Why, yes, I do have another child

I realize that Ellie gets a lot of blog-time around here, but that doesn't mean Jack is any less interesting (or exasperating). He still can pout with the best of them when he doesn't get his way...

And he can definitely be a handful...

But he is oh, so sweet and loving...

And pretty darn cute, as well!

*All photos courtesy of the amazing Cate

Warning Signs

Remember this?

Well, I went into Ellie's room this weekend and discovered Daphne hanging from the bedpost like so:

We can all agree that Ellie has been watching too much Scooby-Doo and there is no need for me to be overly concerned, right? Right?

Cypalooza!

Ellie's gymnastics place was sending a few of their gymnasts to the London Olympics so instead of practice last week, they did Cypalooza.  The idea was that the little ones could show off the skills they have learned to friends and family. Unfortunately, I was the only one who could make it to this "big" event and since I take Ellie to practice every week, I have already seen it all countless times.  Oh well, at least I was able to take some pictures of her in action.

Ellie's birthday surprise

Ellie's birthday is over and I think it was a success. I woke her up with a rounding rendition of Happy Birthday. I then asked her what special breakfast she would like me to make her and she chose what she chooses every morning...oatmeal. I took a half day off work so I could go pick up the birthday cake, ice cream, drinks, balloons, and all the other supplies to drop off at Dianna's house for Ellie's last minute surprise party. Originally,the plan was to just do a slumber party at our house with Ellie's little girl cousins, but since I would be driving out to the neighborhood where my entire family except for me lives anyway, I decided to plan a little surprise for Ellie. So, after dropping off all the stuff, I went to Ellie's school to read birthday-themed books to her class and to hand out party favors. I then took Ellie to get manicures so we could kill some time before everyone arrived at my sister's house.

Ellie decided she wanted to paint each nail a different color to match her rainbow-striped dress.

On the way to Dianna's house, Ellie fell asleep so she was a little out of it when she opened the front door and everyone shouted, "Surprise!" She kind of smiled and then told her 3 cousins to come get in the car so we could go to her slumber party. Totally didn't get that this was her party. But after we explained things, she was pretty excited about it.

After pizza, cake, and presents, I took Aidyn, Olivia, and Kinleigh home with me for a very long night of hyper girls. They finally fell asleep around midnight and woke at 7 the next morning. And now I have a 6 year old. The end.

Dear Ellie at age 6

My dear Ellie,

Happy, happy birthday, baby girl!

I feel as though you are bouncing back and forth between wanting to by my baby girl and wanting to be strong and independent. One moment you will be desperately wanting to please me and also desiring plenty of snuggle times, but the next moment you will be all sassy and fierce and telling me what I am doing wrong.

You are an amazing big sister. You and Jack have your moments, but for the most part you are almost like a second mother to him. You are great at inventing games that he can play, too, like building corrals for your My Little Ponies out of his Lego set or playing house in his Cars tent. You insist on going in his room each morning to wake him up and give him hugs. One day, you even got him dressed for me, complete with shoes and socks! His shorts didn’t match his shirt, but I was so impressed that I just let him go to school like that.

You also have your own sense of style. You have never been one to tolerate any clothes that aren’t comfortable, which means no jeans except for your jeggings. You prefer skirts with leggings and the more colorful the better. We went shopping today for your birthday outfit and you picket out a rainbow striped dress made of the brightest colors. They go perfectly with your Twinkle-toe Sketchers, which you just recently learned to tie!

You started kindergarten this past year and you have adjusted beautifully. You do get checks in your binder most days because you love to talk to everyone, but you are never rude or disrespectful. Your teacher tells me you are friends with everyone and are always helping those who need it. You have a heart that is as big as your personality.

I have been thinking lately how much I love having a daughter. I really enjoy going places with you, whether it is mani/pedis or movies or shopping - we always have a great time. You are so fun to be around. I hope it is many, many more years before you become too cool to hang with your old mom.

I know I have told you this many times, but truly, I love your birthday. April 13 is the day I became a mother and there is nothing that I love more than being your mom. Happy birthday, sweet girl.

Love,

Mom

Easter Birthday

Easter Sunday was eventful for us. The kids started off their morning with an Easter egg hunt. Now that Jack is older, he is able to keep up with Ellie and actually snag his own eggs. The morning egg hunt was just a trial run to prepare them for the massive Easter egg hunt my mother-in-law throws every year. Look how intense my kids were about finding those money-filled eggs.

We also decided to celebrate Ellie's birthday since the family was together. Ellie is all about Scooby-doo so Nana hooked her up with this sweet cake.

It's hard for me to believe that my sweet girl is almost 6! I have a few fun things planned to make her day extra special...can't wait!