A Day at the Museum

Recently, we spent a day at the Glazer's Children's Museum in Tampa. I knew Ella would love it after the time we took her to the science museum in Oklahoma for her 3rd birthday. She couldn't get enough of that place and she was the same with this museum. Madeline loved it as well. I am sure that has something to do with the fact she is allowed to touch everything there. It was fun to sit back and watch them explore, their curious minds getting the best of them. Ella took on the big sister role and would lead Madeline to the next exhibit and show her how to do something. She never wanted to leave her behind. Such a change of pace from when they are beating each other up at home. Ahhh sisterly love. It comes and goes, I guess.

I'm on a boat...I'm on a boat. 

Showing lil Phil how to color on the screen!

That girl in front of Monica did not want to be taken out of the weather girl spotlight.

We are clearly made to be newscasters.

The gang. I love that Ella has her hand on lil Phil's head. haha

After the museum, we had a picnic outside at the park and played in the spray area. I love busy days, but I love them even more when we spend it with family. Not too many months left of being spoiled with them!!

Easter Sunday

(My titles have become so witty. I shock myself sometimes!)

The girls loved waking up to the trail of little plastic Easter eggs leading them to a room full of more hidden eggs and their Easter baskets. Madeline shocked me at how well she found the eggs. I am sure the Easter Bunny put in her best effort to hide them pretty well for Ella, but surprisingly enough, Madeline was an awesome little seeker. I'm pretty positive it was because the eggs were filled with jelly beans and Madeline wanted every.single.filled.egg. Who can blame her? As they were collecting eggs, I had a flashback to Riley following Ella around watching her open eggs and the jelly beans falling to the ground...only to be gobbled up so fast by Riley that Ella never knew they even fell on the floor.

I put the girls in their sweet Easter dresses provided by their awesome Aunt Bunny (ironic that she bought them the dresses!) and we headed to Mass and then later to Granny P's for dinner. It was a quiet, beautiful day...until the sugar rush started.

Ella gets a book in her basket and Madeline gets new shoes. Who's the diva? (oh and for the parents who are judging me because I actually put candy in their baskets...don't. They really only ate the chocolate bunnies. I ate the rest. Minus the Peeps..I hate those things.)

She never naps on me! Ella took that photo too. And she LOVED her new Strawberry Shortcake lip glosses and nail polish.

Nice Madeline. Real nice.

My new favorite picture of Ella

Happy Easter everyone! 

Easter Saturday

We have been taking it pretty easy around here since our man returned to the desert last week. The day after he left, I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed. Luckily, I don't remember any of it and the pain meds were niiiice. Thank goodness for my awesome family who helped take care of the girls and me as well. I am certainly blessed!

The day before Easter we took a trip to Honeymoon Island. I usually love that place, but what happened to the beach? It has seriously disappeared. Made me sad. The coastline is diminishing before my eyes. Thank God Ella and Madeline are getting plenty of beach time now;)  The girls had fun with their aunties and uncles and Granny P and although no one was really ready to leave the beach, we had a date with some eggs and dye that couldn't be missed.

Ella body surfing with Uncle Matt

I am keeping up with the tradition of dyeing Easter eggs the night before the bunny comes. I feel it's important to maintain some kind of normalcy for the girls and Ella expects it now every year. Although this year she did not appreciate Madeline's rough treatment of the eggs and every time she cracked another one, you could see Ella shaking her head in disbelief. I really wish I had taken a picture of the final product because they were the sorriest batch of dyed eggs. Ever. 

:( And he's gone...

As with every hello, there has to be a good-bye. Even if it's just a 'good-bye for now'. We had to bring daddy back to the airport this week. (insert huge crocodile tears). This has to be the hardest part of military life. All of the send-off's, good-byes, hails and farewells to friends who move to their next duty stations...seems we are constantly saying it. I knew it was coming, but it doesn't make that dreadful feeling any better. It lingers for days, in the back of my mind. I actually did really well until it came time for that final hug. That final kiss. Then I cried. Tom gave me his usual whisper "Be strong little root" that he always says during these times, and no matter what, it helps to bring a smile to my face. He started saying that to me in college when he would have to return to the Citadel.

I know this good-bye was a lot harder on him than ever before. He has such a bond with his girls. They adore him. Leaving them must be unbelievably painful. When he came out of the bedroom dressed in his uniform Madeline smacked his leg and yelled "No!" and ran into the room and shut the door. (keep in mind she's only 20 months). But she knows what that uniform means...daddy is leaving once again. Ella stayed quiet for the rest of the day after we dropped him off at the airport. It effects all of us and it's never easy. But we get through it. We always do.

It's time to put on my happy face for my girls and do what I do best: love them, love and support their daddy and keep on keepin' on.

Before we left for the airport

And in typical Tom fashion, he left us all sweet notes. I found mine when I opened my car door.(insert more crocodile tears) Ella found hers on her pillow and Madeline even found one in her crib. I needed that note more than he could imagine:) 

NPR Date Night

Tom took me on an honest to goodness perfect NPR date night before he left. We had dinner at Hooters on the water with our families and then we went to see Hunger Games at the local movie theater. Ain't he so sweet? At Hooters, I was taking some pictures of Tom with the girls and my mom took a few of us...this is the result:

So sweet

This is my "Can you just be serious for 2 seconds, babe?" pose.

I'm pretty sure he had his eyes on a Hooter's waitress in the first pic.

I just love this picture. This is SO us. Haha. 

Easter Bunny!

Am I the only parent who finds the Easter bunny THE creepiest character of all time? I'd rather my kids sit on the lap of Skeletor or hell even Freddy Krueger seems less scary. Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. There is just something about a giant rabbit walking around with that weird grin on it's face. BUT as Ella just overheard me talking about the bunny being creepy, she reprimanded me and said "hey, don't say anything bad about the Easter Bunny. I love him." Whoops! That kid needs a set of earmuffs;)

At least we didn't have to travel to the nearest mall and waste our time in line for photos. The bunny came right to Ella's classroom and the effect was all the same.  The girls got to sit on his lap, have an ice cream social, and play on the playground. Easy enough for this mama!

My Beach Bums

I have yet to regret moving home to FL this year. Sometimes I get frustrated and wish for my own space again, but the truth is, I love this state. I love being surrounded by family and friends. If I could live here forever I probably would. Soon, we will be landlocked and the only trips to the beach we will be taking is when we look back at these blog posts about the sun and sand. We took the girls to Clearwater Beach during R&R and it's obvious I am raising a couple of beach bums here. My little Oklahoman babies have adjusted very well to life here in the sunshine state.

Madeline tortured her daddy the whole time like this. Better him than me;) 

Best snack for the beach: Watermelon on a stick!

My Loves

Madeline was as big as that little wave;)

I love this girl. Making sand angels.