Peace Out

I fully support the concept of peace but the word itself is not a part of my slang vocabulary, a hand gesture I make when getting my picture taken by the paparazzi (ha!), or a symbol I feel the need to have displayed on my clothing, accessories or on anything, really.

That being said, why is it everywhere and why do I own this?



And more importantly, why is my daughter saying it?

Ellen:  Peace! (while making the sign and giving a little booty shake)
Me:  Where did you learn that?  (in a not very thrilled tone of voice)
Ellen:  The Beatitudes (booty shake not included in that lesson I am sure)

Interesting on so many levels.

Sunday Best

Brought to you by the letter 'R'

We'll just have to remember how cute she was

Ellen said the Pledge of Allegiance no less than 15 times while we were grocery shopping yesterday afternoon.  She had the best time.  Lilly was happy too.  We bought sugar cookies for the tea party Ellen is having at school today (they are talking about the Renaissance this week).  I was off but Ellen went to school anyway (her choice).  I dropped her off late and picked her up early so we could still spend some time together.  She wanted me to pick her up before journal time because they now practice their letters instead of drawing pictures, and she would much rather draw, but I made her tough it out.

Lilly and I had a good day.  We ran a few errands, I did housework while she napped, she played on the floor (rolled over several times), we had lots of cuddle time.

I seriously considered taking the girls to the zoo since it was supposed to be a beautiful day (and it was!) but I decided to wait until Phillip could join us.  That means it will have to be on a Saturday (crowded) and it will be hot.  I have a few more Wednesdays off before school starts, if I decide to brave it on my own.  But as far as weather goes, yesterday would have been perfect.

I am slacking when it comes to taking pictures but believe you me, Lilly is as cute as ever.  She is growing up way too fast.  She is downing that "extra" bottle like a champ.  She is Ellen's biggest fan and their interactions will forever remain some of my fondest memories (just like the little noises Ellen used to make when she was a newborn).  Lilly is really interested in her feet.  She continues to be little miss grab hands.  I don't know the best way to describe my love for this little girl but it's right up there with onion rings and Snickers ice cream bars.

Of the dream catcher variety

Chutes and Ladders

After numerous chutes, he finally got a ladder.

Phillip has a new job.  Those words don't even begin to do this justice.  This is an answered prayer.  This is a much needed change.  This is [hopefully] my ticket out ("This ain't about you!")  I am so proud of Phillip.  He took lemons and made lemonade.  He can stop now.

I lost $12 today, it must have fallen out of my pocket, but that's okay.  Phillip got a new job.

He came bearing gifts

Granddaddy came to town and made one little girl very, very happy.  For weeks Ellen asked us every day "Is Granddaddy coming today?" and for weeks we said "No, not today".  But finally we were able to say "Not today, but tomorrow.  Granddaddy will be here tomorrow".  She was good with that.

Mom got Ellen a pretty feather for her hair and along with that, Dad brought the Angry Birds board game and a dentist Barbie.  I wanted to be a dentist and that is why he chose that particular one.  I couldn't handle Chemistry.  Apparently Barbie is smarter than me.  Way to rub it in, Dad.  He brought Lilly a boat that came with other bath accessories.  Ellen immediately claimed them as her own.  She knows she will have to share when the time comes.  I pity the fool who has to teach that girl how to share with her sister.  Thanks for the presents Mom and Dad!

Dad took Ellen to the park and to Chuck E. Cheese's.  He read her books and played checkers with her at Cracker Barrel.  They went on a walk.  He put jelly (in addition to syrup) on her pancake.  She showed him how to pick out the best cantaloupe.  They made coffee together.  Needless to say, she did not want him to leave.

He also gave Lilly lots of attention

                                 

But if you ask Ellen, it was all about her

With Honors

Ellen graduated from Pre-K on Friday evening (the ceremony took place at Spring Meadow Church of Christ, which is not far from the school).  Ellen was thrilled to have Granddaddy in attendance (thanks for being there Dad).  After several songs and a slide show presentation, the kids walked across the stage and received their diplomas.  The after party was high energy.  Kids, running, balloons, kids running with balloons... that and cake.  It was a special night.

Each child had artwork on display

Ellen's goody bag

Program

Proud parents

Ellen is on the front row wearing yellow, fourth from the right
(she wanted to be on a riser)

Dad and Lilly

Ellen and Mrs. Brock (the director)

Katie Beth
(the "girl" in the background is Ellen's artwork)

Granddaddy!

Diploma

The Fam

My graduate

Cake!

King me

Signs he loves me

1.  Age appropriate design

2.  Good font

3.  Satin ribbon (it doesn't come cheap)

4.  Birds (bunnies or baby deer would have been acceptable alternatives)

5.  Thoughtful hand written note that included words such as "gift", as in you are one.  And none of it was plagiarized from rejected cards (I asked).

6.  Card was signed and sealed upon delivery.  Nothing says "I love you" like an unsigned card being retrieved from a Kroger bag RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE.

7.  A lot of reading (caught myself skimming), and he knows how I feel about wordy cards, but it was lovely so all is forgiven.

8.  Final sign he loves me:  He accepts me for who I am, judgemental eye and all.

4 months!

Height - 25 in (75%)

Weight - 13 lbs 12 oz (41%)

Head Circumference - 15.75 in (33%)

Lilly had her 4 month check up yesterday (she turned 4 months on Mother's Day).  She is doing great.  We haven't been feeding her quite enough, need to add another bottle into her feeding schedule, but she is growing and doing all of the things she is supposed to be doing.

[I was hoping to wait until we got home but Lilly was really fussy (long appointment + shots) so I ended up feeding her before we left the doctor's office.  Learning she needs to take in a few more ounces greatly influenced that decision :)]

Things to expect/anticipate... rolling over, laughing (she has laughed a few times for us), teeth (bottom middle) and introducing solids.  They now recommend waiting until 6 months before introducing solids, including cereal, but Dr. Frank said if she starts showing an interest in food then we can start with fruits and vegetables at 5 to 5 1/2 months.

Lilly has started rubbing her eyes when she is tired, she blows bubbles, babbles, grabs for toys, takes her pacifier in and out of her mouth, has a death grip, plays coy, smiles a lot and is constantly moving (likes to move those legs).

We go back in July for her 6 month check up.

The first to call me Mommy

My sweet Ellen on Mother's Day

Ellen's Mother's Day Song

You never know what you can do until you try

Phillip's first ponytail

Keepsake

We went to the library for story time Wednesday morning.  We also went to Target for the first time in ages.  We had a nice little outing.  And Ellen took a nap so I was able to watch [most of] The Iron Lady.  It was a good day.

Ellen enjoyed the story time project this week.  I think it had something to do with getting to paint her hand.  She also helped me paint Lilly's hand.  That was an ordeal!

The finished product

(Lilly stuck her little hand out right as I took this picture)

In other more exciting news, Lilly rolled from back to front for the first time yesterday (and then back again).  It happened at daycare (like all good things) so we missed it, but she is a determined little thing so it's only a matter of time before she does it at home.  Well, maybe.  Confession time... we rarely lay Lilly flat due to her reflux (killjoy!) but we will start giving her more opportunites to "practice" now that we know she is ready to roll.

Sneak-A-Peek

We had Sneak-A-Peek at Heritage Elementary School (Go Eagles!) on Tuesday night.  Someone was a little nervous.  Can you tell?  She warmed up after we went inside.

We met the principle and toured all six of the Kindergarten classrooms.  Ellen enjoyed exploring - each room was so different. 

It was love at first sight... one peek at the playground and that was all Ellen talked about the rest of the night.

The teachers seemed really nice (all female), including the before and after care teacher.  And since Ellen will be in before and after care (SAAC), I was all ears while she was discussing the program.  After visiting with the teachers and seeing the classrooms, we had an informational meeting in the cafeteria (daily routine, special activities, lunch procedure, school supplies, PTO, etc.).  The week leading up to her first full day, which will be Friday, August 17th, is going to be busy with testing, Kindergarten Camp, a 1/2 day, parents night and a Boo-Hoo breakfast.  We will also find out who her teacher is that week.  My heart starts beating extra fast just thinking about it!

Ellen is going to love school and I am so excited for her.  She's growing up and we couldn't be more proud of our soon-to-be Kindergartener.

Perfection

Happy

Drooly

Curious

Talkative

Smiley

Opinionated

Wiggly

Sweet

Grabby

Soft

Fuzzy

Lovable

Perfect in every way

Not to be confused with pixie dust

Ellen loves these car carts at Kroger.  I have trouble maneuvering them (plus the basket is smaller so it holds less than a regular cart) so despite her begging, she rarely gets to be in the drivers seat.

Ellen broke one of these pitchers last week while grocery shopping with Phillip.  From what I hear it was a traumatic experience.

Newish development (it's been a few weeks):  Ellen picks out her clothes and gets dressed by herself in the mornings.  She also brushes her teeth without one of us in the bathroom with her, although we do make sure she is doing a thorough job.  She has been capable of doing these things on her own for a while now but I have always helped her get ready for school (which I enjoy-when she is in a good mood-so it was hard letting that go).  Now that we have Lilly to change, dress and feed in the mornings, I am very thankful to have a 4 year old who is self-sufficient when I need her to be.

Another newish development:  Ellen is still an early riser but she now plays in her room or watches something on the iPad (in her room) while we sleep a little longer (or until Lilly wakes up).  Every once in a while she will come snuggle with us, which is fine, but no more TV in our room at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

Ellen likes: coloring with markers, riding her bike, wearing skirts, cantaloupe and strawberries, sounding out words to figure out what letter they start with, swinging, playing in the bathtub, watching Netflix and playing games on the iPad, going to the park and girl time.

A few recent quotes/conversations:

"Jesus died on the cross.  Everybody knows that." - talking to her herself/stuffed animals before going to bed

"I'm hydrated" - after taking a long drink of water (she then went on to explain what hydrated means)

"Mommy, you don't always get your way" - letting me down easy

"I need to tell you something..." - she always needs to tell us something :)

Me:  Why do you have so much sand in your hair?
Ellen:  I don't have sand in my hair
Me:  Yes you do.  I can see it.
Ellen:  It's not sand
Me:  What is it?
Ellen:  It's mulch dust

She is a detailed schemer...
"I am going to take Daddy's napkin and when he gets back he won't know where it is.  Daddy will look on the floor and he won't see it.  Then I will hold it up and say 'ta da!'"

(Whispering in my ear)  "Let's trick Daddy again.  Mommy, you tell Daddy to close his eyes and while his eyes are closed you take a drink of his water.  He won't know."

--------------------

We have Sneak-A-Peek tonight at Heritage Elementary.  That's when this whole Kindergarten thing is really going to start sinking in.

Blowout at the ball park

The girls and I ventured out to Cole's baseball game yesterday morning (Phillip had to work).  I was looking forward to watching Cole play but Lilly had other plans for me.  After a major blowout, which included lots of wipes and an outfit change, I was ready to call it quits (she had also been spitting up a lot that morning).  But of course we ended up having fun and I am glad we stuck it out.

(Lilly also had a blowout before church this morning.  It was bad.)

 Our favorite player

Savannah is such a little mama

Post game treat

Lay off me. I'm starving.*

 *As said by Chris Farley on Saturday Night Live

Lilly's second ever masterpiece

Love this

Happy!

She may be going bald and have a runny nose...

... but she's still as happy as can be!

Rough Start

It's not as if we are running around like chickens with our heads cut off, not yet anyway, but life has been overly, and seemingly unnecessarily, hectic.  We're tired, we're unorganized, we're behind on basic things like laundry and grocery shopping and saying things that need to be said.
 
My mind is turning to mush.

It started with little things like forgetting to mail a Netflix that was watched almost a week ago, progressed to unspeakable acts such as sending a baby to daycare without her pacifier and ended (hopefully this is the end) with an event so extraordinary it can only be categorized as such.  Here's one possible headline:  Neglectful pet owner leaves unsuspecting dog outside all day with no warning or explanation.  I am still in shock.  Lucy is an inside dog that loves being outside but she has never been left out like this before (not even close).  Phillip came home to find her sitting at the back door.  Surprise!  She probably had the time of her life out there.  All I know is she drank a lot of water last night.

Dramatization