And the 1st prize goes to......

ELLIE for finding the 1st prize egg!!!! I was able to get out of work early on Saturday and meet my Mom at the Elementary School for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. She was generous enough to take them for me (thanks, Mom for everything you do!) The turn out was HUGE, probably because it was one of the most beautiful day's we've had in a while. All the girls were placed with their age grps and they were all in different areas of the playground. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to be in 3 places at once, so I wasn't able to capture Katie and Maddie hunting. I stuck around and watched Ellie...and watch her find the 1st prize egg!!!! I was so proud of her! She was definitely walking around the rest of the afternoon with a skip in her step...lol. Katie and Maddie didn't win a thing :( but they had fun anyhow. I was able to get a few pics of the girls with the Easter Bunny. So, it looks like a I have a celebrity in my house....Ellie even gets her picture in the paper! Hey...it's those little things that count!

Let me tell you about this 'bunny.' I am convinced that this 'bunny' had been nursing a serious hangover. Was it really too much to ask that the Easter Bunny be lively and energetic...really? And he didn't even hop around anywhere...the horror! Ellie was scared to death and would only pose if she was farthest away from him...and I can say that I don't blame her. This was a milestone in my house because I've never had any of my kids get their pics taken with Santa or anyone dressed in freakish costumes. It completely creeps me out and I guess my kids inherited that from me. Yeah!

Oh, and one last shot. I bought this must have shirt at Target a few wks ago. Ellie wanted to show it off yesterday. Isn't it awesome? PERFECTION COMES IN SMALL PACKAGES
Love it!

Post # 2---Ellie's MD appt

I'm going to copy and paste most of what I wrote on Facebook so if you've already read that, bear with me. I really, really, really appreciate all of the prayers and phone calls from everyone. It means more to me than you all know!! One of the big issues with Ellie's SEDc is that it can cause the neck to be "loose" which is where we are with her right now. She is at an increased risk for having paralysis due to the nature of the loose vertebrae in the cervical area. With that said, she is on many restrictions physically (which is rather hard for a VERY active 4 yr old). The only way to fix this looseness is for her to have a cervical spinal fusion which is one of the most delicate surgeries and poses many risks. In order for the surgeons to find out the degree of increased flexibility and how much movement she has in her neck, she will have to undergo an MRI of her neck which is scheduled in a few wks. Dr. Lubicky seemed very concerned but thankfully, doesn't think she has any spinal cord damage at this point. She passed all of the neuro tests so he is confident things are OK so far. Thank God! I pray her path continues this way...but if not, we'll cross that bridge when we get there. She is a fighter and she gets it honest. God Love Her!!!

The next day after the appt, we headed to the Indianapolis Children's Museum...GREAT PLACE!! Ellie had a ball!! I am definitely going back this summer except taking Katie and Maddie, too (they were at their dad's all wk so they weren't able come). Ellie's favorite parts were the Carousel and the Dinosaur exhibit...yeah, you heard me right, the dinosaurs. Wow...talk about surprised!! She was completely mesmerized by the sounds, the fantastic lighting, the huge displays of the different dinos (I'm doing you all a favor here by not trying to spell the kinds we saw...b/c frankly, I don't even remember!) and the feeling that you were completely in the middle of the Land of the Lost (I loved that show and can't wait for the movie to come out--although I kept looking for the Sleestacks and never saw them). Anyway, it was a great way to end our short journey up north and take my mind off the inevitable.


As always, there is always something being fixed, built or worked on in Indy and the Children's Museum was no exception

For some reason, Ellie was fascinated with the sand...like she'd ever played in it before!

Ellie's blue boat she constructed herself. She was so proud of it. Ahoy, Mate!!!

Ellie's favorite place to be....on the Carousel!! She LOVES these things!!!!
Apparently, Ellie has a deep love for dinosaurs, which was a news flash for us!!
And the Princess FINALLY takes a break...and awaits for her Knight in Shining Armour! I don't think she'll be waiting long!
I think Ellie was terrified of this lego dragon...she has a nervous smile.
And away we go!!! Who knows the destination with Ellie in the drivers seat!
My Lil Hoosier!! (this is the name of the doghouse which didn't show up very well)
Waiting...and waiting...and waiting for the train to go by....unfortunately, it only went by one time and there was like thousands of them everywhere!

Post #1---LPA Swimming Party!

Sunday was our local LPA Chapter 24 swimming party in Plainfield and we all had such a great time! It was nice to catch up with a few familiar faces and chat with some new members. The girls had a blast, especially Ellie. That child is a fish in the water and has absolutely NO FEAR of it. This makes my job as mommy a nervous wreck when she is anywhere near water. Have I ever mentioned that when she was 2 1/2 yrs old, she jumped into Lake Tenkiller when we were boating with my sister and her family! Yes, she had a life vest on, but have you ever tried fitting a LP snuggly into a vest when she is the size of an infant? Makes it kinda rough! Thank goodness someone was right there with Ellie and she was just fine. But, my heart was racing...and continued to at the Plainfield Indoor Swimming Park. She frolicked, jumped, splashed, dove, floated and squirted nearly everyone she was around. It was really cute! I am definitely, without a doubt, putting her in private swimming lessons this year. Who knows...maybe she'll be the next Eleanor Simmonds!

Katie, Hannah, Emma, Ellie, Maddie, Renee, Emily and Lindsey.


Ellie splashing in the sprinklers!


Floating on her back...I'm telling you...this girl LOVES the water!




Katie, Ellie and Maddie...one of the few times they are ALL smiling!! :)

District 5 Spring Regional...Here We Come!

I'm so excited to say, we have decided to go to Grand Rapids, Michigan for the '09 District 5 LPA Spring Regional in mid-April!! I wish I could say we were also going to the National Convention in NYC (I ♥ NY), but this is as good as it's gonna get this year. I'm so excited to get to meet more LP families, not only for Ellie's sake, but for my own self as well. I'm also hoping to see some familiar faces, too. I can't wait!!! I'll be taking tons of pictures and I'll post them as soon as I can.

I've also decided to head up to the Lil Hoosiers (Chap 24) get together next wk. The girls will have an absolute blast, I'm sure! The meeting/party will be at a indoor water park which is sure to be a hit for ALL the kiddos. It's a 2 hr drive, but it'll be so worth it. This really is the least I can do for Ellie....get her to as many LP functions as possible. Be sure to check back for pictures, b/c I'll be posting next wk. On a bummer of a note, we aren't going anywhere for Spring Break this year (insert BIG SAD FACE). Katie and Maddie are going to spend the wk with their dad so it will definately be quiet(er) next wk.

OH...I almost forgot! We are taking Ellie to see the ortho surgeon on Wednesday (Dr Lubicky) to hear him give his 2 cents. If you remember from an earlier posting...I don't have lots of love for the guy. But, I will hear him out. NO way will I allow him to operate on her when the time comes, but I will hopefully be able to lean on him for some post-op care. So...stay tuned! Looks like I'll have lots to share soon! Wish us luck!!!! ☺

Say it isn't so!!! AI rant...

OK....it's no big secret that I am a huge Adam Lambert fan on Idol. I loved him from the moment I first saw him during the LA audtions for AI. I think he's a great singer, is a HOTTIE, and very talented ( he was Fiero's understudy in Wicked in LA). He really is the triple threat this year. That's totally cool. So, here I am, googling Adam just to find some more out about him.....and bam....the pictures are surfacing everywhere. Gay Adam Lambert photos...other headlines reading, "Will gay Adam Lambert photos hurt his Idol chances?" Crap!!! Now, before you start thinking of me as a homophobe (which I am not), I am still a fan...and huge fan. This dude has talent, there is no question about that. I'm just questioning his sexual orientation. I was hoping (and still am) that they are fake pictures....but then I found the videos. Yep....one youtube video even has him saying something about kissing a girl was not his particular preference. Oh well....a girl can still dream, can't she. He is just so darn cute...those bedroom eyes are to die for. I'm still rootin for him....but more like in the way I would for Freddie Mercury.

The trials of raising a tween

I know I have a LOT to look forward to with raising my girls....mood swings, menstrual cycles, boys, prom dresses, etc....ALL X 3. I... can...hardly...wait. I know that I won't experience anything that any other typical mom of a 10 yr old hasn't. Well, I HOPE not, anyway.

I knew that Katie, my oldest, had not been invited to a birthday/sleepover of a so-called friend. Katie is the one who told me earlier in the wk, and quite honestly, she didn't seem all that upset. I was but not her (so I thought). Yesterday as I was picking Katie and Maddie up from school, there was the birthday clan...yep, all 15 or so of them (including boys) all huddled around jumping, acting giddy and silly like any excited 10 yr old would be. Seriously, there was like 15+ kids!!!! I was so surprised ... but even MORE upset for Katie. It literally broke my heart. There the birthday clan was, smeared right in front of us for all to see who was going (and who wasn't). As we got in the van to go home, I was mad, sad, pissed, livid, but HEARTBROKEN and crushed for her. I tried to talk to her about it...and then the faucet was turned on. The tears came rolling down her sweet face, and then they came down mine. I just don't understand how a child is left out of a huge party when so many were invited--not to mention Katie and this little girl are friends. They play with each other almost everyday at recess. Granted, I don't know this family very well, so hopefully it was a mere overlooked error on their part for accidentally forgetting an invite. I know that happens. But, whatever the case, my little girl was hurt.

I know this will be the beginning of many heartaches to come, and I don't think she needs to be invited to every party ever held in Paoli. I'm not that kind of Mom or person. But, when it's a friend---come on. Where's the love??? I try to learn as I go, and this experience has been no exception. Either try to invite everyone, or don't make such a big huge display of the event for the world to see. Maybe I'm PMS'ing. I don 't know...but it really hit a nerve, and tugged on those heart-strings.

Ellie's 4th Birthday Pics....FINALLY!!!

I'm usually not much of a procrastinator, but I will admit to being a huge piddler. I LOVE to piddle. And, I must admit that I got it honest (right, Mom?). I've been dying to share these pics of Ellie's 4th birthday for the last few wks but couldn't locate the USB cable to my camera for downloading. Well, Katie cleans up my desk and ALAS!! There it was! (Thanks, Katie!!!!) So, apparently, not only do I piddle, but I'm not a very good house cleaner-upper. Mary Poppins, I need your help!

OK, about Ellie's birthday. We actually celebrated it on Valentines Day (talk about the best Valentines present I've ever received 4 yrs ago!!!) so that our family could all make it. It was a Princess theme, of course, and Ellie had a wonderful time. I'll let the pics speak for themselves. Enjoy!











I need to explain the Pop-Tart picture. I am known to wrap presents in boxes other than what the gift actually comes in. OR, I search my home until I find whatever box will work. The Pop-Tart box was the perfect size for Ellie's suprise. Bless her little heart....she was so excited to receive her favorite kind of Cookie Pop Tarts!!! She kept saying..."My favorite Pop-Tarts!" over and over again. It was so sweet! As she was putting it down to get to her next gift, I had to nudge her to see what was in the Pop-Tart box. SO, she was perfectly content to get PopTarts for her birthday. Had I known this, I could've saved myself some money (wink, wink). The child never ceases to amaze me! Oh, by the way, it was a Webkinz in the box.