So, this year I wasn't the one with a hot date for Valentine's Day. It was Ella's turn! Since the fall, Ryan and I have tried to make a conscious effort to get the kids together at least once a month for a play date. They are so sweet to one another and play so well together. I swear I should invest in a digital video recorder just to show you how stinking adorable they are when they're together. Ella has been beside herself for the whole week about going over there and she wasn't going to let a little snow and ice cramp her style! She came in my room early this morning to tell me that there was still snow on the ground and wanted me to check the weather for ice on the roads. After much contemplating {and an equal amount of begging} we set out over the mountain and made it safely to our ...
ella
Snow on the ground…
I learned my lesson the last time they said it was going to snow in Alabama... I did not tell Ella that there was even a chance. I got her up and dressed for Valentine's Day, packed treats for her friends and sent her off to school. Lucky me, our offices were closing at noon so I left a minute early, grabbed lunch and picked up a VERY excited little girl. She couldn't believe that I'd kept the snow a secret. I couldn't believe the forecasters actually got it right. This is what we saw when we pulled in the drive (please ignore the fact that our CHRISTMAS wreaths are still hanging... I'm a procrastinator these days). We passed a big, pretty house on the way and I commented on how pretty in looked in the snow and Ella said, "Just wait until we get home, mama. Our house is gonna be ...
Week of Love: Craft Time!
As much as I wanted to, Ella & I just couldn't pull together a week's worth of red outfits, fun activities and silly posts for you guys this week! Instead, you'll have to look back at last February and enjoy the few posts we'll share this week leading up to the big day (click on the Valentine's tag beneath this post to see last year's V-day posts). Tonight we worked on a little surprise treat for all of our friends at dance and school. Supplies needed: Dum Dums (or other lollipops) Pink paper/cardstock cut into hearts Green paper/cardstock cut into leaf shapes Patterned scrapbook paper cut into notched circles Tape or stickers to secure Ahead of time: I used Illustrator to create templates for all of my shapes and printed them onto the paper Cut out all ...
Little Ballerinas
Saturday after the baby shower we made our way to the dance studio for a sweet little birthday party for Natalie. Unfortunately, Ella fell asleep in between and wasn't very happy when I woke her up! She cried at the party and it wasn't until they started dancing that there was finally a smile on her face. Natalie's mom did a great job with the food and decorations and we had so much fun dancing with the ballet instructor. I don't know how I managed not to get a picture of Ella and the birthday girl, but here are a few of my little ballerina... Sorry that last one is so out of focus - I couldn't resist posting it, though, because the look on her face is too adorable. ...
Lake’s Sprinkle
Today Ella, Gran and I went to a Sprinkle Shower for my best friend Ryan and her baby-to-be, Lake. It was so much fun to compare our bellies and laugh about how we looked pretty much the same the last go around. Ella got to pick out which present to open next and kept everyone pretty entertained. She is so excited about these babies and it was fun for her to see all of the tiny clothes and toys. Ryan & I have a photo much like this from Grey's baby shower, so we couldn't resist taking another. Even though we live with it everyday, it is funny to think about how we've been pregnant together both times. As much as we would enjoy the other being able to help more, it is fun to have someone to complain to and who knows exactly how you're feeling right now. Congrats on baby John ...
What a Funundrum!
Last weekend, Josh & I took Molly & Ella to the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. Nana & Cookie treat us to front row seats for Christmas every year and we look forward to it over the holidays. Ella has been asking about it since Christmas Eve! This year, our tickets were at the end of the arena, directly across from the performers' entrance. It was such a neat perspective from which to watch the animals and clowns come into the show. This was a funny age for Ella - she was extremely excited to be there, but she thought it was way too long. I don't remember her caring about that last year, so I'll be interested to see how next year goes. We did make the decision never to go in the evening again - it made for a really late night! Being so close to the ...
Meet Dolly.
It isn't at all unusual for K to bring prizes when she comes to visit. She brings flashcards and games and last week she brought us matching pink aprons to wear while we bake Valentines goodies. Ella is always excited when K calls and says she has presents! This week, it was Dolly. A friend at work just opened an etsy shop and K was photographing the lovely merchandise. She was sweet enough to send a gift for Ella and once we know what color hair our Sophie is going to have, she'll have a Dolly, too! We were excited she was a ballerina and thought long and hard about what to name her. After mommy shot-down Widget, Ella settled on Dolly. I think it suits her just fine. ...
Date with Daddy
I decided to take the week off between Christmas and New Years Day so that Ella and I could stay home and spend lots of time together playing with our toys, resting and enjoying the last of the decorations. Unfortunately, daddy had to go back to work so we were on our own for much of the week. She begged all week to go outside and play with her new golf clubs and t-ball set, but it was freezing around here! I convinced her to wait for daddy and finally on the Sunday afternoon after NYD we managed to pull it off. It was cold, but we managed to last for about two hours and had a wonderful afternoon in the sunshine. Here are a few of my favorite moments... taking a swing with SD one of the few times she didn't let the bat go flying towards her daddy! concentration at its ...