Speed demons

This Razor go-cart is a big hit on the cul-de-sac.  

Many thanks to friend and neighbor PJ for allowing the girls to ride.  They absolutely love it!  I was apprehensive about letting Lilly get behind the wheel - this thing can go pretty fast - but she is a good little driver.

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Fun fact:  Ellen has new glasses but only temporarily.  She had an issue with her frames that they couldn't fix at the eye doctor's office, we were there Saturday for her eye exam, so they popped her lenses into the same style of frame, just in a different color.  Not sure what I think about the blue but they are growing on me :)

Everything I know about Star Wars I learned from Phineas and Ferb

We had a close-to-perfect weekend.  Here are a few highlights:

Muffins with Mom - I wouldn't normally count Friday morning as being part of the weekend but Muffins with Mom at HES was a great way to get things started.  Even though Ellen was more interested in the muffin than the mom (sad face).

Star Wars - Ellen watched the first Star Wars movie (Episode 4) Friday night for the first time (she asked to watch it out of the blue).  I was surprised at how knowledgeable she was about Star Wars considering it's not a hot topic around our house, although Phillip is a fan (this was a proud father moment for him).  Every time I asked her how she knew who a certain person was or understood what was happening, this coming from someone who knows nothing about Star Wars, she would say from watching Phineas and Ferb.  Apparently they had a Star Wars special and it stuck.  It was a 2-parter :)

The Cleaning of the Refrigerator - This was my big Saturday project and I crushed it.  We took out all of the shelves and bins and washed them as best we could in the kitchen sink.  We wiped out the inside of the fridge as well.  It looks so good!  (Like, really good.)

The Trying on of Shorts - I went to Old Navy on Saturday.  The mission was clear... buy shorts.  Spoiler alert:  I did not buy shorts.  I wear the same clothes all year round but that does not include shorts of any kind - on purpose.  But I decided wearing jeans at Disney World in late May probably wasn't the best idea so I found myself in need of proper summer attire.  I researched the options Friday night while watching a movie that was not Star Wars but one look in that dressing room mirror and I knew I would not be purchasing shorts as planned.  I did buy Ellen and Lilly several outfits so all was not lost.  Conclusion: I will be the woman wearing jeans at Disney World in late May.

Movie x 2 - After shopping for a couple of hours, and a late lunch at Zoe's Kitchen, I went to see Eye in the Sky.  It was really good.  I called Phillip afterwards and told him to check the movie times and see if Batman v. Superman was playing in Spring Hill during the bargain time.  It was so he headed out a few minutes after I got home.  That is our version of teamwork.

Outside Play - We have been spending a lot of time outside lately.  Playing, riding, walking, exploring.  It's been good for us.

Taco Burrito - We went to Lilly's favorite restaurant Sunday after church - Blue Coast Burrito, or Taco Burrito as we lovingly refer to it.  We go there most Sundays but if Lilly had her way we would eat there several times a week.

Walmart - Not always a highlight but a good grocery shopping trip with the family makes me happy.  Just being out together does me good.

Lads to Leader Appreciation Night - I got to see Ellen's puppet show Sunday night at our Lads to Leaders Appreciation dinner (Phillip saw it at convention but this was my first time).  Ellen only had two lines but she did a great job.  We are so proud of her but more importantly, she was proud of herself (she was all smiles after the performance).  We also got to see her painting (she did puppets and art).  So thankful this was a positive experience for Ellen.

Laundry -  Not my favorite chore but it felt good to knock out several loads this weekend.  And it takes up so much time I had to add it to the list :)

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This bag from Target pretty much sums up how it felt to shop (multiple stores!), eat lunch and see a movie without hearing "Mommy" one single time.  Maybe not so much the young part but I definitely felt free.

Birthday tacos and Spring Fling

We celebrated Laurie's birthday at Local Taco two Saturday's ago (April 2nd).  Afterwards we went to Laurie's apartment for the first time (we got to meet her roommate and her roommate's dog).

Later that afternoon we went to Spring Fling, one of Heritage's largest fundraisers.  We didn't stay long - it was cool and windy despite the sun being out.  We mostly stuck to the playground.

The sunglasses weren't enough... Lilly wanted to be "eating" in the picture as well.

A present from one of Laurie's friends #lilsebastian #parksandrec

Spring Fling

Fun day!

Except Phillip and I weren't speaking to one another the second half of the day (our silence continued into Sunday and most of the day Monday) but that's a story for another time :)

Rebel

April 2016

April 1st - KFC Devo

April 2nd - Spring Fling at HES

April 8th - Muffins with Mom at HES

April 10th - Lads to Leaders Appreciation Night at Southern Hills

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I have a ladies devotional at church on the 11th, the men's devo is on the 25th and we will all be attending a fundraising dinner on the 12th for the Wahl's upcoming mission trip to Italy.

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The Kinnard's are hosting a cook out on the 24th for the families with kids in Children's Bible Hour.

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We are all looking forward to my Dad coming for a few days at the end of the month. #granddaddy

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.

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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 :)

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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.

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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.

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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!

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