UP All Night

A few weekends ago,
Vic and Lexi had the chance to experience their first camp out together.
It was all part of the UP Elementary School's inaugural
UP All Night - an urban campout on the school grounds
that served as one of the year's big fundraisers.
250 Dads and 450 children who either currently attend or will soon attend
University Park Elementary descended upon the school fields
that afternoon to set up their tents and begin the fun!
Vic is many wonderful things, but a camper extraordinaire he is not,
so he wisely tipped a Boy Scout $10 to assemble the tent for them :)

A bunch of neighborhood moms served as the event's chairs,
and it was no small undertaking.
It's pretty safe to say that no detail was overlooked.
I worked the dessert truck shift for a few hours,
so I was lucky enough to see Vic and Alexis several times -
and there was a permanent grin on our little girl's face
which was pretty priceless to us.
I think her dad may have had just as much fun…
in fact, he said it's one of his favorite memories shared with Lexi.
What is an "urban campout" you might ask?
Well….

there was every kind of carnival game you could imagine
during the afternoon hours - a dunk tank, an obstacle course,
a huge climbing wall, fishing in the creek, a giant inflatable ball
that children ran in like a hamster whee, and a photo booth complete with costumes.

There were snow cones and school paraphernalia of every sort to purchase.
As the sun began to set, everyone moved on to the school's sport court for dinner.
Kiddos played on the school playground and had a Frozen sing along
with the University Park School of Music staff.
The 9 o'clock hour meant more glow-in-the-dark necklaces, bracelets,
and gear then you've ever seen all in one spot
as well as a daddy/kiddo dance party, beach ball volleyball toss around
and homemade s'mores sticks.

In an effort to wind down the excitement level of this many people,
the school librarian was up next - reading several bedtime stories for the crowd.
And then it was "lights out" where everyone was encouraged
to make their way back to their tents and call it a night.
Vic texted me at 11:00 pm to let me know that he, Lexi and nearly everyone
around them were quite wide awake, but still having a blast.
Around 5:00 am, I heard them tiptoe into our bedroom
and jump back into their sleeping bags.
It had begun to drizzle, and Vic knew he would never fall back to sleep.
I'm impressed they lasted "nearly" the entire night.
The whole event raised $103,000 for the school's benefit.
But, perhaps, just as important was the very special time that so many
local daddies shared with their children…
especially the ones in this household!!!

They are both already looking forward to next year's campout -
and they plan to take Ryleigh up until the light's out portion so she can join in the fun.
P.S.  Vic wants me to clarify that Lexi would have easily made it the whole night. When they left at the crack of dawn...he had to wake her out of a deep sleep! ;)

Going to the chapel...

and she's gonna get married!

 Lexi's class (especially the girls)

have been buzzing about this day for weeks.

Their wonderful PreK teacher Miss Lauren

will be away from school for the next two weeks - 

getting married!

 All the moms wanted to make her last morning at school 

a really special one.

So, we invited her fiancé in for the day.

We had each child draw a picture of Miss Lauren on her wedding day,

and they were collected into a keepsake album.

The kiddos also created the "Just Married" sign for the getaway car - 

complete with all of their handprints. 

 And, of course we had to introduce them to the age-old shower game

of creating a wedding dress for the bride and groom from toilet paper

(which turned out more like togas!)

 And then it was time for one last class picture - 

complete with fun little signs for the whole group.

The girls happily wore their very own veils,

and a fun time was had by all. 

 It's no surprise that Lexi requested I take her picture 

with Callie, Ava and Harrison

 And even little sister was able to join in the pre-wedding fun!

Easter Greetings

Hello! Easter greetings to you!
We, sadly, weren't able to travel home for the holiday,
so we have been surrounding ourselves with the local community.
The Easter festivities kicked off last week
with a playgroup party at a nearby park.

The girls were excited to take part in their first egg hunt of the season,
and they also loved the petting zoo.
Ryleigh happens to love her little buddy, Jonny,
so the afternoon was made all the more sweet when he arrived for the fun.
That weekend, our town hosted its annual Eggstravaganza -
complete with a giant egg hunt, pictures with the Easter bunny
(who Ryleigh wouldn't allow within a ten foot radius),
slides, bounce houses and dancing in the gazebo.

Lexi's class celebrated the holiday with an egg hunt of their own this week,
which meant super sweet outfits like this one

(anyone notice a theme whereby lots of eggs and candy are making their way into our house?)
I found out about a photographer taking photos with real live bunnies at the mall,
and of course I simply couldn't resist.
Lexi loved every minute of the photo shoot,
and would have snuck a bunny home in her pocket had no one been looking.
Ryleigh, on the other hand, was a bit more hesitant.
She didn't like the bunnies OR the photographer up close.
But she has met her match in her crazy mommy.
Because you all know me well and love me still, I feel comfortable admitting that
we returned the following day and spent no less than 45 minutes
petting the bunnies, shaking the photographers hand, smelling the flowers,
and just generally attempting to convince our two year old that this was a good idea.
Persistence (and one really yummy looking lollipop) won out,
and the little miss allowed her photo to be taken for posterity.

Today, the girls awoke to fun Easter baskets,
but the real excitement came when Lexi spotted eggs scattered throughout the backyard.
She raced around the yard, collecting nearly every egg in record time,
while Ryleigh focused her attention on opening just one or two
and shoving the contents into her mouth.
Different methods, but similar results...
both girls shouted that they loved Easter.

Of course, the true reason for the holiday wasn't lost on us,
and so, we ventured to our first Dallas church service today.
We arrived right on time,
and found ourselves in the overflow room,
with the service streamed (very loudly) on a giant television screen….
clearly we're not in the Northeast anymore.
Afterwards, we enjoyed a family brunch in Snider Plaza,
then met up with dear friends from Fairfield
who will be calling Dallas their new home come this summer.
All in all, one joyful weekend.
Happy Easter, from all of us to all of you.

Girls' Weekend

With Vic heading off to South Beach for a bachelor party a few weekends ago,
I called my mom in for reinforcements.
Everyone is happier when Nanny's in town.

We had lunch on the Katy Trail and did a little scootering,

spent lots of time out back swinging, bubbling and side walk chalking,
introduced her to the movie Frozen,
visited the Northpark Mall,
had the company of Hermie, the class pet for the weekend,
enjoyed a mom-daughter dinner at Mi Cocina (even got her to try a Mambo Taxi),

offered her a few minutes of peace and quiet when we snuck away to a
Mickey Mouse birthday party,
and just generally enjoyed her company and the warm sunshine.
Counting the days until she and Grandpa return next month!

Flashback Thursday

Wasn't this just yesterday?!

Well, now it's her turn!

We are in the very early stages of potty training around here.

Ryleigh takes her own diaper off immediately after going to the bathroom.

She knows how to sit on the potty, how to wipe herself and how to flush.

Problem is, she can't quite figure out how to actually "go" on the potty.

It's a work in progress…and she's still pretty young. 

But, with summer days at the pool just around the corner,

as well as three-days-a-week preschool next fall,

Operation Underwear will soon be moving full steam ahead. 

Ready or not, Ryleigh!