It's easy to talk about Ella this week - it's her birthday week and there is a lot to share! We still have birthday party prep, party time and a fabulously hand-crafted birthday surprise. In the midst of that, I thought you might like a Sophie update. I was just telling SD how grown up she seems this week. She sits up in her bumbo so much better. She's getting strong and will lay on her belly and play forever. Today, Josh caught her doing this in her crib and when I got home I snagged round 2 on tape. Although Ella was sitting up at this age, we can't believe how fast Sophie's passing her in other physical milestones. She is so much more vocal and mobile and she eats so much better than any child I know! Another milestone she passed was the haircut. Ella got her first haircut here, at ...
Cupcakes for Lunch
Now, for her second request of the day. When Ella and I talked about her party being on a different day that her birthday, I was afraid she might be upset. I told her that on her birthday we could do something else really fun "just us girls." I offered the bakery, yogurt shop or lunch. I just knew she'd go for lunch, but she surprised me by requesting cupcakes at Edgar's. We didn't get there until almost noon and mommy was hungry for lunch! When I told her I was getting a salad, she looked me dead in the face and asked if she had to eat a sandwich or if she could have a cupcake for lunch. Cupcakes it is! She picked a mint-chocolate chip one, since that is her favorite ice cream flavor, and boy was it yummy. She wanted to wear her birthday outfit really bad and we had major discussions ...
Birthday "Breakpast"
Have you been waiting with bated breath for the Birthday Party recap? Sorry... you've got one more week. We decided that since Alabama played Penn State this past weekend {don't judge} that we'd be better off waiting until next weekend to celebrate the day. Our SD was headed to Tuscaloosa and we decided to eliminate the guilty feeling all these Bama fans might have had! Instead, the birthday girl requested breakfast in bed and cupcakes for lunch, and boy did we oblige. When I asked her what kind of special birthday "breakpast" she wanted she thought for a minute and declared Fruit Loops with milk. After I recovered, I talked her into something cooked and she opted for pigs in a blanket. With the help of this little one-legged booger, I got up early and made an oven-full of pigs and a ...
Dancy Pants
I forgot to mention that Ella's ballet and tap classes resumed last Thursday and this face tells you exactly what she thinks about that. For a few weeks she wavered on whether or not to take this year. While I don't want to be the mom who forces their kids to participate in an activity, I thinks she needs a social outlet at this point. She isn't old enough {thanks to her late birthday} to attend preschool yet and I think the structure this class gives her is just right. Luckily, the closer to September we got, the more excited she got. Especially when she saw new leotards and tap shoes! little ballerinas getting ready for their first class of the season showing off what they've learned ...
Birthday Shoot
Guess who had a little fun in the sun yesterday? Click here to read what K had to say about this sweet girl. ...
To Bells on her Birthday
2010 Dear Ella, Today you are four years old and I don't know where the time went. It seems like yesterday you were snuggled in my belly, refusing to come out. How did you get to be four? Your daddy tells you all the time that you aren't allowed to grow up. You just laugh and remind him that he can't stop your birthdays! You had one last year and the year before and the year before and I'm pretty sure you're planning to have one next year, too. You are the most precious little person. You are learning more and more each passing month. You ask grown-up, interesting questions about everything. You are a wonderful big sister and a big helper for your mom. You say breakpast {breakfast} and withbout {without} and sing Ice, Ice, Baby. You talk about Jesus and heaven everyday. What will we ...
Goodbye Summer
Ella "taking our order" and Sophie post-poolside nap Goodbye summer. Goodbye long lazy days at the pool, grilled burgers under an umbrella, family chatter at dusk. Goodbye green-tinged hair, sun-bleached eye lashes, and rosy cheeks. Goodbye Alabama bathing suit, pool noodles, and water-logged puppy dogs. Goodbye little white sandals. Goodbye strawberry shortcake, lemonade, and picnic blankets. Goodbye beach. Goodbye summer. We will miss you and can't wait to see you again next year. ...
It’s great to live in ALABAMA
Y'all don't laugh, but I thought long and hard about what to wear to the football game this weekend. Girls in the south don't exactly wear jeans & tees to the game, but since I'm not exactly back in my clothes I really struggled with what to wear. Not to mention, that I could find NO red dresses in this city that covered my bum. What is with wearing shirts for dresses? I finally got a cute denim dress and found a red necklace, wedges and sweater, but the real stars of the show were the girls. Even though they hung out with Garan while we were in Tuscaloosa, they had to be all dressed up! Ella's seersucker dress from last year was too short, so she wore it with jeans. We had a super-cute smocked gown that was Ella's, but since Sophie is a giant it was too short. Mom cut it off and made ...