Adventures with Alesia

Every night Annika sleeps with a very special friend, Chloe.  Well, technically Annika sleeps with dozens of stuffed friends, but the entourage varies depending on her mood.  Chloe always makes the cut.

The reason Chloe is so very special is because Annie made Chloe with her extra special cousin Alesia.  Out of all my kids, Annika is the only one to ever go to Build-a-Bear.  Appropriate, since out of all my kids, none loves her stuffies more.  Alesia, thank you so much for helping my animal lover's dream come true.

Here are Alesia and Annika introducing Chloe to the family after their special outing.


Here's Annika with Chloe's birth certificate.

Annika was sad that she couldn't take Chloe with her to the beach.  Fortunately, Aunt Janet was an excellent babysitter who even fed Chloe some cereal.

Decorating Chloe's home.

Cousin Katelyn was pretty amazing in hosting a stellar birthday party for Chloe and her stuffed animal friends.  We had snacks, crafts, and even a rocking dance party.

Distributing paper so all of Chloe's friends can make paper airplanes.

Since Chloe joined our family back in July, the joy has not dimmed.  Just yesterday, Annika excitedly told an usher at the movie theater all about how she had a Light Fury.  She must have repeated it half a dozen times until he finally acknowledged how awesome that is.  In that vein, allow me to repeat: thank you Alesia for bringing Chloe into Annie's life.

On to Eli: Alesia treated our little man to a day at Legoland Discovery Center.  I can't think of a better or more personalized gift for this brick-loving boy.

Lego Star Wars?  Yes, please.

New York, night and day.

Perfectly sized Gandalf.

Better watch out, you sneaky bandit.

Police are after you.

Needless to say, Eli had an amazing day.  Noch einmal, vielen Dank, Alesia. 

Now for the final excursion.  Alesia treated Brooklyn and Talia to a magical showing of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway.  It would be hard to overstate the excitement.  Here they are taking the train into the city. 

The night before the show, Alesia and the girls pieced together Hogwarts garb from a local thrift store.  So adorable!

Brooklyn and Talia were thrilled to explore Times Square for the first time.

The M&M store was their very favorite.  Thai Coconut Peanut?  Yes, please.

Sugar overload!

At last, it was time to go into the theater.

Gryffindor and Ravenclaws.

Ever so thrilled for the show to start.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is such an extensive production that it is divided into two performances.  Jason and I met up with these cuties in between shows.

Our destination?  Shake Shack, of course.

Alesia, you and your family are unbelievably thoughtful and generous.  Thank you ever so much for providing such special experiences for each of our children.

We love you to New York and back!