BIG 5

Oh, my girls are FIVE now! I always tell people, "It feels like Raychel should be turning 27. She's packed a lot of living in her six years. With Anna and Leah, time goes by a lot faster since things have been more 'normal' with them." The two of them have had this party planned since January. They wanted to go to Build-A-Bear with a friend. So...that's just what we did. Read for fun! Left to right: Jasmine, Anna, Lexie, Leah

When you walk in, each guest picks out a style of stuffed animal (minus the stuffing).

After the animals are chosen, they go to this station where the "animals come to life!" You get to pick a satin heart to place inside your animal. You rub the satin heart on your lips, so you can always tell each other your secrets. You rub it on your ear, so you will always listen to each other. You rub it on your eyes, so you'll always see the beauty in each other. Etc. Anna heard the words "come to life", and she was fa-reaking out. Her animal could stay dead, thank you very much. So she hid behind me and cried during this little spiel. Once she was convinced it was all pretend, she decided to continue. Much to our relief there have been no "Chucky" episodes here at our house.

Leah picked a lamb, which she named "Ladybug".

The next step is to give your animal a bath.

I was glad to see the smile back on Anna's face. You can see in the very bottom of the picture, she and Leah got "Twinkle Toes" for their birthday.

Anna picked this kitty, which she named "Sparkles".

Now it's time to get dressed! There are SO many options for these things.
Anna picked a "Paris" theme for her kitty.

It took Leah about 3 seconds to decide her lamb HAD to have a Tinkerbell outfit and pink ballet slippers.

Thanks to our Build-A-Bear helper. These ladies really, really love their jobs. ;-)

Next order of business: The trampoline/bungee thing. We never go to this particular mall. We went one time, and all the girls could talk about was this activity. It's set up right outside Build-A-Bear. Coincidence? Everyone wanted a joy ride.

Jasmine was so cute. She kept her head like this for her turn. I guess it makes you safer if your head is in a stiff and tilted position like this.

Miss. Lexie was not going to do it. She just didn't think it was a good idea. However, after a little (I mean, a lot of) peer pressure, she decided she'd give it a try. Of course, she loved it!

All that building and jumping makes a girl hungry! We enjoyed a lovely lunch at Red Robin. They give out balloons. What could be better? This is Anna and Jasmine.

Leah and Lexie

May 10. The real, official birthday. I took off the whole day from work, so I could spend the day in class with them. Breakfast: Pillsbury orange rolls (all my girls' favorite!).

Leah goes to school in the morning. Each birthday student makes a crown. One thing I have been a little surprised by this year is the fact that Leah is not my "arts and crafts" girl. I always thought Leah would be stuck at the art table at school. She's a social butterfly (or a social ladybug, in Leah's case). She never brings home "projects" for me to display. Her time is better spent playing and working the room. Funny Story: Leah has had a little admirer all year long. He's given her pictures, sits by her all the time, tells her she is pretty. Apparently, she want no part of this, and does everything in her power to let this boy know she is not going to fall in love with him. (Poor kid. Hope she didn't break his confidence for life) Actually, I was unaware of this until I had a parent/teacher conference. I guess Leah didn't feel it was necessary to tell her MOM...hello! Anyway, I noticed that he was quite enamored by Anna during our visit to the AM class. Hey, that's the nice things about twins. Can't get with one, try the other! haha!

I love these teachers! They are all SO great! I'm sad that the girls (and myself) have to say goodbye this year...since there will be no more little Roylances coming along. (Leah is getting her birthday hugs from the teachers)

Anna is my little artist. She brings home all kinds of projects everyday. She spent a good half hour working on her crown. Her teachers say she's not much of one for the social interaction. She'd rather play and work alone. I guess she doesn't have time for all the immature nonsense. ha!

Happy faces

I love Anna's face in this picture! Birthday hugs for Anna!

More celebrating...Dinner at Johnny Rockets. How cute are these two!

Leah and her ladybug/bug cake

Anna and her Ariel cake.

Leah saw this towel at Costco in January. She has begged for it since she saw it. She was one happy girl opening it on her birthday.

What a wonderful five years we've had! Can't wait to see what the next five bring!