Best. Idea. Ever.

Whoever thought up the concept of a sandbox is a genius in my opinion, and I know at least one three year old who agrees.  

 

We have been talking about building one for months now, so when Daniel had a beautiful three day weekend available, we decided to just do it. We were going to take pictures of the whole process and do a little tutorial, but we had a few surprises pop up that weekend that pulled me away from the fun (hehe... sorry, babe!), but here are a few pictures of Daddy and his faithful helper.

Daniel did an amazing job of designing it and putting it all together.  He even made little seats and two holes for the umbrella so we can move it with the sun.

So, if you're wondering what Elli will be doing this summer, here's your answer.  I don't even mind the extra baths and vacuuming to control the sand, because she will play happily all morning long in her sandbox! 

Fresh Air

 While March entered like a lamb this year, as it usually does this far south, my sweet husband declared war on the dandelions in our yard. This is serious business around here. Leaving dandelion spores to scatter across the yard has been compared to infidelity.  :)

Fortunately, Daniel has a faithful little helper as he cares for our yard.

And a captive audience.

So, we are tackling our yard as a family, dreaming of all the things it can be, all the memories to be made here.  Our little seedlings promise fresh vegetables on our table.  Buds on a questionable tree show potential for new growth.  New independence and companionship foretell of little playmates filling our yard with laughter.

I'm so hopeful for our future here, so thankful for what the Lord is bringing about.  Excited for new growth.  I love that Elli is learning to create beauty around her, and about stewardship and diligence as she follows in her daddy's footsteps. Truly she is Daddy's little shadow right now.

Rocking a dress and "princess hair" any chance she gets.

And when she's not helping Daddy on his latest project, she's busy being an awesome big sister.

Sometimes maybe a little too awesome...

We are loving our first Spring in our new home - new reasons to spend time together, new missions to accomplish together, new memories to create together.

Saturday

What a great day.

Sure, there were errands and laundry and vacuuming.

But in between all the stuff that got crossed off my to-do list were moments of pure fun and togetherness that just made my heart swell with joy!  (That's sunscreen on Elli's eyebrow - she likes to put it on herself.)  And speaking of things she wants to do herself - Elli picked out our shade of nail polish.  Love those little feetsies!

 This little one got to spend lots of quality time with her Daddy.

And, I think it might be time to get a bigger pool for this not-so-little-anymore one.

  Because she absolutely loves playing in the water.

At least, until it gets in her eyes.

Which is why we keep a towel close by.  We're working on it.  

Here's to many more Saturdays spent like this!

Apple Pickin'

 

And now you know why she's a Daddy's girl.  Love these two!

Daddy's Girl

This girl lives for her daddy to come home!  Multiple times a day she asks me, "Daddy, home?"  She loves to talk on the phone with him while he drives home, and when he walks in the door - she just lights up!  They have so much fun together!

Daddy's Little Helper

Happy Father's Day

Elli loves her Daddy! More than just loves him... she's crazy about him!  Our morning routine is to bring her in bed with us after she wakes up to cuddle and play for a little while.  She (and we) loves this time of day!  She's always so happy to see us both, but especially her Daddy.  He usually gets the first big hug, and her newest thing is to "scratch" Daddy's back just like Mommy does.  So cute.  If Daddy is missing, Elli is very concerned.  She looks under all the pillows and blankets, holding her little hands up and saying, "Ruh ruh ruh?" (interpretation = where is it?).  Elli loves her Daddy.

This week was crazy at Daniel's work, so she didn't get to see as much of him in the evenings as she usually does, and the mornings were a little rushed.  This morning was special because you could just see how much she had missed him in the way she hugged him and kept saying his name.

Since tomorrow is also going to be a little nutty around here (church, vbs set-up, and a new Sunday evening service), we decided to celebrate Father's Day on Saturday instead.  After playing and snuggling for a few minutes, Elli and I let Daddy sleep in for a bit while we made a special breakfast!

Technically, these pictures are from last weekend, but they are an accurate representation of my little pancake helper this morning.  Note Pooh Bear, never far from her side.

I tried to be cute and make pancake letters, but they turned out huge and lopsided... fortunately I did Dad instead of Daddy or Father. :)

Breakfast in bed for Daddy.  Elli thought this was amazing.  

 "Food in bed?  Who knew my parents were so crazy?"

Daniel, you truly are the most amazing Daddy!  Every time I see you with her, I am so thankful that God gave me such a devoted, passionate, God-fearing, and all around fun man to be my kids' dad!  I praise God for you every day!

Don't Be Fooled....

Don't be fooled
by that adorable flowered hat
on that sweet little head,
those irresistably kissable cheeks,
or that pretty, pink, plaid jumper,
or that handsome man she's with...
This little toddler...Is a baller!She shoots...She guards!She even tries to steal other people's balls...Cutest basketball player I've ever seen!

Favorites

My two absolutely favorite people!

Autumn Night

This weekend finally felt like autumn here! I've actually wanted to wear a sweatshirt! Of course, I see that the forecast for tomorrow is 85 degrees, so it might be short lived, but we had a lovely weekend enjoying the cool breezes! Sunday evening, Elli was being extra snuggly, so Daniel took advantage by wrapping her up in her quilt and reading books by candlelight. What a sweet father-daughter moment!

A New Favorite Game

Elli loved playing "catch" with her daddy on Sunday. Nobody can make her laugh like Daniel can! I think she's already a daddy's girl.

Warms a Mommy's Heart

Elli and her daddy getting in a little early morning Scripture reading. These are the moments that fill my eyes with tears.

Sorry I've been so bad at updating our blog these past few weeks. After Daniel's family came in town, Elli got a really bad diaper rash, followed by a flare up of eczema, and to top it all off, she got her shots, so the poor baby has needed lots of love and attention this past week. I am so thankful that today she seems to be back to her healthy, happy self!

Ahhh... Sundays

Sundays are my favorite and also my craziest day. It can be a pretty hard day for Elli, because she misses her morning nap, but usually she makes up for it in the afternoon, and I can sneak in a nap too! Today has been just such a day. I just woke up from two dreamy hours (wow!) to a quiet house as Elli and her daddy are still snoozing away. It feels so peaceful!

We're still looking for a church here, which is fun to try all kinds of new churches, but also frustrating, because we are anxious to get involved and meet people but know that it's important to take our time and pray for God's guidance. We are trying to figure out the balance between finding a place to serve and a place to be fed.

We had a nice relaxing Saturday, playing in the pool and playing with Elli! Daniel brought some work home, so Elli and I got out of his way for a few hours and had a girl's date to Target (one of my favorite places). We found some adorable headbands and tops for her. Seriously, I don't even have to buy anything, but I love to walk through that store! I think it has to do with the color organization. It's almost like looking through a Martha Stewart Living magazine.

In the morning, Elli woke up to eat, and then fell right back asleep in my arms (unusual for her). I thought about waking her up so we could "stay on schedule" (I can be way too obsessed with staying on our schedule), but I'm so glad I decided to let her cuddle up with her daddy. She slept another twenty minutes or so, and when I came back in to check on her, she was snuggling in her daddy's arms, sweet as could be. They melt my heart!
After our trip to Target (and swinging by Sonic to get some cranberry limeades... yum!), Elli was happy to be back with her daddy! I love these pictures! She reached out to hold his hand!