A brighter day

I'm feeling so happy this morning! No, money hasn't started falling from the sky, I haven't been given a maid to clean my house, and my kids still argue with one another over dumb stuff, but LIFE IS GOOD!

** Church was awesome yesterday (I lead the singing in Primary - best job ever!) The kids sang so well and I think everyone felt the spirit of the easter season. I cried a little, and they giggled at me.

** The weather has been gorgeous!

** We went on a Sunday afternoon walk as a family.

** And best of all, my younger sister had her 1st baby! A little girl : 8lbs 4 oz. With lots of dark brown hair. Ohhh I can't wait to meet her this afternoon!

I love spring and the promise of new life and new beginnings. Kinda like we can shed our old selves and mistakes we've made and walk down a new, brighter road. I think the word, "HOPE" sums it all up! I hope you're feeling brand new again too!

Lots of love,

An Unconventional Friendship

Ellie's best friend....

Let me explain. During Meagan's Junior Jazz basketball games Ellie played out in the hall of the elementary school. Her "friend" was there every week. Basketball has been over for 3 weeks now. Apparently they became quite attached because a few days ago we went to the school and as soon as she saw her friend, she got a huge smile on her face and ran over and gave him a big hug. Is that sad that a child safety toy is her friend? She calls him "Flag."

Manna from heaven

*** We originally started with 4 boxes, barely got a picture with these 2 boxes, and as of today......they're gone. They didn't even last one week!! :(

Spelunking and other adventures

These headlamps have been a favorite toy for the kids....and me when I'm reading in bed at 3am and can't sleep. Ellie somehow managed to get this one on right and was all smiles. She immediately walked towards the bathroom (darkest room with no window) so she could see her "light."

I left Ellie sitting on this rocking chair in my room while I jumped in the shower. Apparently, watching "her show" isn't nearly as fun without treats. She went downstairs to the kitchen, climbed onto the table, and grabbed the cereal that I hadn't gotten around to putting away yet. Then she marched herself right back up to the chair to watch her "show."

These last two pictures just kill me! She walked over to me this morning and in a very serious voice said, "Potty." Then she started pulling off her pants. I asked her, "Do you need to go potty?" And with her most serious face said, "Uh huh." (with a little head nod too). I figured I'd indulge her so in we walked and sat her down. Nothing. So I told her to wait right there so I could grab my camera. After all, she looked so cute sitting there. As soon as she saw the camera, she started to cheesin' it and squinting her eyes. What a kook. Then after that excitement wore off....she started getting nervous...."fall, fall?" Okie doke, we'll try again another day......or several more months! :)

I'm starting my week off on a great note....(rolling my eyes)

I was in a hurry to get the girls ready for school and out the door and told Tanner to get dressed for preschool. I laid his clothes out for him and he never once asked for help. After the girls left, I threw a coat on Ellie, put her and Tanner in the car, and off we went to the grocery store. Of course I had forgotten we were in charge of snacks today. By the time I dropped him off at preschool and got back home (to start the laundry because I have no clean underclothes...once again), I was feeling pretty good about getting Tanner to school, without being late, and getting him a great snack: grapes and apples (his choice). When I picked him up from school and got him back in our house, I noticed something funny about his pants. Sure enough, they were on backwards. Great. It wasn't like they were sweats and could easily pass the front/backwards test, nope, they were levis. How cool to send my son to school with 2 big pockets up front, and a zipper up the rear. I'm awesome.

I guess I should've eaten breakfast.....

Inspirations

I'm a proud mama. In January my girls entered their school's "Inspirations" contest, a celebration of the arts. Meagan (3rd grade) entered the Photography category with a collage of photos she took of Ellie. And Lindsay (2nd grade) wrote a poem, "Pickles", and entered the Literature category. Last week they both came home with a letter saying they'd recieved 2nd place in each of their categories! I was so proud of them! They held an assembly yesterday to honor the top 3 winners of each category in each grade. They both looked so cute up on the stage and were so happy when they recieved their medal.

Meagan after she'd received her medal and certificate. They didn't have the kids stay up there long enough for me to get close enough for a picture of her receiving it.

I was so impressed with Meagan's finished piece. Besides a few pointers from me on the layout, she did all the cutting, adhesive, matting, and placing by herself!

Lindsay receiving her certificate and medal. The medals have their names, grade, and category engraved on the back. Fancy shmancy!

PICKLES

Some pickles are sweet

Some pickles are sour

But I like them the same

As sniffing a flower.

* * * * *

Good work girls, we're so proud of you!

Ellie

Oh my little Ellie! She is such a fun little girl!

* 21 months old and acts like she's 10! Lately she has started refusing to let me get her dressed. She has to put the clothes on herself. Nevermind that its basically impossible and takes a million times longer. She'll throw a tantrum if she doesn't get her shot at it! To her benefit, she actually got her shirt over her head (I had to help with the arms) and she put her feet in the legs of her pants (and then was stuck when she couldn't stand up). :)

*Her vocabulary is really starting to take off. With lovely words like, "Oh Gosh!" and "Jeesh!" all complete with a pained look on her face and hands on the cheeks or forehead.

*Drama queen (see above)

*Sometimes tells me when she's "poop" or "stink". She'll walk into the room I'm in, turn around (about 3 feet away from me) and walk backwards until she reaches me. Then she'll try to "check" herself. Sidenote: NO, she is not getting potty trained yet!

*Absolutely LOVES "pretty" things. Pretty hair, pretty fingers, pretty teeth, pretty dresses for church, pretty shoes. etc.

*Loves stuffed animals: mostly kitty cats and her dog

*Has learned to stick up for herself when it comes to others (her brother) taking her toys. When she's really in the mood - her body goes rigid, her hands pull into fists, and she screams. Yes, its lovely.

*Likes to do things by herself. For example, whenever we get out of the car, she wants to walk. It doesn't matter if its walking back into the house, or walking into church, or even leaving a basketball game......ALL BY HERSELF. It's so enjoyable to carry a kicking and screaming child from the gym to the car and physically hold her down while I get her buckled into her car seat. (Most people smile that "smile" that says, "Hey, I've been there," but to all the others - No, I'm not abusing my child!)

*Her favorite video is The Laurie Berkner Band. Absolutely adorable! Even my 4 year old son loves them. Her favorites: We Are The Dinosaurs, Moon Moon Moon, and I'm a Mess. So cute!

*Excellent sleeper! I count my lucky stars every time she takes a nap or goes down for the night. It doesn't matter if we're at home, or away visiting family, she goes right down. As long as she has her blanket, binki, and her baby (Gloworm) she's good to go!

*Very cuddly. Loves to give hugs and kisses and L-O-V-E-S her back scratched. She layed on my bed for 20 minutes the other day while I scratched her back, arms, and legs. Heaven.

*Very shy. When she's at home, she's all talk, smiles, and crazy girl, but get her outside her comfort zone, and you're lucky to get a smile.

*Hates nursery. Very unfortunate but we're working on it.

*Favorite toy: at the moment it's her purse or "pak pak" depending on the day. She shoves cards in them and takes them out, and puts them back in, over and over (Old Maid, Memory....basically all the cards that have escaped the game closet)

*Most recent "trick": She sticks out her belly, arches her back, and walks. Very funny and she thinks its so awesome.

Showing off her "pretty" shoes. So adorable.

"Pretty" fingers


We absolutely love our little Ellie Belle. She's the first person that everyone wants in the morning, and the last person that everyone wants to kiss and hug at night. Love you Sweetie Pie!

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I am completely stumped when it comes to adding videos to a post, so I added them below. The first one is of her dancing. She's really got "The Pony" down pat. For some reason, its in slow motion, huh? And the second vid is her just being silly.