The Parrillo Family

Last week, we took the girls back to Disney World to celebrate, re-charge, and build more memories with just the four of us.  We've been to Disney before, but this time there wasn't much time for planning or thinking through decisions like dinner and park plans.  Rather, we decided to focus on a few select activities and then have little agenda.  It worked out great. Ellie loves LOVES loves the Princesses.  All of them.  And, we sure got a lot of them.  From Cinderella to Rapunzel to Merida to Ariel to Snow White, we took pictures, ate meals, and received autographs from the Princesses at all the parks.   With Ellie growing up fast, the experience at Disney has changed a little bit (she desperately wants to walk around and not get pushed in the stroller), but much stays the same (everything...I mean EVERYTHING seems magical to her - and us!).  Sadie is close to transforming from infant to toddler.  She's standing up - wi...

We signed up Eloise for something called "Bitty Sports" this spring.  It is a series of 45 minute sessions where they rotate through sports from baseball to basketball to soccer.  Prior to the first week, we went to Dick's and picked up a brand new pair of sneakers.  Pink ones, of course.  And a new pair of sport shorts.  Ellie was fired up!  We got there and had a lot of fun playing hoops. Is she going to be a Division 1 athlete?  Not sure.  But...she sure had a lot of fun. (If you are reading this in your email and can't see the video below, click here to watch the video on the site!)

Last week, I had the pleasure of taking - as my date - the lovely Eloise to the annual Elmhurst Daddy Daughter dance.  The theme was "Under the Sea", so that part alone had Ellie excited because of her love of Disney's Ariel.  The dance is set up for girls from 3 to (I think) 8.  That means this was the first year that we were eligible to attend.   We got all 'gussied' up as I put on my best suit and Ellie put on her fanciest dress.  Even though she desperately wanted to wear a sparkly/glittery Disney princess dress, somehow her Mother came through and convinced her that wearing a formal dress would be more appropriate.   That night, Ellie also received her first corsage.  It was a red wrist corsage with a pearl-ish wristband.  She ADORED it.  That might have been the cutest part of the night.  Here she is admiring her pretty flowers. As we left the house, just Daddy and Ellie, we both were excited. ...