♥ roses for mommy ♥

The other day when Barth was laying down Ella for a nap, she made a special request...."daddy...can I buy flowers for mommy when I wake up?". As soon as she woke up, Daddy & Ella left to do some "errands". The look on her face when they returned was priceless...moments like these make being a mommy such an incredible blessing...I love you sweet Ella!

a sunny saturday

It was a gorgeous california day today! Even better, daddy was not on call. We took advantage of this highly favorable scenario and simply enjoyed each other's company. I am so grateful for Barth and my girls...I love u guys!!

photography by Ella...this girl has got some talent

another ella shot...

Chloe got a new purse for her birthday...she LOVES it

Making smoothies...perfect way to end a perfect day!

a mighty fortress

having a doctor in the family does have it's perks sometimes...last night being all the "extra" stuff he brings home from the operating room...from surgical gloves (great for cleaning), to basins (make 4 fun baths toys), pulse lavage (works like a giant water gun..the girls love it), to yards and yards of surgical drapes.....

Our Mighty Fortress (took up the entire livingroom)

This had to be the fort of every kid's dreams!! It had rooms and tunnels and even skylights...The girls could have played in it all night. When it was time for bed, you can be sure we heard lots of cries and protests. The only way we could tear them away from their new "home" was to promise it would still be there in the morning. Yes, it was the first thing Ella looked for when she woke up. Who knew surgical drapes could be so much FUN!!

 

Chloe was trying to imitate Ella's pose......

you got me...

Today started off as our typical thursday morning. Barth left before the girls were up and headed to the gym, I got myself ready follwed with the girls and we headed out the door for preschool. I called Barth to confirm that his cases had been cancelled, he told me it had been an "interesting" morning and wanted to meet so we could talk. I thought this was kinda weird, but with his job suprises and crazy days are pretty routine...
As he got out of his car I was shocked to see his arm strapped into a huge brace. I was shocked and worried at the same time. He proceeded to tell me he had dislocated his shoulder at the gym this morning during his arm workout...considering the weight he lifts, I think it's too much, I was not suprised at all, and was kinda frustrated with him. The best part, he wouldn't be able to operate for at least three weeks...not what you really want to hear when he is finally in his last few months of residency. After my initial frustration I started to feel really bad...this brace is pretty cumbersome...as I turned away, trying to digest all he had just told me he let out a huge laugh....APRIL FOOLS!!!

Yep the joke's on me...you got me babe!! I still love you though...

still trying to be funny....considering the situation....

he loves that he totally had me "fooled"

PaRtY EGG-stravaganza!!

Today we celebrated Easter...preschool style! I LOVE these parties. It is so much fun watching the kids proudly showing off all they had been practicing, from the songs, to the poems, to the stories...and the crafts, well they are adorable! We were in charge of treats...again...suprised?? It is our specialty! Ella and I whipped up a batch of our birds nests (see post below)..they were a hit.

Today was extra special cause daddy got to attend. Just by chance his cases were cancelled for the day...lucky us! The morning was filled with performances, an egg hunt and tons of goodies!

Reciting her "solo" part of the Easter story

Singing a song about the real reason for Easter

Egg-hunting

Ella and her best friend Janessa...these girls love each other

a yummy tradition

Making rice krispy Easter nests is one of those special memories I have growing up. Of course the highlight of the event was getting to eat them, but the best part was the fun I had making them with my mom and sisters. Now that I have my own family I never miss the chance to create those same treats we made year after year...thank you mom for passing on such a fun tradition to me and my girls!! (wish I had the chance to capture some pictures of the girls, but my hands were covered in sticky marshmallow)

Easy to make:

Step 1- make rice krispy treats as directed on box of cereal (i always add extra marshmallows)

Step 2- form rounded balls and place on wax paper push down with palm and use a spoon or your thumb to mold into "nest" shape (make sure your hands are wet or the marshmallow will get really sticky)

Step 3- let the treats sit to allow the marshmallow to dry a bit

Step 4- add your favorite Easter egg treats..my favorite Robin Egg Whoppers and Hershey's milk chocolate eggs (fun bright colors and tasty too!)

san diego weekend...and farewell

My sister (simone) along with her family packed their bags and headed to England this week...for three months!! Although the date had been on all our calendars for sometime, I think the actual departure seemed surreal to us. I am already missing my daily talks with my dear sister and am counting down the days till June...we miss u like crazy!! Thank goodness for skype!

Wanting to spend a little quality time with the Lemkuils before their departure, we packed our bags and headed down to San Diego for a little early easter celebration. The girls decorated eggs, made sugar cookies, hunted the eggs about a dozen times and even squeezed in a little beach time.