Dancing Queen

I originally began this blog to share my memories of Madeleine growing up... She has just performed in her first real dance recital and I couldn't be more proud.  It was tough to hold back the tears as I watched my "big girl" dance her little heart out on the stage.  She may not have gotten every step, and she may have yelled out, "Hi Daddy!" as the curtain opened, but to me, her performance was nothing short of perfection.  It's one of those bittersweet moments because I realize that she is no longer a baby, not even a toddler anymore...she is growing up before my eyes...and while it is a beautiful thing to watch, it's also hard.  Here are a few photos from today!

Ella all dressed up for her sister's recital, Maddie admiring her reflection                       

 

Maddie after the recital

 

Quinny slept through most of the LOUD performances, Ella in the car on the way home

 

Our attempt at a family photo

Go to sleep, go to sleep...

Having a rough time lately with Quinners....trying to transition to napping in her crib.  Typically, she naps in the swing in the living room...this is becoming a problem because when her sisters are home, running around the house, screaming their heads off (oh wait, my lovely daughters don't do that...) - she wakes up!  We've been working on sleeping in the crib for the past week or so, and it hasn't been going very well.  She cries and cries and cries...I go in and soothe her, she cries and cries and cries some more...I go in and soothe her....until finally, I give up.  I know that she'll get it eventually, but I hate to listen to her cry!  (She's sleeping in the swing as I type this)

On a related note, last night Justin and I pop our heads in Maddie's room and find her sleeping on her floor on top of her comforter.  It was so cute...sorry that I didn't get a picture!

Happy Father's Day!

First of all, I'd like to wish my husband a (belated) Father's Day.  I did wish him a Happy Father's Day on Sunday, but wanted to post it here as well.  I love my husband and appreciate all that he does for me and our girls.  I couldn't possibly wish for a better man to watch over us!  Over the weekend, we went to New Philadelphia and visited Tuscora Park.  Growing up in New Philadelphia, I didn't appreciate how wonderful this park is...but since I've moved to Columbus, I know that Tuscora Park is a real gem!  It's an amazing place with so much for families to do! 

I was able to spend Father's Day weekend with my Dad and Grandpa, which was wonderful!  Here are some pictures...

Daddy and Ella

Aunt Kathy and Quinny

Maddie and Ella on the airplane

My sister and I with our daddy

Goodbye Tuscora Park!  It was great to see you again!

Oh Anthropologie!

Dear Anthropologie,
We certainly have a love-hate relationship.  I love your clothing, home items, and general style...but I HATE your prices.  I want to shop in your store - and I could pull up a chair and relax there, if it weren't for your CRAZY expensive prices.  So, if you could do me a HUGE favor and send me lots of gift cards worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,
Tonya Slosar

Zoo and silly faces

On Tuesday of this week, the girls and I practiced our silly faces:

And on Maddie's (ACTUAL) birthday, we took the girls to the zoo after we hit up Dr. Stacey's office.
BTW:  Mad's in the 98% for height (yikes!), Quinners is in the 78% for height and 50% for weight.

Here is silly Ella, wearing the balloons around her neck!

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, we love you!

And, the BEST and funniest part of the day happened before we even had a chance to see most of the animals.  At lunch, Justin was holding Quinn on his lap when all of a sudden, we heard the most dreaded sound - THE POOP!!!!  I look over and tell Justin that he needs to pick Quinn up.  Once I do this, I immediately start laughing so hard that I am crying...serious crying...Quinn's diaper had exploded, seriously exploded all over Justin's shirt and pants (right on his crotch - sorry I hate that word, but that's where it happened!)...I attempted to take a picture of the damage later on in the day, but this is nothing compared to when it happened!

Hard to believe

It's hard to believe that it's been four years since Maddie was born.  She's such a big girl now, so independent, so smart, so funny.  She has certainly changed my life and I wouldn't have it any other way.  Here are some photos from Madeleine's fourth birthday party at Build-A-Bear Workshop.  All of the girls had a FAB time!  They danced, jumped, skipped, wished, and sang!

It's sumertime, summertime, sum, sum, summertime....

i have TWO more days of school left!  photos above - 1. st. anslem's festival, 2. maddie and ella at the columbus crew soccer game, 3. maddie, ella, and quinny before traveling on memorial day weekend, 4. ferris wheel at st. anslem's festival