For Allison

We very rarely get to see my sister Allison. Once a year, if that. Since she hasn't seen M&E in quite some time (a year, perhaps?), she requested a video so she can see them talking. This is for you, Allison.

M&E's vocabulary does stretch beyond "please" and "no", but this is all I was able to catch on camera.

Free Amusement

We ate dinner tonight at the Vestavia City Center and seated ourselves outside near the escalators. All throughout dinner Madeline kept saying "Mommy, I wanna ride!" I told her she could ride when she finished her supper. Man, did that hot dog and fries disappear quickly! In the meantime though, she would let out a frustrated "Ugh!" and point to each person who got on the escalator. After supper, I kept my word and M&E rode with me up and down about 5 times. Then they rode about 4 times with Daddy. If these children get this excited about a simple escalator, just think how they'll react to Disney World!

**The child behind Brandon does not belong to us, but was also enjoying the entertainment value of an escalator.

Decor, Chore, and More

The addition is coming along nicely. Mama Kaye spent the night with us Sunday on her way home from her high school reunion. I took advantage of this time with my decorator and picked out paints and tile. Then, she grabbed the roller and started painting! Here is the bedroom. The color is called "Seashore Fog". I love it - very soothing.



A consequence of a home under construction is a mess. Brandon has promised me a maid once we're finished. I cannot wait! Sometimes the mess gets to Eli too. Today he pulled the vacuum out of the closet. Not one to discourage my child's desire to clean, I got him to help me pick up the toys and I plugged that baby in and had him help me vacuum. He really seemed to enjoy it, so we'll be sharing this chore again soon. Perhaps we can convince Miss Madeline that she likes to clean also.



Speaking of Little Miss, she is wearing a ponytail today. Her hair is really getting long so I pulled it up into a ponytail for the first time this morning. I feel like it makes her look so grown up.



Glasses also make her look grown up, don't you think? She doesn't have her own (Praise God for good vision!) so she occasionally borrows Mr. Potato Head's.

Hear the Bells?

Okay, perhaps they're a bit off in the distance, but I hear the wedding bells nonetheless. Julia and Matthew have set May 22, 2010 as their date and M&E received a very important package in the mail today. It contained these...

Since they arrived at snacktime, M&E decided to taste them before answering.

Then they said YES!

In unrelated news, we have a new daily activity around here and Madeline has two new favorite words: OUTSIDE!!! and SLIDE!!! (The all caps and exclamation points are necessary to try to show the enthusiasm with which they are spoken **scratch that** shouted.)

By the way, I complained a bit when Brandon picked this green slide out of the trash on the side of the road last year and brought it home to us, but I will admit he proved me wrong on this one. A little carpentry and it's a hit.

Hey, y'all!

I traveled with M&E and Mama Kaye down to Statesboro and Savannah this past weekend to witness Julia's graduation from nursing school. We also got to celebrate Julia and Matthew's engagement, which we're so excited about because we all just love Matthew! And, we got to visit with Granddaddy, too. The Whitts were kind enough to host us for the weekend and could not have been more accommodating. They even let Eli borrow a "dadoo" (tractor), which he bathed with, slept with and talked about all weekend.

I was busy all weekend chasing around M&E in 95+ degree heat, so I didn't take many pictures. I do have one exciting one to share though. Look who we saw in Savannah on Friday!

Brandon stayed home to work on the addition. The drywall is hung.

Mother's Day was wonderful. I was so exhausted from our weekend that I napped on the couch while two children climbed all over me, and I'm talking one of those unconscious naps. I got a card and a beautiful hanging basket from M&E and Brandon and a "Mommy's sippy cup" from Mama Kaye, which was put to use after a long weekend.

In honor of our run-in with Paula, we send you love and best dishes from our kitchen to yours.

Weeeee-dowee

We took M&E to the lake this weekend in hopes of some sunshine and warm weather. Instead we got rain, clouds and cold. (And tornadoes on Sunday.) We did get out on the water for a bit on Saturday before heading home.

Eli took us for a spin on the pontoon boat.



Madeline enjoyed it.



Then Daddy took over the wheel so M&E could enjoy the scenery together.



M&E got to take turns on the jet ski with Daddy and then we all four got on for a cruise. M&E thought the waves were very fun. There was lots of "Weeee!".





Hopefully the weather will cooperate next time. At least there was no sunburn risk!