Treasure Hunt

Last week we had really beautiful Spring weather so we were outside a lot. We started to get a little bored so Ella came up with a great idea. She prepared a treasure hunt for us which included a treasure map and a secret treasure.

Ella first showed us the map with the "X" that marked the spot.



We then followed the map around the yard looking for the treasure. Finally, we found the it!!





The treasure was full of good snacks for us to eat!!

Good idea, Ella!!

My kids love me so much!!!

My kids love me so much that they have to be 5 inches from me all day long. I realized this when I was in my 3 by 3 ft. laundry room yesterday and noticed it was a bit crowded. Both kids were at my feet playing while I tried to do laundry in this tiny space. Now, I know our apartment isn't big but there has to be better places to play!!

The story of the lost puppy

Last Friday, I decided to take the kids with me to the mall because I needed a new watch battery. Ella made a decision to bring "Pup" with her (the little barking puppy she got from Aunt Julie for her birthday that she has been extremely attached to the last couple of weeks). I warned her that Pup might get lost but she promised she would watch her.
We had a good day at the mall. We got frozen yogurt from the Orange Cup (which is now my favorite), picked out a new Easter dress for Ella, and tried to fix my watch...turns out it wasn't just a battery problem:( Everyone was starting to get a little tired though so we decided it was time to head home. Right before we left we stopped at the family restrooms then headed out to the car which was parked on the opposite side of the mall from where we went to the bathroom...an important detail to remember for the rest of the story.
I got everyone buckled in, put the stroller in the back and was about to pull out when I heard Ella say, "Mom, where is pup?" She remembered having it last in the bathroom, so I unbuckled everyone, put Luke back in the stroller and headed back across the mall to the bathrooms hoping to find pup still there. But...she was gone.
We looked in all of the family bathrooms even the one that was mysteriously locked which meant waiting for 10 minutes for a security guard to open it. We also backtracked thru all the stores in a desperate attempt to find pup. Nothing. Ella was heartbroken and I truly felt so sad for her. She had lost her "best friend".
After about an hour, we made it back to the car. After everyone was buckled in and the stroller put back up, I decided to try one last thing and call the lost and found in the mall to see if anyone had turned it in there. The lady on the line was extremely helpful and contacted all the cleaning crew to see if anyone had found a little black and white puppy with pink bows on her ears. After about five minutes, the lady said, "Yes, we have it. A cleaning lady is bringing it to lost and found." I couldn't believe it and Ella was thrilled. So, I unloaded everyone, put Luke back in the stroller and we once again headed back to the opposite side of the mall to lost and found where we finally found pup. I was able to snap a pic of the joyful reunion.
An hour and a half later, we were finally leaving the mall. I was beat and Luke was not a happy camper but we had pup. I was feeling like a pretty good mom thinking that I had gone to great lengths to find my daughter's "best friend" and make her happy. I hoped it would be something she would remember. But as we pulled out Ella noticed that I had given Luke his milk cup and she asked for something to drink. I told her I didn't have anything for her and she burst into tears screaming, "You never do anything for me!!" So much for that.

Double ear infection

So, Luke is on his first round of antibiotics. He came down with a double ear infection last Saturday. He was a sick little boy but thanks to amoxicillin he is doing much better...thank goodness for child protective caps!

Spring project: Week 1

Whew, that was a quick week. Lots of progress. I had my doubts that this little flower kit with seeds that looked like slivers of sunflower seed shells would actually grow but so far so good. Ella is very excited!

Bringing in Spring

We are pretty excited around here about the coming of Spring. Last week, we decided to help it out a little by planting our own flowers and making a little green house in our apartment. We are going to blog their growth just for fun. We planted six little pots of Marigolds. Here is Ella planting them with her new Dora gardening gloves--$0.40 at Lowes!

Identical

While Luke was sleeping and Daddy was out with some friends, Ella and I decided to get cozy watching a movie. So, we both got ready for bed and put on our robes and slippers. Ella decided we needed to go a step further and make our hair look "identical" so she designed a cool look for us. Yes, I know, I am very brave for posting these pics!

Climbing Luke

Well, Luke has now learned to climb up on just about anything. I caught him climbing on Ella's stool in the bathroom to grab something off the counter. Since then we have had several tumbles trying to get down. Lots of bumps and bruises these days!