The Exnicious Page: best. flowergirl. ever.

so this past weekend, we were in key largo, FL for a wedding. the bride was brandon's cousin, danielle...and ellis had the duty of flowergirl :) stinky poo brother (as ellis lovingly calls him) stayed home with bebe. do you see a pattern here? i pretty much take only one kid w/ me wherever i go...maybe that's why i think having 2 is so easy!?

we flew in friday afternoon...other than the airline calling @ 2:30 a.m. friday to tell us our flight had been cancelled (we got on an earlier flight and had to connect thru dallas), the day went great...we skipped out on the rehearsal @ the church...i had to get little miss and myself ready for the rehearsal dinner...which is so much more important than the actual rehearsal right? dinner was a success and susie offered to stay in w/ ellis while we went out to "the big chill" with a big group of people. it got ugly quick...jaeger, patron, etc. brad (brandon's brother) made out w/ a bridesmaid (actually, have you ever been to a wedding where this hasn't happened?) and i realized my husband drank about 10 scotches too many. he is still hungover by the way. seriously.

saturday morning ellis wakes up ready to go...i had told her we would drive around key largo, go to the beach, etc. brandon is in NO shape to join us but he probably thought i would give him a hard time if he stayed in bed (nooo...not me!) in my defense, it was already 10:30 a.m...not 7 or something crazy. he came along but literally laid down in the back of the car the entire time...never got out. ellis kept asking him why he was so "sleepy". we are on our way back to the hotel when brandon says to pull over...quick. he proceeds to get sick on the side of the road...ellis says "oh no, we have to get daddy to see the doctor...this is an emergency"...needless to say, philip (brandon's dad) and i are laughing hysterically at the scene. we get back to the hotel and have like 30 minutes until it was time to leave for the church...2 p.m. wedding. brandon 100% would not have gone to wedding if ellis hadn't been in it. he looked like death.

we arrive at the church. ellis is LOVING every minute. if you know ellis, you know she loves attention. i am starting to get a little nervous...even though she says she is going to walk down the aisle, you never really know. i mean, she is 2. as soon as i introduce her to the ring bearer, i know she is going to perform. she can't stop smiling...she is in a zone. i leave her in the back w/ michael (the ring bearer)...and go sit in the front of the church. i figured i might have to do one of those numbers where the mom coaxes the girl up the aisle?? not so much. she walks down the aisle right on cue. perfectly...slowly...smiling at all of the people. couldn't have cared less where i was....or anyone that she knew for that matter. she gets to the front of the church and goes over with michael and the groomsmen. i get her attention and motion for her to come over and sit w/ me (on the opposite side of the church- the bride's side). not a freaking chance. she is staying w/ michael. and this is where the hilarity begins to ensue.

i wasn't prepared for her to sit by herself...she threw me a curve ball there. i hadn't told her anything about being quiet, sitting nicely, etc. how will she be able to sit over there quietly for AN HOUR? she started off great...she would stand up and sit down when she was supposed to...things are looking good. 20 minutes in she starts looking like she is getting restless...playing w/ her basket...throwing the flowers on the ground in front of her seat...which is on the front row mind you...harmless though. i then look over and she has the basket on her head. there are a few LOL's from the crowd...but still, no big deal. it is now time for the rings...she walks up w/ michael to hand the rings to the priest...i am 99.9% sure she wasn't supposed to play a part in that...but whatever...we are close to the end and she isn't causing any real trouble. time for communion (catholic wedding)...i look over...oh no...no...she couldn't be...she is in line w/ the bridesmaids for communion. i kid not. there is no time to stop her. she gets to the front and puts her hand out for the circle thing and the priest just pats her on the head. that worked for her...and she returns to her seat. the wedding wraps about 2 minutes later. success.

i will quickly wrap this up...promise! we head to the reception, brandon heads to bed. there are cocktails outside first...then the party moves inside for dinner...and dancing. ellis is like a rock star @ the reception...everyone is coming up to her congratulating her on her good job. in fact, the organist @ the church said she was the best she has ever seen :) ellis is so proud of herself...she decides she wants to take it to another level and continue her show. she heads for the dance floor...obviously, nobody else is dancing yet. just her. it is only like 5 p.m...people just aren't drunk yet. she starts by doing a few of her ballet moves...twirlng, arabesques, etc. she then ups the ante and does a few forward rolls. and then a number of moves where she is on the ground. an hour later she is still out there. i am telling you...one hour...not a single break. by herself. i tried to go dance with her...she politely asked me to get off the dance floor. she wanted it all to herself. i could go on and on...but i won't. i will say that i finally called brandon and said get your ass down here...ellis is on fire. he GLADLY took her to the hotel room around 7 to rest and watch cartoons...i think they were both asleep by 7:30. i, on the other hand, stayed to party w/ the rest of the group...we had so much fun. ellis inspired me i guess...i haven't danced that much in i don't know how long!!! if you made it to the end of this, thanks for hanging in there :) pictures are below!

jumping on the bed before rehearsal dinner