Nearly Perfect Weekend

Floridians happily welcomed Fall this weekend! Despite the Gator loss on Saturday, the weekend was pretty perfect. Saturday was filled with tailgating at The Swamp and college football. Sunday, we spent the entire day outdoors including an enjoyable stroll around the Maitland Art Festival at Lake Lily. 

It is just a matter of days until Andy makes a full conversion to Gator fan.

We were only missing their old house, otherwise the whole gang was there!

Love this trilogy of photos... check out our attempts to get a good picture.  Ellison was taking joy in foiling our attempts.

We finally got a decent one.

Dancing at the Festival

Once again, Andy was attempting to feed my child non-friendly food items. Oh Andy! :)

Massive Explosion

I am not talking poop. I am talking about Dylan's developmental explosion.

Language

On Monday, I began to hear what sounded like "Ellison" coming from Dylan. He was reaching for her, so Ellison heard it as well. On Wednesday, my Mom confirmed my suspicions.  Sure enough, Dylan says, "Eeeee-son".

Then Thursday night, clear as day, Dylan said, "Daddy" as he reached for Graham. And repeated it throughout the evening to his Daddy. Graham was pretty stoked. (especially stoked because his name came before mine)

So what about Mommy?  Well my rebuttal is that Dylan doesn't need to say my name. After all, I am always there for him when he needs me.  But hold on one second . . . guess what? Dylan needed me... at 5 a.m.... and "Maaaa Maaaa" is what both Graham and I heard.  He did the same thing after nap time, so its official.

Movement

Do you have stairs? No problem, Dylan can climb them. Couch? Chairs?  Not really an obstacle. Anotherwards, Dylan is a crazy climber. No fear at all and therefore covered in bruises.

Also, he is standing without hands.


SEE  I told you that you wouldn't believe it! (see previous post)

On a side note: I have failed to capture any proof on video. Will work harder at this. I promise.
  

My Heads Spinning

My heads spinning this week! Literally and figuratively! The Clark household has been busy with school, work, craft projects, cooking, playing... you get the point. What keeps us sane? Well, a few people would argue that I am slightly insane.  Have I told you about the 7 black dresses that I have purchased for Chantale's wedding?  Wait, I digress.  We stay sane thanks to our precious little ones.  Laughter is the best medicine to a long week. 

A few fun photos from the week...

1. The Fish Tank

Graham has been obsessed with upgrading his tank. He finally did.  So Ellison and I went to crafting up a background for the new tank. I think I will be picking up sparkles for a long time.

2. Cooking for Uncle Tim
Uncle Tim is one busy guy. Ellison and I decided we should make him a special dinner, Spaghetti, homemade meatballs, and brownies... of course.

Um, yes that is Ellison's hand in the brownies.  At least it was a clean hand!

Obviously, she was caught several times with her hands in the brownies.

3. Dylan loves Spaghetti

4. Ellison has acquired a few new pose for pictures. I just hope my Supermodel doesn't attempt these for school pictures next week.

 5. The Joint Bath
I successfully gave a bath to both kids at the same time this week.  You should be as excited about this feat as I am.

I told you it was an interesting week. Just wait for my next post... as Ellison would say, "You just won't believe it!"

St. Pete Weekend

The Clark Family piled into the car on Friday to attempt an early arrival and a dinner out to celebrate Nana's Birthday. Thanks to Orlando traffic, we ended up with a 3.5 hour long car ride, picked up Tijuana Flats, and enjoyed a late dinner with Nana. Besides the traffic debacle, I would have to say it all ended up pretty perfect.

On Saturday, we spent the day with Papa at the beach.  Ok, I spent the majority of the time in the condo with Dylan, but Graham, Ellison and Papa enjoyed the beach.  Ellison has a tan to prove it.  Meanwhile, I am still a lovely shade of pale.

Later that night, Graham and I picked up a few friends and headed to Ybor City.  Don't worry, we realize that this is not the place to go to party.  And if we didn't realize it before, we certainly are 100% aware of it now.  We headed to Ybor to watch Graham's cousin, Dan, perform with his band Guiltmaker.  We stuck around for Peter Bjorn and John, but quickly departed afterwards to head back to St. Pete and enjoy the nightlife.

There is nothing like arriving back at the condo at 3 a.m. to find one of your children wide awake.  Well, I guess we lost Papa and Cheryl for all future babysitting jobs.  Maybe that is ok, because there is nothing like 2 hours of sleep to remind you why you don't party every weekend until 3 a.m. 

Beach Bums

One thing is for sure... my kids are beach bums.  Ok, well they are not lazy, surf all day, beach bums, but they are certainly lovers of the beach. 

Happy Kids + Beautiful Day at St. Pete Beach = Graham's Perfect Day

 

It feels like my nights have been filled with school, meetings, and networking events over the last few weeks.  So I have been making sure I get my playtime in with the kids before I head out the door.  Don't worry I am always back to read, rock, and tuck my babies into their beds.  Or at least in Dylan's case, I am always back for his multiple evening wake up calls.

Now that the weather is cooling off, its time to bring the water tables and bikes out. (Cooling off?  We live in Florida, I am talking low 90s. 94 degrees and above, I hide indoors!) Last night was Dylan's first time playing with our water table.  He had a blast! He attempted to get into the baby pool, but Ellison felt strongly that is was "girls only".

Weekend Pictures

Don't let this face trick you...
she had plenty to do all weekend!

Farmer's Market at Lake Eola with Aunt Ashley.

Showing off her new hat.

Uncle Mac's 60th Birthday Party.

Graham drove back from the UF game to attend :)

Visiting with Olivia in the hospital.

Being silly.

Cheering on the Gators!

UF wins!!!