Indy/Louisville road trip

My Ballerina

Skylee has decided when she grows up, she wants to be a ballerina.

Spidey, Vday

Last week, I introduced Skylee to Spiderman. She got a spiderman toothbrush for Christmas, and instantly fell in love. Then, last week, I let her pick out a balloon (because she was so good at the gym)...and she HAD to have Spiderman.
So, I decided it was time. Time to watch Spidey! Over the next 3 days, we marathon'd Spectacular Spiderman (one of the "modern" Marvel shows...though not accurate, we really liked it.) A day or two later, Skylee had the theme song memorized. Now whenever we drive around, we sing Spiderman.
Last Friday, the three of us spent the night at our friends Caleb and Heather's place. Skylee woke me up, whispering in my ear, asking if I would sing the Spidey song for her. The next morning, she woke me up singing it to me. Ah, progression. :)

A few updates...we joined a gym last week! Oh, wait. Did I mention I got a CAR?!? :) (Well, Skylee got a car...I get to play chauffeur.) First day with our new car we joined a gym. It's really a win/win. I get to workout and get a little "me and my music" time, while Skylee plays. Every day that we've gone, she's begged me to stay she has had so much fun. Then, we relax in the car and talk about our morning. She tells me about how many friends she made, what she played, how she shared...it's perfect. We constantly make up songs when I drive. After the gym, I usually take Skylee to Smoothie King for a little treat. Everyday on the way, we make up songs about the types of smoothie she's going to order that particular day.

We have been very busy! Last week we had shopping time with Jen Ro (Skylee's favorite of my friends) and lunch with Darcy (Skylee's other favorite.) We've gone to parks, and one of these days...I've got 2 free passes to see Tangled. We also spent a day at Grammy and Papa's hanging and helping out. Grammy has been sick. :(

Valentines Day was BUSY.
I am lucky to have such a good little helper.
We mailed our V-day cards on Valentines Day (hehe always late), and started our day early.
We let Skylee open her gift from Teresa and Joe and Grammy B and Papas at breakfast. Opening gifts, turns out, is a sure way to start the day of happy. We got a mixture of stickers, books, candy, and stuffed animals. Thank you! <3




Next up: Gym, Doctor (Skylee had a bit of a cough, just wanted to make sure she was fine), Made and delivered lunch for Caleb, Groceries, Shower, Clean house/a week of laundry, V-day shopping, Grammy's house for yummy valentines (candy, cheese, crackers, stickers, and colouring books!), Sbux for some caffeine, Chik Fil A, and finally HOME to decorate, cook, and romanticize everything.
Skylee helped out in the kitchen with the appetizer menu...Coconut Shrimp, Crab stuffed mushrooms, Spicy Okra, Pinwheels, Cheese/Crackers, and, of course, lots of chocolate.
We dined to candlelight and opened our gifts.

Skylee was ECSTATIC to get her very own camelbak. She immediately threw her arms around Caleb and thanked him. She also immediately put it on and did not take it off til bedtime. (Caleb got me a camelbak as well which he gave me the day before when we went on a nature walk...all day Skylee went on about how she loved mine and wish she had one..hee hee.) She also got chocolate, smartwools (which she loves), and a little outfit. Her responses to opening gifts is priceless. Hugs, kisses, thankyouthankyouthankyous. The works. :)

and today is officially DO NOTHING DAY!
Unless the weather is as nice as they predict...then we might have to bust out our camel baks and go for a little hike.

Hmm..oh! We had a playdate 2 weeks ago with Lowen and Liesel. While the kiddos played, Caleb and I picnic'd with Caleb, Heather, Hannah, Zach, and Corrie.

New Car!!

Skylee also helped me create a scrapbook of Caleb's and my third year of marriage as a gift for our anniversary. <3

Tea Time!

Cold (cold cold) weather camping

Last weekend we attempted to camp!
It was a success in parts..and a fail in others.

the successes!
- camping! even if we decided we need to wait a few more months to really pull out our camping gear, definitely worth it.
- snow! we found a perfect camping spot atop of Mount Pigeon a few hours north of us. Even though it was late, it was beautiful. And even though it was cold, the air was so crisp.
- fire! Skylee LOVED making a fire with daddy. She helped me unload our tent and sleeping bags excitedly, but she was especially anxious to help Caleb make a fire. Little did she know the-best-steak-ever and smores were to come... :)
- got some awesome cold weather must-haves for winter...a Columbia fleece for Skylee, intense omnishield gloves for me, and royal robbins hiking pants for both caleb and me..things we have been using daily since our trip.
- I have the excitement. Sure, we are going to wait til probably mid March til we start serious camping, but it is in my blood now! Anxiously anticipating another trip.
- watching Skylee "camp." She was pumped. The tent, the scenery, even the cold. Seeing her excitement warmed my heart. (just not literally!)

the fails!
- We originally hoped to make it to Cloudland Canyon to camp, but Mount Pigeon was still an adventure!
- Got lost on the way home..took a few hours longer. Though the car ride bonding experience made this more of a success!
- COLD! camping in 20 degree weather is not something I will try again until I have UA. (also, my circulation gets a fail on this one.)
- backpacking part of the Appalachian for our anniversary is put on hold until the weather gets just a little warmer.

The rest of the weekend we spent bonding, really praising and thanking God for our family.
Skylee sat with us in church Sunday morning, and we had the sweetest time together.
How on earth could I ask for a sweeter daughter, a more loving husband, or a happier life?
I am so blessed; thank you God!

A few other updates..

Two days ago, Skylee had to get two shots. Grammy went with us, and we were very proud of Skylee. After her shots, she got two stickers (one of which she gave grammy!), and a strawberry milkshake. Shots aren't so bad after all...!
Last night, Skylee got to spend a few hours at grammy and papas while Caleb and I had a date night.
When we arrived at their house to pick her up, she was lost in a "secret fort" with grammy bubbling over with giggles and smiles. I know she had a good time.
Nothing makes Skylee happier than getting mail. Not too long ago she got a CD and stickers from Grammy B. A few days ago, we got Florida oranges (or pom poms as Skylee calls them) from Grandpa! She knew it was really for her, and immediately we gobbled several down.

We watched Pocahontas yesterday, and Skylee informed me she wants John Smith to be her "prince."
He is a very good guy, she has reminded me several times since.
Also, whenever we tickle her, she now says (or more usually screams) "tuna' when she wants us to stop. It is adorable and usually makes me want to tickle her more, though I refrain.
Skylee has really been into 'dress up' the past few weeks. Every morning we try on tiaras, fancy jewelery, gloves, princess dresses, bows, and high heels and parade around the house. This is always followed by a tea party (with the tea seat Teresa and Joe got her for Christmas!). Every morning we 'dine' on water tea and eat 'plastic' cake. She is such a good hostess!
Whenever I ask Skylee if she wants to help me with laundry she responds "Of course I do!"  She used to simply help me separate her clothes from mine, then she started folding her clothes, now she even hangs them on hangers! She really is the best little helper.
And so smart. Whenever I get into baby-clothes lust, she'll remind me, "I have clothes, mommy. I don't need any." (She'll usually mention later she "needs" a smoothie.)

What else..Skylee is addicted to using camel baks for drinking since our camp trip. At least she's drinking more water! (our little kool aid junkie) And oh! We made pine cone bird feeders. We are still waiting for the bird to find them...