An added benefit of having family in town for Adam’s First Communion meant that we were all able to celebrate Maggie’s birthday together the night before.

Maggie requested a Strawberry Shortcake birthday party.

So that’s what she got.

Maggie had a special strawberry dress to wear for her party and was thrilled when she found a strawberry outfit for Lydia to wear at the store too.

Lydia was slightly less impressed.

Maggie is one very loved little four year old.

She has the best reactions when opening cards and gifts too. She loved everything.

I’d have to say her favorite though, was the waitress costume from Aunt Amanda and Uncle Steve.

Thanks to everyone that helped make her birthday such a special one for her!

We had some pictures taken of our new four-year-old. I was pretty excited when I saw this backdrop and Maggie was more than happy to wear her new rain boots for the occasion (they have flowers and pigs on them).

Miss Margaret turned four earlier this month.

Of course we took her Bear in the Chair picture (twice actually, since the first time I had the bear on the wrong side).

Adam made his First Holy Communion on May 6th.

At one point, both Luke and Maggie were sleeping – the hazard of going to Mass on Saturday night.

Adam was chosen as one of the children to bring the gifts up.

I wasn’t able to get any photos of him actually receiving communion, since Dave and I went up with him. He did great though. There were about 55 kids that made their First Communion that weekend, between the four Masses.

Adam was thrilled to have so many people there to celebrate with him.

He asked for a cookie cake and we let him design it himself. He was pretty proud of it.

Probably not nearly as proud as we are of him though.

I finished up the last of my work for this semester a few days ago. So now, while I impatiently wait for grades, I can work on catching up on things like laundry and posting pictures and stories here.

The weekend before Adam’s First Communion (more on that later), I took him to get pictures done. We were able to pick three of the poses to download and Adam did not make it easy. They all turned out great. I ended up letting him pick which three we should choose.

These were his favorites:

Each child had to make a banner to hang on the end of their pew. Adam asked if his could could have a shamrock on it, for Papa – of course my answer was yes.

And here are the rest of the pics. I can share them here, but they really aren’t a high enough quality for printing.

Like I said, he really didn’t make the decision an easy one. He’s a handsome kid.

Maggie had her recital Monday night. It was pretty adorable.

Dave got a video of the performance. Maggie is the second one to walk out on stage (she has black dance shoes).

She was so excited to have all of us there watching her dance.

This little bird turned four today!

When the boys got home from school we went to a cake shop and let everyone pick out their own cupcakes (we’re having cake later this week). Maggie was ecstatic that there were two different cupcakes with pink on them, so we got one of each.

They all looked a lot prettier before Maggie dropped them. She was so upset that they were “all schmushed.”

I promised her that they would still taste great – and they did.

Luke went to his first birthday party without the rest of us. It was for his friend Shannon. He was so excited and couldn’t wait to show off his Hulk-kitty face paint when he got home.

We had another birthday party that we all went to on Sunday.

Maggie spent her time split between a bounce house and little pretend market.

On Monday, the kindergarten students hosted a Tea & Read. Luke read Maggie and me some stories and then served us donuts and juice.

Afterwards it was time for ballet for Maggie.

The kids all looked super cute on Wednesday.

On Thursday they all wanted to wear their hippo shirts from Mabel.

Today the boys’ school asked everyone to wear purple, because April is the month of the military child.

Maggie got all dolled up to meet some friends at the mall.

There was a performance by the Cincinnati Circus Company.

And after the show, Maggie got to test out the silks.

I think she’s ready to sign up!

One thing about Mags: whether she’s at ballet,

the bus stop,

listening to her music,

or on her way to gymnastics,

the girl has style.

The Bunny visited this past weekend. Maggie found her basket behind a chair in the living room.

Maggie and Adam both found Luke’s basket before he did. It was hidden inside a big toy. Poor Luke was not pleased they both knew where it was and got a little frustrated. He was thrilled when he finally found it though.

E.B. was extra sneaky when hiding Adam’s loot. It was in the bathroom hanging on the hook under his towel.

Maggie waited until Dave and I were distracted helping the boys and dove right into her chocolate bunny. Between that, her new sparkly silver shoes, and her new George (doll), she was a very happy girl.

Hope you all had a great Easter too!