Ella's Ballet Recital

Yesterday, Ella had her last ballet class of the session.  It was her first time taking a ballet class and she loved it! Based on few recommendations from fellow MOMS Club members, we found the Children's Dance Academy that offers very reasonably priced classes with great teachers.  The last class of each session is open to families, so we were grateful to have both sets of grandparents, Lesley, and Gram to attend with Rob, Molly, and me.  Ella was so excited for her "recital" and did such a good job.  Afterward, we came back to our house for a pizza celebration and cupcakes made by Lesley.  Thank you to Nana and Granddad for buying Ella's leotard, tights, and skirt, and to Baba and Pappy for buying her ballet shoes and paying for the classes--we are so lucky!

P.S. Thanks, Dad, for all of these great pictures!

 Ella's cheering section from L to R:

Nana, Baba, Lesley, Gram, Rob, me, Molly, Granddad (and Pappy taking the picture)

Ella and her great teacher, Miss Jen

Monday, Funday!

This winter has been so mild and practically snowless, but you'll hear no complaints from me about that.  Yesterday was so nice out, that we played outside in the side yard in the "little house" and on the climbing slide.  Ella enjoyed playing a game with her hoola hoop and making mud pies and Molly liked exploring the yard on her own two feet (her first time walking in the grass by herself).

Twins?

Molly was fascinated by a mirror at her height at the Play Place.  She touched it and made faces trying to figure out who the other "day-day" (baby) was:

Smith Kids' Play Place in the Park

On Saturday, Rob and I took the girls to The Trolley Car Diner in Chestnut Hill and then to the Play Place in Fairmount Park.  It was our first time to the diner and we really liked it---the atmosphere was very family-friendly and the food was delicious.  The kids' menu was on a view finder toy that Ella loved!  Then we spent a couple of hours at the Play Place (Rob and Molly's first time), which is huge historical building where kids can play with toys in various rooms, including a basement that has trikes and a driving course set up.  Ella's favorite part was the kitchen area with shopping carts and delivering letters from a mailbox to everyone.  Molly's favorite was a small wooden arch bridge that she climbed up and down for about 30 minutes without stopping.  We plan to go back when the weather is warmer to spend time in the playground area that has a giant wooden slide!

After our day out, we all came home and had some "quiet time" and dinner together.

 Molly checking out what the kids were playing with

 excited to play with the blocks

 Ella and Rob about to build a tower

 getting started

 so happy

 wahoo!

 LOVE this picture!

 helping with the tower building

 enjoyed sitting on this bridge

 anything with little "seats" or "steps" are a hit with Molly

 Ella doing some shopping

 Welcome to my house!

 peek-a-boo from under the bridge

 TRUT! (truck)

 sisters playing together

Ella wanted to put the baby in the car seat and then into the shopping cart like we used to do with Molly