Mommy's Day and a little bit more

We had such a great a fun Mother's Day weekend and Mike and the girls certainly spoiled me rotten. These past 3 months have been hard. Having a newborn and a little girl going through some terrible two's can lead to some very long and challenging days and nights. But then there is a moment when Ella comes in my bedroom all smiles in her cute pjs and says, "Happy Mothers Day" or Maddie gives me a huge smile and somehow it makes it so much better.

Mike and I actually started the weekend with a rare date night and it was perfect! We would love to have more of them but they are pretty difficult right now since bedtime routine is pretty much a two man job right now but I know things will settle down soon and we will have more.

Saturday was a gorgeous day so the four of us headed out for a walk and lunch on a new greenway that was just completed in Charlotte. It is pretty neat since it winds right through Charlotte and has some fun ponds and restaurants to stop by along the way. Being a Mom is hard but these two little girls melt my heart and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sunday morning after my good morning from Ella, Daddy and Ella made me some homemade waffles complete with fresh strawberries. Check out my little Betty Crocker mixing up some batter.

While they were cooking, Mommy got to enjoy some Starbucks and hang out with this little one. How can you not smile when you see this sweet face and big blue eyes. I could eat her up!

 And the goodies didn't stop there. I received a beautiful calla lily plant and a new kindle fire (which I am already obsessed with!) Plus, we ordered some yummy dinner and Mike made me an amazing dessert, a nutella and strawberry crepe topped with powered sugar and whipped cream. Come on, doesn't that look amazing! Plus, a glass of red wine completes it!

If you see on the table in the background, that is what Ella "made" for me from school. Isn't it so sweet, it's a prayer and picture of Ella sitting with praying hands.

Unfortunately after all the fun from Mother's Day, we all got a little sick the next week. Mike got a bad cold, I came down with a bad stomach bug and Ella got a high fever for a couple of days. We were all out of commission for a couple days but by Sunday, we were all better and ready to get out of the house and run around and enjoy the beautiful weather. We had a picnic dinner at the park and then ran around and kicked the soccer ball. Ella was having a blast running around kicking the ball and scoring goals!

 And score! She is ready for the World Cup.

I mean, don't all future soccer stars play in Vineyard Vines dresses and Ariel flip flops?

And in typical almost 3 year old behavior, after playing soccer for a little bit, she was done and ready for something different. This time, she wanted to climb the tree!

We are having a very bitter sweet week this week as Ella's preschool comes to an end for the summer. I can't tell you how much we have LOVED her preschool, the teachers and her new friends she has made. Ella has grown so much over the past 9 months and I know school was a large part of that. 

Ella with her sweet teachers, Ms Anne and Ms Ginny

 I can't believe how much bigger and older she is than when she started in September. There is no more baby left in her, just big girl!

 Daddy even got to escape from work for a little bit to come join in the end of year party fun!

They each got an adorable sand bucket with their names on it and got to eat pizza on the playground! We actually decided to go to a different preschool than most of our neighbors and didn't know anyone when we started and I think that was definitely for the best. She has made such sweet friends and really been able to become so much less attached.

Her teachers are the best! I could never imagine being with 10 two year olds all the time but they are so great and patient and the kids all adore them!

Check out their fun playground and swings!

Weeeeeeeee!

 And I love seeing the interaction between Ella and her friends! She has a special place in her heart for her very first boyfriend Wyatt! These two are so adorable and talk about each other all the time, it is too cute! The teachers were telling me they were blowing kisses to each other day at carpool, ha!

I would say he is pretty cute first boyfriend, huh?

Ella with one of her other best buddies, Lambeth! What is funny about this picture is right after they were laughing and smiling, they starting fighting over something. Yup, they are still 2 going on 3 year olds!

 Maddie Grace really enjoyed herself as well during the party! She was a dream and slept the entire time. I can't wait for her to start in a couple of years as well.

We are so sad for her first preschool year to end but what an amazing year it has been! So grateful it went so well and can't wait for the 3 year old 3 day a week class next year.

We are off for our first family adventure together since Maddie has been born. We are going to Seabrook on Saturday for a week with Dee, Papa, Uncle Court and Laura. I can't wait to get away and have fun but also super nervous about traveling with 2 little ones. I am sure we will have lots of pictures to post after. Happy Memorial Day!

Routines

Life continues to move forward at a fast and furious pace for us. I can't believe this little one will already be 11 weeks tomorrow. I could just eat her up with all of her smiling and cooing. With each new day and week, we are slowly starting to get into new routines.

Any parent can tell you how important it is to establish routines and we are definitely no different. We had routines set into place in the beginning with Ella and she certainly thrived being on a schedule. That being said, having some flexibility and being able to go with flow in certain circumstances is also important. So, we are working on putting Maddie on a schedule but also understanding that we have an almost 3 year old that can't be confined at home all day while Maddie naps and some days Maddie can't be fed at the exact time she wants because I am taking Ella to preschool, etc. On days when the stars align and we can do both, it is a great day!

This weekend, we did a little of both and weekends are definitely easier to coordinate with 2 people at home. We watched Mike play soccer, he is number 5 on the red team fyi. Ella and I used to go and watch all the time but this season has obviously been more challenging but we made it to a couple of games.

Little miss Madeline Grace enjoyed watching her Daddy play soccer and was actually awake for the entire time we were there. I think she is going to be a soccer star one day!

She is trying so hard to find her thumb to suck. Her hands are always by her mouth.

And while Maddie and I enjoyed watching the game, this is how big sis spent the time, sleeping. As Maddie starts getting into routines, our big girl is fighting routines and trying to break them. We are going through what I would like to call Nap War 2012. At the ripe old age of 2 years and 9 months, she has decided that she doesn't want to nap or stay in her room for nap time. We have the same routine, read books, sing songs, etc and most days she will stay in her bed and sing and play for a little bit before coming out with the million requests. She has to go potty or get a sip of water or who knows what. We play this game on and off for awhile until it's finally too late and I sadly realize there will be no nap that day. No nap would be one thing if she didn't need the sleep anymore but she does. Case in point, the day we went to watch Mike play soccer, she wouldn't nap but the minute we were in the car on the way, she fell asleep in 2 minutes and slept for 45 minutes proving she is exhausted.

So, she naps in carseats or on late afternoon stroller walks but in the comfort of her own bed, no way! It's not everyday but it's about 50/50 these days and the only person that needs Ella to nap more than her is me. I need some time to recharge when I don't hear "Mommy" every minute. So, I am going to continue to battle this one and hope that she realizes that naps are a good thing I mean come on, I wish someone would put me down for a nap everyday, I know I wouldn't fight it.

Even though she is driving me crazy with no napping, is there really anything sweeter than a sleeping baby/toddler?

This weekend, we also had a big Cinco de Mayo meets Kentucky Derby party with a lot of the neighbors. They pulled out tents and tvs to watch the derby while munching on delicious Mexican food.

The weather has turned H-O-T so it is time to pull out the inflatable pools and bathing suits. The kids could obviously care less what holiday or sporting event it is as long as there is a pool and water to cool you down.

And in between the soccer games and parties, there was time to just hang out at home. I can't get over how big and grown up Ella looks next to her baby sister.

And this little one is growing like a weed also and is so alert these days. I think she is going to be nosy rosy just like her big sister.

Double sister smiles!

I can't wait to dress them in coordinating and matching outfits. Yes, I will be one of those moms, at least for as long as they will let me. This week to school, Ella wore her new whale shorts that Uncle Court gave her and so I dressed Maddie up in her whale outfit as well.

Ella was not happy about posing for a picture, can you tell?

Just relaxing and hanging out before heading out for the day.

I hope more good routines continue and the bad ones change quickly. If anyone has any tips on getting Ella to stay in her room and take a nap, please please let me know, I am desperate! Otherwise, hope you all are having a great May and enjoying this beautiful weather and sunshine!