Olivia at Charlie Elliot Discovery Center

Fun Day in Nature at Charlie Elliot

Today we took Olivia to Charlie Elliot WMA (Wildlife Management Area). It was called Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center’s JAKES Day (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics, & Sportsmanship).  It was a little bit of a drive but well worth it.  The best thing- it was FREE! Brendon was so excited to go and thanked me several times for going. 

We parked and walked and found the festivities.  We got to see Turtles, Hawks, and Snakes outside.  It was really cool to show Olivia all the animals and watch her point at them.  We then went into the Discovery Center and checked that out.  They had several stuffed animals and a few live animals in there.  One of the employees took out a snake and it started going in her shirt...ewww... no thanks! Then we took a short lunch break.

After lunch we went fishing.  They had free fishing poles to use and bait.  We brought Olivia's pole but had to get some bait- they gave us hot dogs.  So we fished for a bit but didn't catch anything.  Some other people caught some HUGE Catfish.  But it was a great experience for Olivia's first time fishing.  She sat with us for a bit but then wanted to get up and move around.

Then we came home.  On the way home we were talking about getting Olivia a bike and what do you know... we saw a house with some bikes for sale in front of it.  So we stopped and got a cute pink Barbie bike! We know she won't ride it for a long time but it was only $15.00!! Best part- it has training wheels with it already too!

But lots of good memories were made today!

Butterflies

Hawk

Snakes!

Deer

Fox Pelt

Please No Bear Hugs!

Snake in the shirt...yikes!

This is your fishing pole!

One proud daddy

Watch the bobber

Mommy's turn

Here fishy, fishy

Letter to Mom

All this week I must have looked like a disaster when I got to work.  Everyday this week on The Bert Show (the radio station I listen to Q100) in the morning, the DJs have taken turns writing letters to their mothers.  Talk about tears...every day... even with Jeff's letter- he usually doesn't show much emotion! So mom, I know that we sent you a few things but just wanted to write you a short letter too.

Dear Mom,

I am not even sure I can write or list all the things that you have done for me throughout my life that have meant so much to me.  If anyone ever had to have a representative for a mother it would be you.  You are Betty Crocker, a teacher, a nurse, a wife, grandma, and a best friend all wrapped up into one person.

I aspire to be like you even though I have had some disasters in the Betty Crocker department.  But I at least try baking and find myself enjoying it on Sunday afternoons.

You helped me find a career path that I truly do love.  Thank you for being the listening ears about schools things and sharing ideas.  You go above and beyond what you need to do for your students- especially when you make each child feel special on their birthday by making them a cake- now that is a super teacher! You also share your family with your class and love that Olivia is a superstar to them!

When I was younger and sick you take care of Dustin and I like a first rate nurse.  Now I use some of those skills on our family.

Thank you for teaching about love and especially about unconditional love.  You taught me how important communication is to have a successful marriage and how to love Brendon with my whole heart like you love Bill with your whole heart. What you and Bill have is so special and I aspire to have a marriage like yours. 

Thank you for being my best friend.  I couldn't ask for anyone else. You know just when to call when I am feeling the blahs (like last night).  You always see the good in every situation and help me try to see the good even when it is difficult.  Sometimes we talk about nothing but to me it means everything.

I can't thank you enough for being Olivia's grandma.  I know that you cherish every moment with Olivia since your mother didn't get these moments with Dustin and I.  You go above and beyond with helping us with Olivia and I love to see you playing with her.  The love you have for her is like a volcano that keeps erupting. We know that you read the blog nightly and sometimes when you are bored and can't sleep you go ALL the way back to the beginning but that is just because you love us!

But most of all I thank you for your support and encouragement.  You have gotten me through some difficult times when all I wanted to do was give up.  You have dried my tears and somehow made me want to laugh to make things better.

Thank you for loving me, even though I know it is difficult at times, and thank you for loving Brendon like he is your own son.  You are an incredible person mom and I hope to be just like you some day! Thank you for being my mom and teaching me so many things.  I couldn't ask for anyone better because I already have the best!

I love you mom!
Love,
Melissa

If you are interested in listening or reading the letters from the radio show, click on the link below.

The Bert Show Honors Their Moms For Mother’s Day With Letters…And How You Can Honor Yours, Without Having To Break The Bank

Publix Mother's Day Commercial

Happy Mother's Day, Mom -- You're Doing OK

Being Funny

I am such a funny girl.  I love to laugh and do things to make mom and dad laugh.  This morning I had fun with the Publix ad.  I love the Publix ad!!

After lunch I went shopping with mommy and Kristy.  I was super good the whole time and we went to 3 different stores. 

After my nap I was still pretty happy.  I ate a lot at dinner.  Then mommy and I played outside.  I made it all the way to the top of the driveway.  Then I saw Max across the street and mommy and I went to visit my Godparents.  I walked all over their yard and sat with Rick for a bit!

Then I read some books and took a bath.  It was a good night tonight!

P.S. Mommy said she was going to post some good Mother's Day commercials!

XOXO

Olivia

Yipee! Publix!!

I pushed this for like 5 seconds...

Sitting with the Godfather

Picking out books

Thursdays are blah

Thursdays are such a blah day, especially today- I felt like the Berenstein Bears book- Too Much Birthday.  Waking up super early doesn't help either.  Olivia went to daycare today and is usually super tired when she leaves.  We made a quick stop at Publix for the milkaholic that went through a whole gallon of milk in less than a week.  She slept most of the afternoon away and I had lots to do while she slept.  She wasn't too interested in dinner- so she ate some Cheerios along with what she didn't eat and she seemed quite content with that.  After dinner we played outside a bit and she constantly wants to go up the driveway and our driveway is sooooo steep! She has legs of steel or as Kristy said tonight- legs like a man! Kristy and Karyn came over to visit and Olivia freaked out after she touched a flower but she smiled when she saw Kristy and Karyn- it was weird!

That's about it for today...I didn't even get a picture!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Today is my mommy's birthday! Daddy emailed her a picture of us working on her cake while she was at work which made her happy.  After my nap and lunch mommy came home and I treated her with a trip to Gymboree.  We had lots of fun because daddy came too! Then we went to a store to get another present for mommy.  After that we ran 2 errands and came home and napped.  Even mommy took a rest.  She said she didn't sleep well last night.  Then after my afternoon nap we quickly got out the door (10 minutes or less) and we took mommy out for pizza.  Mommy is really easy on her birthday and doesn't require too much fluff.  We went to her favorite pizza place- Amici's in Monroe.  It was yummy.  I was a good girl and ate some chicken.  Then we came home and daddy surprised mommy with Karyn and Shawn coming over for cake.  We sang Happy Birthday and then ate cake- even me too! Then daddy gave me a bath, I had my milk, brushed my teeth and went to bed.  I hope my mommy had a good birthday- I made her the cutest card!!

XOXO

Olivia

Daddy and I making mommy's cake

bouncing

Busted- licking the ball

eating chicken

Happy Birthday mommy!

Not much of a photographer but...

I don't consider myself a good photographer but today I have to admit I think I got some good shots.  I even tried some black and white shots too.

Other than that it was a pretty usual day today.  Lots of playing, another afternoon thunderstorm, and a little playing outside after dinner.  Michelle stopped by today and it was too funny- Olivia was napping and Nikki fell asleep in the car.  Michelle dropped off an early birthday present for me.  I am so thankful to have found a new friend- it is funny how much we have in common.  Michelle gave me some beautiful flowers and a balloon (which was good entertainment for a long time with Olivia).  Olivia kept wanting to touch the balloon and flowers.  She immediately knew something new was in the room.  Also Michelle gave me a Thirty-One butterfly bag and a delicious Red Velvet cupcake that I shared with Olivia at dinner.  The cupcake was sooo good and probably a million calories.  So thank you Michelle for the presents!! Nothing like starting to celebrate your birthday a day early!!

Bye, Bye Bottles!

Well it has been a week with no bottles so it is time to pack them up.  I guess I thought there was a special method or something to do before you pack them up but there isn't.  I spent time today sterilizing everything, so tomorrow I will get them packed up.

It was a pretty good day but Olivia keeps waking up earlier and earlier... 6:45ish.  Brendon took her to Sams Club this morning for a few things and she had fun in the cart.  We did lots of playing today but did not go outside.  It rained this afternoon and was really wet and buggy afterwards.  Probably the funniest thing today is the imitating of us.  Brendon got her to dance in the car and I got her to bring me this play water bottle and share with me and Brendon. Too funny. I can say she is almost 100% walking...I can't even remember seeing her crawl today.

Hopefully we got the picture thing straightened out...

Bye bye!!!!

Probably one of my favorite pictures from yesterday!

Nikki's Birthday Pictures

Swimming and Happy birthday Nikki!

Today I went swimming for the first time this year! I had a lot of fun.  I got a new tube that has a shade thing.  I was a little scared at first but then I was fine. Daddy decided that he was going to dunk me under.  I was not a big fan and cried.  He said we need to keep practicing...oh joy...

Later this afternoon we went to Nikki's birthday at Gymboree.  I had so much fun with all my friends.  Nikki was so happy today!! She had lots of fun.  We played Gymboree games and sang songs.  We had bubbles and all! Then Nikki had cake and opened her presents.  We had so much fun!!

I was really cranky on the way home and cried.  I tried to eat when I got home and ate a little.  Daddy gave me a bath and brushed my teeth.

XOXO

Olivia

Pictures will have to come later... Blogger says we are out of space for pictures =(