Countdown - 2 days

So, there are two days left before school.  I took the day off of work so that Ella and I could play and just enjoy being together.  After we took Mary Catherine and Wesley to school, we stopped at McDonald's and got a bisquit.  We headed to Target to exchange a few things and then to do some shopping for the "Wish List" for the Children's House.  Ella had a lot of fun picking out supplies to give to Ms. Susan.  We then headed over to Academy Sports where she helped me pick out some new running attire for Clint's big race.  So, we were done with shopping at that point and off to the Water Park we headed!

We are totally clueless sometimes and we just kind of realized that Greenville Rec has several water parks in the area :)  Ella and I decided to go to Discovery Island in Simpsonville.  You could tell it was a Monday and that it was the Monday before school because there really weren't that many people there :) 

We got there when the park opened and just kind of took it all in.  She was a little timid at first (as was I), but it didn't take any time for her to get the hang of it and just play, play, play.  There was an area where she played by herself.  We went on the lazy river...a lot of times :)  Then there were 2 big slides.  She isn't tall enough for the yellow one, but she was for the blue one - as long as I rode with her.  She was nervous - I could tell.  She wasn't really sure what to think.  But, we got on the tube and down we went.  She was completely speechless all the way down the slide.  But, as soon as the first ride was over, she said, "We gotta go again."  So, we did.  About 10 more times that day :)  There was a section of the slide where it was covered so it was pitch dark.  Once she got comfortable with the slide, she started getting louder and louder thru the dark part of the slide.  By the end of the day, everytime we went thru, she would scream really loud, "I. CAN'T. SEE. ANYTHING.!!!"  It was soo funny!

As the day went on and on, she got braver and braver. It was just so intriging to watch her. She started going down the slides (the small ones of course, on her belly head first, sitting up backwards, on her belly backwards - any which way you can imagine. Here is a video of her :)

We ate lunch at the park and played until about 2:30 that afternoon.  She was pretty much wiped out.  After we left there, we went to Marble Slab and had some good, yummy ice cream. 

On our way to pick up the other kiddos, we stopped at Family Dollar and picked up some coloring/activity books for Ms. Susan.  She had a big time picking them out and then taking them all into Ms. Susans' office. 

She was exhausted when we got home, but was beaming from ear to ear telling Clint all about it that night.  It was a really AWESOME day. I think I have found us a tradition :)

That night, I had the Kindgarten Preview for parents, so I headed on up to the school at 5:30.  Met up with Nate and Heather, our neighbors whose son is starting kindergarten too.  Other than a few moments of overwhelmness at the water park today, I have pretty much been okay with this whole kindergarten transition.  Well, during the presentation, I started getting choaked up.  I couldn't breath.  The last 6 years started flashing thru my mind and I couldn't believe that Ella is really about to embark on this journey.  But, I held it together, so I was doing pretty good.  Then it was "over" and we got to go to our little stations and meet our kids teachers.  As soon as Ms. Klinkler introduced herself, I cried.  I couldn't even say my name or Ella's name or anything.  I just cried.  She hugged me and assured me it would be okay.  Wow - so much more emotional than I thought I would be!!

Kindergarten bound

It is getting close for Kindergarten - and boy is Ella ready!  I can't say that I am as ready as she is though :)  I am excited for her though, I really am.  She is totally ready for Kindergarten and the new journey she is about to embark on.  I don't think she is scared in the least bit about starting a new school - I think she is too excited to be scared.

A couple of weeks ago, she went to Mimi's for the week for Bible School.  That Saturday, I met them in Commerce so that I could bring her home.  We spent that afternoon at the outlet malls for our first "school clothes" shopping event.  We made it into OshKosh B'gosh and picked out lots of cute stuff.  We then went into the dressing room.  I started out saying, "Now, we aren't going to try on everything, just a few things."  Thirty minutes later, we had tried on everything that we brought into the dressing room and were heading out to find more to try on.  It was so much fun trying on the clothes and watching her reactions.  "This is sooo cute, Mom" or "I don't like this too well" or "This just doesn't fit quiet right" or "I think I need a little bigger size"  or "I totally love this!!"

Then, last weekend, during the tax-free weekend, we went school supply shopping.  (small note:  tax free weekend is totally over-rated.  Don't think it was worth saving a couple of dollars and dealing with all of those people and chaos on the roads and in the store!!).  At any rate, we had a great time.  We had our list printed out and went to Target.  She had a lot of fun picking everything out and checking it off of the list.  She especially had fun picking out her new lunch box, water bottle and sandwich holder. 

Tonight, we made a Kindergarten countdown poster.  We drew the month of August and Ella put stickers all around it.  She is using colored crayon stickers to mark the days as we get closer to August 22nd, the first day of Kindergarten.  The sheer excitement in her eyes as she counted the remaining days left before the first day made it all worth it.  My little girl is growing!!

Belle

Ella was invited to a Princess Tea Party for Tessa's 5th birthday.  She asked that all of the girls come dressed as their favorite princess.  Ella dressed up as Rapunzel.  She had the wand and tiara and dress and was so excited to go.  Everything was so beautifully decorated and it was great to see all of the girls all dressed up in their costumes.  After playing for a bit, they all went into the dining room where they had sandwiches (shaped in little castles and Cinderella's shoes), fruit and had "tea" (lemon aide or juice). 

After they were done with lunch, the guest of honor arrived - Belle.  As Ella put it, Belle came all the way from Disney World to Tessa's birthday party.  Belle was WONDERFUL!  She showed the girls how to hold their tea cups.  She sang to them and then let the girls sing some songs.  She put make-up on the girls (although Ella didn't want to have anything to do with that!)  She read them a book.  She held Tessa while she blew out her candles and then escorted them into dining room for some cake.  It was just so much fun!!

At first, Ella was upset because she wasn't sitting next to Tessa, but then she realized that the name "Belle" was on the name tag next to hers. :)

It was a great morning with some beautiful princesses!

Ella was just so smitten with Belle.  She asked her if she could just stay for "just a few more minutes while Tessa opens just a few presents."  She didn't want her to go, but understood that she needed to get back to the Beast at the castle. 

Ella is my very special princess!! I love her.

Trip to Mississippi

We took a trip home to MS July 4th weekend.  Unfortunately, Ii started out on a bad note.  Maya started having seizures on Tuesday morning and continued to have one every 4-6 hours for the next 48 hours.  She even had 2 in the car on the drive down.  It was awful - but we were so thankful that we had discovered doggie diapers!! Thursday morning at 2:30 AM was her last seizure, so at least things started looking up for us.

The kids had a great time jumping on the trampoline (thanks Heidi and girls for bringing it to Nana and Ei's house!!)

On Thursday, we went to see Granny Ciel.  Of course, Clint was a nervous wreck as the kids ran around her house and dropped crumbs of cookies, fish and crackers all over her floor.  We had a great visit with her, Aunt Cathy and Uncle Gary.  I could kick myself in the hinny for not taking any pictures though!!

Although the kids were utterly exhausted when we left her house, we went out to dad's house that evening.  Jetta cooked dinner - we had some good home-made fried chicken.  Haven't had fried chicken in a LONG time and boy was it good! Ella even enjoyed it :)

It wouldn't be a trip to dad's if we didn't get the riding lawnmower out! What can I say, we are in south Mississippi :)  Mary Catherine didin't want to have anything to do with the lawnmower.

Our plans on Friday took a different turn than originally planned.  We had planned to cook lunch for Granny Ciel, mom and Ei.  But, unfortunately, Thursday night, Granny Ciel got sick and had to go to the hospital.  So instead of cooking lunch, we let the kids relax and nap.  Mom and I went to the hospital to visit her for awhile that afternoon.    Still kicking myself for not taking any pictures!!

Friday night, we visited with BeBe and Lil' Man.  The kids were way passed their bedtimes, but boy did they ever have fun.  Lots of tickles and lots of laughter.  I so wish I would have gotten it on video...we experienced the funniest thing.  As the kids were playing with Lil' Man, Wesley would purposely steal Mary Catherine's blanket and take off running.  Then she would go chasing him, get it back and then head back to Lil' Man.  Then Wesley would do it all over again.  He was taunting her and teasing with her.  Smiling the whole time.  Oh my - they are in for it!! :)

Saturday was a busy day, but a fun day.  We loaded the car up and went down to Hattiesburg to see Taylor, Cathy's oldest, play in a softball tournament.  It was hot, but worth it.  I was so impressed with how well these 8 year olds played!  It was so fun to watch the game.  The kids had a great time too, but who wouldn't love eating pop-sickle after pop-sickle!!

Then we went over to Michelle and Jeremy's and hung out with them for awhile.  The kids had a great time playing with Carter and Cooper.

I am happy to say that Granny Ciel got out of the hospital on Saturday night.  She was tired, but feeling a little better.  I just hate we didn't get to see her again before we headed home. It was a long drive home on Sunday, but well worth the trip!

4th of July picnic

Every 4th of July, Children's House has a family picnic - which we just enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!  The past couple of weeks, the heat has been unbearable, so I was happy to find out that the picnic was going to be held indoors this year (yeah!!)  Ella started planning what we were going to have on our picnic a couple of weeks ago.  We had to have peanut and butter sandwiches in heart shapes, apples, grapes, chips and juice.  So, that is exactly what we had.

 Ella enjoying her sandwich.

 Mary Catherine and her best friend Caleb.

Daddy and Wesley enjoying some laughs together

Girls weekend

Wow - a girls weekend!  What is that?  I can't tell you the last time I went away for the weekend with a bunch of girls!!  Our Life Group leader's graciously opened their lake house to us for the weekend, so 11 of us girls packed up and headed out on a Friday evening for Lake Hartwell.  We spent the weekend talking, laughing, lounging, eating...just a good ol' fashion girls weekend.  I did 4 things that I can't remember the last time I had done 1)  Stayed up way too late (like after midnight!!) 2) giggled so hard, I cried  3) slept in until 8:30 AM two days in a row!  4)  went tubing (do I think I am still in my 20's?!). 

So, I really wanted to tube, I must admit.  I had pretty much talked myself out of it though.  Jessica and Tobie went first and they looked like they were having so much fun.  The laughs and screams that were coming from the raft were hysterical.   And even though it looked like a lot of fun, I was like...no, I am too old for this.  Amy and Lisa went next, and of course, looked like they had a blast.  Tara didn't hesitate about going, so I thought, well, why not?!  So, I did and boy I was glad I did.  It was so much fun!  I was amazed at how well the tubes are made these days compared to the old one's.  We never fell out; although there were a couple of times I thought we would.

 All dressed up ready to go out to eat...without kids!!  We went to a nice seafood restaurant on the lake.  The funny thing was after being on the dock all day and on the boat all afternoon, we all still felt like we were swaying back and forth during dinner. 

It was a fantastic weekend - already looking forward to doing it again :)

Talking

It's amazing how much the kids are talking "about" these days.  Ella can still surprise me with the questions she asks or the things she talks about.  She has turned into quite the negotiator - or at least she tries.  She conviced MC about a month ago to watch something other than "Go Go Go" and as part of the deal, MC could sleep with Ella's pillow pet.  The other day as we were driving home, the same conversation sounded like it was about to take place.  Ella in her calm voice laid out the negotiation. But this time, MC didn't fall for it.  "No", MC replied, "I have my own pillow pet."  Ella tried again, but this time, offering her Tinker Bell pillow instead.  MC very quickly said, "I have my own Tinker Bell pillow, too."  Quiet funny.  The other night as we were reading, we realized that she no longer was saying "Hot hair balloon" she actually said it correctly.  Bitter, sweet.

Mary Catherine is continuing to blossom. There are times when she doesn't have much to say and other times, she is unstoppable. Here are some of my favorite words/expressions that she is saying now.

Yea-u (this is yellow blanket)
Pink Moe (this is her pink blanket)
i-cycle (bycicle)
Give me to it (Give it to me)
I can't feel good (I don't feel good) or I can't like it (I don't like it)
Wes-wee (Wesley)
(I don't even know how to type it, but it is her word for Car.  She sounds really country and it almost sounds like she is saying "cow")
Finger-tails (Fingernails)

Wesley - well, all I can say is WOW!  The boy has a vocabulary.  For 19 months old, I think it is a bit crazy with how many words he knows.  He is even putting some words together now too.  The other night, when he got out of the bathtub, he turned and looked at the water and said "Bye bye wa-wuh".  Some of my favorite words he is saying...

Mommy (of course...but it is also the inflection in his voice)
Mon-key
bubbles
El-la
h-see (for sah-see, which is the pacifier...remember, Ella called it a sah-see,  of course that is what we still call it.  Wesley has changed it a little)
Mo-a peas (more please)
milK  (I capatlize the K b/c of how he stresses the K sound when he says it)
baa-ket (blanket)
gapes (grapes)
wuuh-you (love you)
Night-night guls (night night girls)
sis-er (Sister.  Bless his heart, he tries so hard to say Mary Catherine - but it is just too much to say) :)
ha-woh (hello)

LOVE THEM!!!