Butterflies

Ella's preschool class was given a butterfly garden. I thought it was such a good idea that we got one of our own a few weeks ago. I think I may have been more excited about it than Ella. It ended up being such a fun experience. I hope to do it every year. 

We bought the actual butterfly garden off of Amazon. There is a card in the box that you mail off to get your caterpillars. They send the caterpillars in a cup that already has food in it. Once the caterpillars attach themselves to the top of the lid you remove the cocoons and place them in the butterfly garden. About a week later the caterpillars comes out as butterflies. 

This is the first day we had our caterpillars. They were in this cup for about a week. They almost doubled in size the first week we had them.

Here they are in their cocoons

This is our first butterfly.

All five of the butterflies came out on Friday. We only kept them for a day. Ella and I both felt bad for them being in an enclosed space. We read they like oranges and sugar water. We put a few flowers in there with sugar water on them and some orange slices. They seemed to like both. 

This morning we decided to take them out and let them go. It was neat to watch. 

Ella loved them sitting on her hands. 

So long butterflies! 

What a weekend!

I learned a long time ago to expect the unexpected when you have kids. When we have plans to do anything I never believe it is actually going to work out until we walk out the door. 

This weekend I should have been running the derby half marathon in Louisville. I signed up for it back in January, but my body had different plans for me. After seeing an orthodpaedic doctor in March I learned I had shin splints. He officially "shut me down" from running. My plans to run the derby half went out the window. I have a feeling my running days may be over, but I am glad I accomplished what I did while I actually could run. 

In lieu of running the half we decided the visit friends in Terre Haute this weekend. We were going to spend the night Friday night at the hotel Adam has been staying at for three years when he goes for work, and then hang out with them on Saturday. Ella had other plans for us though. 

Wednesday and Thursday morning this past week Ella was just not herself. I was late for a health screening on Wednesday, because I couldn't get her moving. Thursday morning she screamed and cried before preschool. I had to physically put her in her car seat. She told me she didn't like me all the way there, and screamed all the way in the door. I dropped her off crying and luckily her wonderful teachers got her calmed down. Nothing seemed to be wrong with her at all. She just didn't want to do anything. Thursday night she was up five times, and eventually was up at 5am. This is definitely not like her. She kept wanting me to rub her cheek so I started getting suspicious. I continued getting ready for our Terre Haute trip though, because I just figured she was tired. Friday afternoon she started getting very whiny and told me her ear hurt. I had noticed she kept laying on her right ear. I went back and forth if I should call the doctor. Sometimes I feel like I'm crazy for thinking that she may be sick. I called anyway, and within a half hour we were at the doctor. Come to find out she has a double ear infection. She is a tough little girl, because we had no clue. She didn't seem sick at all. 

Needless to say we had to cancel our trip to Terre Haute, and I am glad we did. Friday night was brutal. Ella could not sleep. She was extremely exhausted and very uncomfortable. Finally around 2am I moved her into the living room. She laid her head on the arm of the love seat and the elevation seemed to help. We got a little bit of sleep, but she was back up at 5am again.  Saturday afternoon Ella perked up a bit and finally slept all night last night. Heaven!

One good thing came out of this though. Ella finally started taking medicine on her own. No screaming, kicking, or fighting. I was so so proud of her. It makes life so much easier. I get extremely stressed when is sick just for the simple fact that giving her medicine is hell. Not anymore! 

This past weekend was definitely not what I had in mind.  You just never know what to expect when you have kids, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Alison's baby shower

This past weekend was Alison's baby shower. It was definitely a celebration considering all the hurdles she has had leading up to this pregnancy. I am so thrilled for her. It has been fun watching her belly grow the past 30 weeks. I remember the night she told me she thought she might be pregnant.  That night seems like yesterday. Here we are 30 weeks later anticipating the arrival of little Easton. I can't wait to meet him!

Her shower was at Rolling Hills Country club in Newburgh hosted by her Mom, Marilyn and Step-sister, Tara. The room looked so nice. I absolutely loved the decorations, chevron of course!

Alison had Ella help her open gifts. Ella was so excited to help. She loves opening gifts, even if they don't belong to her. 

We enjoyed a nice lunch and cupcakes to follow. Yum!

I am so excited for Alison. It will be fun to see her with her own baby, finally! I know she is so fearful of child birth so I hope she has an easy delivery. I will be on pins and needles when that day rolls around. I remember back in college we would discuss how our biggest fear was giving birth. Now I have a four year old, and she is preparing to have a newborn. Where did the time go? 

Baby goats go to preschool

Thursday was Ella's last leader day of this school year. It was a very special day for her. She loves leader day. It's surprising that someone as shy as Ella enjoys being in front of her class, but she loves it. 

This leader day was special for two reasons. Mommy and daddy both were able to come. I typically go by myself, but Ella requested daddy come too. Mrs. B. even switched our days so Adam could come. 

Poppy and Nana brought two baby goats for Ella's show and tell. When I asked her if she wanted them to do this her response was, "that would be awesome." 

Late Wednesday night I remembered we had to bring snack on Thursday morning. I just can't remember everything. Thank goodness for Krispy Kream. Ella thought it was a good idea to bring doughnuts so that is what we brought. 

Poppy and Nana brought the baby goats at the beginning of class. They brought "Miss Piggy" and "Coco". I thought the goats would be really nervous and shy. They seemed to eat up the attention, and were not shy at all. They also did not have one accident. 

Most of the kids loved the baby goats, although a couple didn't want to touch them. They came around after awhile though. 

Ella was the first to feed the baby. It was so cute how she went after the bottle. Miss Piggy loves to eat, hence the name. 

Nana brought goat's milk soap for all the kids so Ella passed it out to everyone. 

 Ella really enjoys being leader, because she loves using the pointer. She said it's her favorite part of leader day. She also got to color on the smart board.

 Ella gets to lead the line on leader day. The kids got to go to the gym and play. Ella refused to walk. She had to ride on daddy's shoulders. She took full advantage of Adam going to leader day.

The little girls enjoyed Adam being there, because he could lift them up to the basketball goal. That is what Adam is doing in the following two pictures. 

It was such a fun leader day. I think it was probably the best leader day Ella had all school year. I can't believe her first year of preschool is coming to an end. 

Thanks Poppy and Nana for bringing the goats for show and tell. I know everyone thoroughly enjoyed it!