our elephants are back!

People.

This is a big deal.

We have been waiting 2 years for our elephants to come back.

Do you know how long that is for a 5 year old?

It was so monumental that we had pancakes for breakfast.

On a Thursday!

 And we even let a kitty lick the sausage off our fingers.

Yes.

He is on the table.

I have given up.

He rules the world.

I promise I wash it daily and will double wash it if you come to dinner.

We got to the zoo around 9:15ish.

And it was PACKED.

But in a good way.

Here are 3 of our lovely ladies.

Aren't they gorgeous?

They spent the morning giving themselves mudbaths.

 And this is Willy.

He hasn't been formally introduced to the ladies yet.

But I think they are going to like him.

I do.

 It was a glorious morning so Ellie and I headed to the pond.

 And just hung out for a bit.

 And can I brag for a minute and tell you she knew exactly where we were on the map.

I mean, the exact spot.

She did not get this from me.

This is all Daddy.

 It wasn't long though, til we headed back to the herd.

 We even ate an elephant.

 But alas, it was time to go to school.

But not before one last sniff.

 And one last goodbye.

You might think the pic above is no big deal. 

A kid with a dude in an elephant costume. 

You would be wrong. 

This is monumental. 

Ellie has been terrified of dressed up people all her live long life. 

I think the excitement of the day went right to her head. 

She sure was proud of herself.

Ellie from 4-5

Here is this years montage. 

I know it's totally dorky to like montages.

Sue me.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

weekend

Yes.

I know it's Tuesday.

I've had stuff people.

Anyhoo.

I wasn't supposed to get my test results until today, but they came on Saturday morning and I am eternally grateful to that Dr. for not waiting until Mon. to call me.

Which made for a fantastic weekend!

We had our first soccer game.

And girlfriend gets it this year!

As soon as that whistle blew,

she was totally in charge.

Scoring her first ever 2 goals.

Chris and I were cheering like it was the freaking world cup.

 Then we had our 3rd and final birthday party.

Friends this time.

A simple affair.

A park.

Cookies, brownies, cupcakes, chips, juice.

Treat bags.

Presents.

Friends playing.

A nice day.

 This is Jimmy.

He is Ellie's current love interest.

She calls him Jim.

And they hold hands during meditation at school.

Lucky for me, Jimmy's mom is one of her teachers, so she keeps a close eye on the shenanigans.

I try and tell her that 5 year olds only have friends.

Not boyfriends.

So she calls Jimmy her "special friend."

Oy.

 Gosh I love this kid.

She ran her brains out all. day. long.

This is another of her outfits.

Not a battle I choose to fight.

On the way home I looked back and saw this.

Conked out.

Bit of a sunburn. (Whoopsie on Mommy's part)

Chocolate frosting mustache

I would say that was a good day.

 Then on Sunday we hit up a nature center and outdoor mall.

Ellie fell in love with this headband with the peace sign at Charming Charlie.

It was $2.

She got it.

What? You have never been to Charming Charlie?

Go.

Now!

update

It's been a week.

I have known for a few weeks that my dad has lung cancer.

I was going home to get the results of his MRI and pet scan.

To see where things stood.

I never made it home...

but I will get to that in a minute.

The cancer is in both lungs and his lymph nodes.

But not in his brain.

So bad news and good news I guess.

He starts chemo next week.

His cancer is "treatable but not beatable."

I am worried about him going through chemo all alone.

I plan to go home as often as possible.

Take care of him and such.

He seems ok so far.

Pretty at peace with it.

Or as ok with it as a person can be.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.

Now, about not going home...

Remember how I said I had to have a mammogram last week?

Well, the actual mammogram was absoutely no big deal.

Barely even uncomfortable.

Except for the fact that they found "areas of concern."

Which led to panic and 2 biopsies.

Which hurt like hell.

For. Real.

Like whimpering on the table and asking the nurse to hold my hand hurt.

Which lead to 4 days of the whole

"do I or don't I?"

while waiting for the results.

Which I don't.

Thank. The. Lord.

It was so nothing that I don't even have to go back until I am 40.

But now I have some bruised boobies and a new look on life.

Thinking I may have cancer changed how I saw everything.

Realizing I was ok made me very appreciative.

Of the life I have.

Of the people I have.

Of the time I have.

So, yes.

It's been a week.

A week of extreme ups and downs.

I am very happy for myself.

But very sad for Noonie.

(That would be my dad. Everyone calls him Noonie.)

headin' home

Girlfriend and I are making an impromptu trip home today.

After I have my first ever mammagram.

I know.

Aren't you jealous?

But that is a story for another day.

I don't know how much to get into now,

or if now is even the right time.

But since it has consumed me for days

and nothing is real until I write about it here,

I will just say it.

My dad is sick.

Scary sick.

And I am scared.

I am going home to get some test results with him.

So pray for good news.

M'kay?

i adore her

Can you see it?

There is a little bit of baby still there.

In the soft rounded cheeks.

And the puffy justwokeup eyes.

It is fading though.

Quickly.

I adore her.

Even when she talks back.

And changes clothes 16 times.

And wants me to be a horse.

And won't eat her vegetables.

I adore her.

Because she has the cutest tookus.

And the biggest blue eyes.

And the softest skin.

And the sweetest little hands.

I adore her.

Because she has a fashion sense all her own.

And thinks flip flops should be year round shoes.

And bathing suits are perfectly acceptable school wear.

And uncombed hair is cool.

I adore her.

Because she says words like apparently.

And evidently.

And excellent.

And "according to."

I adore her.

Because she is so nice to her friends.

And wants everyone to get along.

And avoids drama at all costs.

And wanted to invite everyone she knew to her birthday party.

I adore her.

Because she loves horses.

And unicorns.

And dolphins.

And kitties.

I adore her.

Because she is brave when she should be scared.

And scared when she has no reason to be.

Because she tells me her secrets,

but is horrible at keeping mine.

I adore her.

For keeping me company on errands.

And helping me dust.

And folding the washcloths.

And setting the table.

I adore her.

Because she loves to color.

And play pretend.

And ride her bike.

And explore.

I adore her.

Because nature is mysterious and wonderful to her.

And she picks me dandelion bouquets.

And always wants to climb on rocks.

And hang from tree branches.

I adore her.

Because the moment I knew of her exixtence,

she made me a mommy,

and Chris a daddy.

And because of it, better people.

Happy 5 baby girl. 



first of three

Ellie had the first of her three birthday parties this week.

I know.

Isn't that absurd?

3 birthday parties.

Girlfriend is spoiled rotten.

5 is an important age to turn however.

It is a whole handful, afterall.

I digress.

Chris' family threw her a fantastic party in Indy last weekend.

With butterflies hanging from the ceiling.

A cupcake cake.

And enough presents to make a girl blush.

 They know of her love of horses...

 and bought accordingly.

 And Auntie Sheryl stumbled on more of her very favorite toys

(Jungle in my Pocket animals)

and bought a ton.

From Europe.

See?

Spoiled.

 This is Uncle Mark and Aunt Amber.

They are getting married in June.

Ellie is the flowergirl.

And gets to wear a black and white polka dotted dress.

With flip flops.

We are looking forward to it!

 After the party we headed down to the river to do some fishing.

The geese were very interested in us.

Ellie is a master caster.

Must get this girl a real fishin' pole and let her do her thing.

 And we played a bit in the backyard.

It was a fun day.