Birthday Girl

Our sweet Evie is five today! What better way to start your birthday than with donuts (a lesson my dad taught me)? Happy birthday to our big girl!

Sweatshirt or Pants?

Viewpoint

I was lucky enough to get to tour UT's newest residence hall today, West Kennedy Hall, which is set to open this fall. Check out this view from the 11th floor. The whole building was amazing and a far cry from the dorms I lived in at FSU!

Fun with Uncle Kenny

By the Sea

Before Rachel headed home today we took the kids over to E. G. Simmons Park for a couple of hours. The kids liked this beach better as the water was very shallow and the waves were tiny in comparison to the ones on St. Pete Beach. We waded, caught hermit crabs (there were tons of them), built sandcastles with moats and stopped at the playground for some swinging and sliding. Even though it was a quick visit, we very much enjoyed our time with Rachel and her family.

Slumber Party

My dear friend Rachel and her adorable children Jonathan and Emma drove down from Gainesville today to spend some time with us. We spent the day enjoying the sun, sand and surf on St. Pete Beach and then settled in at home for a slumber party. We have had so much fun that it has felt like we're on vacation all day.

Snuggling in for the Night

Bright Spot

Yes, the bright spot of my day was getting the new AP Stylebook at work. This is how sad my life has become. Sigh.

9:32 p.m. and still awake ...

Blanket Fort

Even kitties appreciate fresh sheets ...

Errands and Ice Cream

"The Medical Mystery"

I took Darcy back to her pediatrician today as her cough hasn't gone away and actually gotten much worse. Her doctor called her a "medical mystery" as we've ruled out asthma and allergies, removed her adenoids and inserted ear tubes, and yet she continues to have all of this mucous that leads to a post nasal drip cough and sinus infections. She gave me a couple of different cough syrups to treat the symptoms and hopefully give her some rest, but referred me back to our ENT specialist to see if she has any suggestions as to what the root cause might be.

Unfortunately, the earliest the ENT could get us in is August 19 so I'm crossing my fingers that we make it a month without the current cough turning into another sinus infection or bronchitis again. We're on the waiting list so maybe something will open up sooner.

Anyway, she has been pretty pitiful today, coughing her head off and even running a little fever this evening. I just want my baby to feel better!

Cindy Lou?

Above is what happened when I took Darcy's ponytails out today. Her teacher likes to do her hair different ways and today was triple ponies.

And how sweet are my babies? So sweet. I love watching them together and seeing their sisterly bond form. Having two amazing sisters myself who I consider to be my best friends I am so happy that these two are becoming friends.

Snug as a Bug

3 Ps

Darcy had three "P"s on her daily report today, meaning she went potty three times. We are on our way to being potty trained (and diaper-free for the first time in five years)!

"Look Mom! I have wings!"

A Little Treat

Sorting and Coloring

Water Day!

Triple Ponies

One of Darcy's teachers did this to her hair today. So flippin' cute!

Goofy Girl

Buckled In

The girls wanted to be sure their Kitties et. al. were safe on the drive to and from work today.

Camp ... In

For the past two nights Evie has slept with her princess tent over her bed and said she was having a camp out. She even told me not to move the tent like I normally would after she's fallen asleep.

On another note, this is my first post from my new phone (RIP Droid Incredible). Loving my new iPhone so far!

A Great Day for a Boat Ride

This may very well be the last picture taken with my Droid Incredible as I accidentally dropped it into the canal after our boat ride. I've stuck it in a jar of rice to try and dry it out, but am not holding out much hope. The rest of the day was great though and we all had a wonderful time boating and swimming and eating nothing but junk food for a day.

Saturday Silliness

Cautious

Darcy has had a little runny nose and cough the last few days. Really very minor, barely noticable. But given her history I decided to take her to the pediatrician today to get checked out. (Evie tagged along and was a good sport about it.) The nurse practitioner felt like she just has a cold and gave us a decongestant to help nip it in the bud. I would love nothing more than for her to just get better on her own, but that has never really happened with her. Keep your fingers crossed that this time will be a first.

Two for Tea

And a show.

We've had a nice, relaxing Independence Day, including dinner and watching fireworks at Grammy and Pops. Hope you had a happy 4th as well!