Chattanooga Top Ten

We went to Chattanooga this past weekend.  We celebrated Ellen's birthday with Mom and Dad Friday night (they left Saturday afternoon), went to the Tennessee Aquarium, walked around downtown, swam at the hotel pool, stumbled upon a local playground, visited the ball park where the Chattanooga Lookouts play and went to the Creative Discovery Museum.  

Lilly cried when it was time to go home.  I foresee another trip to Chattanooga in her future. 

[Besides Lilly going an extremely long time without urinating (we were seriously contemplating going to an urgent care) and the sleepless nights (I never rest well away from home) we couldn't have asked for a better trip.  Also, I have decided 2 hours is the perfect distance for a weekend getaway.]

I took a ton of [so-so] pictures.  Phillip took some too.  I am working on a few Chattanooga posts but as I think back on our trip, these 10 things (in no particular order) stand out:

1.  Swimming and Sliding

2.  Grandmother and Granddaddy!

3.  Hotel Living

Everyone knows it's more fun to lounge around in someone else's bed

Complimentary breakfast

And Ellen's favorite perk, the hot chocolate available in the lobby 24/7

4.  Butterfly Garden

5.  Making Music

6.   Ben & Jerry's
Ellen needed some couch time after eating a cone of chocolate therapy (so incredibly rich!)

7.  Playground
Fun for the whole family!

8.  Otters, Penguins and Sharks

9.  Presents and Souvenirs
Ellen especially liked the purse Mom and Dad gave her for her birthday - it rarely left her side (and now Lilly wants a blue one with a zipper, similar to the one Grandmother brought).  Ellen bought the stuffed otter she is holding with some of the money they tucked inside one of the pockets.

The very same otter I caught Phillip kissing later that evening

10.  Water Play
Basically everything at the Creative Discovery Museum was a big hit

More pictures from Chattanooga coming soon!

Celebrating Seven at Chuck E. Cheese

We celebrated Ellen's birthday with Kendra and Laurie at Chuck E. Cheese on Labor Day (we let Ellen choose between Chuck E. Cheese and Goofballs and she she chose Chuck E. Cheese).

Divvying out a few tokens we had on hand

The bigger the ride the better!

Laurie's go-to game

Kendra got her a subscription to National Geographic Kids

Laurie have her a nail art book

We all ate dinner together at Chick-fil-A (birthday girl's choice) after Ellen exchanged her tickets for a few trinkets.  And then we discovered Ellen had lice (a story for another time).  Thankfully we had two lice experts in our midst to talk us through it.

Besides the lice, we had a fun day celebrating Ellen's birthday.  Thanks Kendra and Laurie!

Lucky number 7

This outfit is an Ellen original

Seven!  Wow!

It is bittersweet because Ellen is getting older and I can't stop her.  And I can't turn back time.  It's difficult because I haven't been there for Ellen in the ways she has needed me since Lilly was born.  Not on purpose (goodness no!) but when I look back, I see it.  I know it.  She knows it.  And sometimes I feel like it might be too late.  And that makes me very, very sad.

I think this is going to be a good year though.  Second grade.  Increased responsibility.  An expanding world view.  A future so bright you can't help but wonder what God has in store for this beautiful, complex little creature.

Ellen is sweet and sensitive but also passionate about whatever it is she is currently passionate about :)

She is very much like me when it comes to letting little things get to her.  Don't be like me!

She gives us hope that she will one day be a great big sister.  Never give up!

When two boys were recently baptized at church Ellen whispered to me "this is my favorite part."  (Which is good to know since she used to be wary of the process.)

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

Speaking of favorites, I asked Ellen about a few of her favorite things...

Favorite color:  Purple

Second favorite color:  Blue

Favorite food:  Pizza

Favorite drink:  Apple juice (?)

Favorite dessert:  S'mores

Favorite hard candy:  Jolly Ranchers

Favorite chocolate candy:  Kit Kat

Favorite cereal:  Pops and Frosted Flakes

Favorite fruit:  Grapefruit (?)

Favorite TV show:  Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman

Favorite movie:  Muppets Most Wanted

Favorite game:  Monopoly Jr

Favorite stuffed animal:  Chocolate, her stuffed dog

Favorite subject:  Science

Favorite special:  Art

Favorite season:  Fall

Favorite holiday:  Christmas ("Not just because of the presents.")

Favorite vacation spot:  South Carolina (beach)

Favorite outdoor activity:  Running around

Favorite indoor activity:  Arts and Crafts

Favorite sister:  ???

Favorite friend:  Evie

Favorite sport:  Basketball

Favorite team:  Duke

Favorite song:  Problem by Ariana Grande

Describe your perfect day:  Have a playdate and sleepover

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

Happy Birthday Ellen!

September 2014

 
Football (and folding)

September 1st - Labor Day
                          Chuck E. Cheese with Kendra and Laurie

September 2nd - Phillip's Fantasy Football Draft (work league)

September 3rd - "Be Nice" Bash at HMS

September 4th - Ellen's Birthday (7)

September 5th-7th - Trip to Chattanooga

September 19th - Heritage Night at Independence High School

September 20th - Mallory's Birthday Party

September 23rd - PTO Meeting/Ice Cream Social

September 27th - Cade's Birthday (5)

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

Q:  Why does Phillip have a little more pep in his step?

A:  Fantasy Football