Happy Days are here again...It has warmed up and the ice cream parlors and ice cream stands are now open. The kids are thrilled! Yesterday after school, Jacob and John rode bikes on the boardwalk and then ate ice cream at Marvel's and got to ride the racecar before coming home. Life doesn't get much better for a 6 yr old than an afternoon like that with his dad.

Week of Blurrr....Wish I could really tell you what all we did last week. But it is just a big blur. The kids were both in school. John has been home quite a bit. And other than exercising, getting out to enjoy the weather, going to church, spring cleaning, and working...the rest just all runs together. We have so much enjoyed being able to get outside again to ride bikes, take walks and sit out on the porch to blow bubbles, fly a kite, etc. We just got new patio tables and an umbrella so it will be so nice to sit outside. I, for one, has just liked having the doors and windows open to enjoy the breeze. Jacob's school has gotten very busy getting ready for his play next week and year end activities. Can't believe kindergarten will be over in a month and a half. WOW! His school sent home a flyer yesterday to order 1st grade school supplies through them without having to go to the store. Jacob picked out a new backpack. It is solid color because that is what the first graders use (according to Jacob), not backpacks with action figures on it and certainly not pink...that's for girls, mom! Ha! I am way uncool...already. He's got a long road to hoe. We've gotten very big into rolling our eyes at mom...needless to say it doesn't go over very well.

Another Big Night with Dad...I had to work last night but John and the kids had a blast. Jacob helped John organize the garage and then after Julia got up from her nap, the headed to the park by the bay to practice riding bikes. Jacob is SO close to being able to ride without training wheels. Then they came back for dinner and bathtime. Julia even took her first shower. John texted me several pictures at work and they were all so cute and they were all having such a good time. What a good dad!

Great Saturday...What a day! The kids and I got up and had a big breakfast. Then we went down to the pedestrian walkway for Jacob to ride his bike while I pushed Julia in the stroller. After that we headed to the park for the kids to play. As we were just getting home, John got home. The captain gave him a ride since he only lives a few blocks from us. Everyone came inside for sandwiches and to visit. Then we spent the rest of the day playing on the porch and just spending time together. The day finished up with some good ole Oklahoma fun...we raided our neighbors garage as he was setting stuff out to give away. We laughed the whole time cause we made a killing. We walked away with $95 metal gorilla shelves for the garage (which John had just bought but not yet assembled so we can return them and save our money), a really cute side table for Julia's room, a brand new kite, and 4 fishing poles. Ha! We laughed all night about not being able to take the country out of the Elliotts. By the time we were done and had also gotten our neighbor, John, involved, there was nothing left to set out to give away. Ha!

O What a Beautiful Morning...What a gorgeous morning! Jacob and I walked to school this morning and as I was walking back home, I just enjoyed the sunshine and light breeze. It was almost 60 degrees and you could smell the salty ocean air this morning. It was one of the "life is a blessing" moments. So, Julia and I are puttering around the house with a few windows just enjoying a nice spring morning and a little bit of quiet before the weekend starts. Ha! Then watch out...all the excitement with both kids in the house begins again!!!

Showing off her new fingernails...serious business in a tutu...ha!

Fun with Dad...Last night I worked at Sutton Place. John is such a super dad and the kids have so much fun. They ordered pizza, played hop-a-roo, had sword fights, and then Julia wanted to play makeup. She has her own blush brush and sponge. But then she decided she wanted daddy to paint her fingernails since I just got a manicure the other day. Mind you, Julia has never had her nails painted and we weren't too sure how patient she would be. But John the super trooper sat down and painted his daughter's fingernails for the first time. He even kept his cool when his daughter wanted one hand pink and one hand red. Ha! I would have loved to have seen it in person. Then they used the blow dryer to get them dry. Makin' memories!

Great Aviators...Here are a couple of pictures of Jacob and Julia in the cockpit of the airplane that flew us back to TX a couple of weeks ago. John knew and had flown with both the captain and co-pilot so the kids had a ball sitting at the controls.