Yard work

Today we worked on our yard again. This week we finished it almost completely up. We mowed and edged the lawn, fixed the brick edger around the front flower bed. Pulled up the bushes and cut back the trees. We painted the trim around the door and the storm door and stripped the old paint off the cornice piece that had fallen off of the top of the door. After all that was done, Dad came over with a car full of stuff. He had gone shopping at Home Depot for us and bought us all kinds of goodies. Once we had unloaded the car we added trim around the side garden and added a bird bath and planter. Filled the area and the front garden with mulch. Then we installed a wrought iron fence across the front of the yard fixed the broken shutter and painted and rehung the cornice piece. Oh yea, we also hung some plants on the existing plant hooks. Then it was time to clean it all up. The front of the house looks AMAZING now, like really amazing. The curb appeal has gone WAY up! Now we just have to keep working on the inside.
A work in progress...








The final product!

Mall

Today we met some friends at the Madison Mall for a playdate. We met up at 10 and the kids played HARD! Ella was soaked in sweat by the end and Wes kept trying to escape the area. So frustrating! At lunch time we grabbed some chick-fil-a and then headed home. I really enjoyed getting to know Heather better, she was nice to talk to. On the way home Wes fell asleep but kept getting woken up by the wind in the car. Our car doesn't have air, so the windows were rolled down. He evidently does not like the wind in his hair! Naptime didn't last long enough for me, but then again, it never does. Once Jon got home we went out to dinner at a little Mexican place then to Lowes to get some stuff for the front yard. We are planning on working early tomorrow out there before it gets too hot.

Bowling

Today we decided that we wanted to go bowling. I had purchased a discount bowling card at the beginning of summer and haven't had a chance to use it yet. We called up mom and asked if she would like to go along with us, she said yes! So we headed over to her house to ride with her. The kids did GREAT bowling. The both had great fun and enjoyed two games of bowling. I did pretty good my first game, I scored a 140. Wesley was so fun to watch. He squealed and pointed at the ball as it rolled down the alley. After our games we decided that the line was too long to eat there so we went over to Frizzles and had lunch. it was super yummy. Then home for naps. The rest of the afternoon was quiet, until I saw someone on my Mommies board was selling a flat topped stove for cheap. When Jon got home I asked him if he wanted to get it and he said YES! So I went to look at it and it was just what I wanted so I bought it on the spot. Luckily the stove fit in the back of their SUV so they brought it over and we spent the rest of the evening setting it up. It looks great in the kitchen and even matches our fridge. YEA! for new appliances.








Wesley is finally getting somewhat used to his breathing mask. He does much better for Jon than for me.

A lovely day.

Today Ella and Nana went to the Salon to get their nails done. Ella had fun and Nana paid for her to have pictures drawn on her nails, (2 flowers, polka dots and a cat). After their nails were done they went to CiCi's pizza for lunch and then home. Ella told nana that she had "A lovely day" out with her. I am so glad that Ella is able to spend so much time with her Nana and that Mom was so nice to give me a break and take Ella out!

I am to dinner at Ruth's Chris!

I made the finals in the photo contest that I entered. Now all I need is your votes! Go to my entry (#4) and leave a comment. Help me win!!!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Today it was the coolest it has been in a long time. It was only 75* out this morning when we headed over to our friends house to go swimming. We love hanging out with the E's and today was no exception. I stopped by Mom's house before we headed over and asked to borrow her underwater camera again. We had a ton of fun taking pictures and videos of the kids. I am so impressed with Ella and how well she is swimming. If she can touch the bottom she is so brave and tries to really swim. I think T is a great influence on her. After we were all tired out from swimming we went back to our friends house and changed clothes. Then we headed over to McDonald's for lunch. M had to run to the post office, so I watched the kids play while she did that. It was an awesome morning. And I love the way the pictures turned out.

Serenade

Today in the world famous Carlson Club we had the most exclusive band in the world playing. "Ella's Band"!!


The Fans went WILD during her performance, it was CRAZY good!


At the end of the show we were treated to an encore and then Ella fled the scene with her rabid fans at her tail.


Either that or her brother just wanted her maraca.