Bittersweet Mother's Day Weekend

It has been 3 weeks since I have last blogged and lots has happened since then, some happy and some not so happy. This Mother's Day weekend was definitely a bittersweet one for me. I loved spending time with my girls and Mike but my thoughts were in other places. The previous week, we lost two very special people.

First, my Uncle Dan (who is also my godfather) passed away. He had been in and out of the hospital the past couple months and then most recently spent the last month or so in the ICU. His battle was up and down that last month, some days we were optimistic and other days were tough. Finally, his heart just wasn't strong enough to keep going. My uncle was one the funniest person I have ever known and he usually laughed at his own expense. He also had a huge heart and was a great husband to my Aunt Linda and excellent father to my cousins Ryan and Josh. I went to Houston for his service and it was quite obvious how many people loved him. We will all miss him tremendously. Here are some pictures of him in happier times.

Playing the Ocean Course at Kiawah with my Dad and Mike

Holding Ella when she was only 4 months old

 The day before my uncle passed, I also learned some of the saddest news I have ever heard. Sweet Libby Jones who was only 3 years old passed away from leukemia. Libby battled this awful disease for the past 13 months and inspired so many people along the way. There were t-shirts, bracelets and signs all over Charlotte in Libby's favorite color, pink stating Libstrong to encourage her along her fight. She gave it everything she had but in the end, she went up to heaven where she could be a kid again and play. I have known Libby's mom, Barb since college (we were both Hokies) and met her amazing husband Josh several years ago. Josh actually did the renovations on our new home before we moved in. They are an amazing couple and have handled this experience with such faith and grace, it is truly inspiring and a great reminder how we should live each day to the fullest. I attended Libby's service the day before I left for Houston and there was not an empty seat, truly heartbreaking. Below is a picture of Ella (at age 2) and Libby (at age 1) wearing their Hokie outfits for a big game.

 So, needless to say, my mind was a bit distracted but if anything, both my Uncle Dan and Libby reminded me to be thankful for everything I have and for everyday. I am truly blessed to be the mom to my two sweet girls and love them more than anything.

The week started with muffins with moms at Ella's school and I loved seeing my girl and spending time with just her.

Her sweet class singing us special songs

I loved seeing what they each said their Moms did, apparently I draw her a picture, haha! At least I don't go home and play with chickens like her little friend said!

 A couple years ago, we started a tradition on Mothers Day to go to the greenway with the girls and have lunch and let the girls run around and play. It was another beautiful day in Charlotte for our outing.

 That afternoon, Daddy and Ella even washed mommy's car inside and out which was much needed!

 We also planted our garden for the season and Daddy worked hard on the netting to make sure the squirrels and chipmunks stay away this year and stop eating all of our vegetables. I can't wait until they grow, nothing better than eating something you grew yourself.

 The three days of attending 2 funerals and flying across the country were very physically and emotionally exhausting but I was so happy to come home and hug these two munchkins. Daddy stayed home from work and took such good care of them while I was away. 

Lots more exciting things happened in May so I will blog about those soon. It is officially summer break so we are looking forward to lots of pool and beach days ahead.

Weekend wrap up

Whew, it is Sunday evening and I can barely keep my eyes open but that is thanks to a fun wedding and weekend away. Here is a little background on the weekend. Mike's cousin Jenny and her finance were set to get married this weekend in Connecticut. We were so excited to have a weekend away from the kids since we haven't been away just the two of us since the 2 nights we went to Vegas in September. We were set to drive to Atlanta Thursday afternoon, drop the girls off with my parents and then fly out to Connecticut from there. However, things went a little different when my Mom unexpectably flew to Houston to help my uncle and aunt who were both dealing with some health issues. My Uncle has been in the hospital for a couple weeks after major heart issues but last week, things got very scary and my Mom needed to be there to help my aunt and uncle and therefore was unable to watch our girls. We scrambled last minute and we are so lucky to have amazing friends here in Charlotte that stepped up without a moments hesitation and agreed to watch the girls. Not to mention, they already have 3 girls themselves that are ages 7, 4 and 2, they are saints! So, we switched flights at the last minute and flew out Friday morning from Charlotte. I was a little nervous how the girls would do at drop off and us leaving them since they have stayed with family but never friends before. They did awesome at drop off and all weekend! Tracey and Adam kept texting us pictures of the girls having a blast all weekend which made us feel so much better about going away.

Now, onto the wedding weekend (once we finally arrived, after a long delay on the connection flight and tons of traffic.) We went to the rehearsal dinner Friday night and it was so great to see so many of Mike's family and meet new friends from Andrew's side.

Side note: Ella picked out this outfit for me before we left, she really wanted me to wear the sparkly dress and shoes. I think she did a pretty good job!

 Steph (my sis in law from Seattle) and I trying to perfect the selfie at dinner.

 Then Annie (Mike's cousin and sister of the bride) came over and gave us some tips on how to take a proper selfie!

 Wedding day! It was sunny and gorgeous all day long and then we went into the church at 3pm for the ceremony and came out at 4 and the clouds had moved in. It stayed mostly cloudy the rest of the afternoon but didn't hinder any activities. The reception was at Mike's aunt and uncle's country club in Easton, CT and it was so beautiful. 

 The bride and groom on their first dance

 One more of me and my hot date! Weddings always make me sentimental and I just love them. I can't believe that Mike and I will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary in a couple weeks!

 With the happy newlyweds

 The wedding band was absolutely amazing! One of the best wedding bands we have ever seen and they had everyone on the floor dancing all night! We had an absolutely blast at the reception but the 5am wake up call the next morning for our flight home was brutal. But it was worth it!

It was a fun weekend and we had a great time celebrating with everyone but we were happy to get back to Charlotte today to see our girls. They were having so much fun that MG just kind of looked at us and said hi and went back to playing when we came to get them. Ella also had a blast and loved spending the weekend with her best buddy Wesley. We are so incredibly lucky to have made such amazing friends here in Charlotte who would agree to watch our girls all weekend 2 days before we left. Now, we owe them big time! And we are all feeling very relieved that my uncle is doing much better now than last week and they are hopeful for him to continue to improve. Now, off to bed to try and catch up on the sleep we didn't get this weekend.

Spring Break/Easter Weekend

Last week, the girls had "spring break" from preschool. That's right, they needed a "break" from that all that finger painting and play doh, school is rough for a 2 and 4 year old. So, we took a little trip down to Atlanta on our week off. Papa had a very special treat and got tickets for Ella and I to go to see the Lion King play with him at the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Ella was watching the DVD on repeat and knew every line and song and was so excited to get dressed up for her big night out.

 Her first real play and this one did not disappoint at all.

 Special Daddy/Daughter/Granddaughter night

Inside the theatre taking it all in

 Ella loved every minute of it, she watched every scene and stayed awake and never once said she was tired or wanted to leave. It was a long play, almost 3 hours and didn't end until 10:30 which is very late for her and as soon as we were in the car, she was asleep within seconds. A big thanks to Papa for taking us and having such a special night.

 Unfortunately, the weather that week in Atlanta was not great. Mike drove down on Thursday night to join us and play golf but it was cold and rainy so plan B was bowling. DeeDee stayed home with wild one, I mean MG because we know she would have been everywhere in that bowling alley and a wreck but Ella loved it and it was actually a lot of fun.

 We mixed it up a little bit this year and went to church on Saturday evening and it worked out great. They had a great nursery that the girls went to and the adults went to church. It made for a much less hectic Easter morning. And finally a picture of the 4 of us, we don't have enough of these.

 And speaking of Easter morning, the Easter Bunny got the memo and delivered the girls baskets and treats to Atlanta. "He" made a trail of eggs from the front door to where the baskets were hidden.

 The girls were excited to see the eggs in the morning and start hunting!

 Yay, candy!!

 This girl has a love for chocolate like no one else. She could care less about any other candy or sweets but chocolate, oh yes, she LOVES chocolates.

 My big girl also discovered a new favorite treat, Peeps! That was her absolute favorite candy that the bunny left her this year. Nothing like some marshmallow wrapped in sugar, I mean, what is that even made of?

 They found the baskets!

 The Easter Bunny had a tall task this year. All Ella asked for was Elsa stuff from the movie Frozen. Well, Elsa dresses and pretty much anything Frozen is completely sold out, everywhere. The E.B. went to every Target in town and even stalked the Disney store and finally found an Elsa and Anna nightgown and luckily it was a huge hit and she was worn it every night.

 Yup, she could care less about any of the toys in her basket, she only wanted chocolate, more chocolate.

 And...this is the aftermath of all that chocolate when you tell her she can't have anymore because it is 9:00am and she needs to eat some breakfast first. Full on temper tantrum, pulled and threw her hair bow, dress up and tears galore. Not a pretty picture but it is real life.

 Shortly after that, we all had breakfast and then the weather finally improved and the guys went out to play some golf and I took the girls for a walk and this happened, the aftermath of a sugar high.

 Shortly before lunch, we headed up to my parents club for an Easter egg hunt and to see the Easter Bunny himself. Ella and Ms Laura discussing egg hunt strategy. 

 These two didn't know what to think of the E.B. At first very curious and then a little scared. Maddie wouldn't take her eyes off him all day and but when we tried to go closer, she would give me a death grip.

 Ella was definitely more open and wanted to give him a big high five and thank you for all the great Easter gifts!

 Me and little bunnies on Easter

 Despite the bad weather and tantrums, we had a great week and were so happy to spend time with family and celebrate together. Now, if I could just get rid of all this Easter candy.

Hippity Hoppity

This past Saturday was one of those great days! The sun was shining the perfect shade of Caroline blue, the temps were in the mid 70's, and we had a fun filled day. Ella had a soccer game in the morning and then went and had a special lunch with Daddy while Maddie stayed with me and napped. After naps, we woke up to get ready for our neighborhood Easter egg hunt. There are so many things I love about this neighborhood and one of them is the events for the kids. But before we went over, I had to get pictures of the girls in their matching outfits. As you can have probably seen on this blog before, I am sucker for matching outfits. I know they won't let me dress them like this forever but while I can and they think it is fun, I am going to take advantage of it!

 Credit goes to Daddy for the great looking green lawn!

 This girl and her many faces. She is a natural born comedian and loves to make you laugh so the sillier the better for her. And the even more amazing thing, I got them both standing still long enough for a couple pictures, that's a miracle in itself!

 Then we headed off for the hunt. The kids 3 and under were in the front yard and 4 and over were in the backyard. So, I took MG and Mike took Ella. There were probably only about 5 kids 3 and under so no fighting for eggs (unlike on the big kids side!). Last year, she still wasn't walking at this time and didn't really participate so this year was her first time. It was hilarious to watch. She would check out each egg, put it back if she didn't like the color (she only wanted yellow and pink ones!)

 Oh yippee, a pink one

 And then stop to open it and see what is inside!

 When she realized there was chocolate and candy inside, she got a lot more excited!

 Then she spotted something shiny, the magical golden egg! She LOVED it! She opened it to find a Ben and Jerry's gift card, jackpot!

 This girl is obsessed with my wallet! Wants to play with it all day long pulling all the cards out and putting them back in. So, she grabbed the gift card and said, "Mommy's wallet." Smart girl!

 Daddy went with Ella so there aren't too many pictures of her. There were a lot of kids in 4 and over and Ella was probably the youngest so she didn't get tons of eggs but she was still happy.

 After the hunt, all the kids gathered on the front steps for a picture!

 Love these sweet little bunnies!

Following the hunt, I had a little trick up my sleeve for Mike. His actual birthday is tomorrow but I told him we were just going to dinner with some neighbors of ours for dinner that night but surprised him at the restaurant with a bunch of friends. I think he was surprised and had a good time (maybe a little too much!) So, it was super fun Saturday and we are all so happy it is finally spring and warm weather again!!