

Ella Getting Her Ears Pierced!

Since I have the rule that my girls have to wait until they are 12 years old to get their ears pierced, Ella has been counting down to this day for months now.  But since we left for California four days after her birthday, we didn't have the time to make it to the mall before we flew out on April 4th.  As a result, Ella had to wait a bit longer as we finally made it into Claire's today after school.  She was totally calm on the drive there and while sitting in the chair in the store.  She didn't even flinch when the employee pierced both ears.  Afterwards, I let her pick out a few pairs of earrings before we headed home.  Ella is so exciting to start wearing cute earrings in the next few weeks!

Ella waiting calmly while the Claire's employee made the marks on both earrings with a pen before piercing them.

Ella showing off one of her freshly pierced ears.