The Ball and the Vomit

 It's time for the Daddy Daughter Ball again and this would be Charlee's first year to attend. The girls were so excited to get all dressed up in their fancy dresses.  They both had their clothes laid out days in advance and Charlee wanted to keep her outfit a surprise from daddy until the big night. 

They gave their brother a kiss, we visited Nana Charlotte in the nursing home so the girls could show off their ensembles, and off they went in their carriage (pilot) with their prince (dad) who is really MY prince.  I guess I can share his for an evening. :)

Anyway, I was really excited because I was getting the whole evening with my little Dill.  We had big plans too, only he had a bit of the stomach flu.  None the less, we went to Michaels and got a model of a fire engine that we could put together in one night, and went home to snuggle up in blankets on the couch, watch Pocahontas, and work on our model.  By the late evening he was feeling better and decided he was starving and really wanting some chicken nuggets.  Usually I would discourage eating 20 chicken nuggets while trying to get over the stomach flu, but since this was a special night, I just said "whatever" and down they went into his belly in no time flat.  The girls and the prince got home all very excited about the wonderful time they had had.  Dill and I had a great model we had completed and had enjoyed some quality bonding time ourselves, and all went to bed.  2am... Dillon wakes me up saying he is going to throw up and like a flash I have him in the bathroom where he is standing in front of the toilet.  Vomit on the floor, bed, furniture, or anywhere other than a bucket or toilet is my worst enemy, so when I say "like a flash", I really mean it.  Anyhow, he's standing there feeling TERRIBLE yells "I need a blessing." I, noticing that he is still standing in front of the toilet and not kneeling, say "get on your knees" and he bewilderingly yells "you can't give me one?!" At this point, understanding where he misunderstood and knowing the discomfort he is experiencing, I am just trying not to burst with laughter.  I pull him over to the bathroom counter and in front of his bucket where he immediately releases, in different form, the 20 chicken nuggets he had inhaled 5 short hours prior. Poor little dill.

RMS Titanic

Dillon got a model of the Titanic for Christmas from GG.  This has been quite the project for him and his dad.  They have been working on it for almost a month now and I'm fairly certain Travis is getting the bulk of the enjoyment out of this one. 

A Bathroom Facelift

 I FINALLY redid the awful guest bathroom upstairs. After we moved in I think I spent like $20 at Ikea and threw it together for the kids, but it always looked pretty terrible in my opinion, track lighting and all.  So I framed in the mirror, installed some bead board, changed the lighting, painted the cabinets and walls, added a few more touches and here you are, a complete transformation.  I know I still need a few accessories, but that will take visits to antique/thrift stores to find something unique that pops out at me.  It'll just have to happen when it happens.  I'm satisfied for now. :)

Happy New Year

Well 2013 started out with a bang.  We were so happy to have our great friends, the Croshaws, come and stay with us for a few days so we could relive some of our New Year traditions from our Cleveland days.  It's always sad to see them go, but at least we live in the same state.  While they were here we left all our kids with a sitter and went to the movies.  We saw Les Mis... It was fantastic!  Definitely worth the grip  we had to drop on the sitter.  I've just started reading the  book now. I'll get back to you on that one when I'm finished... in about two years.

 Good ol karaoke.

By the time the clock struck midnight we were all pretty much wiped out. Goodbye 2012. 

Molly Becomes Amelia

Molly did a class report on Amelia Earhart.  What an amazing woman!  We both enjoyed learning about her and how she influenced history. Molly looked so cute in her aviator gear talking about the route she took when she attempted to fly around the world. Thanks, Amelia, for the impression you left on my daughter, myself, and all women.

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"Worry retards reaction and makes clear-cut decisions impossible."

"The most effective way to do it, is to do it."

"No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves."

"The more one does and sees and feels, the more one is able to do, and the more genuine may be one's appreciation of fundamental things like home, and love, and understanding companionship."

- Amelia Earhart

April in a Flash: Dillon's Birthday and Easter!

 

Dillon made a super cool robot out of a bunch of random things around his room.  I'm telling you, someday this guy is going to be an engineer. 

The last ant finally died (no dought due to the poisonous mold spores) and we finally said farewell to the disgusting ant farm.  Next time I'm going with the good old traditional dirt.

Dillon, and Papa, had a birthday!  My sweet Dill turned 7 and we had a fun family party and Grandma and Papa's house.  Dilllon has had a fun year of soccer and friends.  His reading is improving all the time and he is really enjoying school.  He has fun playing "boys camp" at recess and creating things, drawing, or playing with Legos at home.  He is such a sweet boy who loves his family and is very giving and sensitive towards others. Our home without Dillon would be no home at all. We love you Dillon!

Charlee and her BFF Ella doing up eachothers hair.  Lookin good!

Dillon's class B-day celebration.

Charlee's face stuffed with sugar and looking pretty nasty.

The kids had an itch to wash the car.  This really means that they make a huge mess and soak each other and I end up having to scrub the car once they decide they're tired and they go inside to watch tv and leave everything strewn across the lawn. 

It's Easter!  First we hit up the hunt at the fire department.  The kids love it there.

Then we die the eggs at GG's.

Easter Morning.

And their off for the hunt at Grandma's house!