Birthday Eve

The night before Ella turned five, Igor (the driver/ right-hand-man of Bubbles) and his family invited us to dinner. 

We ate at a traditional Ukrainian restaurant - but they reserved the back room so it was  a bit more family-friendly. 

Dinner started at 5pm, and when we insisted on leaving at 10pm, we had not yet had dessert ... having an almost 5 year-old, 3 year-old, and 1 year-old makes us not the best dinner guest I guess. 

Anne's seat was directly in front of the stuffed whole fish ... and she lovingly stuffed lettuce into the fish's mouth all night long - fish need to eat too, right? 

Here are Ella and Anne watching yet another movie ... they watched two full-length movies during dinner ... 

While we were getting ready to go, I asked Ella what she wanted to wear: "My Paris dress," she said. "I might see boys."

What!? 

Where did that come from. She's turning 5 not 15! 

That was the first time (and hopefully the last for 20 years if Benj has anything to say about it:)) we've heard her make a comment like that.

Mary's First Birthday

Little Mary is now officially "a number" - as her sisters would previously remind that she was "not yet a number." (Evidently months don't count.) We celebrated all day long - Daddy made German pancakes for breakfast, after naps we went to the park, had a snack at a cafe, stopped by Bubbles, and made it home in time for a real American-boxed birthday cake and frosting from a can ... yum:)!

3!

Chocolate crepes are a great way to start any birthday, thank you Daddy.

Then presents (Ella drew this picture of Mary -W- Anne - A - and Ella - E -), baby dolls, tea-sets, and puzzles!

We spent the morning at the local children's amusement park -

 

Went on rides

and ate ice-cream. 

That night we celebrated Anne's birthday at a favorite local "Italian" restaurant. 

 
I'm including pictures of our food because it really is a legit Ukrainian-Italian place. And the food was delicious.

And check out these crazy chairs ...

Birthday Party

For Anne's birthday party Allyson made her chocolate peanut-butter cake - mmmm a BIG hit.

 

We invited some of our friends from the Lviv Branch to come celebrate with us. Anne loved the attention, and we feel very blessed to have so many special friends here.

Happy Birthday Anne Catherine!

Happy Birthday to Meagan

As a birthday gift, my dear friend Jen took pictures of me with our girls.
Our Darling Ella:

Anne was not in her happiest, smiling mood:

But Jen was able to get a partial smile:
And sweet Mary:

Like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way!

And in case I need a linkedIn account - I now have a head shot:)

Thanks Jen for capturing the start of a new decade and a very special moment in time.
You are a wonderful friend and photographer.