Life's A Beach

We spent our whole weekend at Alki Beach. If it were up to me, I'd live on the beach...eat, drink, and dream about the beach:) I'll continue to dream for now....

Movin' On Up

Ella now has a big girl bed. We took off the front railing Friday once her new bedding and conversion rail kit arrived. Good news - bedding is super cute, bad news - conversion kit was for the wrong bed. But, the dropoff isn't far so we're not going to place a bed rail on it.

She loves her new bed but isn't quite comfortable sleeping by herself in it. I'll admit that part of the reason has been that over the last few months, I've let her fall asleep in our bed. Friday night, it took me about 1.5 hours and 3 different trips to her room to get her asleep. Them, she woke up screaming for me at 4:30 and climbed in our bed. 

Saturday night=much better!!! Her babysitter, Jennie, had her in the bed at 9 and didn't hear a peep out of her. At around 1, she starts screaming "I want my Jennie" and I let her cry it out for about 15 minutes. Brian had a triathlon this morning and had to be up at 4 so I knew I couldn't let her cry much longer. I went in her room and yes, laid in her crib. Side note - I forgot to mention I spent a lot of time in her crib Friday night. Those things are tiny. I was so uncomfortable. When I climbed out, she got upset but Otis was in her room so I made him get in there. The two fell asleep and my sweet munchkin woke ME UP at 9 a.m. this morning - with her furry sidekick beside her and 3 lullaby CDs she had found in her room (I think she had been up checking out the goodies in her room). A much better night to say the least. Have I mentioned I love having a child who sleeps more than me most days?! I love that she loves sleep. It makes us all happy:)

Looky Looky

What I got today...

Totally unexpected. Unbelievably beautiful.

My surprise was a babysitter for tomorrow night so we're going out. 

Our plan is to have dinner here:

 Waterfront Grill Pier 70

 Overlooking this

 Eating something like this

 Drinking this but in red

 And if Brian will let me (it's $25 for 2 people), have this for dessert!

And, before then, we're heading to a day at Alki Beach. Happy Anniversary to my love and best friend!

Little Moments

I Like It

Quote of the Day

Learn to... be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not.

Henri Frederic Amiel

West Seattle Summer Fest/Weekend Round-up

For those of you who read both of my blogs, I try to post more pictures and stories on this one so I don't bore you to death. Thanks for being patient with me!!

Anyway,  our neighborhood had it's yearly Summer Fest and we really enjoyed it this year. I think it's because Ella could actually partake in the Kids Area/rides.

We rode/played:

- saucer ride...twice.

- chair swing

- bouncy house

- made a shoestring necklace

- and wanted to climb through the bouncy choo choo train but chickened out

 She wasn't sure about the bouncy house. She would get up and some big kid would knock her down. But, we couldn't get her out so we gave the guy another 2 tickets. The second time around, she warmed up to it more but poor thing was tormented by a little girl and boy about 3-4 years old. As a parent, I felt helpless as I watched them jump on either side of her causing her to cry. They were so mean! But these really nice older girls helped her up and led her to the exit so she could get out. So sad! How could you pick on a little girl with piggies!

 We made a necklace...before we threw a tantrum that would take us back home.

 

 This ride was definitely her favorite!

 I found my favorite vendor this year! He wasn't here last year. Gran and I found him in 2009 when she was here. I think she bought every daughter and granddaughter a pair of earrings. Actually, I know she did! I loved mine so much I got another pair this year.

We consumed yummy carnival food:

- philly cheesesteaks

- mango lemonade

- pink lemonade

- sweet potato fries

- corn dog (it was soooo good!)

- soft serve ice cream

- cotton candy 

 

And, danced and spun around in circles

 And, also went to the park.

I planted flowers.

And, I made the mallows. See other blog for story.

I will say that this one of those recipes where I had my computer in the kitchen googling what terms meant...".mix mixture in standing mixer for 15 minutes until peaks form"....hmmm, what exactly does that look like? So I googled it. Not much help, might I add. It kind of reminded me of when I was trying to make my Gran's French Silk Pie. The recipe called for separating the egg white from the yolk. I think I killed 5 eggs before finally calling my Gran to find out how you do this. I know she will snicker when she reads this!!! But, all and all, I will say that each time I eat another one of the mallows, they get better and better!

So, that was our weekend in a nutshell!