Zoology Lesson

Know what this is???

A cantelope!

heeheehee

Big Sister Practice

Ellie has been busy practicing her big sister skills this week. We kept "Baby Abby" some on Tues, Wed and today while Barbara was at work. She's not really a baby any more, since she's 15 months and walking, but that's what E calls her. E was really sweet and shared toys and watched out for Abby when she could. She even helped me get diapers and throw the dirty ones in the trash. Today they were so cute playing together that I snapped some quick pictures.

Abby was following Ellie all over their house and for once E was really patient. After Barbara got home, we all played outside in the pool. Well, I sat there like a beached whale while they played. Tomorrow we are off to the lake. I'll take some more pics then.


**Big Bed Update**
At the risk of jinxing myself, I just wanted to let you know that Ellie loves the big bed. She has slept in it at night and for naps and we've not had any trouble. She still calls me to come get her instead of getting out herself. I'm sure that will not last forever, but I'll take what I can get.

Big Girl Bed

We did it. And I hope we won't regret it. We moved the crib out of E's room and put together her big bed. She is excited right now. Bedtime will probably be a different story. Here she is providing entertainment from the big bed stage.

More Recital Action

Here are a few more shots of E from the recital.

These are the girls she danced with.



She was (and is) VERy proud of her trophy.

Posing with GranJan. She was a flamingo in the show.

Taking a pic with Hannah who was the Cheshire cat.
And with Julia who played Alice.

Dancing Queen

Last night was dress rehearsal for the big dance recital. Ellie did really well. I think she was born for the stage. She was not scared at all and wanted to stay all night. She is excited about going again tonight for the real thing. There is going to be a professional video tonight so we can't take pictures. But I got some good ones last night. In her tap dance she is a "Baby Duck" and for ballet she is a "Dandelion". Both were very cute and not quite together. Hilarious to watch!

Mother's Day 2008

I had a nice Mother's Day yesterday. I can't believe it was my 3rd one. Ellie was born a week after Mother's Day in 2005 so I missed out that year. -Yesterday we went to church and then spent some time with the fam. We had lunch with Davis, Lori and her family. Dinner was at Becca's house with everyone else. We had a fun cook-out and Ellie and Zoe played bubbles and ran around after the rain.



Not sure why, but I look a little drunk here. If anything, it was fatigue. I went to hear SDT play the night before. Here's Ellie's beautiful new dress from Ward and Samm that she wore to church.

Ellie and Zoe playing hard.

The bubble machine was a huge hit.

Trying to catch bubbles in a bucket.

Princess Party

Yesterday we had a family celebration for Ellie's birthday and it was really fun. My brother Davis cooked Beaufort Stew for dinner and I made a strawberry cake with princess decorations.

When I asked her what her favorite part was she said "Blowing out the candles."

I think she has looked forward to that part the most because she has watched so many people do that in the last year or so. She definitely enjoyed the presents too.

A Day at the Beach

Today we finally made it to the beach. It was a really windy and chilly when the sun went behind the clouds. Here's some pics of Ellie playing with my brother Davis and then what happened when we got back to the house.

Family Bonding (and lots of parentheses)

We've been spending lots of time with la familia this week. And there's more to come before this trip is over.

Sunday we had a delicious and very southern dinner (ham, red rice, butter beans, broccoli salad and brown and serve rolls oh, and of course macaroni and cheese) (YUM!!) at my mom's cousin Sharon's house. Her son Austin is my godson and Ellie's favorite older cousin. He is a great kid, super soccer star and aspiring drummer. Here's Ellie hanging out with him.

Monday night we celebrated my brother Ward's 27th (what??!!) birthday. We had quiche and salad and I made a layered taco dip in honor of cinco de mayo. And Ward's Samm made the best guacamole I've had in a long time (besides Melissa's).

Check out our redneck candle. We couldn't find the bday ones so we had to improvise.

The kiddos (and a few taller helpers) played with Ellie's parachute after dinner.
Then there was some (totally normal and not at all redneck) brotherly head shaving in the back yard. That's Ward with the clippers and Tyler is the brave (stupid) one in the chair.
Yesterday Ellie went to gymnastics and dance class and then slept for 3 hours in the afternoon. It was a great day for me.

Today we met the contractor at my mom's house to get some estimates for the work she wants to have done. Then I (finally) went to the eye doctor. We had lunch at my Grandma and Papa's house (fried chicken and pork chops and okra soup). Ward entertained us with some tunes after we ate. If only music cancelled out calories.

Crazy Cousins

Fun in SC

We've been busy girls on this trip. E has done lots of dancing and gymnastics with my mom and I've done some sewing and reading. All around good times. No beach yet, it's been too cold. We went to the Children's Museum. It really is awesome. If you visit here, be sure to check it out. Of course while we were there, the camera battery died so I didn't get any shots that day.

On Wednesday we went to see Tyler's girlfriend's family's horses and other assorted animals on the farm. A good time was had by all involved.

There were donkeys, mini burros, a cat, horses of course (which were the whole reason we went, and I don't have a single picture of them- duh) and a very vain peacock.

Here is is looking in the mirror.

But I think the girls enjoyed the "jumpaline" the most.

E and Z have also had a great time just playing at home. They really get along well.