"FL Showers"

Growing-up in FL, I remember the HOT summer days were cooled off by the cold rains of a summer shower. 

It would rain out of no where and last for all of 10 minutes and move on. We haven't had so many summer showers this year, but more t-storms. :-( So the other day when we had an actual summer shower (no lightening or thunder) I told E she could play in the rain. 

She was so excited to get wet in her school clothes! I was excited to watch her do something I so enjoyed when I was a child.

It was very hot, as usual, out so it was a NICE cool off.

As soon as I gave her the okay... she grabbed her rain-boots and umbrella.

Although it didn't take long for her to ditch the umbrella. It was slowing her down. 

She quickly learned that the end of the driveway had the biggest "muddy puddles" as E calls them.

(Shes been watching Peppa Pig & the DVD we have is called muddy puddles)

Not long after E ditched the umbrella she kicked-off her rain-boots.

I was twitching, thinking she was gunna get ring-worm, but she didn't.

My heart was overflowing with joy as I watched my girl run & play. 

Giggling & squealing with delight.

I tried to stay undercover but when E started to get more adventurous I got out there, 

glad I had a waterproof digital camera, and played with her.

Eventually the rain stopped, but E stomped and splashed & ran

 until I made her come inside & take a warm shower and get ready for dinner. 

Now everytime it rains E begs to play in it. It breaks my heart that she can't every single time. If I hear thunder or see lightening, I will not let her play & like I said, we have had more t-storms than summer showers this year.

At least she has this memory, like I do, to hold onto. But playing in the rain (or sprinklers) is a great way to beat the 100* temps.

**Do you let your kids play in the rain? Do YOU play in the rain?

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

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Since I last Blogged..."

Hey loyal readers!

I know I still have a few but I have lost a lot of my freaders :-(. I understand that when a blogger goes on a hiatus that people remove them from their blog radar.

As most of you know I am in my FINAL classes (last 4) in my Masters program. This is HUGE. I never thought I would be able to see the "finish line". But as it gets closer and closer and my classes get harder and more demanding, that finish line is what I have sights set on.

T has been on summer vacation and that, like all good things, is coming to an end. Quickly. So we have been taking full advantage of his last few weeks.

We went with our good friends and their daughter, who happens to be E's bestfriend, on a mini-vacation to T's hometown. It was a fun, much needed 1 night getaway. We went to the beach while there, the boys got to play Fifa and us mommy's got to get much needed manis and pedis.

My little beach baby.

My loves.

Me & my girl

The girlies and me at the best restaurant ever.

My family. 

I want to spend the rest of my life with this man.

Our friends! (minus the daddy, he doesnt do pics)

We have played and had dinner outside (picnics), more times than I can count (this is a fav of ours). I have also taken numerous, unplanned naps on our back porch while E & T played.  

She loves playing on her 'playground'

Sassy butt eating standing-up

See: Nap! lol 

We have done bubbles and had popsicles to help beat the 3 digit temps.

All in all we have had a great summer, one of the best of my life.

**Tell me, what did you and your family do this summer?


Don't Miss These Upcoming posts:
-Playing in the FL rain
-E's 1st real haircut
-Our Annual Disney Trip
-E's 1st [pre]-school Birthday Party
-A little survey learning a bit more about me
-More of 50 questions to free your mind


Keep coming back! Its only a matter of time before Kandid Kelli will be BACK!

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

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"Brain Washed"

E's Aunt Hayley babysat her 2 weeks ago. While babysitting, Hayls, being the awesome aunt that she is, taught E how to build "tents" out of blankets. 

There was a MASSIVE (like took over my whole living room big) one when I got home. Well since then E has been OBSESSED with building & playing in "tents". 

This is one she built (w.a little help from me) last week. She is so fun & creative. 

We are going to visit Hayls in a week & all E can talk about is "tents" with Aunt HaYYYYley.

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

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"So Blessed"

I can't believe this is the year that my BABY will turn THREE.

That blows my mind.

I can't believe how much and how quick she is growing up. She amazes me multiple times daily.

Sometimes I just stare at her in amazement and wonder how I got so lucky. She is the reason I get up in the morning.

This past weekend was perfect. It this past weekend was a snapshot of how this year is going to go I am okay with that.

I mean it started out a little rough, with me thinking I was going to loose one of my implants. (you can read the back story here and here)  But I called my surgeon and went to see him Friday afternoon, turns out I just have an infection. A $40 RX and I should be okay. I saw him again today and will again in 2 weeks. He is being cautious. 


But Friday before all that drama happened, I went back to weight watchers. I want to loose 8-13lbs. Loosing 8lbs will get me back to "goal" and will put me back at "lifetime aka free" status at Weight Watchers. 13lbs will get me where I really want to be. That night E and I just relaxed and watched a movie. 


I never thought I would say this but I am getting used to being alone, I just curled up on the couch and watched some DVR. 


When/If I start dating again I am going to be so picky, almost to the point of ridiculous. Another post to come soon.


Saturday I got somethings around the house done, mainly the garage, I cleaned it out and organized. I met my fav mom/daughter duo for a lunch date and Target trip.

Our girls are bestfriends. It is so stinking cute. My kiddo is 11 months younger and totally looks up to her bff. While at Target we had one of those semi carts that have the doubleseats on them.

Well that was great for all of 15 minutes before they were fighting and arguing. They fight and argue like sisters.

So I hunted down an abandoned cart and we separated them. Oh lord, E freaked out so much you would have thought we beating her.

Thats when I/Mal (her bff) told her about "the surprise" that was coming Sunday.

ANIMAL KINGDOM!!!

Despite no nap (up to that point), her behavior shaped up. We came home took a nap & I finished the garage and this mama got ready for the GB and guess what?...

GREEN BAY DOMINATED...!!

E and I were blessed enough to be able to go to AK with our favorite family (aside from my own). 

While we were there E really opened up and blossomed. 

I should have known that something was going to be different; when that AM when she wanted to pick-out her own clothes.

It was the perfect day. 

[B; did not go, just hoped in the pic as he was holding Mal]

We had "Magic Moments" parking, which was literally right in front of the entrance to AK, we didn't need to take a trolly or anything. Amazing.  

The weather was beautiful. The girls were wonderful & got along great.

King Louie & Balou

"The Jungle Book" is one of my Fav. Disney movies. 

I was far more excited to 'meet' them than E was. 

She was actually scared.

We moved onto the safari 'ride'

That was great. we saw so many different types of Animals, so close. 

It was amazing.

I kept thinking "I am so blessed" "I am so lucky".

After Safari we went to The Lion King show... and thats when IT happened. 

E & Mal got to be a part of  the show. They got to go up and dance. I didn't think she would go, but off she went. I almost cried, I was happy and terrified. She loved it, she loves music and dancing so that was no surprise.

After that we went to "character row" I was NOT looking forward to this, as when she 'met' any other characters before she was always scared of them and I had to go up with her. 

Mickey was our first stop, followed by Minnie, Goofy & Donald.

And LOOK:

The sense of pride I felt when I saw her go up to the characters; ALONE, Is indescribable. I was so proud of her. I almost cried tears of joy.


I am so lucky to have such great people in my life.


This is one of those families that I just know will always be a part of my life. I love them all dearly. 


I had Monday off, thank you MLK. It was lazy but busy.

I took the trash down to the street while E and I were playing outside but while I was cooking dinner had a few pieces that I wanted to recycle, so I ran out the front door to take them to the street. I return and I AM LOCKED OUT.

E is laughing.

I was cold and damp from it drizzling. She finally let me in, as my mom pulled up with a spare key. haha.

We are doing great on the potty (minus AK) I am very excited with our success. I feel that by her birthday we will be pull-up and nightime diaper free. That is so exciting.

Over all it was a much needed relaxing, fun, blessed 3-day weekend.

I hope that this is the start to me getting back to blogging, at least 3 posts a week.

I Miss you all like crazy!

Is anyone still reading?

...

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

xo

-Kandid Kelli

"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