Makeup and Dinner

Aunt Ash was trying to get E to do the

runway walk and strike a pose.

Aunt Ashley and Andy arrived this afternoon to NSB. Aunt Ashley helped Ellison get ready for our dinner out at Flip Flops. After dinner, Ash bought E her own Lip Smackers lipstick. First thing this morning, "Mom, I need my whip-stick."

Big Girl Bed

Ellison slept in a big girl bed last night! The big girl bed was actually the blow up mattress purchased because she has outgrown her pack and play, but it works for now. We had no intent on blowing it up last night, but after another night of crib protests, we blew it up. I then went into Super Nanny mode as I walked (ok, carried) Ellison back to her room over and over again. After about 30 minutes of the cutest protesting around (seriously, adorable shoulder hunched, super pouty walks), we struck a deal and she went to sleep.

How did it go? Well it would have gone great if she did not fall off the mattress and bump into her play kitchen at 3:30 a.m. The pots and pans made a horrible banging noise. Luckily (well depends on how you look at it), she fell fast to sleep... once she was in bed with me.

Tonight... Super Nanny aka Mommy returns!

My Wake Up Call

For the past few weeks, I have not had school to bring me down aka make me super busy. As you know, the Clarks have used this time to hang out at the beach instead of spending time at home doing boring things like unpacking (yes, I still have boxes to unpack), chores, and normal stuff. Well this week, I had planned to hit NSB after work on Monday and stay for the week with Ellison. However, at some point I guess I forgot about the dentist, the pediatrician and the fact that I work on Fridays... oops. Now that I am back in the real world, we are at home and I am forced to unpack, clean, wash clothes, and cook. I guess there are worse things :) Ellison has been busy working on craft projects with stamps, playing with playdough, and taking her Barbie car for spins around the driveway(thanks Maricilea). We head to NSB on Friday... woo hoo. I am going to attempt to catch up with my child and her "tan". Good luck, right?!?

2 Year Check Up

Ellison had her 2 year check up today. Here are a few things about Ellison Adele:

Height: 36.5 inches
Weight: 33 lbs.

• Ellison speaks in sentences. A few examples from today... "Mommy take me out of here." "Mommy, I am scared of Doctor." "Mommy my ears don't hurt anymore either." (All said while at doctor's office - fun experience? Um, no!)
• Ellison's imagination has taken flight. She now play-acts with dolls and has conversations with them. She also frequently heads to "work" and the "grocery store". This morning she informed me, "Momma, I am going to grocery shop. I buying a car."
• Favorite foods: Avocado, corn, mac & cheese, hummus, oranges, watermelon
• Least Fave foods: Potatoes (unless in the french fried format), Beef, Green Hummus aka Guacamole (thanks Kim and Art)
• Favorite Toys: Dress up magnetic dolls, play kitchen, piano, easel
• Favorite thing to do with easel: Have Daddy draw a family of clouds and then erase Daddy's drawings. She also does this with Mommy's drawings.
• New saying that I wish she never learned (and have no clue where she did): "Mommy I don't like you. I don't like you right now either!"
• The word "Either" is attached at the end of anything that she does not want to do. Example "And I don't take bath EITHER." or "I don't need to go to the bathroom EITHER."
• Favorite TV: Olivia and Tinkerbell!!!! (We are thrilled! No more Mickey Mouse- we need a break.)

Ellison is a very sweet little girl right now. There is no longer anything baby about her. All of her tantrums or defiant behavior are very short lived and always end with a kiss and a hug.

Ellison's new thing is ballet. She loves to dance and prance about. Aunt Ashley has taught her some fancy moves... I see a video in the blog's future :)

What an Ending!

After checking out at Postcard Inn and enjoying a light (thank goodness light) lunch with the Simons, we headed to Grandma Ruthie's house to spend time with Grandma Ruthie, Aunt Linda, and Nana. Oh wait, and I can not forget Grace, the cat. Grandma Ruthie made Graham's favorite meal, spaghetti and meatballs and lasagna. She also made Ellison a batch of delicious chocolate chip cookies. Thank you Grandma Ruthie!

St. Pete Beach or Bust!

Just chillin!
Had to post this shot...
all the ladies by the pool kept coming up to her
saying they want her bathing suit.

Ellison and Haley mid-hug.

Daddy and E in the pool.

We had hammocks outside our hotel doors...

how nice is that?

Munson and Haley :)

Princess Ellison and Kyley.

Isn't she cute?

Haley and Ellison riding around the pool area.

Uncle Drew and Mallory joined us for lunch...

poolside!

This kid loves the beach!

Austin and I.

Lots of Cornhole was played.

I can't remember who won this game.

Skipper finally introduced us to his beautiful bride, Ana.

Water bug?

The Final Vacay Picture - Thanks Simons for a great time!

So our Ski Beech = Beach Group slowly deteriorated last week to form the Clark / Simon Group for our St. Pete Beach vacation. We are hoping the old group can be revived in the near future because we certainly missed everyone! And I will say that the Munsons did come out and spend some time with us at the beach, which was lovely.

Basically, we had a blast. Postcard Inn was the perfect location to relax and enjoy good company and great weather. We were never bored and were always having a great time. Oh yes, and the food was amazing all week long... as it should be when on vacation! Thanks to everyone who came out to visit us! Postcard Inn next year? Sounds like a plan to me!

The Papa Treatment

You know what is really nice? Visiting Papa at St. Pete Beach. We all had a wonderful time enjoying the beach today. Papa has quite the set up... umbrellas, chairs, floats, and toys! Plus, Papa and Cheryl are pretty fun as well.

Ashley Beaman, Esq

It's official... introducing Ashley Beaman, Esq.

Andy, Ashley, and Nell walking out.
Ellison is proud of her Aunt Ashley.


Andy and Ashley.

Ashley, Dad, and Mom

Aunt Kim and Ellison... being silly of course!

Friday was graduation day for Ashley. We are happy to report that she is moving back to Orlando to work with a Family Law Group. Congrats Aunt Ashley, we love you!!!

Lipstick anyone?

Note to self: Before you let E play with listick, make sure it is not "long lasting". Why? Well after this play session, she had red markings all over her face (pretty much everywhere except for her lips) throughout the day. Luckily, the salt water and chlorine helped!

Beach Season begins

Ellison and I headed to New Smyrna Beach (NSB) for a week of fun. We arrived yesterday afternoon and skipped the grocery store to head straight to the baby pool aka "The Ellison Pool". We then decided to once again forgo groceries and ordered some yummy Manny's food. Nice start, huh :)

Well, this is where things remain awesome, but change up a bit. Why? Well, Ellison outgrew her playpen unbeknownst to me. So I spent the evening being kicked in the face and waking up to make sure the pillows were still blocking her from falling off the bed.

We both woke up a bit groggy and finally headed to the grocery store. The morning started off fine, until Ellison decided she wanted to hang out inside, yes inside, the condo all day. So we read books, played with her pool toys in the sink, played with her magnetic dress-up dolls, and colored. The saving grace... a monster nap and the arrival of Daddy (a complete surprise for E). Ellison immediately put on her bathing suit and happily went downstairs.

Daddy, Ellison and I built a sandcastle (well Daddy built, I stole sand to put in the fish mold, and Ellison stomped on the completed castle), played in the ocean, and swam in the pool. We then followed it up with JBs (delicious) and Frozen Gold (also delicious). The end result... Ellison fast asleep in a playpen that is to small for her, wearing her clothes from tonight, and sunglasses.

Magic Word

Ellison is pretty good with manners, but one thing she has yet to master is the "magic" word when ordering, yes ordering, someone to do something. Well last night, she was ordering me off a chair that she wanted to sit in. I asked her to ask nicely, so she re-phrased the order and added in a sugarly, sweet smile. I asked her what the magic word is... her response... "Meeska Mouska, Mickey Mouse."

A Few Cute Ones

Just thought I would share a few photos from this afternoon.

The Party

After weeks of anticipation, Ellison's Birthday Party finally arrived. We were joined by family and friends at Howell Branch Preserve Park for some festive fun... all in celebration of our Little "E".

Ellison enjoyed the playground, the water fountain (which she can actually reach by herself - couldn't last week), guarding her presents (yes, I said guarding), Auntie Chan's amazing strawberry cupcakes, and most importantly everyone who came out to help her celebrate.

Unlike last year, Ellison adored the attention while blowing out the candles. And in a very similar fashion to last year, she was spoiled by lots of presents from those that love her.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday. We are truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives and our daughter's life.