Ella's 4-Year Photos

As in years past, Ella and I headed into the photo studio this morning to kick off all three children having their annual pictures taken this week.  I make a point of doing this every year after their birthdays, but before Mother's Day, as it is the perfect gift to give to grandma and Lola.  Ella had her 4-year pictures taken today by a new manager who was a bit on the bossy side and who took almost two hours which is unheard of for a JC Penney studio.  I felt so sorry for the groups of people who were waiting to have their pictures taken after us, but there was nothing I could do.  Luckily, the two hours paid off as Ella did a great job warming up to the camera and performing for the photographer.  She took several stellar pictures and even got to dawn her own fairy outfit with wings!  She looked so adorable in this outfit that I almost couldn't take it.  We sure love our Ella Avalon and think that she is the sweetest, cutest, 4-year old around!

Princesses at Play

This was the precious picture I got this morning of the four girls in Ella's preschool co-op playing dress-up during our free play time.  Talk about the cutest thing ever.  I just love little girls at this age!

Spring Fair 2018

Lia joined her school choir this fall and has been meeting every Friday before school starts for several months.  The time finally came today for them to perform in their first concert at the Spring Fair.  In the past several years, the Spring Fair has been something that Ron has does alone with the kids--first with just Lia and then, most recently, with Lia and Logan.  But since Lia was performing, I couldn't resist tagging along with Ella in tow.  We started off by attending Lia's concert first thing in the morning.  Her choir sang three songs and did a great job.  We then wandered off to SillyVille for the next few hours which is a far cry from Disneyland...especially one week later!  But the kids didn't care and had a great time riding the rides, the slides, and the ponies.  After eating some traditional, fair food, we made a walk through the pavilion where we almost bought an endless pool before coming to our senses and heading back home!

The kids standing in front of the Spring Fair duck mascot on our way into the fairgrounds.

Lia's choir lining up on the bleachers.

Lia's choir director getting ready to start the group.

A close-up of our girl singing away.

Lia posing with three of her good friends who are also in choir--Sienna, Eva, and Mollie.

The kids and I going down the giant slide--the one "ride" I actually enjoy in SillyVille.

Logan, Ella, and I approaching the bottom.

Lia and Logan meeting up at the bottom of the slide.  I just love how much they are laughing in this picture.

We ran into our next door neighbors and so Daisy was able to join Logan and Lia for the spinning bear ride.

Logan and Daisy getting out after the ride was finished.

Logan hopping down!

Lia getting ready to go around on the carousel.

Ella ready and waiting, too.

Logan striking a funny pose for me.

All three kiddos lined up on their horses.

The one incredibly fun thing that the Spring Fair offers that the Puyallup Fair (in the Fall) does not is the pony ride.  Lia has been doing this for years and LOVES it.  This year, Ella was able to join her and Logan wanted nothing to do with it.  If Lia had her wish, she would either be a mermaid and live in the water her entire life or live on a ranch and ride horses her entire life.  So, sadly, her annual pony ride is about as close as she ever gets to her second dream.  Here is our girl all saddled up and ready to go!

Darling Ella giving us a pose as her horse walks by.

Ella petting her horse.  So cute.

Lia doing the same.

Both sisters riding back to back.

Lia and Ella climbing through the elaborate, jungle-gym structure.

Ella following Logan across the suspension bridge.

Logan coming down the slide.

Lia crashing into Ella at the bottom of the slide.

The one FREE thing at the Spring Fair each year is the awesome, face painting.  Here is Logan getting a train sprayed on his face.

Lia holding still while she got a butterfly painted on her face.

Ella and Lia both holding still while the face painting artists are hard at work.

A profile of all of our kids showing off their painted faces.

Lia and her beautiful butterfly.

Ella and her sparkly, blue dolphin.

Logan with his multi-colored, choo choo train.

Lia fishing for an octopus.

Lia going next.  All of the kids did this and came home with cute, stuffed sharks to cuddle and love.

The kids enjoying a quintessential, fair treat:  Fisher scones with raspberry jam in the middle!