Memorial Day Weekend

Kevin and I both took off Friday to have a nice 4 day weekend. I would like to say that everything we planned to accomplish this weekend happened however things always have a way of changing! I unfortunately broke part of a tooth on Thursday night and needed to go to the dentist Friday. Good thing Nana has ties. So Ellia and I headed to the dentist Friday and Kevin got to go golfing!!! Not a fair trade off at all! Ellia enjoyed hanging out with Nana in her office chair while I got to find out that I need a root canal!!! Ugh! We ended up going to lunch with Nana and the day didn’t end too badly. Here are some fun pics of ellia in Nana’s chair.

Saturday we helped move Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ron into their new house. A bunch of the Angelo / Curry clans helped out too. Ellia had fun seeing the family, helping us clean and playing with her cousin Magerie. Congratulations Kelly and Ron! May many wonderful memories grow out of God’s blessing on your new house!

Sunday we went to church and then that afternoon headed to the pool!!! Ellia was a little leery at first about the pool but we soon found we wouldn’t be able to keep her out of the water. She had fun in the baby pool walking around and playing and then enjoyed floating in her ladybug in the big pool. She loved having snacks during her breaks from the water and soon enough she fell asleep in her stroller after all the swimming she did!

Monday Ellia and I headed over to my old neck of the woods, Bethel Park , for the Memorial Day parade and ceremony. We met Papa and Mimi Ollis and ALL the Barkers (Jen , her family and her in-laws). It was a surreal moment as I watched the band that I marched in 10 YEARS AGO!!!! Wow!! This was the last parade for our band director and for my Majorette instructor! Ellia had fun hanging out with her cousins, eating apples and fishes, waving her flag and running around in the field. This also brought back many memories of my grandfather who was a captain in the Marines. He would march in the parade every year and was the oldest member of his retired marine core group. How he would have loved to see his family and great grandchildren carrying on in tradition. The ceremony that followed was a wonderful way to honor all those that keep our country safe and free. What a blessed day!

We then headed to Mimi and Papa’s for lunch and the kids had so much fun acting silly together.

The weekend gave us a taste of the pleasures of Summer and we look forward to many more fun filled days. Until next time, blessings to you all!

Happy 1st Birthday Magerie!!!

Today (Thursday, May 27th) is Ellia’s cousin Magerie’s 1st Birthday. We celebrated a couple of weekends ago up in Greenville, PA where Todd (Magerie’s dad) grew up. Todd’s family’s house and land is beautiful! We were excited for the adventure and enjoyed the greenery, quietness and company. Magerie is already walking around and is as cute as can be. She was not shy at all about eating her birthday cake. The girls really had a great time playing with each other. Nana was in her glory with her two granddaughters! Here are some pictures from the party.

Ellia loved the open space, swing set and enjoyed playing Korn Hole (a bean bag tossing game) with her Papa. She also loved Olly, Todd’s old toy when he was little. I think all the kids did.. too cute.

Ellia had her 18 month check up this past week. She is 23 lbs 12 oz and 32 ½ inches long. My little miss is becoming more and more of a little lady. She will be transitioning into the toddler room at daycare this June. No more crib for her, she already has started sleeping on a cot at daycare. They say she does really well with it and will lay down by herself to take a nap. Her speech and sign language is developing more and more. She tries to sing her ABC’s, counts to 5 or even 10 at times, recognizes and identifies with many objects, and even plays pretend with her babies. My, how she loves her babies! She walks them every day and will even show them her flash cards that we show her. She will point to the card and tell them what the objects are. I guess it is good that she is mimicking my teaching behaviors. Kevin and I have to be careful more than ever to watch our actions and words around her.

She loves taking walks outside and looks for birds, bunnies, airplanes, and her favorite, dogs. She has to visit with any dog that walks by. Most people are good about it and the dogs are always friendly. And she MUST say Hi and Bye-Bye to everyone! No matter what too.. or she will scream it at them until they acknowledge her!!!

With this weekend being Memorial Day weekend, we’re looking forward to the pool opening and her reaction to the water this year. I am sure we will have may fun things to share. I hope you all enjoy your extra day of relaxation and ask everyone to remember to thank and pray for those that continue to fight for our freedom. Love ya all!