celebrating 30 + 6

On March 10, Ashley turned 30+6 ... Lydia's contribution:

Ashley wanted to make a caramel cake, just like her Grandmama used to do. YUM!

Happy Birthday picture after church -

A random picture of the girls sleeping during Ashley's birthday weekend ...

Sarah sent Target gift cards for the two birthday girls, so Ashley took EB and Lydia to Target after school on her birthday. EB REALLY wanted this puppy purse, and she was SO SWEET buying her sister one too!

Ashley got some shoes ...

and a necklace ...

But the best present of all was an official East Dillon Football t-shirt. Only real fans of Coach Eric have one. Seriously. She is cool now.

We spent some time in the backyard, playing on the large stack of mulch we bought for EB's new playhouse project.

... and being silly in the process.

EB's new necklace ...

On her birthday, I fixed Salmon, coos coos, and asparagus ... yum!

All-in-all, a wonderful weekend with excellent presents, good food, and fun with family.

Questions, corrections, and other things

Just found this post from last semester ...

Some questions from EB ...

Isn't it weird that the highest number is a word? [[infinity]]
Can you read me this story?
When can I get my ears pierced? Does it hurt? How do they do it? Do they make the kind that you can wear without your ears pierced?
When are we going to get an iPad?
How old will I be when I can I have my own cell phone?
Have you always had a cell phone? Well, how did you call people when you needed them? What if you needed to call someone on your way somewhere?
Can I sit in my car seat with just the one strap?
Where did you get that shirt? Are those new shoes?
Daddy, when can we run from our house to the Y together? [Graham said they'd have to get her real running shoes] Ok, can I get real ones I pick out? And, can I get pink running shorts and a shirt that goes over your shoulders and together in the back? [She was completely concerned with the outfit]
with Nona talking about her dog ... How did -- die? Well how did she walk if her legs were hurt? Were you there when it happened? Did she go to heaven? Is she a person or dog there?
When can I have a sleepover?

And a correction from little Lydia ...

The other night, I told Lydia to pull her panties down before she sat on the potty, and she said, "Diaper."

I couldn't believe my 2-year-old had just corrected me.

- ashley

the girls met Rowe!

Over Mardi Gras break, we headed to Jackson, saw CC and Granddaddy ...

... then drove up to Oxford to meet cousin Rowe.

EB was beside herself (and very good with him).

Lydia was so excited - two cousins in the same house! Winters not on a phone screen!

The most favorite toy of the weekend was Winters's guitar. Much music was made by all, with only a few tantrums from having to take turns.

Winters's favorite thing was Brooks ... that is what he called her ... and the fact that EB would pick him up and carry him around. He would go up to her, put his arms up, and ask to be carried. Quite cute.

Lydia enjoyed pulling and pushing Winters in the wagon around the neighborhood.

And Ashley got some much needed baby time.

On our trip, we gifted the double stroller to the cousins. Ashley was excited to see that it will have a new life with her nephews.

We drove back on Sunday stopping at Jennifer's and David's house. The girls fell asleep 10 minutes before we got to their house for dinner. Seriously.  Ashley's mom said we should have just kept driving.

We ate dinner with the West family and were in Baton Rouge around 10 PM. The girls did fall asleep in the car and back again at home without too much trouble. All in all, a wonderful trip.

our anniversary

For our anniversary (back in January), we had an all-day-date in Baton Rouge. CC and Granddaddy came to watch the girls, and Ashley and I took our suitcase, hopped in the car, and ... wait for it ... went mattress shopping. We found what we like, at two stores.

Just before dinner we checked into our hotel. Fancy.

Dinner at Ruffino's (thanks Sarah and Robbie for our gift card!) was excellent. The cotton candy dessert was even good. Also good was sleeping in a king sized bed without two munchkins and being able to sleep in (though I was up by 5:30 anyway). And we left the hotel early because we missed them. Go figure.

11 years and still happy. Yay us!

ice skating & a scare

For Caroline and Camille's birthday party, they invited everyone ice skating.  It was our first time as a family, though Ashley has been a number of times. EB was SUPER excited.

Lydia even tried on a pair of skates and got on the ice (for about 45 seconds).

Everything was going great. I put on skates and managed to keep my balance while making my way to EB. We skated around for 10 minutes or so. Then EB wanted to dance on the ice. She turned once then thud. Head to ice. "I feel strange" was the first thing I heard out of her mouth. Off come my skates. Socks to ice to Ashley. Ironically we put ice on her head to control the swelling. Ashley was a nervous wreck though she did not let EB see it. She held the ice on Eden Brooks's head for almost an hour since EB kept saying it hurt without the ice. The scary part was the drive to the late-night clinic when EB kept saying how tired she was. Going to sleep after a head trauma we knew was a huge problem. After the visit to the emergency, children's after-hours clinic (thankfully a few blocks from our house), the doctor assured us that there was no major or permanent damage. There was a knot and lots of tears but she was asleep a few hours of being carefully watched. The prescription was no physical or mental activity (impossible!) for the next day. All in all, very Scary. We will wear a helmet next time.

field trip fun