Zoo, Strep, and Birthdays

It is very hard to update this thing when half of the family came down with strep throat. Ava was diagnosed last Wednesday and low and behold I was confirmed on Saturday. So after a week on meds. Finally both of us are feeling better. We did make it to the Zoo last week and the girls loved it. They enjoyed everything. Ava's favorite were the tigers, or Raja, that she called it from Aladdin. Ella's favorite was the monkeys. All day long she made the monkeys sounds and could have watched them all day.
Monday the 8th and Wednesday the 10th Sarah and I celebrated our birthdays. We both had wonderful days with the girls and nice homemade dinners. Sarah even made a cake and decorated it with the kit we received from my parents. The girls got her a pink robe and I got her money to go buy clothes which she all ready spent. For my birthday the girls got be a Chuck Norris T-shirt and some water guns for outside. My gift from Sarah will be a surprise to you. I will post a video of me getting it hopefully by tomorrow. Lets just say it was a total surprise and I so excited about it.

Click here to view more pictures from the zoo and birthdays.

Doctors, Football Field, Library

A busy first official day of summer was spent at the doctor's office this morning finding out that Ava has strep throat. She has been acting great except for her voice has sounded like she has lost it. Now she is on anti-biotics for the next 10 days. After the doctors office the girls and I went to the football field. I had to talk to some coaches and the girls got to run on the new football field. The varsity head coach took them out to the middle of the field to run on the J-Hawk. They had a blast and can't wait to go back out and run. After football we went to the library to check out some books and join a book club where if you read 30 books they can get a prize at the library. I think that Ava is going to be a meterologist. She is obssesed with thunderstorms, tornadoes, and weather. Her favorite show on TV is Stormchasers on the Discovery Channel. It is amazing the things that she can remember about thunderstorms and tornadoes.
The last picture is hard to see, but that is Ella's potty chart. Now that I am home we are going to get her pottied trained if it is the last thing we do. She has gone twice today, so far, so good. We will keep you updated.



Reading our favorite, Thunderstroms.

Ella reading her book about tongues.



Ella's potty chart. You can see the two stickers for today.

A Wet Friday Night

Friday night we went out to eat and get groceries. I know, what a way to spend our Friday night. With nothing better to do it was a way to have some family time and get some errands run. While we were at the grocery store it started to rain and rain hard. When we got home to eave spout was dripping water. Since the girls needed a bath any way I told them if they wanted to go get wet it was OK. Of course they didn't have to ask twice and presided to get soaked. They loved it and by the end they were dripping wet and ready for a warm bath.

What a Day!!

Monday was our little girls 2nd birthday.  It is hard to imagine where the time has gone.  Mommy and her spent the day out and about.  They brought lunch to me at school and we had a picnic at the lake.  That is one of the perks of working close to home.  After lunch Sarah and Ella went home to plant flowers and they had a great time.  

That evening I had a slow pitch softball game.  My mom came down and went with Sarah and the girls to watch.  During the game I slid into second base (I know I shouldn't try too hard) I seemed to hurt my wrist.  I played the rest of the game with it hurting thinking nothing of it.  Today I got up and could hardly do anything with my right hand because my wrist was hurting very badly.  I ended up leaving school early to go to the doctor and get X-rays.  Luckily nothing was broken only a severe sprain and a bone bruise.  I will now have to wear a brace for the next week and a half to two weeks.  Yeah me.  Sarah tells me it is a sign of getting old, I don't think so.  We will see what happens next.  Later.

Ella rocking bun-bun outside.

Planting her flowers.

Lunch with mommy and daddy on her birthday.

A Happy, Happy Weekend.

What a weekend! We had Ella's birthday on Saturday and Mother's Day on Sunday. Ella's birthday was wonderful. The family showed up and it was a beautiful day to be outside. She got many wonderful things and loved all the attention as usual. The cake is from Sarah. My mom baked the cake and Sarah decorated it. It is in the shape of a cupcake and the swirls matched the ones from Ella's dress. It was a big day but everybody had a wonderful time.
Sunday Sarah woke up and we had breakfast for Mother's Day. We then took a trip to Pella to look at the flowers and walk around the square. We meet Sarah's parents and grandparents there for lunch and the walk. The girls had a great time running around and smelling all the tulips. During lunch Ella kept practicing how she was going to smell the flowers. It was a quiet trip home from Pella as Ella slept and Ava just sat nice and quiet. It is amazing that our little girls are growing up and fast. It is a joy to see them change everyday and become more independent, not that they all ready are!! Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there and have a wonderful weekend.

Ella and her cake.

Sarah will be taking orders for cakes to go along with her photography soon.

Ava doing her usual pose.

Ella and all of her presents.

Mom and the girls.

Their First Dance

The girls finally had their first Middle School Dance.  Sarah had to work last Friday night so the girls went with me to the Middle School to chaperone the last dance of the year.  I was nervous about taking them but they had an absolute blast.  The danced for almost 2 solid hours, then they went to the gym and participated in the Limbo contest and finally had ring pops, and a candy bar.  Coming home that night Ava kept telling me she was ready to go to her next dance.  I can't wait!! (Insert my sarcasm there.) 

  A busy weekend is here with Ella's 2nd birthday party on Saturday and her actual birthday on Monday the 11th.  It is hard to believe that she will be 2 years old.  What is even harder to believe is that Sarah and I will have a 2 and 4 year old.  Crazy where the time has gone.  Look back for pictures of the party this weekend (I promise Karen!!).  You will be impressed with the cake that Sarah is ready to decorate.  

The girls and I ready to head to the dance.

They loved their matching dresses.

Busy as Always.

I know, it has been 10 days since my last update.  With Easter, photo shoots, and school it has been busier then ever.  Sarah has been extremely busy with photo shoots and she gets more business almost everyday.  She is still enjoying it and her pictures are getting better and better.  if you want to take a look click on the link and have a look (www.sarahmcconnell.zenfolio.com)

One good thing is that the girls and I get to spend some time together in the basement while she takes pictures.  Some of the pictures below show the girls in their dress up clothes acting just like Mommy.  One of the funny things is that when the talk to each other they sound just like Sarah taking pictures.  Hopefully everything is calmed down now and I will be able to update sooner.  Thanks and have a wonderful rest of the week.

Ella taking pictures of Ava.

Ava taking pictures of Ella.

This is what happens when you can't find the girls and they find their play make-up.

Ella with lipstick on.  Notice it on her chin and cheeks. 

Click here to look at more pictures.