Ellison: 5 Years Old

 

Ellison had her 5 Year check up last week with the Doctor. She is 1/4 of an inch shy from being 4 feet tall!!! Basically, every year the Doctor shows me a growth chart and she is consistently off the growth chart in the 100th percentile category for growth. 

 

The above video is Ellison singing her Graduation songs for us.  I never posted the Graduation video because to say Ellison was distracted during Graduation would be an understatement.  You would never know how hard she practiced and how well she knew the songs!

Dylan and the Crab

 

 

Sister - Brother LOVE ?

My Sweet, Loving, Super-Fabulous Girl... 

 

went from  LOVING  EVERYTHING about her Little Brother...

 

to being ANNOYED by her little brother!

 

And, well, this Mother Duck is EXHAUSTED!!!! 

 

 

Two weeks ago, the fighting began.  It was almost as if I had taken a time machine backwards into my childhood.  I remember the hair pulling, name calling, and slamming doors. I can and will only admit to the slamming doors, of course!

 

Little brothers (and sisters) can be so annoying! I get it.  I understand it. BUT, I never really knew how exhausting it could be to deal with it. I have a new level of sympathy for my parents. 

 

So what happened? First, Ellison turned 5 and is heading off to kindergarten.  She is trying to figure that all out.  Second, Ellison and Dylan spent a whole month of summer together without breaks. The second one is crucial because there are only so many times you can be "okay" with your brother knocking down your magna tile castle. 

 

Luckily summer camp started last week and Ellison and Dylan are now happy to be with each other 87.637% of the time.  The remaining percentage of time is spent like this:

 

*Dylan breathes

*I move my head

*Ellison states, "Mom, you love Dylan more than me."

*I say, "Ellison, that is absolutely not true. I love you both."

*Ellison then screams, marches down the hall, and slams the door.

 

I can't wait for the teenage years.  It's going to be a blast!

Happy Daddy Day!

The kids had a full day planned for their Dad:

1. Breakfast in bed
2. Father - Daughter Adventure - Zip lining and Ropes Course
3. Splash Pad at Zoo
4. Favorite German Restaurant
5. Nap
6. Pool Party at Grandpa's House

Did everything go according to plan?  Kind of ?!?

Let's start with breakfast. Luckily no coffee was spilled in the process, but after the kids decided to also have breakfast in our bed (questionable who the "our" actually refers to... Dylan believes "our" includes him), my sheets were covered in syrup.  And although it would seem that a simple solution would be to change the sheets, I refused to do so.  I have had to wash so many sets of sheets this week, I opted to wake up sticky instead.  Stand by my decision.

Our next item on the Agenda led us to the Sanford Zoo. We all know the Sanford Zoo is a "4" on the excitement meter.  However, I must admit that on Father's Day, we reached an "8". First, we arrived as the Zoo opened.  Dylan and I were able to explore the Zoo when all of the animals were being fed. This is super cool to a 2 year old boy.  His response to a vulture destroying a rat, "ewww, I don't like rats". 

Ellison and Graham bonded over a ropes and zip lining course.  The first course was a little rough.  However, by the second course Ellison was a pro.  She didn't break any speed records, but she finished the course... which is what really matters.  Oh yes, and she LOVED IT!

After the kids cooled off with the splash pad, we met my Dad at one of our favorite weekend spots, Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe.  Everything hit the spot and we were ready for a nap.

So about that nap?  Picture this, kids watching TV in our bed with half closed eyes and Graham's eyes closed, but still responding when I tell them that I am leaving for the grocery store.  10 minutes later, as I stroll into the grocery store, my cell rings.  Kids are awake and have run amok.  You know that powdered sugar that I left on the counter from the French Toast, Dylan has decided to bath in it. How about those gummy vitamins that were left on the counter?  Gone.

To end the day, we headed over to my Dad's house for a family BBQ and pool party.

I am truly blessed to have a supportive, loving, wonderful father.  My kids are truly blessed to have the same. We are one lucky family!

The Guaranteed Napping Secret

Do you see the sleeping boy?

And another sleeping boy?

How about this sleeping boy?

Do you want to know how to tire out a two year old? I know the secret!

All you need is a swimsuit...

add some sunscreen...

and take him to the pool (or the ocean)!

Dylan loves the beach. He passed out each and every day. The passing out part took place while 1. drying off from the pool, 2. changing out of his swimsuit, or 3. biting into lunch.

Seriously, this works!  After all, who can forget this two year old asleep at NSB...

and trust me, she is a tough one!

NSB wins

Every summer, Graham and I battle on whose beach is the best. Obviously, my vote is for New Smyrna Beach. Graham attempts an argument for St. Pete Beach.

 

Of course the battle began as soon as we set foot on the beach...I am proud to announce that Graham has conceded!!!! (Finally!)

 

And I quote, "Jenn, I think New Smyrna Beach is the best." Not kidding people, he said it.

Who cares if he later attempted to back track with "St. Pete Beach has awesome shells."  Side note: I discovered Graham may have or had a shell collection (or at least wants a shell collection).

 

After Graham conceded, we determined that when your idea of the perfect beach involves lots of drinks, hot girls in bikinis playing volleyball, and shells, then St. Pete Beach wins.  (Oh yes, and that idea is generally preferred under the circumstances that you are 1. male; 2. don't have kids with you; 3. have a shell collection (or in Hobart's case - sea glass); oh yes, and 4. are thirsty.

 

However, when you want waves, boogie boards, sand castles, sea creatures, happy kids, and a JB's Turtle Mound, then there is only one choice... NSB.  And Graham agrees!

Enjoying the sand bar pool.



Spending the day at Canaveral Sea Shore.

Sand Angels.

Pool Time!

Quest for Sea Creatures!



Explore.Sea.Creatures

We had the best time in New Smyrna Beach last week.  The weather was picture perfect, the sea life was out, and my kids were ready to explore.  We found sea snails, cocina clams, jellyfish (that had lost their sting), crabs, sand fleas, and fish.

Sea Snail
We captured them, brought them to our sand castle, and watched them dig their way home.

A few pre-teen girls alerted us to jellyfish that don't sting.
We were hooked for the rest of the trip.

To Dylan's surprise, he reached into a hole and a crab latched on.
Dad thought quick and decided to make it a game instead of a "freak out".
Dylan is now obsessed with finding crabs!

Hello Summer!

School is over and summer is in full force!

The kids have been out of school for close to 2 weeks, you know what that means...

Hallelujah ... last day of school!

BEACH TIME!!!!

Dylan was dressed and ready by 7am.  He kept standing by the door, "I'm ready". 



They could not get inside the condo fast enough!

Finally!!!!!!