Summer Lovin

It's hard to believe that it is already August 7th, where did July go? And even harder to believe in less than a week, Ella will be 3 years old! Where did the last 3 years go? In the meantime, we have been having lots of fun and enjoying this hot, sticky summer!

Ella loves picking out her own clothes, no shocker there but lately also loves to pick out Maddie's clothes as well. And whenever they have something that matches, she wants them to dress just alike. Here they are getting ready for our next beach trip sporting their Seabrook turtle shirts.

A couple weeks ago, we went to meet Mike at work for lunch. We met at a spot that has a wishing well and Ella really wanted to throw in her own coin and make a wish. I am sure she wished for more Ariel toys!

After lunch, they love to ride the escalator or "alligator" as Ella calls it.

Can you say diva much? Ella got these new "hipster" glasses at her dance class and she made this pose all on her own. I mean seriously, is she ready for Hollywood and paparazzi or what? And the glasses look even better when you leave the sticker on them!

Last week was a big adventure for us. I drove down to Atlanta with both girls by myself for the first time. Mike had a busy week and we had been trying to find a time to go, so I decided that it was time to make the trip solo. The car rides went pretty well, there were some challenges like bathroom stops and what to do when both girls were crying and I couldn't do anything because I was driving but we made it. And the way home was great actually, mostly because Maddie slept for over 3 hours and Ella got new dvds which kept her pretty entertained.

While we were down there, we kept busy by checking out a children's museum. Uncle Court joined us while DeeDee stayed home with Maddie so she could take a morning nap. Ella had a blast catching fish, shopping for groceries, building blocks and even riding a big tractor.

The girls loved spending lots of time with DeeDee, Papa, Uncle Court and even Great Grammy who was there recuperating after she had a fall and dislocated her shoulder. I think seeing Ella again and meeting Maddie for the first time was the best medicine for her.

Maddie loved meeting her Great Grammy and luckily Maddie is a very laid back baby because even though Grammy's left arm was in a sling, Maddie sat there happy and calm in her lap in her right arm.

One way to beat the hot air is to jump into the pool. Ella is getting more and more brave each time we go to the pool and this day, she kept jumping off the side.

Papa getting some last minute snuggles and kisses from Maddie Grace. And check out that thumb, we officially have a full on thumb sucker and I actually love it. I am sure breaking the habit in a couple years will be brutal but now anytime she is fussy or wakes up in the middle of the night, she just puts that thumb in and immediately settles down.

Daddy definitely missed his girls while we were away. On Saturday, Ella went to Kayla's spa birthday party and this one was a kid only party so we had the rare luxury of only having Maddie so we took advantage and went out to eat.

When we went to go pick up Ella, this was the scene. How sweet are these girls, love them! And yes, Ella immediately had to put on a princess dress for the party.

Future rock n roller!

Below are just some fun pictures from the recent weeks!

Enjoying ice cream after lunch!

I could take pictures of these two all day long. Ella wants to hold Maddie all the time and Maddie takes it all in with a smile on her face!

We went to a splash ground that we used to go to all the time last summer but haven't been to yet this summer. Ella was her normal tentative self in the beginning but then quickly warmed up to it and had a blast.

Happy girl playing inside in the cool AC