Memorial Moth

Yesterday Adam and I hosted our annual family Memorial Day pool party. We were so busy juggling Maison and hosting duties that we completely forgot to take any pictures. I went out this morning to take down my decorates and found this:

Is it just me or is that the world's biggest moth? It was on our front door frame and I noticed it as I was taking down the tinsel. I literally screamed like I was being murdered because it was so large I thought it was a bat (please note that this is not unusual as we had a bat on our mailbox before). Adam flung it into the yard with a broom so that I could continue my decoration removal which was when I was brave enough to take "its" picture...

So unfortunately, this is the ONLY Memorial Day photo we have so enjoy the red, white, and blue!

Croupie 19 months

Maison turned 19 months old today and we celebrated with our third trip to the doctor this week. We've been through several days of 102 degree fevers, stomach virus, and now croup. I think we picked up croup at the doctor's office when we were there Wednesday for stomach virus and fever. It's been one hell of a week....

But today is Maison's 19 month b-day so she celebrated just the same.

"I don't feel good, I guess I'll watch some TV."

"I'm bored..."

"What, it's my birthday?"

"Maybe, I'll play in my house."

"What's that? Do I hear Itsy Bitsy Spider?"

"I LOVE Itsy Bitsy Spider!"

"I'm so excited I'll turn my ball house into a slide."

"Happy Birthday, to me!"

18 Month Photos! Best of 2011???

We had Maison's 18 month photos done in April by the same photographer, Sarah Toth, that did her 1 year pics last year. Since her 18 month b-day was the same week as Easter we decided to do her shoot at the Dallas Arboretum in her Easter dress. Adam and I dressed up too just in case we would need to be in some of the pictures since Maison is at the age where sitting still is a challenge, to say the least.

I knew after working with Sarah before that the pictures would turn out great, but I had no idea that a picture of Maison and me would be nominated for the "Best of 2011" photo contest by our photographer. The contest ends on May 18 so if you haven't voted for us already you can by: Logging on to Facebook, Go to "Sarah Toth Photography" page and "like" the page, Go to the Best of 2011 photo contest, find the picture of M&M and "like" our picture.

Best of 2011 nominee:

My little model in training:

Family Pics:

That's all we got, how'd you like that?

Mother's Day Brunch

Shari hosted a brunch at her condo this morning for Mother's Day. Don't worry she didn't cook...she enlisted Adam to make the omelets and Central Market to make the pastries.

Adam manning the omelet station:

Maison dressed up for Mommy's Day:

4 generations of Ellingtons:

Noo and her girls:

M&M the way we really are:

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Don't get over heated...

My mom has told me all my life, "Don't get over heated." if I was going outside and it was above 80 degrees. In fact, if I tell her I'm going to play soccer, run, ride a bike, etc she will still say it despite the fact that I'm 28 (aaahhheemmm). So I'm sure she will be pleased to know that Maison makes sure not to get over heated. She simply strips down to her diaper, pushes her grocery cart in front of the fan in her play room, grabs a toy, jumps in her cart, and enjoys the nice breeze of the cool fan...

Choices, Choices

"What do I want to eat? I don't see a kids menu..."

"Hmmm....this is a tough decision."

"Can I have the pomme frites, please?"

"Yummy pomme frites!"

"Was eating that many fries a good decision?"

Like Sands Through the Hourglass....

So are the Days of Our Lives....

6 members (Nicole, Daniel, Kate, Adrienne, Carly, and Justin) from the cast of DOOL were at aLoft in Plano for a book signing this morning. We had a very packed schedule today so we decided we would try to squeeze it in between swim lessons and nap time.

When we got there around 11:15 it was totally packed. The staff at aLoft told us there were at least 200 people in front of us and we could expect a 2 hour wait. There was no way I was waiting 2 hours in line to get autographs from D list celebs especially with an 18 month old. BUT...my 18 month old came in handy. The staffer told us that we could "peek" in the back door and take some pictures without buying the book or waiting in line. Score!

So when Adam got back from parking the car in the grass...yes, so many people were there you could not park in the parking lot....we went to peek in the back door. Daniel got up to hug the 2 ladies that had just received their autographs and Mais and I were literally a foot a way from him. He is TINY....like shorter than me, weighs less than me, tiny. The good news is that his standing caught Nicole's attention. When she looked over she smiled, waved, and made funny faces at Maison for a good 2 minutes. We got a great look at her and she is just as gorgeous in person as she is on TV.

Adam tried to get a picture but she turned back right when the flash went off so it's blurry but here is our 15 minutes...

Swingin in my shades

Why Limit Yourself?

Why limit yourself to using a dish towel to dry dishes when you can wear it as a scarf...

Why limit yourself to watching Dora, aka Door, on a TV when you can sit in the kitchen floor and watch her on the iPhone...