Ellie turns 5--American Girl Style

For Ellie's  birthday this year, we opted out of doing a big party and decided to take little family getaway instead.  So last Friday after school, we loaded up and headed to St. Louis!  That morning before school we ran into Walmart to get cookies for her class and a birthday doughnut.  We don't really eat donuts very often and Ellie took 3 bites of this one!  But she had a great day at school and was SO excited when all of us picked her up and headed north.

I knew the way to Ellie's heart was American Girl, so we planned the weekend around going to the AG Store and everything we could do in our time allowed.  We have been once before (right before Miller was born) but this trip was even better!  Since we were celebrating a pretty big birthday, I planned a few surprises for her once we were there.  We didn't eat in the Bistro last time, so I managed to get us a reservation and even planned a little birthday party.  It was definitely the highlight of the trip for both of us.

We stayed in a hotel about a mile from the Chesterfield Mall.  Friday night once we arrived, we went straight to the mall.  We walked around the AG store for a few minutes while waiting to eat at the Cheesecake Factory.  Miller loved the store as much as sissy!

 This girl and her "noodles"...

 After dinner, we went back into the mall to walk around and play.  We rode the carousel...

 The Choo CHoo...

  And Ellie did the spider jump!

After we'd had enough mall games, we headed back to the hotel for the night.  Traveling with little ones is never easy.  Our kids sleep in their own beds (for the most part) and Miller has been in his crib since he was two weeks old.  I just don't do well having him sleep in the same room as me.  Which means...hotel sleeping is interesting!  We learned while at the beach last summer that the pack n play fit in the bathroom.  It was dark, we turn on the fan...and BAM we had an extra room for Miller man.  So on this trip after we finally got him settled down and sleepy, he slept great all night in his little room.  The only downfall to him tying up the only bathroom is when someone has to use it!  Ellie NEVER wakes up to potty in the middle of the night...but wouldn't you know she did that night.  So at 1:45 am we threw on our shoes and headed downstairs to potty in our PJ's.  Always interesting and NEVER dull with our crew!

The next morning we were up around 7:30 and headed downstairs for breakfast.

After we were all dressed and ready to go, we checked out of the hotel and headed to the mother ship to begin our BIG day!

Our surprise lunch reservation was at 11:15 so we decided to arrive at the store right when they opened at 10.  That was a great decision because we were able to get a close parking place and a spot at the doll salon with no wait.  We shopped and shopped and had a ball!

Kit had her hair braided...

 And we walked around and found a few goodies to bring home with us!

Thanks to quite a few sweet family members, Ellie purchased the "snack cart" for her dolls and a hair styling accessory kit.  Both are precious and she was so so excited to have them.  She is super protective over them and has played with it non stop.  

 She got new Pj's for herself and for her doll from Mommy and Daddy.  She of course had to sleep in them the night we got home!

After our shopping spree, it was time for our Bistro lunch!  Daddy and Miller opted out of joining us which really was for the best.  I was able to direct all of my attention to Ellie and Miller had a blast in the kids play area at the mall.  I had told Ellie that morning that we were eating at the Bistro but did not tell her that I had booked the "Deluxe Birthday package" so that was another fun surprise!

We each got a drink, a small plate appetizer and an entree.  The package also came with the cutest and yummiest birthday cake!

As soon as we were seated, they gave Ellie and Kit matching birthday crowns, a high chair,  and a cup and saucer that we got to take home with us.  We also got to take home the napkin ring/hair bows.  They really do it up right at the American Girl Store!

  Such a big 5 year old...

 I got the fruit kabob for my small plate... and E had soft pretzel bites.

She of course ordered the "butterfly pasta".  Look at that face.  She was just so happy to be there.  But then again...so was I.

The BEST day with my girl.

Our sweet waitress made a big announcement throughout the entire Bistro announcing Ellie's 5th birthday and everyone sang!  So fun!

She then sliced the cake for us and brought us ice cream in little flower pots.

And finally, she brought Ellie her goodie bag full of fun American girl treats.  Kit got a birthday celebration t-shirt, an American girl balloon, a shopping bag just her size, and stickers.  Everything was so cute and special.  The perfect celebration for our sweet girl!

After lunch we took a potty break and I had to snap a picture of this.  Doll  hangers in the bathroom!  They've thought of it all!

 After we said goodbye to our beloved store, we walked over to meet Daddy and Miller at the mall and then headed to the Magic House Children's Museum for more fun!

We LOVED the Magic House on our last trip and stayed almost 4 hours.  We didn't stay quite as long this time because everyone was wearing thin, but we still had fun and got to check out a few new things that weren't there the last time.

Not 5 minutes after we hit the road to head home, these poor babies were OUT.  Such a fun, fun trip celebrating our big FIVE year old!

Miller Man

Oh Miller.  Where do I begin?  First of all, you are 20 months old!  How can that be?  You are now closer to two than one, and that is just so hard for me to believe.  You are a sweet sweet sweet boy.  You LOVE your mommy.  But you love daddy and sissy too!  You talk up a storm.  We are constantly amazed at how many words you know and how well you talk.  I honestly did not expect you to be a big talker for a few reasons.  First...you sister never stops talking and I figured you'd never get a word in.  Second, you're a boy and I just assumed you would be a little slower.  This was such a pleasant surprise because I absolutely love your sweet little voice!  You eat just like your sister now...unfortunately.  Once again, it is very frustrating but I am trying to be patient and keep introducing you new and different foods.

You are MOODY and have quite the temper.  You have this head banging thing when you are tired or frustrated and you still throw food and cups when you are mad or finished eating.  You are sleeping better and nap once a day.  You are the best little cuddler and love to be held.  You love Barney just like sissy did (does) and Thomas the Train.  You are obsessed with any type of ball, trains, cars, trucks and blocks.  You play great with all of your toys and are becoming more and more independent each and every day.

You got your first haircut last week on your 20 month birthday.  I had to hold back the tears!  I knew you were waaaay overdue, but it was still hard!  Now I love your little hair and do think it looks so much better.

You love to snuggle.  My favorite time of day with you is early in the morning before sissy is awake.  You just lay so still and quiet with me while you drink your milk and watch baby class.  I hope you want to snuggle like this forever!

Even though I am still trying, you don't really have the word "walk" in your category right now.  All you do is RUN!  It stresses me out at times because I am always so afraid you are going to hurt yourself, but you are getting more cautious about places and furniture that you know could hurt you.

Like I said before, your eating is less than great but I know that's mostly because of your age.  You do love fruit--strawberries, blueberries, apples and sometimes bananas.  You love string cheese, yogurt, smoothies, crackers, pretzels, yogurt and cottage cheese.  Oh, and FRUIT SNACKS.  You have a mild obsession with them.  You ask for the first thing each morning.  Crazy boy!

We love you so much sweet boy and cannot imagine our family without you in it.

Can I sum up 5 months in one post?

After a few nudges from DeDe...I am back!  Blogging is just so time consuming these days.  I am still taking pictures non-stop, but rarely sit down for long periods of time at my computer.  I am going to try and give a quick run down of our very busy fall!

Ellie and Miller are growing like crazy.  Ellie will actually be FIVE next week.  FIVE.  That just seems so old to me!  We decided about a month ago to fore-go a big birthday party and to take a family trip instead.  We leave this Friday and we are all excited!  It is no secret I do love a good party, but it has been so nice to not have to worry or stress over the planning.

We survived another football season!  Don's team actually won 3 games this year and beat 2 new teams.  We were excited with the progress and proud of the boys and the coaches.  I am always a proud wife and very thankful for such a hard working husband that pours more time and emotion into his job than most realize.  It is not always easy, but he never gives up and will do whatever he can to help each and every player.  This picture was the night we beat Gleason!  Such an exciting game!!!!

Ellie has loved Pre-K.  She is learning a lot and making us very proud with her behavior and skills. She will start taking Kindergarten assessments in the next month and we will register her for Kindergarten in March.  I am so thankful we found this sweet program for her to learn and grow!

In September Ellie competed in and WON her very first pageant.  We decided last minute to buy a dress from and friend and just give it a try.  I am in NO WAY a pageant mom nor do I plan to make this a full time hobby.  I am all for trying things as long as Ellie is up for it.  If she's not interested again, fine by me!  I also realize that she will not win them all but it was a fun day and getting a crown and a "plate" (as she called it) was just icing on the cake!

  She also started ballet at a new studio in Martin.  It worked better with our schedule to switch and although I do think she misses tap, I can tell she is really learning!


Don and I managed to make it to 3 Ole Miss games this year.  They started out hot and it was a super exciting season.  They broke our hearts a couple of times but I am so glad we've found something we both really, really love to do together.  Hotty Toddy!  Can't wait for next year!

Since Ellie won the "Little Miss Fire Prevention" pageant, that meant she was able to ride in the parade!  We borrowed this red VW bug from Don's uncle and had Karen make us some signs!  Ellie of course thought it was the grandest thing ever and we all had fun throwing candy and waving to friends and family!  While we waited to line up, Miller got a little fussy.  Come to find out, he was TIRED!  He slept throughout the entire parade.

On a random afternoon during the week, I packed the kids up and we headed off to the Pumpkin Patch.  Don has never missed a trip, but his schedule just wouldn't allow it and I was afraid if we waited much longer we'd never get to go.  This was probably the shortest pumpkin patch trip on record!  Chasing these two had me sweating but we did manage to get some cute pictures and our pumpkins for the porch.

Ellie had a PJ party at school and we sent these fun s'more treats for her classmates.

 Halloween may have been the easiest/laid back ever.  Gone are the days when I stress and stew over costumes months in advance.  Ellie wore a mermaid dress up she already had and Miller wore a monkey DeDe found on clearance months ago.  SCORE!  We had a blast making the rounds around town visiting the library, bank, church, family and friends.  A fun night for sure!

 Instead of carving a pumpkin this year, we decorated one with Mr. Potato head pirate kit.  It turned out super cute, the kids loved it, and it was much easier and less messy!

 Ellie was asked to be the "flower girl" during this years Homecoming festivities.  This was something new they started this year and she was thrilled to be asked to participate!  She and her buddy Cruze walked out onto the field and handed the Queen her crown and flowers.  They did a great job and looked so sweet doing it!

 Whew!  What a recap.  I have so much more to update.  Miller deserves a big post all his own.  I promise to try and do better!!!  Until next time...

First Day of School

I know, I know...long time no blog.  I am trying not to even think about how much I have to update on here...but for now, we will start with Ellie's first day of Pre-school!

This school decision was a long time coming.  We had originally thought she would be going to full time pre-k at Greenfield.  After that fell through, I scrambled trying to find another option.  I knew she needed a structured learning environment to ready her for Kindergarten and once I found this program, I knew we had a winner!

She will only go 2 days a week, from 9-2.  I was very impressed with how organized and structured they are. There is a steady curriculum and schedule and I am just so excited for her!  I have learned in any situation...big or small, everything always seems to work itself out--and it definitely did in this case.

We of course had to take the obligatory "first day" pictures complete with chalk board sign.  We packed her lunch the night before and talked it up BIG.  This girl was ready!  I didn't worry about her one bit.

Her teacher and the director updated me throughout the day.  They even have a private Facebook group where they post pictures.  I got a text from the Director saying what a great day she'd had!

We went for celebratory ice cream after I picked her up and then headed to her new Dance Studio.  Lots of changes for our girl but she is handling them well.  She was VERY tired after we got home, which was to be expected, so I think we will work on an earlier bedtime Thursday!