Newest members of the Elsbury family!

Lily and I were shopping at Walmart and we usually go and visit the fish when we have time. I must have been in a good mood, because I suggested we get some fish. I made an executive decision and Lily and I picked out three fish. We got three different colors so she could name them and know which one is which!

Lily was so excited to get them home!






"Mommy" is the white and orange fish, "Baby" is the small orange one, and "Daddy" is the fish you can't see, but he is orange with some black spots.

Proud fish owner!

Her daily chore of feeding the fish. That is probably the reason we have already had to clean the water. When she sneaks off, we now know where she went.

She has gotten creative using her sleeping bag to reach the fish bowl.

I hope Lily enjoys watching her fish. I truly believe children spend too much time watching TV and playing video games. I am trying to teach Lily that there are other things to do! We can't wait for it to STAY nice outside. It has been fun a couple days last week walking with her as she rides her bike! She is a natural. :)

Learning the alphabet

We are teaching Lily the letters of the alphabet. I have been starting small with lowercase and uppercase flash cards. Lily is doing a great job! She knows A, Cc, D, H, Ll, Mm, N, Oo, Pp, Rr, Ss, Ww, Yy, Zz

Daddy played with her and spelled our names together!

High Five!! Great job Lil!


Daddy is so silly! Lily doesn't go up there!!!!! :)

ipad!!

We have joined the techies! Matt is such an impulsive buyer and we just had to get an ipad. It is an ipad 2 and we love it. Lily plays on it quite a bit too! We haven't had it long enough to see everything it can do.

Spring Break!

~Monday~
Phew! Spring break is finally here!!!!! I think everyone should have a spring break! Monday morning, Lily and I took our time with breakfast and cartoons. I took her to Heathers for a few hours (the only time she went there this week, sorry Heather!!!). Lily had missed her, she hadn't seen her for a whole week. I did some work at school. We then both had Dentist appointments.

Big girl!!! She is always excited to go!

She has 20 teeth, they look great, and she let them do everything they needed. Lily picked the purple toothbrush and sparkly toothpaste.

Now its my turn!! Urgh!!! Lily sat and watched! I didn't pass with such flying colors like Lily! I will need to go back and get some work done. Yuck!

We did some grocery shopping and came home to make supper. I fit in some workout time and then enjoyed our evening knowing I didn't have to work tomorrow!

~Tuesday~
It was snowy out and very foggy!!! Some surrounding schools even closed. Lily and I stayed in! We did some Zumba and I worked on Midland homework (a Literature Review). If you have ever done one of those, they are very time consuming and hard to write. I completely took over the kitchen table. Lily got a decent nap on the couch. I think she was bored with out her friends and me staring at a pile of papers. Daddy brought home supper and I finished my homework.

~Wednesday~
We hung out at home. That is Lily's favorite part "hanging out!" We went to the school later and got some other things done. It is hard to get things done with her there, but she wants to play with everything. After we were done at the school (did I say done?? I am never done at school, what was I thinking!), we went over to Josh and Holly's to visit Skylar and Morgan. Skylar slept in my arms the whole time!! I just love babies! :) I really hope we get blessed with a baby soon. I am ready to be a family of 4! :) Daddy got home and just came on over to their house too! I love having wonderful neighbors.

~Thursday~
Lily and I did our usual breakfast and cartoons in the morning, with some Hip Hop to top it off. We packed for our Omaha trip and took off for GI. First we stopped at the Drs office. I had to give blood to check on my Thyroid. I was diagnosed with a hypothyroid before Christmas. They are trying to figure out what medicine will work for me. Lily sat right next to me and watched her take my blood. Wierd I know, but what do you do with a 3 year old?? My blood was now normal, so I get to continue on the same medicine. Great. We then got some lunch at Subway (Lily's request. She even knows their slogan "Subway, Eat Fresh!) and then went shopping for Mommy at the mall.

Then, it was off to Omaha!!!


Lily and I were the first to arrive at Sarah's. We lined up a get together for all of us: Asia, Shelley, Erin, Kaycee, Sarah, and I, to get together. Because we all have kids now, we just decided it would be easier to order pizza and stay in. This was a great idea!

Lily and Quincy (Sarah's little boy) He is one year old!

Shelley and Grace (7 months). The youngest of the bunch!

Lily and Evan! Kaycee's son (2 years old) Isn't he a cutie!

Sweetie Olivia! (almost one! Kaycee's daughter)

Watching Nemo!

The big kids!!

Awww, Ady and Lily. What cute girls. They are going to be such good buddies.

Wow, what a group!!!
Kaycee, with Olivia and Evan. Erin, with her little girl in her belly! Asia with Adysen. Shelley and Grace (Faith was with Grandpa). Me and Lily. Sarah and Quincy.

This was tons of fun! I am so fortunate to have a wonderful group of friends. It will be so much fun to watch the kids grow up. We miss Sarah and Kaycee in GI, but true friends don't forget each other!

Lily and I got to the Ferzely's around 8:00 or so. The kids were waiting for us! Lily and Sydney stayed up late and played, played, played. They put on matching jammies. Two peas in a pod. We were making plans for our Friday! Can't wait!


Friday ~~~

The Omaha Children's Museum!!!

Science class. Lily was so interested. She was blocking the little boy's view!! The lady was teaching about HOT and COLD.

Lily would raise her hand when she asked questions because the other kids were. The science teacher called on her once. ha ha! Lily shrugged her shoulders. I think she might do well in Preschool next year. I always wonder how she will do sitting and listening, and she did pretty well!!!

Floating balls!!

There were balls everywhere!!!

Arm muscles!!! Eliza and I even got on them! Yes, you guessed it, I won!!! ha ha :)

Every so often, the blue light would blink and there would be a horn. The balls would all drop to the floor.

We always talk about our "Favorite part." This was definitely my favorite part of the museum. Look at that expression on Lily's face. I love seeing her so happy!

Painting shamrocks! Lily and Sydney are very artistic. Syd is quick and makes long lines, Lily is slow and paints in one spot over and over. :)

How did Mommy do on the the balloons?? :)

Would you like a hamburger??

Thanks for a fun day Aunt Liza and Syd!

Lily has started her posing with a cheezy grin! I am going to be sad when this spring break is over. Lily have been together almost every minute this week! I love my baby!!!

After the Children's museum, we went to eat at The Upstream. I love that restaurant. The girls were getting tired, but they did well. We then went shopping at Village Pointe, the best outside mall I have been to. Of course we spent most of the time looking at little girl clothes. I got Lily her Easter dress and cute little shoes. I will post pictures later of her dress. I dressed her up in it when we got home to model for Daddy. She loved twirling in it! She did not want to take it off!

Back to Friday~ Our tired girls were not wanting to shop anymore and Syd was unhappy that the store didn't have her size in the shoes. Aww man! It had gotten very chilly at this point. Which was disappointing because we were wanting to go play at the park. We went to Skyline to pick up Delanie and Caden from school. They were at an after school program.

We got back to their house and Scott had beat us home. He was fixing burgers. Lily and Sydney played with my hair for about 30 minutes. It was very relaxing and entertaining. When they started eating, I got ready for my fun night with the girls!

I met some of my greatest friends at Olive Garden! Words can not explain how much I enjoyed seeing them and being able to catch up. Beth, Hayley, Shannon, and Cala were my old roommates and wonderful friends that I miss dearly. We are all so grown up now! I am still the only one with a child, but I can see a few coming in the future! :) Beth lives in Lincoln, so she took off after supper. The rest of us went over to Micaela's house.

The ladies!
Again, I have missed these girls so much. It is awesome when we haven't seen each other for awhile, but yet we can just pick up where we left off. I really hope it isn't so long before the next time I see them. Everyone needs great friends like these girls!!!

I get back to Scott and Eliza's and get to jump into bed with my favorite 3 year old! Daddy was having fun in Kearney with his friends. I think every married couple needs that time with their friends. It is healthy for them and their friendships. What a great couple days!!

Saturday ~
Of course, Lily can't sleep in. We were up around 7:00 am again! You would think she would know it was my spring break and she would leave me alone!! ha ha. She whispers, "Mommy, I think its daytime!" We go downstairs and turn on the cartoons to wait for everyone else did get up.

Lily and I left around 10:00. Lily said the cutest thing. She saw a road sign with an arrow point up.

"Mommy, that sign wants me to go up. How do I do that? How can I we go up to the sky?" At this time, I was very confused, but then I saw the sign and couln't help but laugh. I can see how she thought that. I explained it that the arrow means to go around the median. Lily says the cutest things. I should keep a notebook with me and write them down. Of course she is the smartest little girl around too!!! ;)

We were anxious to see Daddy. Daddy was ready for us! We got ready and headed into GI to eat and go to the Horse Races. Yes, we are regulars at the races. We are just waiting for the time we win big. Gma and Gpa were at the races, so we had another reason to go. Lily was excited to see them and of course the popcorn and pop she got were bonuses too! None of us won big, but we did end with $18 winning ticket from Lily's #4 horse coming in 3rd. Thanks Lil!

We then ate at Uncle Ed's Steakhouse. Lily and I were reading a sign while we were waiting and she said "uhh, this isn't a house??" ha ha. We had a great meal with mom and dad. Lily and us are so lucky to have them close.


I wonder what Sunday has in store for us!?!?

Catch up on Elsbury happenings

February 14th - Happy Birthday Scott!!!!

Also, Matt had flowers delivered to me from work. That was so nice of him! I love my hubby more everyday since we got married (July 2, 2005). Lily and I both had our Valentine's Day parties. My gift to Matt was a Jeep magazine and steaks on the grill that night.

February 15th - Our neighbors, Josh and Holly, welcomed their baby girl. Skylar Mae was born!!! We went and visited them the day they got home from the hospital. She is adorable. We can't wait to watch her grow up. Morgan is going to be such a good big sister.

February 16th - Maverick turned 12 this day! Wow, I remember the day he was born! Matt is excited that he is old enough to get a hunter's license now!

February 19th - This day marks the 1st day to my workout routine. I didn't at that time that I would be making it a routine, but I am glad it has. I did the elliptical because I knew what was to come the next day!!!

February 20th - I was in a volleyball tournament at GISH with Shelli, Amy, Sherril, Angie, and another lady Shelli and Angie teach with. We were the very first game at 8:00. Yikes! We played 8 sets of volleyball total that day. Guess how we did!!!! Well, we only won 1 set. Maybe we will do better next time! :)

Lily and Matt hung out all day. I forgot to leave the carseat, so they were cooped up. When I got there, they left for Walmart. They came back with little plant boxes and seeds.


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This is so good for her to watch!!!

February 24th - The arrival of my new work out DVD's: Hip Hop Abs and Zumba! I absolutely love them. I am happy to say on March 9th, I have worked out 15 out of the 19 days. I actually enjoy it and Lily goes to her room and comes back with her work out clothes on too!!! She does booty rolls and everything! :)

February 26th - We went to the horse races! I really like the races. Lily has developed a new love for horses. She enjoyed going to the window where you can see into the stables. She likes the "fwee" blue horse. We didn't win much, but we did have fun. We didn't stay for the whole thing because we HAD to go shopping for my new shoes. For some reason, Matt loves shopping for me. I got new black and pink shoes and some work out clothes. I really have to stick to it now!!!!! :)

The next full week, Heather went to Mexico. So, Lily got to stay with Chris Starostka for the whole week! By the end of the week, Lily acted like she was at home. :) I am so thankful for Chris helping us out like that!

I am also happy to say that I have visited 19 out of 20 of my students' houses. This has been a very enjoyable and educational experience. I feel like I have gotten to know them a little better and that was my goal. It has been fun to say something I learned about them during class to get that extra connection with them. The last student I have was new after Christmas. Her familly doesn't have their own home yet, so I am giving them time and if they still want me to come, I am more than willing.

Will I do this next year???? Probably! :)

I am sorry I had such a dry spell with blogging. With school, my masters, Lily, Matt, working out, and just enjoying each other, I didn't make time for blogging. I hope to do better this month.

A few of my friends now blog, so it is fun to follow everyone's blog. Also, Lily loves looking back at old pictures. I think it helps her recall things and can make connections. Aww, maybe thats the teacher in me!! :)

Weekend fun

On Saturday, we had plans to go to Lincoln to a hotel and see Chris and Tara at the Home show. Matt's parents called and they were almost to Grand Island. What a nice surprise. So we waited for them to get to Doniphan so Lily and us could see them. We took them to Rival's in Hastings to eat. Then we came back and Lily showed Gma and Gpa how she can ride her bike. This is the first time we have put it outside. Its much better outside than in the tiny basement. By the way, Matt has begun framing the rest of the basement. We are excited to have that done soon.

Our driveway slope is going to be dangerous this summer.

We took off for Lincoln mid afternoon. Matt booked us a room at the downtown Holiday Inn. We stopped there before heading to the Home Show, so Lily could swim. She was sooooo excited!!!!

I skipped out on swimming the first day.

She does not like the back float.

Ornery!

Woo hoo!!! She made Daddy do this and catch her jumping off the side many, many times!


We then took a very unhappy little girl back to the room to get ready to go to the Home Show. Chris and Tara Gentele have started a fencing business "Outback Fence and Stain." They had a stand there to get their name out to possible customers. They had a pretty neat set up. Chris does a great job. He will be doing our fence this spring too. I am very excited to have that done. We will then be able to let Lily and Oasis out and not worry as much. After the Home Show, we went to Waverly to their house where Uncle Dennis and Aunt Raedeen came too. We had pizza and played games. We found a new game that we need to get Lily. "Kerplunk" was just at her level!!!