Spring has (Finally) sprung

The winters are tough with little kids. I know, we are lucky to live in the south where our winters are so much better than other places but still, when it is rainy, snowy, icy and cold and we can't get out and play, we all go a little crazy. This winter was cold again and we two small weather incidents (one day of ice and one where they predicted tons of snow and we got 1 inch of slush). But we still ventured out to make the most of the mess. Sledding on boogie boards is how southerners sled!

 A couple trips down on the "sled" and the girls decided playing dress up inside was more their style. And then "the incident" occurred. We were at our good friends and neighbors house after sledding and I needed to bring Maddie home for a nap and she said that Ella could stay and play with Ellie and their other friend Anne Harrison. We returned after naps for dinner with our friends and then went home. Sarah (other mom) kept saying how good the girls were and how they played so well and were quiet. All was great until the next morning when I noticed something was different with Ella's hair. I was mortified to see bangs! When I asked her about it, she burst into tears and said she was playing hair dresser with Ellie and Anne Harrison and they cut her hair. What?!?! Not ok with mommy. A few quick texts to the other moms to find out, they found a clump of hair on the couch last night while they were cleaning up!! Seriously!! Other two girls were fine and Ella was the only victim. A couple days later, the real truth came out that Ella was in the chair and her friend Elie actually cut it and Ella didn't want her to but didn't want to hurt her feelings by telling her to stop. So, we have had long talks about what to do if someone wants you to do something you don't want to do but for now, we have bangs. Awesome because they grow out so quickly, not.

 This picture actually makes them look much better than they are. They are blunt and won't go back in a bow and pretty much drive me crazy every morning. 

Once the snow and ice melted, we celebrated our sweet MG turning 3! Mike's parents were in town for the big party. We had high hopes of having an outside party at our favorite park but of course, it decided to rain all day that day so back up plan was a pizza party instead. For a last minute thing, it ended up great.

This face gets me every time! 

 Can never get all of us looking at the camera, oh well.

 Ring around the rosy fun

 Our birthday girl had the best time with all of her buddies!

 Finally after all the yuckiness, the weather this week was fantastic and we took full advantage of it. We played outside every chance we got. Walking to playgrounds and swinging in short sleeves is the best ever after a cold winter.

 And playing hard outside makes for one tired girl. This was one day when I was trying to wake her up after a 2.5 hour nap and she was sound asleep. Even with a flash going off in her face, nothing. So, I had to pick her up to wake her. Poor girl would have slept all afternoon.

 But we were late to big sister's ballet and it was observation day. Ella loves dancing more than anything else and has the biggest smile on her face when she is doing it.

Mike went away for 4 days for a guys tennis trip this weekend so it was just me and the girls all alone. They were pretty good most of the time but we are all ready for Daddy to come home. On Friday night, we had movie night (in Christmas pjs obviously!)

I couldn't be more excited about this spring, we have so many fun things planned. Seabrook for Easter, our BIG trip to Disney and the disney cruise end of April and then another beach trip for Memorial Day. We will be busy busy busy this spring but I can't wait! Bring on the sun and warm weather!

Spring Fever

I can't believe it is March 31st and we are finally have warm weather. This winter and early spring have been the pits. I love living in Charlotte because of the mild winters and warm spring temps but this year, Mother Nature has had different ideas. But today is glorious and we are looking forward to permanent warmer weather but not before we remember what we did with this crazy weather!

 We had a small little storm in the end of January that I already blogged about that we thought was big for us but the one that came in mid February was the real deal. It first starting falling in the afternoon and Ella couldn't wait to build a snowman (Frozen, anyone??)

 When we woke up the next morning, the snow was coming down in buckets. Backyard was completely covered.

 So we headed outside in our best hodge podge southern snow gear (aka-had none for MG) and she did not love it at all.

 But big sis had a little better gear and loved the snow and making snow angels.

 My most favorite part of the snow storm was hanging out with our super fun neighbors. We all just went sledding all day and then over to their house for chili and smores. The kids and adults had too much fun, stayed up too late but it was great since we knew there would be no school and work the next day.

 The next morning, there was still tons of snow, so we went sledding again

 And this one was OVER it. Wearing gloves means she can't suck her thumb so she threw off her gloves and preferred to be held instead of getting wet and cold in the snow.

 And finally the last pic from the snow storm, some of our neighbors and their dads made this amazing snowman. I told you we had A LOT of snow!

 In between the cold, snow and rain, we did have a couple days of sun and we took full advantage of them. I should do an entire post on this topic but I haven't been great about blogging lately so when I get a free minute to write, I have to cram it all in.

But I am super impressed and proud of my big girl and how she learned to ride a bike without her training wheels. She was determined to it and she did it. It only took a couple Saturdays and she conquered it.

 A sneak peek inside her weekly ballet class that she loves...

 And soccer season started again, this season she is a green pony!

 St Patty's Day parade (one of our favorite things to do in Charlotte)

 Ella with her soccer buddy, Lambeth waiting for the parade

 Then this happened, she was a little overly excited to go down the slide and almost did a complete flip. She was fine but it was a pretty epic picture.

 Caroline, Lambeth and Ella - best buddies since they 2 and in the same preschool class and so happy they will all be together for another year again next year.

 DeeDee, Papa and Great Grandma came up to visit us last weekend. The girls were so excited to spend time with them and as usual, they spoiled the girls rotten.

 I hope these two are close like this forever, moments like this make me smile.

 Finally, last week Ella had her princess ball at preschool. It was originally scheduled during the huge snow storm and they finally made it up last week. She picked out her own outfit, I would have chosen something else but I just let her go with it and she loved it.

 I took both girls and we met Daddy there and little sis had to go check it out and see what it was all about and get in on the picture action.

 The princesses came out and that was the highlight of her night, dancing with Belle. Thank you preschool for having this and saving us a trip to Disney World.

 And today is 74 degrees so we spent 2 hours at the park, holla! We have some spring fever and are loving it. Cheers to more warm weather and lots more time outside!

January Tidbits

There is pretty much one word that sum up January: COLD! Our month has been bitterly cold, forcing us to stay inside a bunch and also forcing the girls to miss some school days. It has been cold and sunny, cold and rainy and just recently cold and snowy but all together cold. We are ready for spring and warmer temps, that is for sure! I know much of the Northeast have been much colder and snowier so can't complain too much but come, we live in North Carolina! Ok, it is supposed to be in the 60's this weekend, I will take that.

Now, onto what we have done this month:

On, January 2nd, Mike's parents and parents stopped by for the night on the way down to Florida. It was also his Mom's birthday so we baked her a cake and my little sous chef loved decorating the cake for Grandma.

 Mike's grandparents really wanted a picture with the girls but I don't know, for some reason, I don't think Maddie was too pleased here!

 Oh, the pose! Not sure when over the holidays this started but our little comedian, Maddie Grace loves to make people laugh and she did this one time and got the biggest and best reaction from everyone so now it's her "thing." We will say hands on your hips or do you pose and she does this and every time, everyone laughs and tells her how adorable she is and she eats it up and does it some more. She is definitely a little ham and will do anything for a reaction. On this night, they would run around the house and then freeze in the doorway and pose for about 10 seconds and then run some more. Never a dull moment in our house!

 Cold temps means lots of playing inside and just recently, these two have really started playing together. They will play in the kitchen together or read books and it's so much fun watching them play together all on their own!

 In January, she started dance class, ballet and tap. She has done dance camps and asked for awhile to do dance but Mike and I grew up playing sports, I don't know anything about dance. After resisting it for a long time, I finally caved and signed her up and she absolutely LOVES it. The outfit, the bun in her hair, the entire thing she eats it up and can't wait for Friday mornings.

 When the sun does come out, so do we. It is cold but we bundle up and head outside for fresh air. On this day, these two were leading our walk, very scary!

 We love our Carolina Panthers and they did awesome this season and made the playoffs but unfortunately came up a little short. She may be in dance class but her Daddy is still dressing her in her jersey on gameday!

 Monday mornings usually look like this, drop off Ella off at school, head to the gym to work out and then run errands at Target. Someone doesn't like to ride in cart the normal way anymore, she has to ride in the big part, surrounded by groceries.

 On the bike! She has been hesitant with the bike for a little while but lately she has a lot more confidence in riding and asks to ride a lot. Now if we just go without the training wheels...

 My birthday this year fell on a Thursday. It was pretty low key, both girls were in preschool in the morning so I worked out and then met Mike for an early lunch. After picking up the kids from school, we put MG down for a nap and Ella and I snuggled and read books together in her room. I love when I have some special one on one time with my big girl!

 Oh, the pose again...

 Uncle Court got E this beautiful coat for Christmas and she wore it to church. It is still a little big and she has to grow into it but she calls it her princess coat and I have to agree, she does look pretty special in it.

 Last Saturday, Ella and I had a special Mommy/Daughter day where we did some shopping, had lunch and then went to a gymnastics birthday party. I was wearing my sunglasses so she insisted she wears her also.

 I mean, when did she get so big?? Can't believe she will be 4 1/2 soon.

 You all know how much I love and adore the girls preschool, it has been the best! One thing they do is every other week they attend chapel once they are three and bring in a food item each time for the offering. Well, her class was in charge of a mini field trip to deliver the items to the local food pantry and I got to go along and drive some of her friends. It was such a great experience and so important to teach them young to give back to others. I just love her sweet little class.

 Packing up the food...

 And finally, the snow...

The forecasters had been calling for it, the grocery stores were sold out of everything and the kids could NOT wait for the snow to come. It started Tuesday afternoon and fell (very slowly) that night. We maybe got between 1-2 inches but of course the city shut down. On Wednesday, school was closed and Mike worked from home so we played in snow all day.

 Sledding fun...

 After all the work, it is more to refuel with hot cocoa and smores!

 Her first smore and she loved it, mainly the graham cracker!

Thanks DeeDee and Papa for the awesome sweaters, they kept us very warm!

 This morning we woke up to all the snow gone but school still cancelled (that's right, no snow but southerners freak out!) so we had to get out of the house so we went to Monkey Joe's to run around and play. We met some old neighbors there and then went and had lunch, just had to get out.

So, January is coming to a close and February is already starting to look better with warmer weather. 

Plus, a certain little one is turning two this month...more to come on that later!