Ella's Under The Sea Party

Happy 5th Birthday Ella Jo



5 years Miss. Ella Jo...that's how many years you have been blessing us so far with just how amazing you are! You are my out going silly girl. You're always trying to make people laugh and entertain. Lord help us because I'm pretty sure you are headed in the same direction as your oldest sister. If so, what an amazing and fun time we will have! You have the sweetest heart and never want to upset anyone! I'm so excited to finaly post these pictures from your party that was in May!! We had so much fun planning this party because it was many shades of Blue! We never have a "blue" party in our house! A couple days before your party it was raining off and on...and the news said that the day of your party there was a 100% chance of rain. Mommy kept saying it was NOT going to rain and yet again...prayers were answered because a couple hours before your party the rain stopped and the sun was bright and beautiful!! We had such an amazing time and you had so many friends come to your party and make it super special for you! I hope I can post all the pictures to show just how much fun we had Under The Sea....



One of your party favors for your friends was Ela's Bubble Bath

We served your friends many  treats from the Sea....

Sushi, Clams, Sand Dollars, Edible Sand, and Sea Water

All of your sweet guests ate it all up and who would've thought that sand would be so yummy?



You had an amazing time my angel! You sat with your friends to eat your Under The Sea snacks and ran around all evening playing until you were worn out! We couldn't have asked for a better day and better friends to celebrate with.

Starfish Wands





Surronded by amazing friends and family makes the perfect day! Mommy always gets a little sad after each party...for a couple reasons. One is that even if your birthday was a few weeks before your party I have to officialy say your birthday is over once the party ends. Also, the fun times of planning another party has come to an end. But!! We soon get to the next one! What a fun day this was my Ella Jo...You are our angel God has loaned us and we will continue to thank Him for all of your blessings! Thank you for wonderful memories Under The Sea~

A Day Under The Sea

You can never cross the Ocean, unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore...

Oh how your mommy enjoyed this day at the beach! 2 reasons for this day trip..One being Ella Jo's pictures for her 5th Birthday party with the theme Under The Sea and the other was to take Alexa's Senior Pictures.  We all joined in on the pictures and what a beautiful day it was! 

Happy 5th Birthday to this Beautiful Angel of Mine

Ok Ella Jo, you are your Mommy's baby and I have always said there is something special about the baby! Something that you just don't want to let go of! Every milestone made, every mark on your growth chart, and every time your hand grows just a little bigger in mine...it's very hard to let go of! You were our sweet surprise! We thought our family was complete. We thought our family was perfect. We thought our hearts were full....We were wrong! God gave us the absolute most beautiful surprise we could have ever asked for...YOU! Turning 5 is such an accomplishment my baby! That's a whole hand, starting Kindergarten, and learning more and more independence. My beautiful Ella Jo, I look at you and there isn't a day that doesn't go by where I think of your paw paw Ronnie! Your beautiful round brown eyes look just like his did. I know he would've fallen in complete love with you! The way you are so out going and love with your whole heart!! I know your Paw Paw is looking down from Heaven and I also know that you keep him laughing! 

I'm so honored to be your mommy my angel and thank you for such an amazing surprise...

Sisters by chance

Friends by choice

Watching your friendship grow is one of the best gifts a mommy could have! Right now I'm watching y'all paint each others toes, put make up on each other, play barbies, and make believe families...

In years to come all of these beautiful memories will have been locked up tight adding to them over the years! I know I will cherish watching the unbreakable bond between sisters grow with every giggle, quarrel, tear, and accomplishment made! What an amazing gift it is to be the mom of these three beautiful creatures God has loaned me. He has Answered My Prayers and I continue to thank Him everyday~

Easter 2013



                                             
                                                                        Happy Easter


Mommy is still trying to play catch up with our blog! One day I will have it all straight. But, for now, I will be posting lots of sweet pictures and not journaling as much. The whole purpose of mommy's blog is to remember all the little details. If I wait several months before posting I will forget. So, I will journal what I can remember and get us all caught up!

Ella's Elegant Easter Party





Mrs. Williams used to be a teacher where you will go to Elementary school. She is used to having a Elegant Easter Party. Since this is a pre-school where your friends will not all go to the same Elementary school, your teacher has a Elegant Easter Party so eveyone will be able to enjoy it! Elegant Easter Party is something your mommy calls Kindergarten Prom...

Elegant manners, beautiful snacks prepared with dancing. Mommy and her friend went to your school the day before to decorate! I think it all turned out so beautiful! You got to dance with daddy and Henry! Then..Mommy and Daddy got a chance to dance! (Daddy's not much of a dancer so this was a treat!)

A beautiful party it turned out to be my angel!! I have to mention that your daddy had to work the night before your party. He wanted his special dance with his baby so he only had a 2 hour nap and then arrived at your party for his special dance with his princess! What an amazing daddy you girls have!

Addi's Easter Party

This party was so bitter sweet for mommy! I knew that this was the last party I would plan, prepare for, and attend for your class without crying! For every season and holiday I went to your class and was able to share many memories doing crafts with everyone of your friends! I developed such a bond with this class and I know it will be so sad to say goodbye to these angels! Not to mention your amazing teacher God blessed you with this past year! You had an awesome Easter Party my baby! Thank you for having me be such a part of it. Mommy is locking all these memories up in my big memory jar!

Egg Hunt at Church

Once again we had an amazing time at our Egg Hunt! So many sweet friends with inflatables, cookies, face painting, and of course the egg hunt!
What an amazing blessing this holiday is! Easter reminds us about God's never ending love for us. Let us all  praise and worship God for his endless blessings. Have a Blessed Easter my angels~

Smash

Bear Stage Players

My talented Alexa Rae your mom couldn't be more proud of you! What a blessing all of your talents have been. I can't express into words just how proud I am of you but during this post I will try my best.

I would first like to give a brief background on how theatre became such a love in your life! 

Dance was your first love and to help fulfill that you tried out for high school drill team. After being a part of the drill team for 3 years an unexpected turn happened your junior year. We said good bye to drill team and locked those memories up tight and welcomed your next love....theatre! Please remember my baby, you may be in a storm and not understand the reasons but that beautiful rainbow waiting at the end can be better than you ever expected. Theatre was your beautiful rainbow! 

Right before Christmas break your Senior year we heard the news that you were casted as one of the leads in the upcoming play Smash! You called me screaming and crying...I'll never forget that phone call! I know this was such exciting news for you but as a parent it's excitement at another level. (one day you'll know this feeling) Seeing your angel excited at something that they accomplished and worked hard for and prayed for...I just sat back, soaked it in and lock it up tight in my heart! I knew you deserved it and I knew you would be the best you could be for this play....once again...I was right!

This was a British comedy set in 1910. I loved the British accent and I believe the whole family was talking in a British accent for a while! Your school did this play for One-Act Play and did absolutely amazing! Y'all advanced to area and I know the entire cast worked so very hard and all of you deserved such recognition! what an amazing play and such awesome memories to wrap up your Senior Year!

I do have to add of course that you were awarded UIL Best Actess!! A scholarship to a local college came with your award! I was sitting at the table getting ready for Easter parties and received the most beautiful phone call...crying and could barely understand you...you finally got out...MOM...I WON BEST ACTRESS!! I just sat there and cried with you! So proud my angel! As you explained through the following days to come..You were sitting in the audience watching awards. After they called out several awards for different categories you knew the last one was Best Actress...you explained...you knew you didn't receive that honor so you sat back and exhaled...until you heard your name called! 

This was the last play we would watch of you as a part of Bear Stage Players...

Very emotional time! I tried so hard not to cry at the end but it was such a mixture of happy, proud, and sad to say goodbye tears. We all went to dinner to celebrate such an amazing accomplishment with all your aunts and uncles. Beautiful memories my baby and we can't wait to see what's in store for you!

The Sky is The Limit...Break a Leg~

Fireflies & Divas

A new game for the Russell Girls

Your mommy is so very excited to post about Soccer! First, I will have to explain how this new adventure started....

Aunt Lisa and Uncle Jason bought a new house and were cleaning out everything. They gave ya'll tons of clothes and toys. One toy they gave y'all was a soccer ball!! Both of you started kicking it around in the back yard until one day Ella Jo asked if we could sign her up for soccer! Daddy and I both were excited and couldn't say YES fast enough! On our way to sign up Addi Grace asked if she could sign up for soccer too! We were kind of surprised for Addi's desire to learn about soccer and play with other people but ofcourse we signed both our girls up!!

Daddy nor Mommy knows anything about the sport. NOTHING We were both eager to learn and jumped straight in!! We bought all our things needed..soccer socks, shorts, balls, bags, etc.

Practices were starting and both of you girls were in love! Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more excited! Then games...

Ella Jo

Fireflies

Ella Jo, you love practices...games? not really! Every practice you did so good but mommy thinks the games made you a little scared. You didn't understand that when another girl (from the other team) had the ball that you needed to take it from her. My sweet baby, we've always taught you to not take toys and to share..then we throw you on a soccer field and try to tell you all bets are off and take that ball!! You made a few goals  and one was in the other teams side....that's ok though! (mommy still counted it)

Running, sweating, and being aggresive was not your cup of tea and you would run to your coach and ask if it was your turn to be out...mommy still laughs about that! Your favorite part was one of your very best friends was on your team!

 We will see if you would like to play in the fall?? The jury is still out for now..

Addi Grace

Diamond Divas

My sweet Addi Grace, I do believe other than horses, you have found a new love! Mommy has to explain a little bit so y'all will know why I cried like a baby your first game! (this doesn't surprise anyone)

Ever since you were born you have been shy! You don't want any attention brought to yourself what so ever. Just like your daddy I have to say. Mommy would talk to a wall, so sometimes your shy bugs are hard for me to understand until your daddy explains what you're feeling to me. Little Leauge Cheer, cheer clinics, school plays, etc you refuse to particiapte in. I've tried but you shut down when it comes time to cheer, sing, or say your part in a play in front of people. It doesn't matter if you know them or not. So, the morning of your first game I was a little nervous for you and was waiting on you to come sit by me and refuse to get up and play.....Your mommy and daddy couldn't have been more surprised!!

One time and one time only you will let those shy bugs go, and that's when you are on a horse....now I can add soccer to your list! Not only did you play...you played well! We yelled for you and you waved as you ran past me! The second those soccer shoes hit the field you had a smile that made all the grass glow! You not only learned every part of the game you even wanted to play when it was time for Ella's game...Yes, my girls, your mom had her happy tears streaming down her face and I couldn't stop them! (Daddy made fun of me) The coach always asked who needed a break and you would yell back..."Not Me!!" You were aggresive and would block with not only your feet but arms as well! I have to say, your mommy didn't recognize that little girl! But..on the soccer field I kinda like her!!

Awesome new memories my angels!! I think soccer has opened many doors and your mommy can't wait to see inside! I love watching y'all in dance and anything else y'all will do but there is something about sports that I adore watching!! I can't wait for more to come~

A Black Tie Affair

Senior Prom 2013

Ok Miss. Alexa Rae, it's been a few months since Prom...but my heart traveling back to that precious memory will call for some tissues so I don't flood my keyboard! What a beautiful young woman you have become and this night is one we will never forget!

When you were a little baby and started holding your head up and then sitting alone then moved on to crawling and walking with every mile stone made I sobbed. I soon learned that with every step forward you made was so much fun but I locked the memories up tight in my heart. Knowing that every new chapter is fun it's sad for your mom to leave behind the memories. There a certain highlights in a girls life and Prom is one of them! We looked forward to this night for so many years. The dress, hair, nails, shoes, the list goes on.....Watching my little girl get ready for her special night was so precious to your mom. What a blessing it is to share these most beautiful memories with you! Nails and spray tan was done earlier in the week that way we would have a relaxed time preparing the day of Prom. You tried on a few dresses but the one you choose was the very first one you tried on and fell in love!! (so did I)

I do have to say in our blog that when I took the picture you did not have your high heels on so your dress looks too long in the picture but when you put your shoes on it fits perfectly!!

The day of Prom you were so relaxed and had fun getting ready! You wanted to do your makeup because you are so picky when it comes to that! A couple friends came by to finish getting ready and moms to take pictures...Ya'll then loaded up and headed to meet more friends at a resturant. There are some moments in your life that I wish I could be a little fly and watch you...this is definately one of those moments!

Two of your aunts came by to watch you get ready also!

I stayed outside and watched ya'll laughing and probably planning all the fun as y'all drove off....

I'm so proud of you my angel....

My beautiful little girl! Just yesterday I took pictures of your first recital and playing dress up but now you are grown into such an amazing young woman right before my eyes...with all the makeup and hair spray you are still momma's baby and I will always be able to see through the lipstick and see my little girl that used to let me brush her hair and paint her finger nails. You are absolutely beautiful my baby! Thank you for being exactly who you are and letting your momma be a part of all of these special moments in your life! I treasure them and will never let go....My Baby Always You'll Be~

Spring Break Fun

ZOO TRIP

Our favorite time of the year to go to the zoo is late winter early spring. The animals are feisty and full of energy before it gets too hot. Going to the zoo is one of our favorite day trips to make. Our sweet family has such a huge place in our heart for animals! Ella Jo, when mommy asks what you want to do when you grow up...your answer has always been a zoo keeper! Awesome Fun for Spring Break!

What better way to end the day at the zoo then a train ride around the park! It was an amazing day at the zoo! Your mommy couldn't have thought of a better way to kick our Spring Break off! 

Flowers in Bloom

Your mommy can't keep flowers alive. I know it can't be that hard but for what ever reason they always die! Well, I believe if at first you don't succeed? Try Try Again....and try again I do!

I decided this Spring Break our back porch needed some beautiful color and what better way then with flowers? So, we made it a day, we bought our supplies and had a mommy daughter lunch then headed home ready to decorate our pots and plant our flowers. 

Even Alexa Rae decided to plant some flowers but wished to not be photographed. My posting on our blog is a little late. We planted our flowers in March but they are all still ALIVE! I'm so excited! I keep our blinds open in the house so we can see outside at all the beautiful colors standing on our porch!! I know baby steps with learning about plants and flowers but I'm praying this is a start to something awesome and I can keep it up!! Happy planting my angels....can't wait for more!

A night on the Boardwalk

Alexa Rae, you took your SAT test the last Saturday of Spring Break and we decided to take an evening trip to Kemah to say goodbye to our relaxing and awesome spring break 2013! I love our day trips to Kemah but night time just makes it seem like a whole new place. The lights are bright, the crowd seems to lessen, the air is cooler, and so much fun! We rode rides, ate dinner, face painted, ran through the water spouts, carriage rides, mommy shopped, and like always....ended with ice cream!

Like any mommy we always have busy overwhelming days, but moments like this picture is when mommy takes a step back and lets everything else just wait! So many times I catch my self (even out loud) ask God...Do you see this? Look how awesome they are! And You loaned them to ME!! Sweet Sweet sisters sharing secrets and growing their beautiful friendship that they will cherish for all the years of their life! Beautiful moment on a train ride in Kemah, Texas! 

Wow! What a year makes! This ride is called the bounce, and just a year ago you cried and had to stop the ride and swore both of you would never ride this ride again...even riding it with big sister, Alexa! This night y'all both were feeling grown and wanted to ride this awesome ride...mommy and daddy didn't mention that last year it brought tears. After riding it one time neither of you wanted to ride anything else! I think y'all rode this ride at least 10 times. Mommy and Daddy laughed and laughed at all the little giggles. Y'all both even raised up your hands to add a little bit more excitement! Just goes to show how big y'all are getting and how much of a difference just one year can make!

 Sweet Spring Break Memories Girls!! Ready for warmer weather and fun spring time crafts! We had a lot of fun with our day trips and flowers. The Russell's are ready for all Spring has to offer~