Rewind: Valentine's Day 2015

I can never remember what we did the previous Valentine's Day, probably because we didn't do anything! (I never think to check the blog), but this year February 14th fell on a Saturday and it was a busy one.  I worked from 8-1:30 while Phillip hung out with the girls, Ellen went to a ninja-themed birthday party in the early afternoon and then we all went to the movies.  Laurie took Ellen and Lilly to an early dinner at Chick-fil-A and then to see Paddington while Phillip and I saw Kingsman: The Secret Service (Lilly did not like Paddington; Kingsman was just okay.)  Our original plan was to drop the girls off with Laurie and then go out to eat but we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to see a movie together (too bad there was nothing out we really wanted to see).  Phillip picked up our dinner while I got the girls in bed.  Nothing is more romantic than eating Taco Bell at 8:30 p.m. with the one you love. #mexicanpizza

Speaking of movies, I saw Still Alice last Saturday after work.  Somewhat heartbreaking but a good movie.  We also watched Chef (Netflix) last weekend and both liked it.

I did not get the diamond stud earrings I wanted but witnessing four girls dressed like ladies of the night get kicked out of the movie theater was a pretty decent consolation prize (we did our fair share of people watching while waiting for Paddington to let out and the crowd did not disappoint).  It appears they were trying to sneak in to see Fifty Shades of Grey.  We were highly amused.

I wish I had taken a picture of Ellen's Valentine box but I put it in the recycling bin the same day she brought it home.  I was a bit too hasty with that one.  I usually keep things like that around for a while.  But here is Ellen at Zac's birthday party.  When the party favor is a blow up sword you know the kids will still be talking about it at school on Monday.

Ice Storm 2015

A few facts:

1.  We have never had this much food!

2.  School (and SACC) was closed all week

3.  Daycare was open Thursday and Friday (Lilly went both days)

4.  Phillip worked from home all week

5.  My office was closed Monday and Tuesday due to the weather, a company first.  I stayed home Wednesday (too risky).  I worked yesterday and today.

6.  Ellen and Lilly both played with things they haven't played with in a long time

7.  The girls have now officially played with all of their Christmas presents

8.  Hover ball was a big hit

9.  We didn't play in the ice but we did play in the snow

10.  Our Wednesday night church services were cancelled

11.  We had more snow followed by freezing rain this afternoon (enough already!)

12.  Weather permitting, I am working a few hours tomorrow to make up some of the time I missed

13.  Phillip and the girls are watching Mary Poppins right now

14.  We all have a touch of cabin fever (it's been a long week)

15.  Two pairs of socks is definitely the way to go (I may never wear just one pair ever again)

16.  I finished a good book while on this unexpected winter break (I am sad to see it end)

17.  The kids have been staying up way too late

18.  Duke beat Carolina this week... in overtime (always a good thing)

Monday morning ice
(I was expecting snow.  I need to watch the news more.)

It was just as cold inside as it was outside, affecting some more than others

(our house is very drafty)

Sleepover (nap) in Lilly's room (Ellen was faking)

And eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth...

Wednesday afternoon snow (it was freezing out there!)
[It is worth noting that the girls showed no interest in the ice we got Monday.  Sledding was all the rage but not for this family.]

Moments like this don't happen often so I had to document

Snowball fight

"Making a pile"

Lilly loved running around the yard

As I was heading out Thursday morning...

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Quote of the week:  Mommy, it's like were homeschooled but we aren't learning.

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

Ellen and Lilly ran outside to greet me when I pulled into the driveway last Saturday afternoon (I had to work) and it was so nice out we ended up riding and playing until it was time to meet up with our good friends, The Potts (we did eventually make the girls put on jackets).

Ellen riding extra lopsided due to a flat tire

Daddy to the rescue

After Phillip pumped air into Ellen's tires he did the same for Lilly :)

Lilly flies down the driveway and loves every second of it (it's a bit scary)

This girl never would have done that!

Anxious to see Wyatt and Bryce

We had fun hanging out with Matt and Rachel.

It was an all around good day.

Puckett's

We went to Puckett's for lunch two Saturdays ago.  It was overcast and cold and Lilly was seconds away from breaking down at any given moment (tired, hungry, etc.).  In other words, perfect dining out conditions.  But the food was great and near the end we let the girls have our phones and Phillip and I pretended we were on a date.

Just when you think you aren't getting through to your children/making an impact, you interrupt your daughter mid-complaint to take a picture and she sits up, leans in and smiles as if she is the most well-adjusted child in the world.  That's when you know for sure you are winning at parenting.  (And I like winning.)

Not so secret admirer, Tooth Fairy and a milestone of sorts

Ellen was showing me the orange sparkly spider she chose for earning "10 blues" (for good behavior-blue is the best) when she mentioned her classmate Mason, who also qualified for a prize, chose a small journal.  Apparently he wrote I love Ellen in the journal because another little boy took it and showed Ellen.  Of course I was loving this.  She isn't really into boys, still more of a girl's girl, but I can tell she likes Mason and wanted to encourage her to cultivate that friendship.

Me:  It's good to have friends that are boys.  And he's really nice, right?
Ellen:  Very nice
Me:  That's good.  I am glad he is your friend.
Ellen:  And he loves me

It's kind of one of those you had to be there conversations but I almost lost it when she said "And he loves me" so matter-of-factly.  It was so funny - something I will never forget.

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Ellen lost a tooth Friday during her spelling test (top, left).  Must have been a lucky tooth because she got a 100 on the test :)  She has been wanting to ask the Tooth Fairy what her name is for several months now and she finally got her chance.  Little did we know she wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy and put it under her pillow a few weeks ago and was disappointed when she did not get a reply.  Phillip told her she needed to lose a tooth first so the Tooth Fairy would know to come (good thinking, babe).

Here is the letter she wrote:

Dear Tooth Fairy,

What is your name?  I am Ellen.  I lost my tooth today during the spelling test and I got sent to the nurse.  Today in the afternoon we had Piggy Court and that was after I lost my tooth and I would also like some Pokemon and a book that has pockets so I can put my Pokemon cards in it.

Love,
Ellen

P.S. Do you like the dentist and do you have sisters?

And here was the Tooth Fairy's reply:

Dear Ellen,

My name is Molly.  I do like the dentist!  I have one sister, just like you.  Thank you for the tooth!

Molly

P.S. Thanks for your letter

So Ellen thinks the Tooth Fairy is Santa Claus?  It's no coincidence that Briley, a friend from SACC, was recently given the exact things Ellen asked for in her letter... Pokemon cards and a binder with plastic sleeves to keep them in.  We told Ellen that our Tooth Fairy only brings money.  Take it up with Molly.

(We decided Molly's sister is also a Tooth Fairy.)

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Lilly can spell her name.  And it's the cutest thing ever.

February 2015

February 6th - KFC - Devo at the Oppermann's

February 14th - Valentine's Day

February 21st - Ladies Brunch at Southern Hills

February 26th - Ellen's Second Grade Program

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Both girls have Valentine's Day parties on Friday the 13th and Teacher Appreciation Week is February 23rd-27th (HES).  Ellen is going to a birthday party on the 14th and Lilly on the 21st.

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Based on the calendar we have an easy month ahead (fingers crossed).

I am supposed to work February 7th and possibly the 21st, told a friend I would cover for her if needed (this was before I knew about the brunch), but I may try to find replacements for both.  I signed up to help but only so I would appear helpful (ha!) - I really have no desire to work on Saturdays.

If Doc McStuffins were giving me a check-up my diagnosis would be tired-itis

We were having a great weekend and then boom! Phillip's car dies (the good car - and the good car isn't supposed to die) and we end up on the side of the road with a trunk full of groceries and two anxious children (this was Sunday night after church, followed by a trip to Walmart).  The upside: we were only about a mile from the house.  Mike Wu rescued us (Phillip's co-worker and friend who lives a few neighborhoods down from us in the other direction).  We transferred the groceries (and the kids) into his SUV and headed home while Phillip stayed with the Murano.  I fed the girls and then we waited.  And waited.  We picked Phillip up around 8:30.  He drove us home and then went back to wait with the Murano because long story short, State Farm's Emergency Road Service could not find a tow company that accepted their motorclub plan.  What?!  After a few more phone calls Phillip set up the tow and because he had my car, was able to drive himself home afterwards.  It was still a late night for the girls but was even later for Phillip.  He didn't get home until 10:00 (more than three hours after the breakdown).  He had a funny exchange with the tow guy that we still laugh about so it wasn't all bad.

After three days of arranging rides (which made for early mornings) and being late to work only to leave early (not surprisingly my job is not sympathetic even when bad things happen to good people), I am worn out.

That being said, I will miss riding with Phillip (we haven't carpooled in years).  We actually talked to each other on a weekday (well, I talked and he listened).  I will miss us both picking up the girls (we only dropped off together one morning but that was nice too).  Lilly loved it.  Mommy!  Daddy!  Mommy!  Daddy!  I will miss having that extra set of hands in the early evenings (Phillip gets home around 6:15 on a good night).

We picked up the Murano after church Wednesday night.  Tony wants to do one more thing to the car on Saturday, something to do with the airbag sensor, but the main issues - compressor, alternator and a few other minor fixes - have been resolved.  It wasn't cheap but it's good being a 2-car family again.

Waiting for Phillip

(I will not miss Brentwood traffic)