Substitute mom! RHONJ's Melissa Gorga attends Audriana's sixth birthday party as sister-in-law Teresa Giudice sits in jail 

By Heidi Parker For Dailymail.com

Published: 16:27 EST, 17 September 2015 | Updated: 18:58 EST, 17 September 2015

Melissa Gorga looked thrilled to be helping Audriana ring in her sixth birthday.

The Real Housewives Of New Jersey star even posed with the birthday girl, her sisters and father when behind two pretty cakes and a plate of cupcakes in a photo posted to Instagram earlier this week.

The only thing missing was the little girl's mother, Teresa Giudice, who has been serving out her prison sentence at the Danbury Correctional Facility in Connecticut after being sentenced for fraud.

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Taking Teresa's place: Melissa Gorga looked thrilled to be helping Audriana ring in her sixth birthday. The Real Housewives Of New Jersey star even posed with the birthday girl

Taking Teresa's place: Melissa Gorga looked thrilled to be helping Audriana ring in her sixth birthday. The Real Housewives Of New Jersey star even posed with the birthday girl

Locked up: The only thing missing was the little girl's mother Teresa Giudice, who has been serving out her prison sentence at the Danbury Correctional Facility in Connecticut after being sentenced for fraud.

Locked up: The only thing missing was the little girl's mother Teresa Giudice, who has been serving out her prison sentence at the Danbury Correctional Facility in Connecticut after being sentenced for fraud.

Adding another layer to the scene is the ongoing feud between Teresa and Melissa, which is often caused by the tug-of-war of love with Joe Gorga.

The two ladies have never fully gotten along with fights often breaking out on their Bravo show.

So to see Melissa enjoying a milestone that Teresa could not must burn up the incarcerated reality diva.

They fight over this guy: Adding another layer to the scene is the ongoing feud between Teresa and Melissa, which is often caused by the tug-of-war of love between Joe Gorga

They fight over this guy: Adding another layer to the scene is the ongoing feud between Teresa and Melissa, which is often caused by the tug-of-war of love between Joe Gorga

A-OK: Gorga has been thriving; here she is seen at a Kids Rock! event on September 10

A-OK: Gorga has been thriving; here she is seen at a Kids Rock! event on September 10

'I think that we are strong as a family,' Melissa told People in July. 'I think the kids are doing very well, better than we all thought.'

Teresa still has several months left on her term.

Her spouse Joe Giudice has been playing Mr Mom and continues to film reality TV in her absence, including the special The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Teresa Checks In.

In charge: Joe Giudice has been playing Mr Mom and continues to film reality TV in her absence, including the special The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Teresa Checks In

In charge: Joe Giudice has been playing Mr Mom and continues to film reality TV in her absence, including the special The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Teresa Checks In

Also at the party were Teresa's parents, Antonia and Giacinto Gorga, and costar Dina Manzo, who shared a photo of Audriana dressed as Frozen's Elsa.

In December Teresa is expected to complete her 15-month sentence for fraud. After she gets out, Joe goes in.

The three-part Bravo special, The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Teresa Checks In, is expected to be a ratings dynamo as Teresa has complained loudly about going from the beauty of her mansion to the dingy cell. 

Still, she has gotten into top shape, it has been claimed, as she has made good use of the prison gym.

Trading off time: In December Teresa is expected to complete her 15-month sentence for fraud. After she gets out, Joe goes in

Trading off time: In December Teresa is expected to complete her 15-month sentence for fraud. After she gets out, Joe goes in

 

 

 

 

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