Quick change of heart

Ella: Daddy, I really, really want a doggie. Can I have a doggie?
Daddy: Having a dog is a lot of work. Someone would have to take care of it every, single day. Who would take care of it?
Ella: I would. I would take care of it.
Daddy: Dogs have to be fed every single day. Who would do that?
Ella: Me! I would feed it.
Daddy: Dogs have to go outside for walks. Who would take it for walks?
Ella: Me! I would do that.
Daddy: And when the dog goes poo-poo, someone has to clean it up. Who would do that?
Ella: Ewww, not me! I'm not gonna' do that!
Daddy: Well, someone would have to do that.
Ella: Oh... then can I have a cat?

Back to normal

We slipped back into our daily routine pretty quickly today, except I am feeling slightly more refreshed and energetic than normal. I'm so thankful for a couple extra nights of good sleep!! Ella helped me whip up some Rice Krispie treats...
And taste-tested them for me... :)

Cade couldn't wait to pull out every single toy in his room. He's so much fun!

I always ask Ella what they're doing and she always says, "Just playin'."

The zebra's always good for laughs...

Being silly...

Rolling in the laundry...

Isn't this one great?! I love it!!

Little Cade is not so little any more! Look at my big boy, walking behind his toy! So big, so fast! He is becoming more and more independent all the time. He's going to be walking on his own pretty soon!

Bad influence

Perhaps Ella spent a little too much time with Bandit, or "the Pup" as she calls him. She was using the bathroom today and I noticed she kept leaning over and trying to lift her leg off the toilet.

Me: Ella, what are you doing? Why do you keep lifting your leg?
Ella: I'm trying to act like the pup!

Home from Grammy's

Our precious kiddos are home from Grammy's. Our babies are so lucky to have not one, but two, sets of grandparents whose favorite thing in life is to be with their grandkids. I'm so thankful for that. Like always, they had a fabulous time, but we missed them! I'm so glad they're home. Nothing in the world felt sweeter than when Ella curled up next to me at bedtime and said, "Can we cuddle, Mommy? I missed you."

Boca

Pretty much my new favorite restaurant. We weren't sure about it. We've been to Mesh the last two years for our anniversary and would have been back this year, but it actually closed its doors a couple weeks ago. = ( A girl at work suggested Boca. We decided to try it and have decided it just might be our new Mesh. It was sooo good. And romantic. And just perfect. Probably had a lot to do with my gorgeous date, too...
Anyways, the food was interesting and phenomenal. I mean, who would ever think that sea scallops set atop carmelized brussel sprouts would be appetizing in any way, but it was just about the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. I can't wait to go back!! Check it out at http://www.boca-restaurant.com/ (that's mostly for you, Papaw! :).

Hanging up my "Mommy" shirt

My parents offered to take the kids for a few days, so my hubby and I could have some quiet time together, maybe go to dinner, see a movie, sleep (!). After dropping them off last night, we both felt a little guilty that we had so quickly jumped on the chance. That guilt lasted for just a moment, until we laughed about it, brushed it off, and looked forward to peace, quiet, and a little time to ourselves. Time to be Melissa and Chris, not Mommy and Daddy.
I woke up this morning and breathed in the silence. There was no one crying, screaming, jumping off furniture, throwing toys down the stairs. I drank my coffee in silence, with no Dora or Imagination Movers playing in the background, and no one yelling, bossing, or knocking things over. I took a shower at my leisure, still in silence, with no worries about what mess may be awaiting me when I got out.
Then, I picked up Ella and Cade's rooms. I smiled when I saw Ella's lipsticks lined up perfectly on her dresser. I washed their laundry. I laughed when I saw the remnants of a diaper blowout on Cade's shirt. I vacuumed and swept, so my baby boy doesn't have to crawl on dirty floors. I straightened the house, so it feels nice and fresh when they get home. I went to the grocery and got a couple of Ella's favorite things to surprise her.
In everything I have done today, my children have been first and foremost in my mind. No matter how much I try to focus my time and energy on myself and getting a few things done around the house, I am just not able to separate being a mommy from being me. Just because my babies are not here today does not mean that I am not mothering them. They are in my heart and part of my thinking, part of my being. I am coming to understand why my mom still cries every single time we leave each other. Being a mom is not just something I can take off and hang up at the end of the day. Being Melissa and Mommy are one and the same, and I'm okay with it.

Funny Ella

Conversation between me and Ella the other night at bedtime:
Ella: Mommy, you still have your ponytail in. You need to take that out before you go to bed.
Me: Don't worry, I will.
Ella: Wait, Mommy, your earrings are still in. You were supposed to take those out before bed!
Me: Okay, Ella, I'll be sure to take them out before I get in bed.
Ella: Mommy, do you have your jammies on, or are you still in your play clothes?
Me: Wait a minute, why are you worrying so much about me? Who's the mommy and who's the little girl here?
Ella: You're the mommy. I'm the little girl, Ella Grace, but I'm in charge!
haha! Yes, unfortunately, she's mostly right!

And a quick prayer request- our sweet, little niece, Laila, is having surgery on her kidneys today. Please say an extra prayer for her that everything will go as planned. She's such a precious, little part of our family. April (finally!) started a blog- you can check out some cute pics of Laila at www.littlemisslailafaith.blogspot.com. Happy Thursday to you all!

Six happy years and a happy Valentine's

We had a super happy Valentine's day around here. Not only is it a sweet holiday, it was my and Chris' 6 year anniversary! I woke up to these Saturday evening...

They are beautiful!! There are six pink ones for the six years we've been married. So sweet. I love the life we've built together in these six crazy years. I am reminded every single day that I am so blessed to be married to this wonderful man, and I can say, without a doubt, that I love him so much more now than I did six years ago- so much more than I ever knew I could! Here's to many more happy years, Honey!!

We celebrated with our littlest Valentines, too. Someone showed up at the door with a balloon bouquet for Ella...

And Cade got his first balloon, too...

Ella had prepared a special Valentine card for Daddy. It was so cute. She drew lots of pictures and her name in it, then had me write, "Daddy's the best" and "Dad, you're fun" on the inside.

She even picked out a special box of chocolates for him- "See, the dog's like Air Bud." :)

When Grammy got here, she brought Valentine's from her and Pappaw, and even some from Mamaw and Papaw! Thanks, Everybody!
Lots of chocolate...

And more chocolate (and even cookies!)...

Cade, on the other hand, got a shiny new toothbrush! haha!It was such a great day (except for the part where I had to leave all my special Valentines and go to work!). Ella summed it up when she said, "It's just like Christmas, but it's all about the love!" :)

Saturday morning donuts

Some of my favorite memories of growing up are of Saturday mornings with my family. We had a big pancake breakfast every weekend, and once dishes were cleaned up, my dad, brothers, and I wrestled. Ha! Funny, I know, but those were the days when wrestling was the only thing that was on once cartoons went off. It was a tradition. We have a tradition at our house on Saturday mornings, too- donuts!! Every Friday night as I'm leaving for work, Ella reminds me, "Mommy, don't forget to stop and get donuts in the morning!" And again, if I have time to call and say good night, she tells me, "Mommy, make sure you get me a chocolate donut in the morning!" Sure, it's not the healthiest habit, but I don't think once a week hurts anything. Plus, it gives her something to look forward to, which I think makes my leaving Friday night a little easier.
She always meets me at the door and can't wait to get her hands on that donut!!
YUM! haha- I love this!

Cade is starting to get a few bites, too...

Yep, pretty sure he likes it. :)

It's a great way to start the weekend, right, Ella?!

My lil' helper :)

What a fortunate lady I am! Did I mention we have a live-in housekeeper? It's really a beautiful thing, because he doesn't charge a penny for his services. No longer do I have to worry about having crumbs on the floor, because he comes along behind us and picks up every last speck...
He doesn't even complain when he has to fold laundry...

His only stipulation is that he gets to roll around in it first...

He takes it upon himself to do things without us having to ask, and even brings his own supplies...

What I love most is that he has such a great attitude. Even with all this hard work, the smile never leaves his face!

Don't even try calling him for hire, Ladies! He's all mine!!! :)

The baby in the mirror

Hey, Baby! What are you doing here today?!
Where did you hear that one?! It's hilarious!You make the funniest faces!

Betcha can't do this!

We love to watch him talk to that baby. He's such a little ham!! :)

I just have to ask...

Could they be any cuter?!!

From the weekend

(A few more, compliments of Kellie :)