A Very Darcy Birthday!

Well, our sweet Darcy-girl turned FOUR just a couple of weeks ago! 

I cannot believe it has already been four years since our sweet girl made her grand entrance into this world...or perhaps I should say grande since she came in weighing 9 pounds 2 ounces...and still holds the family title for our biggest baby!

Happy Birth-Day! I could just eat up those precious chubby cheeks!

(I've always loved this picture of that newborn diaper barely holding on across Darcy's big belly!)

It has been four years of pure joy & wonder (sometimes mixed with a little drama!) having this sweet, precious girl in our family. Darcy makes us all smile (or more likely belly laugh!) on a daily basis with her beautiful way of looking at the world. She has a kind heart & nurturing nature, which has been put to good use since in her 4 short years she has been made a big sister twice! 

We celebrated Darcy's birthday a day early with a little family party. We were so glad to have celebrated early because Darcy came down with a stomach bug in the middle of the night after her party & she was sick throwing up all day on her birthday!! I'm sure that her 4th birthday is one that she will remember for a long time as the throw-up birthday :-(

But before all that, there were lots of presents to be opened...

 And lots of family watching & celebrating...

 And lots of family helping...

 And lots of Lucy holding!

And one big brother being very silly! 

And then it was time for cake!!!

 A 4-year old silly face!

 Blow out the candles & make a wish!!

One thing is for sure...we could not have wished for a sweeter, more precious girl!

Darcy we are SO glad that God gave us you! We love you THIS BIG!!! 

Parades & Fishing...

It's Easter Parade time again...this yearly parade at the kids preschool has become a cherished tradition. Jack was the first to participate, three years ago when he was in Kindergarten, and this year both Sophie & Darcy were in it. Sophie's class, the big Kindergartners, got to lead the parade! They were all dressed up in their Sunday best to celebrate the Risen King...Jesus!

Leading the way

 They waved palm branches & cried out "Hosanna , Hosanna" 

I love that you can see all of their little mouths forming the word "Hosanna!" 

Sophie is excited to see us! 

 Our sweet (toothless) girl!

 Drew watches intently, and who does he spy... 

Yes, it's Darcy's class all geared up for a day fishin'... 

 Our cute little "fisher of men"

During the Christmas parade Darcy seemed shy & a bit overwhelmed, but this time she seemed to really enjoy being in the parade & waving to the crowd!

And there she goes...

Here are just a few more of the adorable parade participants. As always, the creativity of the teachers is amazing & I love the themes they come up with for each class!

 In this class, the boys were dressed as suns & the girls as flowers. 

 Adorable little Ladies & Gents all ready for church

 This class was like a then & now...

 This class was full of caterpillars & butterflies!

 How clever is this "under construction" idea!

A banner depicting the Last Supper

 Colorful butterflies & tiny lambs!

 I love that the children got to make artwork to display in the parade! 

 A beautiful float

This was one of my favorites. The little girls all pushed their strollers decorated to the hilt for the parade! 

 The reason we celebrate Easter!

 Cute little kings!

Adorable little ducklings... 

 Do you see the sign, "We quack for Jesus!"

After the parade, Darcy's class gathered for a quick photo op... 

Look at all of these precious fishermen!

 

Darcy & her pal Charly

Parade day was also the day for Sophie's class Easter party & egg hunt. I had signed-up to help out, so we headed up to her classroom for some special activities...

 Drew watches as Sophie makes her craft project

 Lucy was here! I don't want you to think that I forgot this sweet girl! She was great the whole day...she slept in the stroller through the whole parade. Then I fed her while Sophie's class was eating lunch & afterwards Lucy napped again in the sling or stroller for most of the afternoon!

 Mmmmm, enjoying a special Easter treat...ice cream with sprinkles!

 And then the egg hunt! It was the most beautiful day & the kids all raced off to find 12 eggs each!

 Sophie with her basket full!

 Then the best part, cracking those babies open to get to the treats inside! Drew watched it all from the comfort of his stroller as he finished up his ice cream!

 Comparing loot!

Isn't that the cutest peek-a-boo face or what!

 And I guess that brings this post to a close!

Check out last year's Easter Parade here!