5 on Friday

1. We are ready for the baby to arrive. She can come anytime in my opinion. I don't think my house has ever been this clean for as long as it has. And the laundry is almost always done. The bags are packed. And I am tired of the false contractions I have been having daily for the past week.

2. Since the baby is not here yet, we have enjoyed the quality time we are getting with Ellie. She loves to be outside and asks to, "Go outside, please" after work each night. How can you say no to such a polite little girl? We don't.

3. We picked the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood. We found out this week that two/three (there is an empty lot next to us) doors down there is a family with a little boy that will be 2 in April and are due in April with their second. Next door/two doors down, there is a family with a little boy (between 1-2 years) and they are expecting in the fall. Of course there is Ellie's favorite, Jack, who lives a few doors down on the other side of the street. His little brother, Nick, was born 4-6 months ago. Lots of boys, and all around Ellie's and Baby Sister's age. It is exactly what we were hoping for when we moved from the old neighborhood (which didn't have much for kids)! A few more girls wouldn't be bad, but we are not complaining.

4. Having the park across the street is also a plus! On Saturday my parents came down to visit and we went to the park for a little bit. That night we meet our friends, the Beltman's, at the park so the kids could play. We love the last minute play-dates with the Beltman Family- and not having to drive 20-30 minutes to see them. Ellie loves her time with Sophia!

5. We went shopping for patio furniture and shoes for Ellie on Sunday. Is it bad when your daughter squeals in excitement at the sight of the mall? She didn't even mention going to the play area, so it was the shopping that excited her. This is good (because I have a shopping partner) and bad (because Daddy was in the car when she got really excited for the mall, and now knows of her love for shopping). The other night after a stop at the grocery store she asked about going shopping (at the mall). I told her not tonight, to which she responded, "maybe next week." It was Wednesday night, when Daddy goes biking and Ellie and I have girls night. She even knows the day of the week we go shopping together...