Wind & Tide Birthday Celebration

Melissa has looked forward to her turn to have her birthday celebrated at "party day" at her preschool. This month it was her turn!

Waiting on the party-line...

Teacher Susan lighting the candles...

and singing "Happy Birthday to you..."

This birthday puppy was much anticipated!

No trouble blowing out the candles!

Now I believe that concludes all her birthday celebrations for this year!!!

Fish Trap Creek Bike Ride

Last week we had a playdate at Fish Trap Creek where the girls rode their bikes all the way around the lake...

Even Riley was a part of the biking action!

After the girls practiced swinging on their own. I can't wait for Melissa to master this, as she can spend an endless amount of time on the swing, and typically she needs someone pushing her. 

The Princess Party

Yesterday was Melissa's very anticipated Princess Party! We took over 160 pics... and I have narrowed it down to just show the basic outline of the party. 

Her five little princess friends who helped make this day super special...

One of the mom's was cleaver enough to turn the camera on the moms eagerly taking pictures of the princesses who were posing along the wall...

Craft time, the girls made a tiara and wand...

and they played with the party blower toys...

Next it was make-your-own-pizza time. That was a tradition that I did at my birthday parties as a kid, and it was always so much fun!

Some of the girls' masterpieces...

Play time...

Present opening...

The pull string pinata...

Gathering the loot...

Pin Cinderella in her castle game...

Blowing out the candles on the Cinderella cake...

The cake close-up...

The girls hammin' it up for the camera... 

Melissa had such a blast! It was so much fun watching her and her friends enjoying themselves!

The Actual Birthday

On Melissa's actual birthday (April 16th) she opened presents from us and then we went out for dinner to Boston Pizza. We seem to frequent Boston Pizza, as she likes that they serve her pizza & fries, and Ken & I like their pizzas too. A win/win situation! 

A very excited girl, ready to tear into her first gift...

More Cabbage Patch Kids dolls to add to her collection...

Some fun earrings on a flower earring holder...

Gater Golf... to help her work on her putting skills...

Melissa standing beside her last present. The first picture in the frame is how she was posing for me, then we told her to try and look happy, and the following poses were what she did!

Melissa with her new "Littlest Petshop" toy...

It's hard to believe 4 years have passed by since she came into our family. 

We certainly can't imagine life without her :)

Easter with the Brooks family

Easter Monday we celebrated Easter and Ken & Melissa's birthday here at our house. When Nana & Pop showed up they gave Melissa a fancy, fun filled Easter basket...

and some presents for the birthday girl...

After a nice Easter dinner Ken & Melissa each had a cake to blow out. It has been awhile since Ken has had a cake of his own, and not in pink or purple!

Melissa got a fun book from Auntie Gayle & family...

GG (great Grandpa & great Grandma) gave Melissa a special Easter book. Behind each of the pop-up pictures was hidden a $5 bill. I think every time she reads this book she will be looking for those bills! 

Thanking GG for the book & money.

Easter Egg Hunt with Kim

On Easter Sunday neighbour Kim had a visit from the Easter bunny, which hid eggs in his front yard. He came over to ask for Melissa's assistance in collecting the eggs. The weather certainly wasn't as nice as last year, but she still had a blast finding all the hidden eggs!




Thanks Kim!!!

Easter & Birthdays with the Klassens

Here are the photos from Easter with the Klassens as well as the celebration of Melissa & Ken's birthdays (courtesy of Jason).

The 'Easter Bunny' hiding eggs for the grandchildren...

Hunting for pink eggs...

Cousin photo with their loot...

Birthday cake...

Opening gifts...

A look of excitement! 

Playing 'pin the princess in the castle'. Some of us were spun a little more and led astray :)