REAL Mermaids!

Over spring break we made
our way to the aquarium!


We have been a lot of times...
but this time was especially exciting.
There were real mermaids
that were going to swim for us!
Needless to say Allikaye was super excited...
and so was Matt...hehe!

I was v.e.r.y impressed
with these 3 girls!
Holding their breath for a long time...
diving down deep...
and smiling and doing tricks!

Impressive, mermaids, impressive!

I would look like a pufferfish
struggling to get back to the surface...
I don't think the kids would buy that I was a real mermaid.

There was audio of the mermaids talking
while we watched them.
And they taught us to clean up our oceans.
Ok, mermaids,
us Coloradans will work on that.

Allikaye was wide eyed and jaw dropped the
entire time!
She looked back at one point and said,
"Can you BELIEVE this?!"

Then guess who made it out to take pictures!?
The beautiful fish themselves!

Allikaye was star struck and wouldn't talk to them...
but she told me later they asked her
what color her tail would be if
she was a mermaid.
She said pink...and then she said rainbow.
Just for the record.

My super shy girl...

If you didn't know -
this is the mermaid pose...
who knew?

Truly magical for Miss Allikaye!

So glad we were able to make a
fun mermaid memory!

Now I am off to practice holding my breath
while smiling and waving...
oh and I need to get a tail...
made out of spandex...
oh.yeah.

xoxo

Our Spring Break Happenings...

Spring Break has been lovely...
and not only because I am not at work.
It has been lovely because we have
filled it up with a bunch of fun memories.
I am so thankful for our "family week"
as Allikaye calls it!

In between going places...
Allikaye has enjoyed setting up her
work areas...
she takes her work areas very seriously,
and puts all the tools she needs in the
perfect place around her...

I love the outfit she put together...

We headed up to Breckenridge for a stay...
usually we are there with my parents,
but this time we were able to spend time
with Matt's side!

Because of the bed situation at the condo...
Allikaye had to sleep in bed with Matt and me.
She was extremely excited about this...
it went pretty well...
besides Matt getting a heel in the ear a few times in the night!

This is after Matt and me got back from a little
date into downtown Breck to get a delicious crepe.
(I could live on the crepes up there.)
Our sleeping angel...
we don't usually get to see her at this time of night!

The next morning we headed ice skating!

Can you tell how excited she was?

Good daddy...

Allikaye did a fantastic job...
gliding along...

Now THIS right here...
is Allikaye.
She wanted Matt to lift her up the whole time...
and she would pose so perfectly.
Straight limbs...
very serious about her positioning.
Cracks me up!

This is her showing me her elegant
ice skating back leg glide...

After ice skating we rode on the gondola up Breck...
VERY exciting for Miss Thang!
And I got one of our best family pics that we've had in awhile!

Then Aunt Katie and her bf Kenny...
Aunt Erin and Uncle Nathan...
and cousin Anna
all made it to the mountains too!
Allikaye wants to do everything like Aunt Katie...
she wears her purse like her...
across one shoulder...
and wanted hot chocolate in the same mug...
such a sweet memory!

Allikaye also got to spend time with Anna...
reading her a book...

It was a great trip to the beautiful mountains!

This week we have also got hair cuts for the whole fam
(including Tre, the dog)...
I am a little blonder - and ready for summer!

We went to a wildlife museum and
saw a cute IMAX animal movie there.

We are heading to the aquarium...
going out to eat a lot...

and mostly just really soaking in our family week.

Oh - and I started p90x! EEE!
Got to fit into those swimsuits!

It is going to be hard to go back
to work next week!

xoxo

Leprechauns are ScArY!

St. Patrick's Day was very eventful
for Allikaye.
She came home from school on Wednesday,
very excited...
telling me all about the leprechaun that visited their classroom.
"We taped and locked our door and he STILL got in!"
"He knocked over my backpack! And our chairs!"
"But then he left us some gold rocks and coins!"

I was very excited for her - sounded like a fun day!
So the next day I thought she would love it
if the leprechaun visited our house too!

I called her into the bathroom
to see what happened in her toilet...

she freaked!

I mean like monkey gripped me
and would not let go!
Looking around frantically asking
where the leprechaun was...
yeesh...
mom mistake #5, 431!

So I continued to show her that it was just a trick...
only green food coloring...
and she was fine.

Except she wouldn't use her bathroom the rest of the day!

We made a leprechaun trap too...
just in case those incredibly scary creatures
decided to really come to our house.

Ok - now I have a few pictures that
I need to post about so I can remember them.

Allikaye set up these two dolls after her bath...
she said one was sad and the other was taking
care of her...notice the arm around the other...
so sweet.

This is our FAVORITE book right now...
we have already read it one time through and our going through it again.

It is precious!
Every night we read a letter from God written to
His princess...Allikaye! And mama!

And then we read a prayer together
after the letter...
it is such a must read for every girl that loves the Lord...
4 year old or 30 year old!

And this is our reminder of who we are...

Hanging above Miss Thing's bed...
here is a zoomed out shot...
I love her room.
And the bed is super comfy...
I should know...
I have been sleeping there
with Allikaye while dad's cold has
taken over the snoring situation! hehe!

One last thing...
this is the pile of paintings that are accumulating
on my bedside table...

Allikaye is intent on supplying my "bedside" - her words
with "beauty-full" - her words
artwork...

Here is one of my favorites...
she asked how to spell my name...
impressive Miss Thing!

We are extra happy over here...
it's SpRiNg BrEaK this week!

Woooohhoooo!

After the busy month we had last month
we are so ready for
"family week" - as Allikaye calls it!

xoxo

Facebook Updates...

Since I have been missing in action for awhile...
here are a few worthy facebook status updates
that should be remembered...
with a few pictures of my cute girl...
getting ready to head out to dance class!

It was so funny to see the reactions some of my 3rd graders had today when we watched Justin Beiber read The Cat in the Hat for Dr. Seuss' bday. There were squeals and sighs from the girls...and dry heaving from the boys.
Very humorous for me!

Bracing my self for a week of CSAP tests AND parent-teacher conferences!
Busy week...

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure."
Psalm 16:5
Love that God is in control and gives me my portions in life...
both physical and emotional....
I can handle it because He is in control...not me.

Allikaye's prayer before bed tonight (had me in tears from laughing so hard): "Dear God, please help me to not dream about dripping paint."What?!

Ok now...rocking Allikaye to sleep...
"Mom, can we go outside and see if we can see the Aurora Borealis in the sky?
I think it will be red! And green!"
Then quiet...then,
"Mom? What color does red and green make?"

This is what I just heard from Allikaye, playing with her dolls:
"Hurry! The Aurora Borealis is going to get you!"
With perfect pronunciation...weirdo.

And here is a super important update from me:

I enjoy eating peanut butter m&ms while I watch Matt work out.

xoxo