Oh The Places We'll Go--Part 2

Our next adventure led us to New Orleans. I was DYING to take Ella Kate to the aquarium and this was a perfect opportunity to do it. I LOVED going as a child and I knew she would love it as well. I was right!!!!!

Ella Kate loved the huge turtle in the shark tank more than anything else in there. We had to move to several different windows just to get a better view of the thing!


EK even got to pet the sting rays. She giggled and got so tickled because literally every sting ray in the whole tank swam over to her when she stepped up to the tank. They loved her and she loved her "friends" as she called them. She kept saying "Where's my friend? Oh, there's my friend" over and over again.



After the aquarium, the little monkey was so pooped that she fell asleep and missed these...
Before leaving New Orleans, we knew that EK would not want to miss seeing the street cars. We wandered around the mall for a bit while she slept and then as soon as she woke up, we went to check out the street cars. She LOVED watching them!

We had a FABULOUS day in the city!!!!!

Oh The Places We'll Go--Part 1

We have had a whirlwind couple of days! J was able to take a few days off from work and we had a blast just hanging out together. This summer has been quite busy for J, so we were super excited to get to have him to ourselves for a few jammed packed days!!! We started out on Thursday by heading to the coast for the day. We had hoped to spend the day playing at the beach since Ella Kate loves it and talks about it constantly, but the rain had other plans. We instead headed to the Lynn Meadows Discover Center. It is an awesome hands-on museum for children in Gulfport. Thank you sooooo much Aunt Carolyn for taking us!!!! Ella Kate (and the rest of us) had a super time!!!!

We played in the grocery store for a while. Ella Kate really enjoyed the bakery section of the store. Can't say that I blame her!!!!


J did a little entertaining.
We had a tea party...

and Ella Kate flew an airplane.
We played a little bball...let's hope she gets her bball skills from Jordan and Haley!!!
And did a little cooking...possibly a future Food Network Star ???
There was the operation of heavy machinery...
and some more flying...
as well as travel by railway.
Once we got back to Aunt Carolyn's house, EK did a little reading to Baby Dear. This was Aunt Carolyn's baby doll when she was little and she was so sweet to let EK love on her while we visited. She even ordered EK the collection of Golden Books with the Baby Dear story in it. So very sweet.


Aunt Carolyn let Ella Kate feed the neighborhood dogs some goodies. EK thought it was awesome and gave them each about a weeks worth of treats in a matter of seconds!!!
Thank you Aunt Carolyn for letting us play with you!!!! We can't wait until our next visit!!!!

Oh What Fun it is to Ride

with Daddy on the jet ski!!!!!

(Please note, they stayed right by the shore and went REALLY slowly!!!!)

Cinderella Kate

Playing in the Bay

My mom and I ventured to Bay St. Louis earlier this week to visit my Aunt Carolyn and play at the beach. Ella Kate has talked incessantly about the big sandbox, the beach, and seeing Aunt Carolyn since we got back a while ago. We had a great day despite the flood gates opening up and drenching our little party...it hasn't rained on the coast in 6 months, but chose to pour out 5 inches in a mere 24 hours!!!


The birds were very entertaining for Ella Kate. She chased them all over the beach...poor birds.
Well, what do you do when it rains on your beach parade? You just move the party to the super nice playground under the big bridge. Yep, under a bridge where the trolls live! Bay St. Louis has an AWESOME playground and they were so smart to get free shade/weather protection by putting it under the huge bridge between Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian. We were the only people out there and EK had a blast!!!!!
She was a big fan of the see saw....and everyone had to participate!!!
As well as the slide....which once again, everyone had to do. Fun times!

We had a such a fabulous time!!! Thanks Aunt Carolyn for letting us play with you!!!

Stars and Stripes

Happy 4th to you!!!!! We hope you have had a relaxing and fun day with your families.
We went to watch the fireworks in Madison tonight. We got to the parking lot a bit early to get a good spot. Notice the Lowe's sign in the background? Ella Kate said probably 50 times, "I see my letter. There's Ella Kate's letter. I can't reach it." She's a mess.
Still waiting...
When these started....
Ella Kate went from this....
to this! She LOVED the fireworks and giggled and talked about them for the entire 30 minute show.
It was a good thing she wore her pjs, because staying out so late and all the excitement caused this little firecracker to fall fast asleep in the car. Good night to all and God bless the USA!!!!

Pictures That Make Me Happy

Isn't this how everyone dresses to play in their room???

Dancing with Daddy...melts my heart!