Easter 2016

"The Easter Bunny always knows exactly what we want." - Ellen

Thank you.  Thank you very much.

Springing forward

Zootopia-inspired artwork

It is Ellen's spring break this week and a normal 4-day work/daycare week for the rest of us (besides only being 4 days).  Zootopia was the theme at SACC.  (We actually saw Zootopia last Saturday.  It had some scary parts, Ellen suddenly had to go to the bathroom at one point (surprise, surprise), but I thought it was a cute movie.)  Ellen went to school Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, stayed home with Phillip today (he worked from home) and is going to the Lads to Leaders convention tomorrow afternoon.  She could have stayed home with Phillip on Tuesday as well, his other work from home day, but that happened to be the day SACC was going on a field trip to a recording studio in Nashville and I thought it would be a fun experience for Ellen.  And I think it was.  Good Friday is never a holiday for me or Phillip but one of us always takes the day off since school and daycare are closed.  Due to Lads to Leaders, we both took off this year so one of us could stay home with Lilly (me) and the other accompany Ellen to the Opryland Hotel (Phillip).  From what I hear it is very crowded at the convention and there is a lot of walking involved (and waiting) so we just didn't think it was a good idea to take Lilly.  Maybe next year.

...

Made eye contact with this fella at a recent housewarming.  There was also a stuffed bobcat on display.  Only in Tennessee?

Eli's birthday party.  Lilly's first time at Pump it Up.  She loved it.

I see this poster every afternoon when I pick Ellen up from SACC and it always makes me smile.

I got a new chair at work.  A comfortable chair makes a world of difference.

Kite Day

Playing hot potato with a large Easter egg

Lilly and Wyatt hunting for Easter Eggs

It started raining just as the last eggs were being collected but we only got a little wet.

These babies never had a chance :(

St. Patrick's Day 

Shrimp tacos at Blue Coast followed by Walmart, naturally.

Shoe shopping

She's going the distance.  She's going for speed.

Quality family time :)

Lilly's Easter egg hunt

Shenanigans #smileypoop

A peek under Ellen's covers :)

...

Duke (4) lost to Oregon (1) tonight.  It was a hard game to watch but I am glad they made it to the Sweet Sixteen.  Phillip is now going for Oklahoma because he doesn't want Oregon to win.

...

Ellen...

Back into watching (and playing) My Little Pony, reads for pleasure when forced, still working on riding her bike (she can do it but lacks confidence), favorite cereal is Cheerios, recently started singing in church (been waiting for this), misses her old teacher but thriving at school, wants to be a teacher when she grows up, likes playing Splatoon on the Wii, mostly sweet when not fighting with her sister.

Lilly...

Was on a major Peter Rabbit kick but now watches a variety of shows, still a night owl (Mommy, can I hang out with you after Ellen goes to bed?), Cash, Eli and Tyler are her best friends at school, has personality plus, is a picky eater, getting so big and talking big, names all of her dolls/stuffed animals "Breathe", loves to cuddle (very loving), mostly sweet when not fighting with her sister.

Both girls like playing outside.  Especially with our neighbors PJ and Matthew.

...

After more than a year of stomach issues, my niece, Ashling, was recently diagnosed with Crohn's disease (a moderate to severe case).  She had a endoscopy and a colonoscopy two weeks ago, receiving the official results last Wednesday.  She is currently on Prednisone (a steroid, to reduce inflammation).  Andrea and Caleb are actively exploring treatment options.  We are all very concerned about her health (this has been a difficult time for my family).  Despite all of the unknowns, one thing is for sure, Ashling has an amazing support system!

...

On a lighter note, Disney World is still a go.

Text of the Week (so far)

Monday, 2:05 p.m.

I think I may have used just conditioner and skipped shampoo this morning.

Phillip's hair did look mighty greasy when he came home that night :)

Trending

Downton Abbey:  I am very sad to see Downton Abbey come to an end but the series finale was so good, possibly the best series finale I have ever seen (I like happy endings), which makes it easier to say good bye.  #gonebutnotforgotten

Peyton Manning:  Peyton announced his retirement yesterday.  We had a lot of good years together.  Football is now dead to me.  #gonebutnotforgotten

Walt Disney World:  Kids, we're going to Disney World!  We are headed to the most magical place on earth in less than 3 months!  And Laurie is coming too!  Planning a trip of this cost and magnitude has been a little stressful, I had a bad case of what I dubbed "Disney brain" in the early days, but the excitement is finally setting in and we can't wait!

KIND Bars:  I am slightly addicted to these things.  Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt, Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew and Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate are a few of my favorites.

March Madness:  The ACC Tournament started today.  Which means the NCAA Tournament is right around the corner.  This is Phillip's favorite time of year.  #goduke

Opening Day:  Another reason this is Phillip's favorite time of year... baseball.  Baseball ranks right up there with college basketball, maybe even a little higher.  We are planning to see the Cubs play in June (in Atlanta).  #gocubsgo

Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP):  After a few technological setbacks, testing starts this week at Heritage.  #tnready

Spring:  While not yet officially spring, it is definitely looking and feeling like it here in Middle Tennessee.  #breezy

Sherlock:  I started watching Sherlock this week, the BBC version starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, and I like it.  It does kind of creep me out but in a good way.  Or at least not in a bad way.  #netflix

The Evolution of Barbie:  Mattel introduced new body types for Barbie earlier this year.  Phillip thinks it's silly but what does he know.  #tall #curvy #petite

...

Ellen's best friend, Evie, is getting braces next week.  It's been a hot topic around here.  According to Ellen, Evie is going to have to take a toothbrush with her everywhere she goes :)  I don't know about that but I do know I am glad we don't have to deal with braces right now.

...

We have new neighbors.  A family of five moved into the house next door to us early last week.  And they were at our church on Sunday!  What are the odds?  They have an outside dog (con) but they have him in a pen on the far side of their yard (pro) so I think we will all get along just fine.  Right, George and Lucy?  Right?  (They seem very nice which is also a pro.)

...

I tweaked my back last week and it is still bothering me (a sure sign I am getting old).  It happened at home but I blame work.  #deskjobproblems

...

Lilly:  "Let's talk about my day.  Let's talk about a lot of things."

...

Phillip has been working a lot which isn't fun (especially for him) but other than that, we are doing well.  Busy, but good.

I hope to get back to blogging more regularly soon :)

March 2016

March 4th - Field Trip to Adventure Science Center (Ellen)

March 12th - Performance by the Faulkner University Chorus at Southern Hills

March 13th - Kite Day

March 21st-25th - Spring Break

March 24th-25th - Lads to Leaders Convention

March 27th - Easter

...

Daylight saving time begins on the 13th and St. Patrick's Day is on the 17th :)

Shiny Happy People

It's been a strange week, and not just because Downton Abbey didn't record Sunday night like it was supposed to (DVR fail).  Snow days tend to disrupt the natural order of things.  And Lilly has not been feeling well which further complicates matters.  Making it to Friday feels like quite the accomplishment.  Go team!

...

The first week was difficult, partly because change in general can be overwhelming for me and partly because I am suffering from a mild to moderate case of PTSD while also trying to learn new things, but thanks to my new co-workers, the second week was much better.  And check out that title :)

...

Lilly's 4 year old stats:

Height:  40 in (65th percentile)

Weight:  37 lbs (67th percentile)

She is perfect in every way!

...

Polar fleece sheets.  Get some.  They just may change your life.  #cozy

...

Ellen stopped biting her nails.  We are so proud of her!

And she can ride her bike without training wheels!  She is still overly cautious and somewhat hesitant, but she has come a long way.

...

Lilly only likes the blue kind of Chapstick (original).

...

Phillip bought me a MacBook Pro.  It was a total surprise.  Are we keeping this?  Do you have the receipt?  Not only can I blog in bed, the ultimate goal, but it will come in handy if I ever need to work from home.

...

We went to Opry Mills two Saturdays ago.  The girls had so much fun at the Bass Pro Shop.  They also got to ride the carousel.  Life is good.

...

Phillip's competitive side comes out when he's playing Mario Cart.  He can't handle anything less than 1st place.  I have similar tendencies when playing Yoshi.  We must get all of the yarn!

...

Phillip and Ellen went to the Father/Daughter dance at Heritage last weekend.  They had a great time.  Ellen danced her little heart out :)

...

Laurie came over Sunday afternoon to cook for us and watch the Super Bowl.  Ellen helped her make brownies before we went to church.  I was very pleased with the outcome of the game :)

...

Ellen is really into time.  What time it is, how long we will be gone, what time it will be when we get back.  Mostly because she doesn't like going places but I like to think that deep down she has the family's best interest at heart.

...

We don't have big plans for Valentine's Day because every day is like Valentine's Day around here - wink, wink.  And maybe because I share a bank account with someone who purchased a laptop in the last 10 days.  Either way, we are keeping it simple.  We gave the girls personalized fleece blankets from Land's End, which they love, and I have a few treats and surprises saved for Sunday.  Love is in the air!

February 2016

February 2nd - Field Trip to the Tennessee State Capitol Building (Ellen)

February 5th - Above All with KFC (Ellen)

February 6th - Father/Daughter Dance at HES

February 14th - Valentine's Day

February 18th - Ladies Night Out with Southern Hills

February 20th - Sweethearts Banquet at Southern Hills

February 27th - Men's Breakfast at Southern Hills

---

Busy month at church!  In addition to the activities listed above, we have a potluck on the 21st, Phillip will be attending a men's devotional on the 22nd, our edification team meets on the 28th and Ellen has Lads to Leaders practice most Sunday afternoons.

---

Today was my first day in the Treasury department at my company.  Getting here wasn't easy, especially these last few weeks, but I made it.  #unbroken

---

Lilly's going to a birthday party on the 20th and I have a housewarming to attend on the 28th.

---

Lilly has her 4 year check up on the 4th and Ellen has a dentist appointment on the 11th.

---

We are looking forward to the Super Bowl.  Laurie is coming over to watch with us.  May the best team win.  And by best team, I mean the Broncos.