Happy 3rd Birthday, Christina Mary!

It's so hard to believe our little Christina is 3 years old! It's been the fastest 3 years of my life and she continues to be a huge blessing to our family. We are as smitten with her today as we were the day she came into this world. We love you so much, Christina!

Yesterday we had a party at our house to celebrate with friends. It was a My Little Pony party as Christina loves Rainbow Dash and her friends! Below are some photos from the party:

She told me she wanted "brown cupcakes" with blue frosting so that's what we did!

Our house before the celebration began. 

The kids decorated party hats and colored when they first arrived.

After pizza and snacks, we sang "Happy Birthday." Her first time to blow out the candles all by herself. They grow up too fast. 

This collage highlights Pin the Tail on Pinky Pie and the pizza fun. 

We ended with gift opening. Thanks to all everyone who came to celebrate with Christina. She had a great time!

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Today is Christina's actual birthday and it was just as fun! Below are photos highlighting her day. We think she has started 3 off with a bang!

Right after she woke up, she opened gifts from family. Here she is wearing a swim suit she got from Nonna & G-Pa and a TMNT toy she got from Unc, Aunt Danielle, Vinny & Dominic.

After the excitement of the gifts, we headed out to get donuts (in our pjs of course). Christina got her usual character glazed/iced donut (she only eats off the frosting) and a dozen donut holes. 

Melt. My. Heart.
How on earth did she get this big? I love everything about this picture. It captures the essence of her -- sweet, happy and adorable! 

Out to dinner at Mama Roja's (Christina's choice). She loves tortillas, "cheese queso" and her sisters!

Singing "Happy Birthday" with a huge cupcake cake after dinner.

At this point is was around 9 p.m. but it's never too late for cake, right? 

Christina, we love you so much! Thank you for being such a loving, affectionate and caring little girl. We are so blessed to have you in our family and we look forward to watching you continue to grow. Here's to a great 4th year!

Adriana in Beauty and the Beast

Adriana made her acting debut this week in her school's production of Beauty and the Beast. The Middle School Drama Club put on the performance and the kindergartners were invited to serve (no pun intended) as the silverware. It was a darling performance and the little ones made it that much more adorable. They worked really hard the last couple months during music class and at rehearsals. 

At the beginning, before the production began, the kindergartners came out and sang I'm a Little Tea Pot. They were also villagers in one of the scenes but their big performance was during the song Be Our Guest. So cute! Adriana was a fork (although she did come out in one of the performances carrying a spoon) and she was adorable! I think she may be our little actress...we shall see. ;)

At the beginning getting ready to sing I'm a Little Tea Pot.

On the right she was a villager and on the left after the last performance. She was really excited about the flowers. Bravo, Adriana!

Gabby's 1st & 2nd dance competitions!

This month Gabby and I have been busy traveling to her first two dance competitions of the year. Two weeks ago she attended Hollywood Dance Jamz's convention and competed in Branson, MO. Gabby earned a scholarship to the convention this summer so she was very excited to attend.

For their first time out, THR!VE did wonderfully. The team earned several Platinum and High Gold honors. Gabby earned High Gold in all 5 of her pieces (jazz solo, jazz duet, small group lyrical, large group jazz and production.) Her solo placed 3rd overall among outstanding talent. She did very well and we got several great photos from the competition. Here is a collage from the weekend:

Last weekend, the team competed at Masquerade in Bentonville, Arkansas. Again, the team did awesome! Gabby's team earned Platinum in their production piece and her other pieces received High Gold. Gabby's division for her solo was very small so she didn't earn overall placement.  Her duet placed third in a very competitive division. They competed again girls several years older than them. The pieces that placed first and second are fellow team members who are incredible dancers. Not bad for two 2nd graders! Here is a collage from the weekend: