Ketchup!

Time for a big catch-up blog.  Momma's been lazy. ;)

The biggest news from last month is that Millie came through her tonsillectomy with flying colors! The doctor said her tonsils were bigger than she thought and that her adenoids were huge!  So it's a good thing we had them out when she was so small.  St. Patrick's day was lucky for her this year.  Although she wouldn't agree.  Happy before the surgery...

...and then in so much pain afterwards.  I knew to expect that she would be upset coming out of anesthesia, but I wasn't prepared for her being hysterical.  I had to get into bed with her.  It was so sad.  Thankfully, they got some pain meds in her and she calmed down quickly.  Blankie to the rescue!  We only had to stay a few hours and then went home.

Nana brought Syd, and Syd brought her fashion A-game to the hospital.  Remember on Dirty Dancing when Robbie says that Lisa decorates the world?!  ;)

Unlimited popsicles the week of recovery.  It was one of the few foods that Millie would actually eat.  She's not a picky eater; she just happens to not enjoy most of the foods considered "soft".  She's always hated yogurt.  She doesn't like soup or mashed potatoes.  She hates jello.  It was a hard week for many reasons, but watching her lose weight was concerning.  I let her have as many popsicles and ice cream she wanted though.  Syd enjoyed the perks also!

Day 2 and we were blown away how great Millie was doing...she seemed almost normal, except she wouldn't talk much.  We needed to get out of the house, so we went to the Gentry wildlife safari!

oh hello

sweet girl

Day 3 took a turn for the worse.  I mistakenly took her to the library and we immediately left.  We were told days 3 - 6 would be terrible, and they were!  Poor girl was in so much pain, and when her throat wasn't hurting, she complained of ear pain.  Apparently it's common, since they mess with all the nerves in that area.  

Thankfully, we had lots of friends and family send fun crafts and art projects that kept us busy!  Trips to Nana's helped too.

Aunt Dina and Abby sent a very helpful book too!

Spring weather was starting to show up, so we even played outside a few days.  This picture is one of my all-time favorites.  It's hard to see in shadow, but Syd is absolutely wailing.  I don't really remember what happened on the slide, but it wasn't serious.  She's at the age where she bursts into tears and then quits crying all within seconds.  I just like the pic because JKK is outside enjoying his cigar and the sunshine and here comes Syd for a quick cuddle.  Daddy snuggles help a lot.

Syd's coloring has improved so much! PS - she picked out this frilly dress at target and it turned all of my clothes green.  *sigh*

Syd also drew this caterpillar!  She swears she did.  Millie says it's true.  Not that I'm doubting you, Syd.  I'm just surprised.  It looks great!  Very creative.

Millie drew this pic of people with hoods on their jackets.  I love them!

The week of Millie's recovery was a long one for all of us.  We didn't leave the house much, and Piddy was bored!

Exciting news: Piddy got her very own big girl bed!!  It was long overdue, and Spring Break was the perfect time to finally take the leap.  She has slept amazingly well since moving to the bigger bed.  In her toddler bed, I had to go up in the middle of the night a few times a week.  She was always uncomfortable or falling out of bed or wouldn't stay covered up.  No more of that monkey business!  Now I wish I had done it sooner!  She sleeps until about 5:51am and then plays in her bed until the green clock goes off at 6:05am.  She loves her new bed!

more ice cream at our favorite place

i love her in a high pony

 and even a little Chuck. E. Cheese when Mills was finally feeling a bit better

Syd has started dropping a few naps a week.  Some days she just can't make it...

getting back to normal!

proud little poodle

Date night!  We've been so lucky to find a wonderful babysitter this past year.  In May, she graduates, moves, and gets married.  I'm going to cry.  Hard.

Random Piddy story: I'm running around like crazy before school getting everyone ready and I keep laying out socks because they keep disappearing.  I'm getting frustrated until Syd walks out with socks on her hands and feet AND on zebra's hands and feet.  We all busted out laughing.  Can't get mad at that.

Syd loves rainbows.  And thinking outside the box.

One day, Syd asks JKK: hey dad, do you know what they call half of a circle?  JKK says what?  Piddy says "a semi-circle".  All very serious.  We're always cracking up with her.

Learning to mix colors.  Blue and yellow make green!

If we said yes to every bday party invitation we got, we'd be going to one every weekend.  Not that we are popular, just that every kid in the class gets an invitation these days.  I'm still selfish and we only go to the ones that are their best friends.  Syd was thrilled to celebrate her good buddy, Christian, at the Little Gym.  It's fun to watch her with her own friends when Millie isn't around.  She's formed her own little wolf pack!  PS - Millie is still very upset at not getting invited to this party.

Her outfits just get me some days...so perfectly accessorized.  She's so good at it!

Syd had a "field trip" to the parking lot petting zoo.  (I'm thankful her school brings stuff to the school grounds because I cannot even imagine having to transport all of these unruly three year olds to another location!)  She loved how the sheep tickled her hand when they ate the feed.

I'm taking a photography class right now, and I'm trying to practice in different lighting.  Caught this special moment at dance one night when Millie was helping Syd get into first position.  Millie is so sweet with Syd.  Most of the time.  Lately, they've started bickering at home more.  I guess it was inevitable.

Can you read this?!  Shrx can bit.  Sharks can bite!!  Nice work, Mills!

Fun little morning trip to the WAC to see a puppet show called Grug and the Rainbow.  One of the actors even used Syd's dress for the yellow in the rainbow!

Fun afternoon at Nana's to see Mimi, Pa, and Aunt Dina!

Millie's class had to write a song!  Millie's part is first: low, high, high, high.  Boom.

gymnastics sisters still loving it!  millie almost has her back walk-over!

 Piddy on the beam

another day, another killer outfit

Millie's beautiful watercolor

Syd was annoyed here because she had caught her wand in her braid ;)

Easter egg hunt at Piddy's school!  Next year, I need to prep Syd more.  After getting a few eggs, she stopped to see what was inside of them, while other kids were scooping up the rest of the eggs.  See that girl in the front?!  She was a machine.  Aughhhh!

Sometimes Syd asks me to paint or color with her.  I have loved my time with her this year.

Millie's artwork in her school art show!  So awesome!  It's raining, see the umbrella?

Easter weekend, JKK & I set out on a long bike ride while Nana dyed eggs with the girls.  I have loved biking again!  And this time it was so much easier not having Syd in the bike trailer behind me....ha!

The next morning, the Easter bunny came to Nana's house!  Millie was most excited about the big chocolate bunny.  And she ate every bite.

Little Piddy foo foo

I can't imagine not having my mom here.  How did we make it before she moved here?!  She takes such good care of the girls and they adore going to Nana's house!  Special memories being made.

This was their first time dying eggs; so proud.  Millie is now a fan of hard boiled eggs.  Who knew?!

The pictures Millie draws now are so beautiful!  She's going to art camp for a week this summer, and I bet she's going to love it!

On Monday, we went to Tulsa to hang out with Papa while Mimi went to the doctor.  Millie got to play hooky and clown around with Pa!

Millie's class went to War Eagle Cavern this week, and I got to tag along...literally, in my car, behind the bus.  When Millie gets off the bus, she's holding hands with a boy.  Whaaaaa?!  His name is Kaedyn, and she announced they like each other.  Can't wrap my mind around this yet.

It rained on us 14 times, but it was still fun.  We got to do a nature hike and panhandle for gems and eat a sack lunch (which these days means a lunchable for the kiddos).

And we even saw some bats in the cave!

Now.  Who wants a Piddy sandwich?!