William's Renaissance Party

Fair Maiden Ellie

Ellie attended William, Emma & Lilly's fabulous Renaissance Birthday Party this weekend at Freedom Reins.   The guests dressed in their Renaissance finery, enjoyed rustic food, archery, horse rides and lots more.

Apparently Fair Maidens do not cross over cow crossing grates.  Ellie refused to walk over the grate, she was a little bit afraid of it -- I had to carry her both ways!  Funny girl!

Lord William of Zetus and Fair Maiden Ellie

Love their goblets!



This knight announced the party festivities ("Here Ye!  Here Ye!  My Lords & Ladies!")  and led the horseback rides.



Olivia trying her hand at archery.  Ellie was so glad to see her buddy Asher (on the right).  They were in pre-school together for a few years before he moved to Jackson.

Ellie's knight in shining armor! 
A festive day indeed!

Fall Friday

Ellie & Abby spent a gorgeous Friday afternoon on our porch with their bead kits.

Abby made about 8 pipe cleaner bracelets all by herself!

Ellie made several long necklaces, a bracelet and a ring.





Our favorite first sign of fall!  A delightful surprise lily!  This one popped up smack in the middle of our grass -- Abby insisted Tim mow around it.

First soccer game of the season!

Last Thursday night was Ellie's first soccer game of the season.  They played really well and won 3-2!  Go Bank of Brookhaven!!
Here are Ellie and Annie with their game faces on!

Spectator!

Action shot!

Halftime huddle

Water Break

Happy Abby!



In the middle of the photo between Ellie & William is the other team's Secret Weapon!  That girl was an awesome player (and about a head taller than all the other children on the team!).  



Abby's little surgery

Abby had a little surgery this morning.  She's had chronic ear & sinus infections so it was time for tubes and adenoid surgery.  Precious Dr. Mooney and his team took excellent care of our little patient.   Here she is when we first settled in the hospital, very early this morning!   The nurse gave her a cute little frog to snuggle.
Yesterday, at the pre-op appointment, she overheard the nurse mention they'd give her something to make her sleep.  That made her very nervous, but we told her it would be for just a few minutes.

Once the 'happy' medicine kicked in, her fears subsided and she was sooo giggly.  We were cracking up at the funny stuff she was saying!

Back from surgery. . . she was pretty sleepy (and a little bit mad!  She pulled the covers over her head when the nurse came in to check on her, and cried for a while, mostly out of confusion from the anesthesia).  It took us a while to convince her to have a few sips of water and bites of Popsicle.  But once she did, she felt much better!    Now she's home, settled in our bed and dozing comfortably.  We've loaded up on soft foods, snuggly toys and coloring books and she can rest and play this afternoon.

a walk in the woods

Friday afternoon I had to make a quick run to my tea cup supplier in Crystal Springs.  The girls and I decided to make it a fun trip.  We stopped at Chautauqua Lake for a little stroll and to enjoy the beautiful weather! 

(Stroll was one of Ellie's vocabulary words this week).

The Trail of Tranquility

We saw a lot of little brown frogs hopping around and several funny-looking long legged spiders.

It's beginning to look like Fall!

In addition to the walking trails, the park has a fun playground where we stopped for a quick snack.  The girls spent most of their playtime on the see-saw.  They thought it was sooo funny to 'boing' each other when they'd hit the ground and bounce back up.  They laughed and laughed!  It was so cute!

We had such a wonderful afternoon in the fresh air!

Big Reader!

Today, Ellie received a certificate for reaching her reading goal for the first part of the 9 weeks.  Yay Ellie, great job!  She also got her progress report -- all A's.  She's loving second grade!

Abby's First Haircut

Abby is so patient when Ellie and I get our hair cut.  She really wants her hair to grow long like Ellie's (and Tangled's Rapunzel!), but she's always asking when it will be her turn for a haircut, like a big girl.  It was time Ellie's trim, so we scheduled Abby for a teeny trim to clean up her little baby ends.  Abby was sooo excited all day long, frequently asking if it was time to go to the salon. 

Finally the time came -- Abby walked right in, greeted Ms. Melissa and climbed up into the chair, just like she'd done it her whole life.  She sat up very straight and tall with her big brave smile while Melissa trimmed away.  Soo grown up (I wanted to cry, though!)!

First snip!!  Melissa gave us an envelope with Abby's clippings for her baby book.

Abby tried to lower her chin like Melissa asked, but it was more exciting to watch in the mirror!

Finished!  Such a sweet proud brave smile!

After Ellie's trim, Melissa curled her hair and it was gorgeous.  We'll have to practice it at home so Ellie can go curly some days!

Big day at the salon for both girls!