Random updates on a Monday

1. The McAllister house cannot stay well over the past couple of weeks, with the exception of Ella. Upon returning from a trip to central Arkansas to visit family a few weeks ago Reese complained that her stomach hurt. I think I convinced her that it was hurting because she keeps eating her boogers. Prior to this sickness she was adamant that she had no plans of stopping that habit. Later that night we realized that she was running fever. By 2 am her fever was up to 103 and she began with the diarrhea. She was in the bathroom about 20 times that first 24 hours and we were fighting to keep her fever down. By Monday evening she had been sick so many times and I was now seeing blood so I got her into the pediatrician, I was very thankful that our pediatrician is open until 8 pm on weeknights. It took 3 days for the results of the sample they took to come back but it turns out she had something called campylobacter, which is typically contracted by raw chicken. Who knows how she got it but we were at a large public pool that weekend so it could have come from the gross bathrooms at public places like that. Reese no longer eats her boogers and is saying that she will not be doing that any longer so that she doesn't become that sick again...I guess that is the silver lining to such a terrible sickness. I am just glad it only lasted a few days and that no one else got it. Below is Reese eating her jello once she was on her way to better.

One evening later that week Neal began running a low fever. The next day he played in a golf tournament, went on a big Sam's run with me and went out to dinner with me. I wish he would have rested instead because that night his temperature was up to 103. He was in bed from Friday night through Monday morningwith the exception of an outing to an urgent care clinic on Sunday. Turns out he had a severe sinus infection. They took x-rays of his face and his left sinus area was huge, causing his jaw and teeth to hurt. It took about a week for him to be back to himself.

The following Monday I came down with a fever. Luckily mine only lasted about 24 hours and with lots of rest, juice and chicken noodle soup I was back to myself in a couple of days. I had no other symptoms other than fever and achiness so I really wonder if Neal possibly had a virus, on top of the sinus infection, that he passed to me. 

I am so thankful that we are all well now and that Ella didn't get any of it. Ella was such a sweet little nurse through all of it. When Neal was sick and she would be playing outside she would regularly go in to check on him or bring him a flower. The evening that I was feeling really bad she never left my side and was so sweet and snuggly. 

2. The girls have been doing swimming lessons the past couple of weeks. Reese missed 3 of the 5 lessons due to her sickness so we may get at least one make up. They have become so comfortable with the water. Reese is swimming short distances under the water and Ella will go all the way under to fetch her princess diving sticks with her eyes wide opened (only in areas that she can still stand). I love that they love the water so much because I do too.

3. The girls and I made these adorable 4th of July shirts. I love them! I got the idea from Pinterest of course.

4. These girls love this dog so much and this dog loves these girls more and more all of the time. The day that we lose Barkley is going to be such a sad day for us all. I hope she lives until at least 25. 

5. When Reese turned 3 the binky fairy came during the night and got all of her binkies because when you are 3 you are too old for binkies. She had a hard time with it for a few nights but then got over it and it has not been an issue. She knows that Ella still gets them at night only because she is not 3 yet and once she is 3 the binky fairy will visit her too. However, the other day I caught her at nap like this!!

When I asked her if she slept with anything in her mouth while sleeping she said no. So, I showed her the picture. She hid her face in the couch and then came back up a few moments later grinning and said that Ella left it in the bonus room so she decided to use it. Stinker!

6. Neal and I celebrated our 10th anniversary on the 19th. 10 years have flown by. I love this man so much and am so thankful for him. We celebrated by eating sushi and sitting outside near the new concert venue listening to a Pat Green concert going on. He did not feel well as this was the day that his terrible sickness started.

7. Anytime I go to a fitting room with Reese I let her have my phone for entertainment. The idea is that she would play a game or watch a show. However, this is the 3rd time I have found pictures on the phone like this following our fitting room stay (or much worse where I am barely or not dressed).

8. Reese is so picky about what she wears. Typically she only wants to wear princess clothes, which mean a dress. A few weeks ago she chose to wear a particular dress the night before, which I agreed to. The next day she was downstairs at 5:50asking if it was time to get dressed. She was dressed and ready by 6 and got to watch TV for an hour. The next night she decided to wear her Easter dress the next morning, which I agreed to. She snuck into our bed in the middle of the night that night. In the morning I went upstairs to grab the dress and couldn't find it. I went back down to discover that she had grabbed it in the middle of the night before coming down and had it in her arms in our bed. Below if an example of what she picks out when there are multiple pieces involved and just how happy it makes her to pick her clothes. Nut!

9. Neal let the girls splash in puddles on Saturday and they had a blast.

Reese 4 year old questionnaire

What is your favorite color? Purple & pink

Who is your best friend? Reagan & Avery

What is your favorite snack? Candy & m&m’s

What is your favorite thing to do with Ella? Go to the park.

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Chicken nuggets

What is your favorite drink? Chocolate milk

What do you like to do outside? Play Elsa

What is your favorite sport? Soccer

What do you want to be when you grow up? Elsa

What is your favorite animal? Baby sheep

What is your favorite book? Elsa book

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? Golf

What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy? Go to Chuck-E-Cheese

What is your favorite song? Let it go

What is your favorite birthday dinner? An Elsa pancake

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? My bunny Macey

What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

What makes you happy? When I have my Lyla

What makes you sad? When Parker bites me

What do you think about before you go to sleep? My heart

What do you like to do as a family? Go to Chick fil a and to see the Easter bunny

 

10 year trip

Somehow Neal and I have been married for almost 10 years! Our actual anniversary is June 19^th. It is amazing how much love I have for someone that often gets on my nerves :) (I know I get on his nerves even worse as he often calls me “nag-a-thon USA”). He really is a great guy that has been such a supportive, fun, sensitive, understanding and collaborative partner to spend the past 10 years with. We have the 2 most adorable little girls together and he is the best daddy to them that I could have ever imagined. Our girls and I are SO lucky to have him.

 

We (I) really wanted to do something special to celebrate 10 years, Neal honestly would rather have saved money as he is on a Dave Ramsey kick. Since he loves me as much as he does he agreed to take a trip and wanted it to be a surprise to me. I knew the date of the trip and that it was tropical but not the location. We had to take the trip a couple of months prior to our actual anniversary due to work schedules and the schedules of the ones that graciously agreed to stay with our littles. He knew that I wanted to try the Dominican Republic and I really thought that was where we were headed. He did look into it but it was going to be all day travel on the way there and overnight travel on the way home. We only allocated a Wednesday through a Sunday for this trip so that just was not going to work. So Cancun it was, for the 4^th time. When I found out at the airport that we were going to Cancun I was thrilled. We both always say we want to try something new but we also both love doing what we already know we adore. Cancun has always been such a fun trip for us and this time was no different. We always stay at the same resort so he did change it up a bit and booked a sister resort that is on the main strip and is couples only. It was great but we have both decided that we will return to our regular spot next time…what can I say we are creatures of habit.

 

This is up on the airplane ride over. We were on the beach by noon…another perk to Cancun!!!

This was the view from our room.

 

This was left in the room to greet us.

This cute guy just sitting on the beach allowed us to get a couple of feet from him to take a photo.

Classic toes shot.

One afternoon we went over to our regular resort and swam with the dolphins. It was such an amazing experience but the cheapest photo package was $130 so there are no photos of that. Her name was Andromeda and she gave us kisses, pulled us 30 feet or so along the ocean and was cute and so much fun. I have always wanted to swim with dolphins and cannot wait to take the girls to do it one day; I think we will splurge on the photos when we do that. Other than swimming with dolphins we mainly laid around on the beach and by the pool, got a massage, hit some golf balls, ate a lot and slept. It was wonderful.

 

We had a great trip and I am glad Neal conceded and allowed us to have some us time to relax for a few days. I love this man so much!

Random updates on a Monday

1. We debated this season whether Ella was ready to try out soccer or not. I am so glad we decided to let her go for it. She is having so much fun and learning a lot. She has a lot of coordination and determination and it is so much fun to see how big she feels after being out there and learning new skills. Reese on the other hand is having fun but she prefers to pick flowers and come to the side lines to ask for a snack while she is supposed to be playing.

2. I am so so so glad that the temperatures are getting warm! We had 24 degree temperatures this week overnight but I really do think that may be the end of winter temperatures. I love that all of the neighborhood kids are out playing again most nights.

3. Most little girls, and some boys too, seem to be completely Frozen obsessed and my girls are no exception. They both watch the movie 10 times per week and luckily it is a really cute movie that I enjoy too and don’t get too tired of. Every day I am told that Reese is Elsa and Ella is Anna. I love that the story is about the love of 2 sisters and I hope it impacts my little girls.

4. Reese and especially Ella love taking pictures lately. So Neal and I end up with up to 40 pictures in a row on our phones that look similar to the below. At least they are entertained for periods of time.

5. We are planting a garden this Spring! My father in law is making some raised garden boxes and I am so excited to do this with my girls this year. I cannot wait to see how it turns out.

6. I am beginning to think Reese is almost done with naps, but the problem is that I am not done with them. I need that time. We have resorted to telling her that she has to have some rest time in my bed with a movie. It normally results in this so it is a win-win for all.

7. I cannot remember if I have mentioned before that we are having issues with Barkley jumping up on the counter anytime there is any sign of food up there. Well last week there was just a container that had had roast in it, no roast left, and she jumped up there and knocked off 2 platters that were up there that Neal and the girls got me for my birthday last year. I walked into the platters shattered in the floor. I didn’t talk to her for the rest of the night. I have to figure this out!

8. Lately Reese has been saying “no way Jose” often and Ella also wants to say this but instead she says “no Jose”. Neal and I laugh every time and she wonders why we are laughing at her.

4 years and 2.5 years

Reese, you have become super skinny and still very tall. You are completely potty trained for months now, even through the night. You weigh 36.6 lbs (75th percentile) & you are 43" tall (97th percentile). You wear a size 6 for length but need about a size 3-4 for width so we have to make due as we can. You wear a size 11 shoe. You have beautiful light brown curly hair that has only been cut twice. You love to wear braids in your hair lately like the sisters on Frozen. You are finally agreeing to wear bows in your hair, sometimes. You and Ella fight often but you have a lot of love for your sister and you are always quick to protect her whenever needed. You adore the movie Frozen. You love Anna, Elsa and still love Rapunzel & Ariel. You love just about all princesses and have great hopes of going to Disney World one day (you don’t know it yet but we plan to take you there next Spring). You love Sofia the 1^st, Doc McStuffins and Tinkerbell. You have begun to really like some movies that I watched growing up like Lion King and Beethoven. You still love your friend Reagan and always ask if we can have her come spend the night (not sure that I am ready for sleepovers yet). You love all things girly including makeup, dress up, high heels, fixing my hair and painting your nails. You say the funniest things lately and are absorbing all kinds of phrases that are hilarious coming out of a little girl’s mouth. You have been exiting the challenging 3 year old phase lately and have become a delightful little girl. You are very considerate and caring. We had your 4^th birthday party at Boingo Bounce (you reluctantly agreed because you really wanted it at jump zone but that place stresses me out too much and I refused). The party was a lot of fun and lots of your sweet friends were there to celebrate with you Frozen style. I love you more than I could ever express and wouldn’t change my life as your mom for anything.

This is a photo of you trying to keep the nurse out of the exam room because you knew she was coming to give you a shot.

 

Ella, you are getting big so fast. You are such a cuddly and sweet little girl. You are tall for your age but still much smaller than your sister was. You are wearing a size 3t and size 7 shoe. You have done so well with potty training. You still have the occasional accident but are wearing panties during all awake hours now. You have entered the terrible twos with a vengeance. I have never seen such extreme fits as you have been throwing lately. You are so independent, which will serve you well one day but can be challenging as a parent when you are two. You insist on doing everything yourself even if you cannot quite do something and you will spend great amounts of time trying to figure it out. This is really cute and fun most times but when we have to be somewhere at a certain time it can be really challenging because trying to come in and help results in an emotional and sometimes violent fit. You are very caring and love to play babies. You love to watch Tangled, Little Mermaid, Frozen, Doc McStuffins, Monsters Inc., Elmo and Bubble Guppies. You love your friends from school and are so excited to go see Caroline, Katie and Emmy (others too). You have such a fun personality like your sister. Last week you transitioned to a big girl bed. You did this with no issue at all. It took your sister months to make this transition and you gladly began sleeping in your new bed the 1st night we put it in and there hasn't been a single issue. You are such a sweet big girl. I love you so much and am so glad that I get to watch you grow up. 

New York, Baby

The girls have a book that Neal got them a couple of years ago on one of his trips to New York called New York Baby. Ella wants to read this book most nights before going to bed. She loves hearing about all of the things to do in New York. We plan to take the girls one day when Neal has to go for work anyways but want them to be a few years older. 

Neal goes to New York for work fairly regularly. I have gotten to join him for the weekend a couple of times in the past couple of years. I am thankful that my mom has come up to hang out with the girls both times. I know it wears her out but I really appreciate the time I got to spend with my husband and the girls love their Emmie time. This last trip I did a lot of shopping, eating, got a foot massage and saw a show. This is a picture of Neal and I at times square about to go into the Disney store to shop for the girls.

Ella is a complete mommy's girl. She loves her daddy but she definitely clings to me. When Neal goes out of town he typically prints a picture for each of us and writes a note to us. Mine usually appreciates me for the things I do and lets me know how much he will miss me. Reese & Ella's usually tells them how much he loves them and will miss them and says to be a good girls for mommy and to help me out. I forgot to give them the notes before I went up to NYC for the weekend so they ended up getting them about half way through his trip. The girls both wanted to bring their picture/note to school each day. I got a text from Ella's teacher letting me know that Ella wanted daddy to nap with her and she sent me this picture. 

I sent it to Neal and he loved it. The next day another teacher sent Neal a note letting him know how much she loved the picture and that she'd been hugging it all day and again wanted to nap with him. He got this picture.

The day before he got home she again sent him a text saying that Ella had wanted to make him a picture so they made this.

I am so thankful that their school keeps us updated with pictures and messages like these. It means a lot. That night before he came home I talked to the girls about how he would be home the next day and would be picking them up from school early. When I walked into Ella's room that next morning she popped up out of bed and yelled "my daddy home?". It was sad to have to tell her he wouldn't be home for another couple of hours but she was so excited to see him once he did get home. The girls have an amazing daddy and they really love him a lot, as do I.

Star Student

Monday night at about 7 pm Reese announced that she was the star student of the week and that she needed me to send “lots” of pictures to school the next day. Reese has a habit of not telling the truth lately so I really did wonder if this was true plus I thought someone at school would have told me about this if it was true (maybe even the week before) so that we could plan for the things we needed to bring and have time to order pictures. I asked if maybe she misunderstood and if she was the start student next week. She began to bawl and said “I am the star student, I really am, I need pictures”. I told her that I believed her and that I was going to send her teacher a note to find out what this means and what we needed to bring, her crying escalated and she said “no don’t send Ms. Kassi a note, I am the star student, I just need you to get lots of pictures for me and a book”. So I just told her okay and sent her teacher a note anyways. It turned out that she was in fact the star student and she did need pictures. Walmart photo lab was closing a few moments later and I was scrambling to figure out what to do because I knew not sending photos was not an option if I didn’t want a completely disappointed 3 year old…this was clearly a BIG deal to her. We dug through drawers and found some old photo paper and just printed some photos off at home. I let her pick a few and once she went to bed figured out the rest. Reese was thrilled with our choices the next day.

 

She has had such a great week knowing that she is the star student and getting to bring a fun item to show each day. Wednesday she got to bring her favorite book, Thursday her favorite stuffed animal and Friday her favorite small toy. Neal had a good idea and decided we should surprise her and get her lunch and show up to eat with her on Wednesday to make it even more special since it was clearly a big deal to her.

 

I am glad that her school does things like this because it has made for a great week for her.