If you give a girl a pretzel chip chances are she'll want hummus to go with it

In addition to the My Little Pony game I have been playing on my phone non-stop for the past 2 weeks (I blame Ellen), hummus and pretzel chips are my latest preoccupation.  So good!

Caught somewhere between "It's still May?" and "I can't believe it's almost June!"

June has always been a busy month for us and this year is no exception.  We have Vacation Bible School, my mom's birthday, Father's Day, Ellen's going to North Carolina for a week, our 10 year wedding anniversary, my 34th birthday, Carol Terry's annual Garden Party, my sister's birthday and a luau at The Children's Academy.

And we usually have our family vacation in June but it is going to be in July again this year, which may be our new thing.  Someone get back to me on that.

And just in case we don't have enough going on, my job is going to be changing... again.  It should be a temporary move but that fact that I would be moved temporarily in the first place seems strange.  I am handling the news surprisingly well (new details are emerging daily).  I am only being a little bit weird about it.  You would be so proud!  I guess when you are struggling in most every other aspect of your life a change at work doesn't seem so bad.  Silver lining.

Ellen is back to dancing in the kitchen while watching Angelina Ballerina on the iPad.  Phillip, the ever supportive father, said "I thought she was done with that" in a tone that suggested he wished she was done with that... yes, he was talking to me but Ellen was also in the room.  Let's not discourage the children, dear.

Lilly is a little firecracker.  I think she is going to be our risk-taker.  She is not at all timid like Ellen was, and still is at times.  We hardly did any baby-proofing for Ellen, only enough to keep up appearances, but I can already tell Lilly is going to give us a run for our money.

Photo courtesy of Phillip McCullough, taken a few weeks ago

Just one reason I am not a huge fan of summer...
Phillip:  You're sweaty
Me:  Yes, from now until at least mid-October

Even though it has been a short work week, I am so glad tomorrow is Friday!

Long weekends always leave me longing for more weekend

We had a good Memorial Day weekend.  I had to work Saturday but I was off Friday so I had three days off like most everyone else, just not three in a row.  While I was at the office, shivering, Phillip and the girls went to two different parks and to Sonic during happy hour - lucky!  We spent the majority of Sunday and Monday at home, which was a good thing.  We worked around the house but also played Old Maid, built with Legos, put up the tent Nana and Grandpa gave us a couple of Christmases ago, played outside, grilled hot dogs and Bubba Burgers and we even got to FaceTime with my Grandma in West Virginia!

Tonight was our last Wednesday night meal at church for a while (they take a break during the summer).  We have really enjoyed eating with Matt, Rachel and Wyatt every Wednesday for the past few months.  It is always a mad rush to pick up both girls, run by the house to feed the dogs and let them out and make it to church by 5:45, but it is always worth it.  For the mini chocolate and pecan pies alone, it is worth it!

Lilly will be moving to a new classroom at daycare starting Monday.  She isn't going far, just next door to Bright Beginnings 5 with Ms. Green, but we are really going to miss Ms. Medley.  Those first teachers/caregivers, Ms. Eady and Ms. Medley for Lilly and Ms. Finch and Ms. Dyer for Ellen, will always hold a special place in my heart.

Ellen's summer day camp started yesterday and so far so good.  It doesn't feel like "summer break" but I am working on convincing myself that this is the next best thing.

Worse than having your mouth washed out with soap

Ellen:  Daddy, you said stupid

Phillip:  Sorry

Me:  What is his punishment?

Ellen:  Punch him in the face!

Phillip:  Note to self, don't ever let Ellen choose your punishment!

Wednesday night dinner

Harry, Pinkie and Wyatt

Meet Harry.  Ellen brought him home at the end of April.  This was taken Mother's Day weekend.  Since then he has really let himself go.

Meet Pinkie.  Ellen's tooth fairy doll.  She is ready and waiting for loose tooth #2.

Meet Wyatt.  Lilly's buddy at church.  They are so cute together.

When you're sliding into first and you feel something burst...

Lilly has a little stomach bug.  Is there anything worse?  Lots of diarrhea.  The kind that involves lots of laundry.  It was touch and go Saturday and Sunday but she seems to be feeling better today - still having tummy issues but she is in good spirits.

Ellen kissed her on the lips last night and Phillip inadvertently drank after her today so I will probably be the one who gets it next.

Tomorrow is Ellen's last day of kindergarten.  Last week it was her yearbook, today a wonderful collection of her best work and tomorrow her final report card... all signs the end is here.  She had a great year.  We are very proud of our rising first grader.

Another milestone of sorts, June 4th marks Phillip's 1 year anniversary at his new job.  (Does this mean it's time to stop referring to it as his new job?)  He works so hard for our family!  And not just at work.  He has always helped around the house and he is GREAT with the girls, but I especially appreciate his late night laundry folding sessions and his willingness to wrangle Lilly while Ellen and I read at night. We usually tackle bathtime together but when the need arises Phillip bathes the girls while I clean up downstairs and he always allows me to decompress at night.  Things aren't perfect and they probably never will be, but we make a pretty good team.

I haven't had as much time to blog lately and I haven't been taking a lot of pictures but I want to post what little I do have.  These are from last Wednesday night before church.

Lilly was determined to climb up the slide

 Ellen playing with the toy from the Happy Meal I brought her at lunch.  Glad I was able to eat with her one last time this school year.

Mother's Day weekend

We had a great weekend!

Saturday:  We did our usual breakfast, gymnastics, grocery store, lunch, housework, play at home, nap (Lilly) routine.  And then Laurie came over and watched the girls so Phillip and I could go to the movies, a rare treat.  We saw Mud (we liked it).  Afterwards we picked up Arby's and ate a quick dinner in the car (classy!)  It was nice to spend time together away from home, away from the girls and escape the stresses of life for a few hours.  Thanks Laurie!

Phillip unintentionally but audibly passed gas during the climax of the movie - a quiet, reflective scene.  The guy in front of us kind of jumped, the people behind and beside us squirmed uncomfortably in their seats.  And this was just a few minutes after his phone dinged indicating he received a text.  I was so embarrassed!  I would have bailed if he wasn't my ride.  We laughed all the way home.  I can't remember the last time we laughed so hard and we laugh a lot! 



Sunday:  Besides the day starting at 5:50 a.m. (we made breakfast and had time to watch Madagascar 3 before church) and the sweet mother-daughter picture that never came to be, these three goofballs made Mother's Day extra special this year.  Cards, flowers, hugs, handmade gifts, beautiful weather, special treatment, a nap... I got it all.

We also hung a shelf in Lilly's room, FaceTimed with Mom and Dad and played outside.

And I watched 3 episodes of Married to Jonas.

So much can happen in a day, especially on the weekends when we are all home together.  So many memorable moments.  So much fun!  I have to work the next two Saturdays for various reasons (and I worked the last Saturday in April and the first Saturday in May) and that is why it is so hard to be away.  I don't want to miss a thing.

Mother's Day 2013

Love these little rascals!

Feeling the love

Sleepless in Nashville

Technically, sleepless south of Nashville.  I got about 3 hours of sleep Sunday night, not in a row, but 3 nonetheless.  Lilly had a bad cough and it was just an all around rough night for everyone except Ellen :)  Lilly slept well Monday night but Ellen ended up in our bed after having a bad dream.  Tuesday night was not the greatest but only because we made Lilly cry it out in her room (so hard!) as opposed to getting in bed with us like she usually does when she is not feeling well and wakes up in the night.  Last night was ideal - me, Phillip and the dogs - but I had to stop myself from thinking about the 3 Cleveland girls who were rescued from captivity earlier this week (maybe I can't handle the facts after all).  The fog is lifting but I still need a few more nights of good, uninterrupted sleep to get me back on track. 

Phillip and I often joke (kind of) that either of us can go wherever or do whatever as long as we take Lilly with us.  Going to the grocery store?  Take Lilly with you.  Checking the mail?  Take Lilly with you.  Leaving the room?  Take Lilly with you!  Some days it seems impossible to do anything productive with you-know-who around.  And on those days I might get a text from Phillip that says "Guess who won't let Daddy fold clothes" along with a picture of an innocent-looking little girl sucking on a pacifier.  Who, me? Yes, you!  In conclusion, it is impossible to accomplish even the simplest of tasks when Lilly is awake.  (But we don't hold it against her.)

The weather has been crazy around here and not surprisingly we have all been suffering from one thing or another over the past few weeks (I think the weather is at least partly to blame).  Not full-fledged colds or sinus infections but enough symptoms of both to make you wish it was one or the other.

Phillip made Pioneer Woman's Restaurant Style Salsa Monday night, his contribution to Tuesday's Mexican fiesta at his work.  I tried to get a picture of both girls "helping" but Lilly was not feeling it (Ellen actually was helping).  I thought it was going to be too hot for me this time, he used hot Rotel, but it was perfect.  Ole!

Trying to have a conversation around Ellen is like playing verbal Mad Libs.  It mostly happens in the confines of the car where we are forced to speak in front of the children :)  Phillip and I will be talking like normal and Ellen will start trying to fill in the blanks so to speak by calling out words she thinks we are going to say next.  Not even close!  She is so funny sometimes!

We got a call from the school nurse around 8:45 yesterday morning informing us Ellen was fevered and not feeling well.  Phillip brought her home, gave her some Motrin and she took a long, much needed nap.  We ended up going to Wednesday night dinner at church and after we ate, she perked up a bit.  She had a good night and went back to school today.  Glad she bounced back so quickly.

Phillip had a dozen roses delivered to my office today.  The card read:

For a wonderful mother from all of us!

Love, 
Phillip, Ellen and Lilly 

Very sweet.  I sent him a text with a picture of the flowers telling him I have a secret admirer.

I wish!

A purpose driven life

We finally mulched our flower beds last night.  It was a family affair because almost everything we do is a family affair.  Our girls demand it!  We did most of the prep work a few weeks ago but then the rains came and we got busy (I have been working Saturdays to make up for being out with Lilly) and we just never got around to finishing the job.  Glad to finally be in compliance with our beloved HOA.

Our littlest helper

Nothing a little syrup can't fix

Lilly and I are home today.  Pesky fever.  It might be teething.  It might be something more.  As I was picking out the perfect bananas at the grocery store this morning, she pointed toward the deli and made the sign for eat.  I think she is going to be okay.  We are taking it easy.  We are alternating Tylenol and Motrin.  We are watching George Jones' funeral* (we have both been crying but for different reasons).  We are playing.  We are doing all of the things she wants to do.

This is the second time in two weeks Lilly and I have had the day to ourselves.  Let's not make this a habit, girl.

*I am not a fan of country music and although I had heard of George Jones, I couldn't tell you a thing about him or his music.  For some reason I started watching the live coverage of his funeral this morning and found myself singing along to the hymns and crying my little eyes out (and now I can't stop crying).