Happy Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day with Charles and Ella. Ahhhh... this is the good life! Too bad next week, I have to somewhat reverse it for Charles as it's his birthday!

Sleep in
Breakfast (sausage and pancakes)
Church
Lunch (nothing big here)
Ice Cream at VanDee's -- yum!
Mini golfing
Steak and shrimp
Quiet evening

Mini golfing was quite an adventure. Although Ella brought her own club - it was her first time. It took her a few holes to learn how to hit it hard and soft, so she could get the ball in the hole. But she actually got 2 Pars - truly, no help from us. She did so good and the people ahead of us just kept starting at her. We weren't sure if it was because she was young or she had her own club, or just because she was amusing. She did hit one in the 'rough' and tried to hit one in the water, but we stopped her before she could. She just wanted to fish it out with the net.

Nice weather

We've had some really nice weather lately. We've been able to get our flowers planted, eat popsicles outside and ride bikes. We even got to watch Kyla for a few hours last weekend while my brother and nephew caught a movie.

Visiting Nae Nae's work

Ella just mentioned this trip to me yesterday - 2 weeks later. I guess she had a fun time.

Here we are visiting Renae's work. She does such amazing work with the youth and less fortunate - what an amazing woman! Some pictures from the Midtwon Family Community Center, where she is the Coordinator!

Sitting with Nae at her desk, in a very funky 70s chair, in a older school desk (hope she learned something) and finally in the locker - kind of!

The park at Nae-Nae's

A few weeks ago, Ella and I headed to visit my aunt Renae in Sioux City. We had such a wonderful time. Of course, we packed the bicycle and the soccer ball, so we could go to the park and play. What fun!

Oh what the kid won't do for a drink

Ella has really become fond of the local gas stations Freezoni drinks. And she will do just about anything for one - even if it is a yucky kind.

This one is a mixture of three flavors - Rooster Booster Energy Drink, Red Hot Cinnamon and something else. Yuck - but she she sure drank it.

We're not keeping tabs of her 'chores'. Setting the table, taking things to the recycling bin, listening, etc. It's working quite well!

Little golfer

Charles and I contemplated with getting Ella some golf clubs for Easter, but decided against it since the little things are so gosh darn expensive - around $60 for 3 clubs for a 3 year old. Instead we got her soccer nets, which she plays with a lot!

When we were home over Easter, my uncle Dean decided he could make Ella a club her size by cutting the shaft and regluing it. Voila - a putter just her size!

At the playground

There is a great playground at the Catholic school that Ella loves to play at when we're at Grandma and Grandpa's. Charles and I took her on Easter Sunday while we were waiting for everyone to arrive.

Ella had a fun time - she really likes all of the slides!

Easter Egg Hunt

Again, a little delayed. But the last time I tried to update, I was getting all sorts of Google errors! Oh well.

Easter Egg Hunt in Pocahontas. Ella was all excited and ready to go under the fire truck sirens went off to begin the hunt and she freaked out. I guess it was a little too close and loud for her liking. Poor girl!