Life Lately

I recently read on a blog about an organization called Cards for Hospitalized Kids...and it sounded like something we would happily contribute to.

One night while Eric was working we broke out all of our coloring supplies after dinner and got to work. 

Some of the cards we sent. I loooved doing this and would love to do this several times a year.

Elle and I ran into Target on our way to Connor's 1st birthday party to pick out his gift. And of course we hit up Starbucks on our way out.  Eric was in the car with Oliver and they happened to hit the Starbucks drive-thru while we were inside. Cakepops and coffee for everyone.

After the birthday party we came home and got ready to leave for a trivia night.  Eric's parents were coming over to watch the kids for our night out.

Why is it that right before we leave for a RARE night out I can't bear the thought of leaving them and don't even want to go anymore? I mean, I always have fun once I'm out but my heart belongs with these babies.

The cutest little dude man is starting to transition out of his booster seat and into a regular chair at meals.

I was cleaning and folding laundry and walked by Oliver's room to find these two in his bed and Elle "reading" his favorite book to him.  She has it memorized!

Sitting in the school drop off line.  The second we pull into the parking lot to wait in line she gets out of her seat and sits up front with me.  We listen to the Moana soundtrack and hold hands and I tell her I love her a thousand times.

Speaking of the Moana soundtrack we have been listening to it on REPEAT. I am certain that for the rest of my life when I hear one of the songs I will immediately be taken back to winter of 2017.

Girlfriend had some birthday money she hadn't spent so we went to Target and came home with 2 new babies.

This boy has a Toy Story obsession!

For Catholic Schools Week at Elle's school she got this cute little PBJ bracelet.

My fancy girl :)

She has hit the point where she wants to wear "summer clothes" all the time. It is a struggle to get her in a long sleeve shirt and pants.  The second we get home she wants to change into a dress/shorts/tshirt. 

She set up her own little store in the playroom one night...Eric and I were in the living room and she came in and hugged my leg and said "I'm sad...no one is coming to my store".

We all got our shop on after that. :)

In the picture below she is taking a picture of me with her phone...my old one.

This horse stable that Unc and Aunt Paige got her is amazing and has so many little detail pieces. So it is a toy that is stored in her closet and I get it down whenever she wants to play with it. She sits at the dining room table to play so Oliver doesn't take/hide/destroy every piece.  This table has become the place she plays with big girl stuff that we don't want Ollie to get into...legos, puzzles, magnet dolls, etc. And after she is done playing everything goes right back into the closet...this way my OCD heart knows all the pieces stay together. 

Elle, Oliver and I baked some pinkalicious pink cupcakes for the Super Bowl.

Some Monday morning painting.

And then we headed to the park.

I love how Ollie leans forward in the swing!

And this boy has no fear of slides...Elle still has a tiny bit of fear but Oliver just climbs right up and slides down without even thinking about it. 

There is nothing better than getting little glimpses of Spring!!!

Sweetheart Dance

On Saturday Elle and Eric had their first daddy/daughter Sweetheart Dance.  I think I was just as excited as they were!

Saturday morning we started by testing lipstick colors and painting her nails while her date went to go get his haircut.

As I was doing her nails she told me we should open a shop by our house and I could do peoples nails and she would do their hair...that way we could work together! :)

After a lap nap we started the process of getting ready.

Also known as one of my favorite days of my life to date!

Straightening iron...curling iron...makeup...lipglosses...and Oliver whining to be held.  It was pure magic! haha

As far as makeup goes we stuck with a pinch of blush and a swipe of each of her Frozen lipglosses.

When in doubt...add more lipgloss.

Oliver was in awe of how beautiful he looked.  He wanted all the hugs and kisses!

My gorgeous baby girl. :)

She wore her necklace MawMaw and PawPaw bought her in Ireland.

And then Eric told her he thought something was missing.  She was like, "mommy...can you believe Daddy thinks we are missing something?!"

And he pulled a perfect pink corsage from the fridge...girlfriend was in LOVE with it!

She looks so little and so big all at the same time.

This is about the time I started holding back all the tears.

#hugelumpinmythroat

I mean...I can't even stand the cuteness!!!

A picture with my baby before she heads out the door. 

While Eric and Elle were at the dance, Ollie and I had a super exciting night at Schnucks.  As soon as I put him in the cart he started saying "sissay"...like he just remembered she wasn't with us.

As soon as Elle and Eric got home girlfriend filled me in on allll the details.

Hopefully she is always excited to have me help her get ready for dances...and equally excited about sharing the details of her night. :)

Craziest Weekend Ever

January had a pretty crazy (and fun) weekend for us.

We started by heading to Columbia on Saturday for a Mizzou basketball game. Our annual trip is less about the game and more about Elle having a chance to see Truman. She was so excited!

We loaded the bus to take us to the stadium and just riding the bus tipped off this girls excitement. Riding a bus...on her way to see Truman...big day!

She was looking out the window and I heard her whisper to herself, "I can't believe this is happening!"

To Truman's house we go!

Baby tiger.

Once inside Oliver ran over to this glass window and Elle gasped when he did, sweet thing thought he was going to fall through!

He looks like a well-behaved little boy sitting in his seat watching the game...but looks can be deceiving. :)

The big moment...Truman time!

He was greeted with a big hug by his #1 fan!

Oliver was not a fan.

Elle is about two months older than Oliver in this picture. She has always had this crazy love for this tiger and as of now that has not been passed on to her brother!

She was excited and a little bashful to get her picture with the Golden Girls.

MIZ Cookies and Cream!

Dip n' Dots are the primary reason Ollie and I attend the game.

Silly faces...I LOVE Elle's silly face!

After the game we went out for a super yummy dinner (where our kids were complimented by 2 different families on their great behavior....took that compliment with pride...and fear that they would soon turn to little monsters right before their eyes!) then checked into our hotel and hit the pool!

The next morning we had breakfast at the hotel then killed time in WalMart waiting for Mary to get to Columbia.

Oliver was looking at the toys and came across the game Operation and was terrified of the buzzer!

So once Mary got to Columbia we told Eric goodbye, loaded into her car and me, Mary and 4 kids hit the road for KC for a couple nights at Great Wolf Lodge!

We have arrived!

So thankful to be out of the car!

After some exploring we checked into our room and immediately got in our suits to hit the pool!

Cutest little mermaid ever!!!

Oliver insisted on donut time before pool time...I get it. 

Howling in the Wolf Den.

After swimming we cleaned up, got cozy in our jams and ordered food to our room...then hit up the dance party!

Super shy at first.

Oliver clearly doesn't understand the correct way to wear his wolf ears. ;)

And then my baby boy decided to go up to alllll the ladies and dance with them.

And Elle decided to throw in some somersaults.

After the dance party they had story-time then Wiley Wolf came out to see everyone.

I was so proud of Elle, she made friends with some little girls sitting near her. I can tell school is turning her into a social butterfly.

Bedtime in the Wolf Den.

The 3 of us all slept on this twin bottom bunk...let that sink in.

Day 2 we were up and ready for more swimming! The Hylton's got to the pool first so Elle, Ollie and I climbed the tunnels and did some exploring.  All was fun until that big green bucket poured water all over us. Both my babes wanted out of the tunnels after that. :)

The 3 of us pretty much stayed in the kiddie pool, which was perfect for us.

After swimming we headed to TRex Cafe for lunch.

This was the only dinosaur my kids were ok with.

This large TRex was moving and Elle had me keep repeating to her that it was just a robot. :)

So we found the way to making your kids behave at a restaurant...take them somewhere where they are scared the entire time. It ensures everyone stays in their seats and fairly quiet!

Both would jump in my lap anytime the dinosaurs started moving...which was just about every 15 minutes.

On the plus side Elle loved her lunch! Ollie didn't touch his. :)

After lunch it was most definitely nap-time!

Parts of our trip were chaos...this captures it perfectly.

After naps we went to the arcade!

Then to the gift shop so everyone could pick out a new toy.

Elle picked a unicorn and Oliver picked 2 new "guys"

We ate leftovers from lunch and the night before in our room and then got in our pj's and headed downstairs for night 2 of story time. 

The next morning we started the loooong ride home. 

The 2 little's fell asleep after we stopped for lunch but Elle and Henry were wide awake in the backseat rotating between having fun and fighting. ;)

I think next year we will be bringing Nick and Eric along for the fun. :)