Spring Break in Sanibel

We spent a wonderful week on Sanibel Island. We spent our days on the beach, bike riding, reading, eating ice cream (some of us--ok ME--ate it every single day--sometimes twice a day :) ---we did ride our bikes to the ice cream shop though!!), laughing and enjoying some uninterrupted time together.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My first attempt to make corned beef and cabbage was a success! Ellie wanted to trade in her cabbage for a pbj but otherwise everyone was happy. The meal was made complete with the music of U2, green milk and the oh so Irish, green jello for dessert. The girls were clothed in plenty of green today but as is evidenced in this picture dinner time has recently been moved to 6:30 and is after showers---what a great move that was!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Tiny Bubbles, Giant Laughs

More proof that less is more. The front door was closed but Kevin and I could still hear the squeals of laughter all the way in the kitchen. What a sound! Hopefully years from now when I look at these pictures I'll still be able to hear my girls laughing their hearts out.

Today I'm thankful....

for amazing weather and friends to share it with!

A second tooth lost and insights gained.

Emma is now missing two teeth! This weekend she also discovered the true identity of the tooth fairy. Emma is very relieved to know. The whole fairy in her room, taking her teeth idea was really bothering her.

We had a great 24 hour visit with Grandpa and Kyra this weekend too. After returning home my dad shared what he learned on this visit, a true example of how we never stop learning and that kids are the best teachers.

Just a few of the things I learned this weekend:

1. Faith starts with the fairy god mother and is called into question when she wants something you're not ready to give up.
2. Ellie prints better than I did in high school.
3. Ellie is most agreeable when we negotiate while laying under her bed.
4. Remy's is a must do at least twice no three no no no four times a year.
5. According to Emma's calculations - Kyra is 9 years older than you Melissa.
6. Adults do not fall as often as kids - a mystery still to be solved?
7. It's ok to substitute chocolate for gluten containing foods.

Wednesday, March 3rd, 8:03 p.m.........

Emma lost her first tooth! She has waaaaaaited so long for this moment! She was up 4 times during the night fretting about the tooth fairy. Then this morning when I asked her if the tooth fairy came, she said, " I didn't check, but probably not, I didn't put my tooth under my pillow, I slept on top of it. I didn't want her taking my tooth." AH HA, so that's what happened! Thankfully, the tooth fairy still stopped by, and let Emma keep her first tooth!

Ten Fingers Up

Ellie was sick for the first part of the weekend. By this morning she was fever free for 24 hours and wanting to go to school, so away she went. When I picked her up from school she didn't look so good to me. I asked her how she was feeling, she gave me her brilliant smile and two thumbs up. Throughout the afternoon she continued to have that sickly child look about her and finally, on what was probably my fifth time asking her how she felt she said, "Mommy really, I'm feeling 10 fingers up!". After Emma came home from school Ellie disappeared for a bit. Emma came racing down stairs gasping "MOM, Ellie is sound ASLEEP!!!". Sure enough, unprompted, Ellie and her passy had gone upstairs gotten into my bed and fallen asleep. Not so sure she's still 10 fingers up ☹.