Fun with Photo Booth

It was girls' night tonight--Dan was off getting some corn for deer season, which left me, Ellie and Peaches for dinner and the bedtime routine. Which also meant we could act super silly without a care in the world. We growled, we wrestled, we danced--all great fun which would soon be surpassed by playing with Photo Booth.

I just signed on to play around with Pintrest (still on the fence about it because I like it as a bookmarking tool, but I don't like the idea that all my boards are public) when Ellie walked up and wanted on my lap. I thought, "hey, we could go to YouTube and watch more School House Rocks videos." But then I remembered how much "Unpack Your Adjectives" stayed with me the other day (singing it now!). Then the lightbulb went on. Let's play with Photo Booth. Brilliant!

Take 1: Her eyes are closed

Take 2: Trying to be silly, but she didn't get it.

Take 4: Mommy said 'forget it' to the silly, stick-the-tongue-out face, and went in for a kiss.
Ellie finally gets the stick your tongue out memo.

Take 6: Here we're supposed to be screaming, but I'm not sure what she decided to go with last minute. Wait...yep, I think her nose was running. That's her 'gross, my nose is running' face.

Take 8: Yep, we both nailed this one. We were growling.

Final Take: Me waving bye-bye and Ellie blowing a kiss. Doesn't get any sweeter than this!

We finished off girls' night with a ride around the block in Ellie's car, had a double date with Elmo and Grover, washed our hair and counted our toes. Not exactly pedicures and margaritas, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

P.S. You can always tell how silly we get by E's hair...it was pretty crazy tonight!

The Frog

God uses mysterious ways to guide, reaffirm or comfort us. In the Bible, it was a talking donkey, an angel, a star, among others. Today, for me, it was a frog.

After 93 years, my great-grandma went to be with the Lord and we laid her to rest today. Many people said good-bye to a mother, sister, grandma, aunt and friend. While standing outside waiting to be escorted in, we noticed a little frog hopping toward the door of the church.

You see, my great-grandma loved and collected frogs. She had a large collection of frog stuffed animals and figurines. So, a little frog trying to get into the church was the perfect subtle reminder of God's comfort and love, and grandma's special memory.

And it's that memory and so many others that I'll hold on to as I remember her life and her legacy. She had such a joy and passion for life and a genuine love for others that will remain with me always. In fact, inspired by her love, Dan and I performed a random act of kindness for someone this evening because I couldn't help but reflect upon the joy great-grandma had when she gave someone something...and I want more of that joy in my own life.

I believe that God gives us more when we appreciate what we have and make the most of it. Whether it's our finances, our time or our talents, He loves to bless us with more--but only when we wisely use what he's given us. I wonder if that's why grandma had such a full life...because she was always grateful for what she had and lived her life full of joy, so God blessed that.

I'll miss grandma's smile and her laugh. I'll miss her spunk. She was witty and quick with a comeback. And so funny! She was exceedingly generous. A fantastic cook and talented with a needle and thread.

I realize how truly lucky I am to have had a great-grandma for 29 years. That's something that's rare and I'm forever grateful to God for these many years and for that little frog reminding me of how special she is--as if I could forget.

Her 93rd birthday (note the frog robe)

Five generations, taken last Memorial Day

Sprinkler Fun

A few weeks ago, on one of those days when it felt like 119, we were in the back yard potting some plants, when Dan turned on the water hose. Ellie ran over, so like a good daddy, Dan sprayed her with the hose. Instead of running away, she said "more", so Dan kept spraying. And spraying. And spraying. Any time we stopped, she demanded more. 

After about 10 minutes of constant spraying, we broke out the big guns...the sprinkler.

She just stood and let the water hit her in the face!

Where's Your Belly?

This is my favorite question to ask Ellie right now. Why? Because this is what usually happens.

There's her belly!

He's back!

After nearly 4 1/2 months, my dad is back from New Zealand. Home. Safe and sound. Praise God!

Ellie enjoyed being reunited with her Papaw this week. She was a little confused at first. Because we Skype with him so much, she associates him with the computer. Anytime I'm online, she runs up, points and says, "Papaw, Papaw." She's changed so much since he's been gone.

Right before he left back in late Feb/early March.

Their reunion on Wednesday

Papaw came bearing gifts. First, she got a $2 bill.

Next, she was given a bee from one of his co-workers.

Then, more money. This time, it was New Zealand money. She watched as Papaw explained the $2, $1, .50 cent, .20 cent and .10 cent coins. They have nothing smaller than .10 cents and all their currency under $5 is coin, not paper money.

Welcome home, Papaw! We love you and missed you!

11 Years Ago Today...

I went on a first date.

It was hot. It was July, after all.

I wore a berry-colored tank top, jean shorts and white Keds.

He wore an orange Hawaiian shirt.

He had a green lowrider truck, but no CD player. I brought some new CDs for us to listen to. Bummer.

We went to dinner. Mexican food, and we both got quesadillas. And Dr. Peppers.

Sumo wrestling was playing on the television in the background.

We went to the drive-in movie and saw Boys and Girls.

I went to the bathroom, got back in the truck and made a not-so-first-date-friendly bathroom joke. Something about someone before me leaving a floater in the stall.

Despite this, he asked me out again. And again. And again.

I guess he liked it cause he put a ring on it.

It's amazing how God knows and helps you find what and who you need. How your past circumstances and experiences all seem to align to a specific purpose and plan you could never dream was laid out for you.

Eleven years ago, I would have never imagined my life as it is today. I would have never guessed that the guy who offered to teach me to drive a standard that night, who shared with me his passion about cars, and the guy who was so easy to talk to and refreshingly honest and funny would end up becoming my spouse. My partner-in-crime. My best friend. My travel buddy. My baby daddy.

I guess I had him at hello floater.

Feeding Time at the Zoo

Mealtime around here has certainly become an adventure, as you can see! Yep, that's peanut butter she is burying into her face. What have I gotten myself into? :)

Quarterly Top 5

I'm entering Click It Up a Notch's Top 5 Quarterly Link Up for the first time.




Below are my top 5 favorite images from the past three months (April - June). 

I really hope to win. I love the 'Redeemed' T-shirt from Wild Olive Tees. Check them out; they have some super cute stuff!

Ms. E is totally in love with Elmo, as are most children her age. It melts my heart to watch her point to him in her books and say, "Mo."

Her first snow cone, a summer staple. Another summer staple? A pink pool in the front yard. Ah, summertime!

She is such the little momma. Giving her baby some love.

Many will remember this from my Bad Habits post; Ms. E is eating Cheez-Its in her car.

I'm obsessed with her feet and she loves her sandbox!

Ellie, 15 Months

I took this picture today after we got home from two doctor appointments, one of which was her 15 month check-up.

Here are her stats:

• Weight: 20.4 lbs (14%)
• Length: 31 inches (69%)
• Head Circumference: 18.5 inches (81%)

She's had a great growth spurt from 12 to 15 months. Her growth and development have amazed me. I was looking through pictures from February and March and she still looked so much like a baby. Not anymore! She's a little girl.

What she likes:

• Food
• Peanut butter, cheese, pasta, rolls, bananas, strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, goldfish crackers, pancakes, bunny treats from Target, oranges, juice (when we let her have it)

• Activities
• Playing in the sandbox, going to the park, anything outside, pestering Peaches

• Miscellaneous
• Elmo, dogs, birds, books, music, dancing, her toys, cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, The Backyardigans (new as of yesterday)

Milestones:

• Says: Mama, Dada, hi, more, dog (gah), Peaches (Cheeches), Elmo (mo), bird, car, ball, Papaw, bow, water, outside 
• Walking, almost running at times

My sweet, silly girl!

Daddy Weekend

It's been a busy, fun-filled weekend. As much as I love them, they go too fast and always seem so jam-packed, even when I'm consciously trying to slow down. Can we make a three-day weekend the norm? Somebody get on that...stat!

Friday night was fun and insanely hot. I met two great friends of mine for an engagement/family photo shoot at Will Rogers Park. A park. As in, outside. As in outside in 100 degree weather. Hopefully, I'll be posting some more sneak peeks/highlights of this session over on my Lacy Myers Photography blog later this week.

I've been craving a banana snow cone like mad, so I decided to get one Friday evening after I sweated off a solid eight pounds at the park, but to my dismay, the snow cone stand was closed. Bummer! I settled for a 7-11 icy drink instead. Because of that move, the 7-11 icy jingle has been stuck in my head all weekend. "My icy drink's at 7-11!" Now it's stuck in yours, too. You're welcome! While we are on the subject, how original is that jingle? Wow. It's almost as good as "Mazzio's is better." I laugh at that commercial every time. Is it just me, or are advertisers getting less creative? Bring back some Sponge Monkeys, please!

Anywho, back to the weekend recap. Dan had to work Saturday. I was so bummed because we were going to take E's 15-month photos that morning...guess we will have to reschedule our princess' close-up. Ellie and I ran errands, picking up a few food items for D-Dawg's Father's Day celebration. I realized this weekend that I MUST get organized with my coupons; I spent way too much money at Wal-mart! I was doing so well, but I've just been so lazy the past few weeks. However, had I not been an honest person, I could have shaved $20 bucks of my bill. Ya see, Ellie has been playing with Mega Blocks at daycare and she's crazy about those things. I decided to pick some up at Wal-mart and she about jumped out of the basket lunging for them. As we were paying out, the cashier "rang" them up, but they didn't scan. She told me the total and it sounded really low so I asked her to make sure they rang up...and they didn't.

When we got home, I immediately took the blocks out of the sack so she could play. They kept her attention for 30 minutes--no lie! She's 15 months; nothing keeps her attention that long! She pulled every last one out of the bag and threw them down on the floor. Then she picked them back up and put them in the bag. Then she started putting a few together. She loves them!

I really hope she takes after her daddy regarding learning/knowing how things work. I still have to say "righty tighty, lefty loosy" when turning off the water hose. I don't want her future to be like that.

I swore I wouldn't buy Miss E anymore clothes, but we all know how this story is going to end. I picked up two outfits for her at Kohl's (nothing for me, just in case you're wondering).  You'll see one of the outfits in the Father's Day pictures. The other has a dog on it with Hawaiian-ish shorts. She pointed at the shirt and said, "gah, gah." Gah=dog. How could I not get the outfit when she's so excited about the dog?

Once Dan got home from work and woke me up from my glorious nap, we decided to go grab a snow cone (finally, you're mine, banana!) and let E swim out front in her pool. We shared our snow cones--her first time to experience this summertime staple. She kept asking for more and grabbing the straw.

After E went to bed, we decided to put in one of the seven movies we own. Dan picked one of his favorites for us to watch: The Butterfly Effect. I forgot how messed up that movie is. I made Dan fast-forward through the dog part; I seriously couldn't watch or listen to it. 

Today was Father's Day, of course. I got up extra early to make Dan some fresh blueberry pancakes with whipped topping. Ellie loved them. Of course she did. That girl's like her momma; she's never met a carb she didn't like. Later at church while talking with some of our friends, I realized she had a piece of blueberry in her ear. Mom of the year, I tell ya!

After church, we fired up the grill. For what, you ask? Brats, of course!

Ellie and daddy manned the meat and the veggies.

It was too much work for E. She had to take a strawberry break.

Don't forget the gifts! Ellie granted Dan's request by getting him a Thermos and travel mug; she is a genius when it comes to ordering through Amazon. She already has mommy's credit card number memorized. Dang you, Elmo, for teaching her numbers!

Here's a close up of the card.

What Father's Day is complete without a daddy/daughter portrait? I'm so lucky to have both of these silly heads in my life.

No, you can't have my banana snow cone! :)

Happy Father's Day, babe!

Temptation

I knew better.

I shouldn't have done it.

I instantly regretted it.

I tried on clothes at Target last week. <sigh> They looked amazing. <sigh> I couldn't buy them. <double sigh>

Why did Target have to suddenly get a load of super cute summer items? I'm talking gorgeous, flowing maxi dresses, shorts that actual looked decent on my albino legs and beautiful turquoise and hot pink tank tops. I didn't even look at the shoes or I would have probably thrown a temper tantrum the size of Texas because of my "stupid challenge." That's what it has been referred to lately.

Honestly, I'm not sure if all these items were really that cute, or if knowing that I can't buy anything increased their appeal to me. Like, whenever you don't find a guy attractive until you know he has a girlfriend? Better yet, he becomes more attractive if he's with a girl you don't care for. Come on ladies, you know this happens!

Who am I kidding? They were that cute!

I even tried to justify a purchase.

"These shorts are on sale and it's so hard to find shorts that look cute on. Just one pair won't hurt."

"This dress is on clearance...50% off! I've been eyeing it for three months and it's about the same price I'd pay for a used dress at a consignment store."

Just walk away, I told myself. So I did. Without a sack in hand. A minor victory in a battle that lasts 10 more months.

Sidebar: If you see me torturing myself reading a People magazine Style Watch, rip it out of my hand and hit me over the head with it. Really. I promise I won't hit back...I may bite, though.

In the Car, Part II

As you know, I'm already teaching Ellie bad habits by allowing her to eat Cheez-Its in her car. Apparently, there's another activity that's more fun while sitting in her "Crazy" Coup...brushing her teeth.

More accurately, brushing her teeth while watching television.

What's next for Ellie and her car? Stay tuned for In the Car, Part III. Coming soon, I'm sure!

Memorial Weekend Recap

While Dan and I were having our date night last week, apparently Miss E was having a good time at grandma's house. According to my mom, it was almost 10 and she was still awake. She laid her in bed with her and thought she'd turn on the television in the hopes that it would calm her down. She found Yo Gabba Gabba which she doesn't watch at home. Mom thought she was asleep until she stood up in bed and started dancing and clapping. That's my silly girl! Did I mention she slapped my mom in the face earlier in the night while she was pretending to sleep? Or that she cleaned the fireplace with her baby wipes? Gosh, I'm gonna have my hands full!

On Saturday when mom brought her home, we got out the pool for the first time this year. Ellie LOVED it! She splashed around and played with her duckie and turtles that squirt water.

Sunday after church we spent a little time outside in the front yard. We have a good amount of shade out front which makes it nice for a quick play date. Ellie loves to mimic what we are doing, so she started helping Dan pull weeds in our flower bed. 

Monday morning we went to the park. Before we left the house, I took Ellie out front so I could take her picture with her pigtails with matching bows I bought the day before. A neighbor was walking his dog and Ellie went crazy. She started walking down the sidewalk after him, pointing and saying, "Dog. Dog." She LOVES dogs. 

Surprisingly her bows stayed in on the way to the park. Probably because mommy played a trick on her and gave her something to play with in the car so she wouldn't rip them out.

This is one of my favorite pictures right now!

After the park, we came home and watched some Sesame Street. I love how she sits on the floor.

My sweet, silly girl.

Boy, was it hard on this mom to leave this precious face today. I love my three day weekends, but they just make the rest of the week even more hard when I have to be apart from this silly little girl.