Our Week

When the sun shines down and that Carolina blue sky appears, we are sure to be out and about soaking up that warm finally spring is here to stay weather. And that is just what we did last week, although we did have to retreat one morning when some April showers (and wind and thunder) came. One of my favorite things about Charlotte and where we live is all the parks that are so close. We went to one last week that was only 10 minutes from our house but we haven't been to. It is a great park and even has the nice rubbery pellets on the ground that look like dirt but a lot cleaner and softer if you fall. Ella found the bunny ride and couldn't wait to climb up. This is one of my favorite things to do, meet friends in the park about mid morning after I have gone to the gym and then play and then go out for some lunch. This time we met 2 friends there who each have 2 girls so 3 adults and 7 girls under 4 for lunch is quite an adventure. But before we went off to lunch, down the tunnel slide.

We also like to try and get some fresh air after dinner when Daddy comes home. The sun is going down so it is a little bit chilly but the perfect after dinner and before bedtime activity. Sometimes we bike ride, sometimes we just open the garage and play and sometimes we ride around in the wagon. We looked back to find our little girly girl had unzipped her sweatshirt and was wearing Daddy's hat backwards!

This week, we also did some babysitting for two of our best buddies, Kayla and Allie or "kawa" and "Owie" as Ella says. They live next door and are pretty much Ella's older sisters, she adores them and they are so sweet to her. The other morning when she was waking up in her crib, Mike and I could her saying over and over, Kayla, Allie, Kayla, Allie.

Kayla and Allie's Mom and Dad had a date night so we watched the girls and of course built a fort! Well, Mr. Mike built the fort for them, first on the couch but it wasn't big enough, so we moved it to the playroom so we could add more pillows and blankets.

Like, I said, Ella adores them and they are so cute and patient with Ella.

Giving each other a hug and then bursting out into laughter! We are definitely lucky to have them living right next door.

Saturday morning, the rain blew in with wind and thunder and so we had to take the party inside. Back to our favorite indoor musuem and what is so great is that everytime we go, we discover something new and different to play with. This time, we found a different water table, perfect for splashing and making a huge mess that I didn't have to clean up.

And because we are in Charlotte, no musuem is complete without a racecar. I think she might be the next Danika Patrick if only her feet would reach the pedals.

This picture cracks me up because she is waving out the window, like she is doing her victory lap and waving to all her fans!

This week, we also found a new place in the house, timeout. However, I don't think she quite got the concept since she thought it was a game to keep hitting all the buttons on the tv and then run and sit in timeout without being told and repeat it. And by the look on her face, I think she is enjoying it a little too much!

When the sun came back out after the storms, we of course went back to our new favorite park. Ella watching and trying to be like the big kids and hang from the bars, luckily for her and me, her arms aren't quite long enough yet!

Finally, no week is complete without at least one picture of Ella and Dakota. This was taken after much torturing by Ella to sit in Dakota's bed, grab Dakota's collar, trying to strangle, I mean "hug" Dakota and you get the idea! Like timeout, someone was enjoying it a little too much.

And the week was actually topped off yesterday with an Easter Egg Hunt but that definitely deserves it's own post and I haven't downloaded those pictures so more on that later in the week.

And finally, a special congratulations to our good friends Katie and Dean (Katie and I worked together at Bank of America) who had a little baby girl on Mike's birthday, April 8th. After a rough first week of life, Emma Kathyrn got to finally come home on Saturday with Katie and Dean and I know they are thrilled to have her home. We can't wait to meet to her and have another new playmate for Ella.

What do you do on a cold February weekend?

You take the party and fun inside! And that is exactly what we did last weekend. Ella and I took Daddy to see Ella's new favorite place, Discovery Place Kids. It is the new children's museum that we joined and Ella loves it! The only problem is, she can't decide what to do next or what area to play in. There are so many choices! Trying out the balance beam first! Unfortunately, I think her dream of an Olympic gymnast might not happen given her height! Time to ride in the convertible and make a deposit at the bank! She was fascinated by the tube going back and forth with the money!

I am not sure if she likes the money more or the hot red convertible!!

One area we literally had to drag her away from was the giant water table. Unfortunately, I think she spilled more water all over her and the floor than actually made it back in the table.

I think she thought it was bath time when you can just pour buckets and cups of water all over yourself. But the water spilling and splashing all over didn't bother her one bit. I can't wait until summer so we can spend lots of time at the pool!

Finally, one last picture for Papa and DeeDee! Ella is ready to ride on a dolphin at Seabrook!! Not sure if she loved this part too much.

After a fun filled morning where she literally ran from one exhibit to another, we were all hungry for some lunch and what better place than Ella's (and ours) favorite, Chick-fila. After eating some yummy chicken and fries, we headed over to the playland. Ella was such a big girl and climbed all the way to the top and was ready to head down the slide.

Here she comes! Don't you know, all the cool kids ride on their stomachs. I wish you could see her smile, she was laughing and squealing and having such a good time.

Then Daddy came down after her and I think their expressions say it all.

Such a fun way to spend Saturday morning on a cold, dreary February day. We are definitely dreaming of warmer weather but until it comes, we will have to find more fun things to do indoors. And that was only Saturday, Superbowl party pics to come soon. Finally, a big happy shout out to one of my oldest and best friends, Amy, who had a precious baby girl today in Dallas. Abby Elizabeth Minton is here and Ella can't wait to meet her newest little buddy soon!

Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My!!

Well, maybe not lions and tigers and bears but we did see some pretty fun animals at Lazy 5 Ranch. It is part petting zoo, part African Safari and we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and head out there last Friday with some friends. We took a carriage ride around the Ranch and got to feed lots of different kinds of animals. It was a wild experience and Ella was not fazed at all, she loves animals! Off we go!!

The animals literally come up to the wagon to get the food but they are so calm.

The horned elk

The potbelly pig which was actually super cute!

And her little piggies, just born 2 weeks prior, so adorable:)

The water buffalo were definitely the most interesting/disgusting animals we came across, they would just open their mouths for you to feed them. And they had this crazy long tongue that would curl up.

The zebra and the lama, just hanging out together.

One of my favorites were the giraffes, it was amazing to just see these amazing animals living just outside of Charlotte. This fellas name was Fred!!

Feeding Fred!

I think the zebra was jealous of all the attention the giraffe was getting so he came over to the wagon to say hello!

The rhino getting a suntan. The rhino did have to be separated from the rest of the animals because she is a little more aggressive so he didn't come over to the wagon for food.

Finally, before we left, we visited the kangaroos. We waited there for awhile to see them jump but they didn't move. But they sure were cute! After we came home from Lazy 5, we went down to Atlanta to surprise my Mom for her birthday and spent the weekend down there. We had so much fun that I didn't even get a chance to take a single picture. But I want to wish Mom(DeeDee), a very happy birthday. Thanks for everything you do and always being there when we need you and thanks for babysitting Saturday night so Mike and I could go out with Court and Jennifer.