Kite Day 2015

Cold, small crowd and the wind didn't blow our way but we still had fun at Kite Day!  

Phillip and Lilly bought two kites for the occasion: a small butterfly for Lilly and a larger dragonfly for Ellen

I missed the real Easter Bunny pictures but I was able to capture this special moment

Emptying and counting eggs

Everyone's a winner!

Fate

We knew Caleb was going to a couple of first round NCAA basketball games (he and his colleagues were already going to be in Charlotte that week for work and they found a deal on Groupon) but then Andrea discovered his tickets were for the session that included the Duke vs. Robert Morris game (the second game was St. John's/San Diego State) and she was able to get in on the action.  They ended up having an extra ticket and that's when things got even more interesting.  The text came Thursday morning at 8:40.  Phillip and the girls were North Carolina bound by 2:00 that afternoon (Phillip had a dentist appointment at 10:00 or else they would have hit the road a lot earlier). 

It all happened so fast.  And all while I was a work.  Lots of phone calls, texting and emails but it all worked out in the end.  

Happy Ending

(my view from home)

They had a great time at the game and a great time in North Carolina in general (they will be home tomorrow).

I love it when a plan comes together... especially when it's last minute, unexpected and involves family, sports and travel :)

From bundled up to basking in the sun (and grilling!)

First things first, we grilled out Monday night.  And for the first time in a long, long time (so long ago in fact that Phillip decided to err on the side of caution and put foil down).  Just hot dogs and brats but it was good eating.

Two weeks ago...

Earlier this week...

And over the weekend (wet but mild temps)

Checking her GPS

Big girl bike!

Determined to get on all by herself

And another nice day...

Into the woods

Giving Ellen a boost

Flying down the driveway (feet up, of course)

Ice, snow, sunshine, rain - we've had it all within the last few weeks.  Despite the weather roller coaster, I am glad we have been able to get outside and play/ride.  We are all a little better for it.

Progress

I tried so hard to not get the stomach bug that plagued Lilly, Phillip and then Ellen but I got it anyway.  My system still hasn't fully recovered (neither has Ellen's) but we are making progress.

Speaking of progress...

1.  I am using product in my hair for the first time and loving it (John Freida Frizz Ease Oil Elixir).  Also, I started drying my hair again (the one thing I NEVER used to leave home without doing).

2.  Phillip has a job interview on Tuesday.

One of those items is more newsworthy than the other but have you seen my hair lately? :)

It is only Week One of our new arrangement, Phillip being a stay at home dad (just in time for the ACC Tournament... coincidence?), but everyone has adjusted surprisingly well to our new (and hopefully very temporary) family dynamic.  Even me.  He does chores, so... you know.

I have been working a lot.  A lot, a lot.  Seven Saturdays in a row and picking up time during the week here and there (coming in early, short lunches and staying late).  The overtime is nice but I am worn out.  They don't call it busy season for nothing!

After being rescheduled twice due to snow and ice, Ellen finally had her program "Make a Difference" this week (Tuesday night).  She did a great job.  We took a few selfies (mostly bad) while waiting for it to begin.  Ellen had one line - Fire.  She nailed it (she said flood by mistake during a recent practice (Conner's line) so I was a little worried).

Hallway art

After several days without eating and very limited drinking, thank you aforementioned stomach bug, I decided to go ahead and cut back on my Coke/Diet Coke intake.  Doing good so far.

Also because of the stomach bug, a less positive side effect, I am behind - or feel behind - on life in general.  Except I did watch six, maybe seven (I lost count), DVR'd episodes of Downton Abbey, including the 2-hour season finale.  Phillip is doing all of the things I usually do.  (Working so many Saturdays doesn't help either.)  I am ready to get back in the driver's seat.

Next week is Spring Break.  We cancelled our plans due to Phillip's job situation (I gave my PTO days back) but the good thing about him being off is he can be home with the girls.  Silver lining.  We just need to come up with some fun activities for them to do or else it is going to be a long week.  Side project:  Turn Phillip back into the fun dad he once was (Daddy says no, Mommy says yes).  He took Lilly to the library today so it's already happening.  Progress!

Another one bites the dust

Yesterday Ellen was running around in the snow.  Today she is in bed, and more recently, on the couch, with an unrelenting stomach virus.  

Fever, chills, headache, vomitting, diarrhea... she has it all.  And just like with Phillip and Lilly, it started in the wee hours of the morning.  We had more of a warning this time though.  She couldn't get warm at bedtime and was shivering like crazy.  I cuddled up in bed with her and she was able to sleep for a few hours before getting sick.  Once it hit she was in and out of the bathroom several times before sunrise.

It was a long night.  

Thankfully school is out again today so she isn't missing much.  I just wish she felt better.

P.S. Phillip has an eye infection

To say we are falling apart around here is an understatement.

Just a few things in addition to bracing for more winter weather

Lilly had a stomach bug Saturday (it hit her in the middle of the night) and then Phillip ended up getting sick early Sunday morning.  I hate it for him.  I had to work Saturday so he was the one taking care of Lilly during the worst of it (he changed a lot of diapers).  Phillip's version was a lot more severe but they are both feeling better.  Ellen and I are crossing our fingers that we don't get it.  When I told Ellen that Phillip was about to throw up she went in her room and closed the door.  She came out when I said "It's happening," just like I knew she would.  Curiosity killed the cat :)

Recent discovery:  Ellen does not like Publix brand milk (we drink 1% and usually from Kroger).  She says it has an aftertaste.  Too bad we have 2 gallons of it in the fridge.

Lilly has been watching Super Why lately.  Good Choice.

Move over Ms. Barbara, Ms. Beverly is hot on your heels!  Lilly loves Ms. Barbara but Ms. Beverly is a close second :)  I am so thankful for these wonderful women who are willing to teach the young children at our church.  (We love all of her teachers but these two have a special place in our hearts.)

Driving home from church...
Ellen:  Lilly took her shoes and socks off.
Me:  She better not have.  (Shoes are one thing but socks too - No!!!)
Ellen:  You're in big trouble!
Lilly:  No I'm not!  I'm not in trouble.  (She does not like being in trouble, especially not big trouble)
Ellen:  Three-year-old trouble.

Maybe he knows something we don't know...

Lilly will be part-time at daycare starting next week.  She will go Tuesdays and Thursdays (Phillip will schedule interviews for those days whenever possible).  We may take Ellen out of SACC (most likely after spring break).  Strange to be making decisions like this.  And so quickly.  Our world has been turned upside down.  Phillip can't sleep.  I can't stop crying.  It's been rough.

Ellen was excited to use her Valentine's Day money from Grandmother and Granddaddy to buy a few new games for her Kindle.  She was not happy that we did not renew her Animal Jam membership.  This helped soften the blow.

Lilly calls the big TV (living room) the little TV (our room) and vice versa... she calls the little TV the big TV.  So when Lilly says she wants to watch the big TV she is referring to the one in our room.  It's confusing.

Lilly's teachers are using a potty chart coupled with stickers and M&M's to help encourage her to sit on the potty - that's right, sit - and then maybe one day she will actually pee in the potty.  I used to be somewhat embarrassed that she was still in diapers, people are so judgmental, but it is what it is.

They are calling for rain/sleet/snow tomorrow.  It's 63 degrees in Nashville at the moment.  I don't know what to think or how to feel about this.

March 2015

March 6th - Phillip's Last Day at NaviHealth*

March 8th - Daylight Saving Time (Spring Forward)

March 10th - Ellen's Second Grade Program (rescheduled due to inclement weather... twice)

March 14th - Men's Prayer Breakfast

March 16th - 20th - Spring Break

March 17th - St. Patrick's Day

March 21st - Ladies Brunch

March 27th - KFC Activity: Jump Street

March 28th - Kite Day

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Read Across America Week also falls in March and Teacher Appreciation Week was rescheduled for this month.  Hoping to file our taxes in the next few weeks.

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*Phillip's position at NaviHealth is being eliminated.  He is being eliminated.  It was unexpected, a shock to us both.  He is looking for another job (HR is assisting him with his search).  These are uncertain times.