When the kids are away...

 My posts have far and few between as of late.  So what did we do while the kids were gone?  We certainly did not check off the items on our To Do List.  We ended up working late and passing out early.  And then there was that epic game of Jenga with Nancy and Howard.  That was a fun afternoon topped with a delicious meal.

Done with Me

On the drive to the airport, Ellison made the statement, "Mom, don't you even think about surprising us and coming to North Carolina. I am done with your rules. I need a break." Message received.

And although both Ellison and Dylan are having a blast in NC. I am happy to report that they call me daily and are asking when I will be joining them. In fact the first request was within 24 hours. Phew, it's good to be missed.

A few photos that are being sent to me while I whittle my days away in the office...

Midnight and the Brain

I remember Ellison at 3 years old and our bedtime routine consisted of at least an hour of question and answer nightly.  It happened every night as I was about to turn down the lights and give a final kiss and hug good night, the gates would open and a game of 101 questions would begin. Her brain never quieted down, but instead the questions are now spread out throughout the day.

Well Dylan has picked up where Ellison has left off.  Our nighttime shenanigans routine consists of 101 questions, where I basically have to eventually cut him off and ask him to think of his questions and to hold them until the morning.

Last night at 11:30 pm, the house was quiet except for Dylan and I.  A few of his "must know" questions:

1. How does my brain work? What does it do?
2. How does my heart work?
3. So is it moving slower since I am laying down?
4. Am I breathing slower?
5. What do the insides of sharks look like?
6. Why can they see underwater easier then I can?

I have often said that my children are so difficult to put to sleep because they are so smart. Their brain is just difficult to quiet down.  I love the questions (most of the time). And I think it is obvious after last night that I am on to something.

E + Me

I am a little behind with my posts.. oops.  However, my normal faithful followers (3 to be exact) have been busy with the stomach flu, a trip to China, and frequents trips to NC.  So lack of posting has gone unnoticed. So in honor of my faithful follower finally getting over the stomach flu, I am doing a quick post on my fun afternoon with Ellison. 

 Ellison and I were excited to catch a performance of "Rapunzel" at Orlando Shakespeare.  They always spin the traditional fairytale in a unique way.  Their version of Rapunzel involved a plummer and lots of "toots".

Just a little "selfie" action.

We followed the theater with a trip to the new Trader Joes.  Ellison was in love with her outfit, so we had to take a quick shot. She said that her outfit "was perfectly her. The ruffles and the boots are her."  I wish I dressed like her!

Summer Time

One month into summer and we have kept busy with camps, occasional excursions to local hot spots  (if you consider Gatorland hot), and lazy afternoons with neighbors. Our nights have become longer and we wake up a little later in the morning (excluding Saturdays after rough nights of sleep of course).  And as time passes, I have begun to wonder how we are going to get back into the school day routine.

Dylan and Daddy have been taking nightime excursions to find animals that love the dark. 

Ellison was thrilled to wake up and find an abundance of lemons in the fridge.

Long afternoons with friends.

This is the first summer that Dylan has been actively engaged with the neighborhood fun. He is loving all of the boys!

Oh Boys!

Bye Tonto Friends

Our dear Tonto Trail friends moved to West Virginia last week. We have lots of memories with Landon, Keeley and Liam.  They will be missed.

Bye Bye Kindergarten

I swear it was only yesterday that Graham, Dylan and I walked Ellison to her first day of Kindergarten. It's hard to believe that the first and last day of her Kindergarten year have come and gone. We now have a First Grader!  

I couldn't be more proud of my little girl. She received smiley faces from her Teacher on each and every day on her school calendar. At our last parent teach conference, the teacher stated she was the "quintessential" kindergarterner, kind to all of her friends, well behaved, and excelled in school. 

We are certain that moving to Dommerich was the best choice for our family. We love our Dommerich family. This is Ellison showing off our family flag at the school picnic.

Ellison's first field day reminded me of my days at Lakemont. 

End of the year party!

Our sweet neighbor is on an adventure to his new home in West Virginia.  Ellison will miss her classmate, friend, and neighbor, Landon.

At the end of the year Writing Celebration, I received a bag full of Ellison's work throughout the year.