"Im Following the Crowd...part 2"

Welcome to part 2... June-Dec. Like I said in Part one (Jan-May), I went through my flickr acct to get these pics- (so they are not watermarked, dont steal my shit)


June through Dec held ALOT of changes for my girl and I. We had moved to PA in late Dec 2009, in March, during my SB, E & I came home for a visit. M & I had decided that if my credits would transfer to another grad program that we would move back to FL. I was very uhappy in PA. I didn't have any friends (minus Rach! I love you), I was too far from my family. Things didn't "fall-into-place" like they should have and M & I went out separate ways. We are still friends and talk regularly. My girl and I also moved, again but this time into our home; that we are renting till I can afford to buy it. Hopefully by the end of 2012 I can buy it and we can stop renting.  As I know the market will turn around before then, we got terribly lucky.

We really enjoy the summer! 

The second half of our 2010 was BUSYYY!

June 2010:

[Still in PA] playing outside w."bubble toys"

E on her 1st train ride.  You can read the original entry here.

Our last night in PA I let E stay up late to catch lightening bugs.

Back in FL enjoying swim lesson (refreshers), 

at the YMCA. 

I am very proud that my girl can swin & shes only 2.

At the beach, first of a few times in 2010, with Grandma & Peepaw.

July 2010:

Really enjoying being back in FL. 

Having a picnic outback at Nanas house.

We had to go see Aunt Hayls for a few days upon return to FL.

First night in her toddler bed. She loved it (thx to aunt hayls house).

She never got up. Not even once.

Barefoot baby. Loved to play outside barefoot. Like mother, like daughter.

It was KID CENTRAL at the O house on the 4th of July. 

There were plenty of adults there too!

August 2010: A very busy exciting Month:

First try with her "hoopiehoop"- shes a natural.

In Jax for Aunt Hayls Birthday dinner!!

Aunt Hayls took us to "Pump it Up" we had a great time.

E's first trip to Disney. She got to meet her idol, Woody.

In front of Cinderella's Castle w.Cousin Danielle.

At Nickeloden presents StorytimeLIVE! (sry its sideways)

September 2010:

We moved into our home on Sept 1. That we are lucky enough to 

Rent-to-Own. So I am not throwing my rent $ away, its all going towards our DP. 

Supporting our boys! 

Go! Pack! Go!

**In sept we had friends over a lot, but we didn't always take pics.

October 2010:

Ash & Mallory invited us to go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party"

We had fun, even though it was a little scary.

We had a great time picking out and playing in the pumpkins w.Mallory!!

At FBC Pine Castle's Fall Festival w.Luke (raggedy Andy). 

Where my little iPhone won most original costume.

November 2010:

E decorating her tree, the day after thanksgiving. 

We did our family tree later that day!

E and her buddy Elijah, at Elijah's birthday party.

Out watching a Packers game w.our friends.

December 2010:

Even though E is frowning, she had a blast at our annual Christmas party.

I babysat mallory for a day and while her mama was at work,

we made salt dough ornaments. 

Santa visited. I guess E was a good girl.

I hope you enjoyed taking at a quick look at our life over the year. Heres to 2011 and the many good things it holds in store for my girl and I. 

...

Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Good Jealousy"

Usually when you hear about jealousy its in a bad context. Not this time.

Being in my mid-20's all of my friends are the same age, give or take a year or two. We are all at the stage in our lives where we are looking to, or are, starting our CAREERS, not just some job. As we've been graduating from college, like dominos falling since late 2008. 

As most [all] of you know when I graduated I was already a mother. My career choices [or lack there of, thanks economy!] were limited, to no traveling. I was am a single mother. 

Jobs that had me traveling were out of the question. Completely. I had family help, to an extent, there was an agreement that I was not to take a job that had me traveling, as E is my child and I was/am the one to raise her.

/SN: I found out I was pregnant about a month after my 21st birthday, E was born 2 months before my 22nd. I have never really known what it was like to be a 'free 20-something'. Although I have never once regretted the decision I made to have a child, young, I have regretted marrying her biological father. endSN/

Anyways since all these graduations I have been hearing: "The world is your oyster..." Over & over. Meaning,  you have the ability to achieve anything you want. 

Not saying that the world isn't mine, it is to a certain extent... but this isn't about me. As much as it may sound like it is. 

I am jealous of my friends/family, but in a good way. Because they aren't 'tied-down' [say with a child] they can literally go anywhere & do anything. 

What an awesome feeling that must be. 

I want them to succeed. 

I want them to do magnificent things & have magical stories.

I want to live vicariously through them. 

But most of all I want them to fulfill their dreams. 

I made the big move to PA earlier  this yr, I tried to be 'free', but I was unhappy. I believe once you have a child family is important. The time to be 'wild & free' is before you have children. 

You've heard that once you have children, you settle down and that is true.

To My friends & family: I wish you the best on you're new endeavors. I hope you have wonderful adventures & bring back great magical stories. Don't be scared to go, just and go live, live your life while you can! We will always be here, with open loving arms for you. 'Home' is your safe place, you can always come back if things don't work, but how will you know if you don't try. I love you & want you to succeed and most importantly BE HAPPY.   

...

Keep up in between posts, I Tweet , A lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Wordless Wednesday"

This was one Happy 4th- ALL the littles that celebrated @ Casa de O. 

Children really make holidays 10xs more fun. ESP. this MANY littles.

Age range 1-11... 

...

Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , a lot.

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Cop-Out"

Im usually not into surveys but 3 yes 3 people in my reader did this "3 things" survey--

I want to send some love over to Katie @ FromIFtoWhen GoodLuck today! xoxo.

Three names I go by:
1. Kelli
2. KS/Kelli-Sue
3. Mama/Mommy


Three jobs I have had:
1. Target Cashier
2. Starbucks Barista
3. After-School/ Child Care Teacher


Three Places I have lived:
1. Jacksonville, Fl
2. Winter Park, Florida
3. Temple, PA


Three favorite drinks:
1. Sweet Tea (I haven't found good sweet tea up here)
2. Diet Soda
3. Coffee (iced or hot)


Three TV shows I watch:
1. Brothers & Sisters
2. Army Wives
3. Melrose Place 2009 (this is the actual name of the remake)


Three places I have been:
1. East & West Bahamas
2. Hawaii (MY FAV PLACE EVER)
3. Jamaica


Three places I would like to visit:
1. Bora Bora
2. Seattle
3. Australia


Three people who text me regularly:
1. M
2. Hayls
3. Mom


Three favorite old TV shows:
1. Yes Dear
2. What I like about you
3. Sabrinna the Teenaged Witch


Three favorite dishes:
1. Spicy Chez It Chicken
2. Homemade Pizza
3. M's Buffalo Chicken Sandwich


Three makeup products I cannot live without:
1. Mascara
2. Bronzer
3. Lip Stuff/ chapystick (but not the band)


Three things I'm looking forward to:
1. The end of this semester, I am so beyond stressed
2. This SUMMER (it will be EPIC... right Hayls ?)
3. To start planning my wedding w.my bestie/MOH

...

I have lots of goodies planned for next week. Thank you for understanding this week. School is coming to a close in 26 days and they are slamming us with project after project. Wednesday our Prof handed back a project/Portfolio (mine took me a FULL two weeks) and told us [entire class] to redo them b/c she was not satisfied. She said the grades were not recorded... I had a "B". Normally I would want an "A" but I am so overwhelmed right now I would take it but thats not an option she wants it redone, while we are working on our huge final project... and we have 3 other papers for her too! Plus in two weeks in a diff class I am teaching [FOR THE FIRST TIME] a grade level I don't plan on teaching when I get out of school, ek! --

Have a great weekend yall.


Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , are we friends?

xo

Kandid Kelli

"Tutus & Plastic Eggs"

In lieu of Convo w/a Todder...

This is the post where all you lovelies get to feel as if you were at Miss E's bday celebration-- I am going to BAMBOOZLE you with a boatload of cuteness & tutus...

...and just when you think you can't take it anymore...

...I am got to hit you with EASTER pics, FULL of PASTELS, BIG PINK BOWS, Plastic eggs, baskets, hunts & Family. & Mainly b/c, well folks that was her REAL birthday.

So sit back and imagine the most perfect sound in the world... the sound of a child LAUGHING b/c that is the only thing that the internet can not provide you in this wonderful journey...

The Reveal (a little blurry b/c she was spinning in a circle like a ballerina)


The annual Mama/Birthday Girl picture (Ignore pregnant nikki in the background b/c she would kill me if she knew this was on here)


The Daddy/Daughter Birthday Picture


Our Family picture... Shes ready to get down and GO PLAY!!!!


Alessandra & Emmy... Instant buds playing


More playing & running... That tutu did NOT hold her back


"I catch it Sanda"


How cute is this?


There was FOOD...


"Look @ Me!"


Yes we are TWINIES


Not into the "Happy Cake"


Yumm Yumm A cookie!


"Puzzle!!!" She loves her some puzzles...Like A Lot!!


Present from mommy & daddy... A trike: "My Bike!"


She got some pants on... Got chilly


E & Nana... (with her new Nemo... from nana & papa)



Had enough CUTENESS yet?!... Well we're not done yet... Moving along...

-EASTER Festivities-

Getting all set up to dye the eggies!!


HUMMM.. What is this? She is interested


This is actually pretty fun. (She LOVED dropping the eggs in the colors & mixing the colors, most of her eggs were a brownish color)


No stay in there "silly eggie"


Her Basket


Easter AM (the bags are from both sets of gparents- his parents & my mom/tom)


She didn't hesitate to DIG RIGHT IN...


EGG HUNT!!! (Loving how adorable she looks! Her bow makes her look so grown-up)


She got the concept & quickly became a PRO!


Found another!!!


Look @ her go...


Showing off her eggs w.Mommy


Our (1st) Easter Family Photo


The girl cousins- E & Jori... Boo was taking a nap.



...

WHOA buddy... Tired? I am. I took 200+ pics in 2 days, It was hard to pick just a few but I hope you enjoyed the ones I chose.

As if that wasn't busy enough, Tuesday she went for her well baby exam... 30% for weight, 95% for height (shes 36.5in- 25lbs...very TALL and skinny) and got 2 shots. SHE wailed. poor thing. Took a 3 hour nap. But all in all the Dr (who is wonderful LOVE him), said she is 100% perfect! Not to worry about her weight (she's always been a peanut) & that once our gallon of Whole milk is gone she can drink what we do, which is 1%. I said okay. :) Great Check-Up. Thats what I LOVE to hear.

Don't miss a beat, keep up in between posts, I Tweet , are we friends?

xo

Kandid Kelli