Sneaky Sneaky

Wednesday is my day.   It is the day I don't have to pack a lunch for her to take to school. (Yay for pizza bagel day!) And it is the one day of the week that I choose her clothes.

In her mind pizza bagel day= mom chooses clothes day.

You see, Ella has been picking out her clothes for some time now(years) and I don't really mind.  She comes up with some incredible outfits.  However, she prefers her favorites and refuses to wear pants, shorts, or dresses that don't twirl.  And that is about 75% of her wardrobe.

I like to think that I am broadening her fashion horizons by choosing her clothes on Wednesdays.

You can't really tell here, but this is a hot pink sweater over a Hello Kitty dress, with red glitter tights.  Clearly she chose this outfit. 

Oh, and this skort is favorite.  The striped shirt complements the floral print.  

Luckily school picture day fell on a Wednesday this year.  It saved us from having to negotiate over clothes for the day.  I choose a lovely turquoise GAP  dress for her to wear thinking the color would make her eyes POP.

She was unhappy about my choice because it did not meet her twirl criteria so she decided to toss it in the bathroom sink and douse it with water.  It was too wet to wear to school.

I was outplayed by my four year old.  

She ended up wearing pink leggings and a Tea brand tunic.  As a consequence she had to wear the turquoise dress on Thursday.  Clearly unhappy, Ella wore a twirly dress over it.

Once again, I was outplayed by my four year old.  

In case you are wondering about Abby's clothing preferences, she doesn't have any... We can't keep clothes on her!

Everybody Helps

If you hang around me for a few hours I can guarantee you would hear me say "In this family everybody helps" and "Help me understand why you..." several times a day.  I have even been known to even use these sentence stems on Ryan, but, let me tell you, it's not as successful as with the girls.

Apparently Ella has been listening because she often repeats these phrases to Abby and she does like to help.  She chooses Ryan's shirt in the morning, selects Abby's clothes, puts her own clothes in the hamper, picks up her room after rest, helps bathe Abby, and sometimes brings her dishes to the sink.  However, her favorite helping task is cleaning windows.  She has her own "spray" and uses her Kitchen Helper to reach the windows.  She takes this job very, very, very seriously.

So proud

Momma's big helper

Ella's Window Wash reads her bottler 

Now only if she did bathrooms!

Pre-School

It is hard to believe that Ella is old enough to attend pre-school. Soon she will be four and then FIVE and its off to Kindergarten.  It is beyond my comprehension how fast life has flown since having kids.

It is amazing how much she has changed in the last year.  She was such a baby on her first day.  HERE IS THE PROOF  and she made quite an IMPRESSION.

Anyways, my little pre-schooler was somewhat cooperative (a rarity) for the obligatory photos this morning.

See for yourself:

An awesome shot once I cropped out her Dora Big Girls

Hence, mommy taught her to sit like a lady with a dress on, but now we have a cheesy grin. 

My tall girl

Awww... Sisters

What?! All four eyes looking at the camera? Must be my lucky day!

Pearly Whites

I have a definite fear of the dentist.  I am sure that my fear relates to the mouth full of metal I earned pre-middle school or maybe it is due to the straight up drilling I endured.  Truth be told, I don't think the laughing gas was ever turned on.  (Mom, what kind of dentist did you take me to?)

Anyways, bound and determined not to expose my daughters to my fear of all things dentist, we went to a pediatric dentist on Wednesday.  It was like taking a trip to the zoo and tooth-fairyland all at once.  There were reptiles and amphibians (in cages, of course) and the toys were everywhere.  Abby had a blast roaming around.

Ella, on the other hand, was a bit reluctant.  She happily sat on my lap while the assistant explained everything to her in the most cheerful of ways.  She was so sugary sweet I did not think she could maintain her enthusiasm the entire visit;  she did, but I almost did not.

Would you be surprised to know that we utilized both assistants?  One did the work while the other cheered Ella on.  She would make an excellent cheerleader. 

Teeth cleaning with "strawberry ice cream."  I like strawberry ice cream too!

Every opening of the mouth received oohs and ahhs and "I am so VERY proud of you (clap, clap).  One more time and you can get a PRINCESS STICKER.  Don't you want to be a good girl and get a Princess sticker?"  

Apparently she did because we left with 12 stickers, 2 tooth brushes, 2 tooth pastes, a princess wand, and a pocketful of toys that have already been "lost".   The only thing I ever remember getting from my dentist was a toothbrush and the dreaded question, "Do you have a boyfriend, yet?"

Ella making her last sticker selection. 

Even Abby got a princess toothbrush. 

Some of Ella's stickers. 

The dentist happily reported that she was cavity free!  I felt like dancing a jig right then and there.  All the brushing teeth battles paid off.  And now she has a new found interest in getting rid of "Sugar Bugs"  so flossing is on the daily agenda.  However, the dentist was a bit concerned about Ella's bite.  Apparently her upper jaw is small and has impacted her bite.  Hopefully it will remedy itself, but for now I should just count the small blessing that we survived the dentist without any cavities.  

*** Not 24 hours after visiting the dentist Ella took a mouth dive into the coffee table and tore her frenulum (skin that connects upper lip to mouth).  Luckily, she will be okay.  Unluckily she has a fat lip and hanging piece of lip tissue.  Luckily, she still has all of her teeth.   Phew!

Just Me and The Girls

Sometimes weekends are harder than weekdays.  Admitting that makes me feel like a horrible mother, but it is the truth.  Today (and last night) we were daddy-free.  And when that happens there is no break from a long work-week, there is no Saturday morning long lingering shower, and there is no sleeping in past 6:15 am.

This is the first time I have rested all day (unless you count a car ride, I might) and I have already been interrupted three times since Miss Ella is playing the procrastinator's version of Time To Go To Sleep.  This game can test the patience of a saint.  And let me tell you, I am not a saint.

However, even though there was no break from the long work-week, no long lingering shower (in fact, no shower at all today), or no sleeping past 6:15 this morning, by all accounts, it was a great day.

We painted some toesies.  

We practiced cutting, and from what I can tell, she is advanced in this skill set. 

We played Play-Doh like it was our job. 

And THEN we went on an impromptu play date with one of Ella's besties from school.  

This was all done in lieu of a long lingering shower and sleeping in from the stress of a long work week.  

****
 While I was cleaning up the kitchen I felt an incredible sense of fulfillment.  Abby was already in bed, fast asleep.  She was worn out from our adventures.  Ella was sitting outside, winding down while eating the last of her ice cream birthday cake (from last Thursday).  I was tired from giving the girls 110%, but as I stared out my kitchen window looking at my little love bug, my heart was happy and content. I know these are the most precious moments of my life. 

****
Note:  Poor Abby was asleep both times I broke out the camera today.  However, let me assure you that she was engaged, stimulated, and loved on just as much as Ella was today, although I have no concrete proof.

The Easter Bunny, Ella's New BFF

Ella has a new BFF.  It is the Easter Bunny of all people.   It all started a few weeks back when we attended our neighborhood Spring Party at Play Boutique.  Ella and I went on a little "Momma and Ella Date" since Ry was in town and Abby had an ear infection- status- check-up (all clear, phew).

Like most events, Ella had a death grip on my leg when we entered the play area.  I mean never going to let go grip.  Eventually she pried herself away to play on the BUZZ CAR.

My amazing photography skills.  Trust me, Ella is on the Buzz Car.

Eventually we gathered enough courage to visit the EASTER BUNNY.  Initially we peeked around the corner, worked up enough courage for a wave, mustered up strength to sit on the bunny's lap, and then gave the Bunny an enormous hug.  It was precious. 

Note to self, dress daughter in a fluffy dress for all future Easter Bunny visits.  We looked like the only rag a muffins. 

And  now since they are best friends Ella wants to invite the Easter Bunny to her birthday party.  She told me this while  cuddling before bed and followed it up with, "I so excited." 

Ummm... Anyone available to play Easter Bunny on May 20th?  

Holly's Red Boots

We have added a new book to our enormous book collection.  

It is not a book that I would have selected, but since Ella decided to deface it and tear out six pages we really had no choice. 

Our new to us book

The damage

Shenanigans

Ummmm...  Nice outfit.
We tend to rock pajama pants often in this house. 

Ella tried to pull a fast one on my today.  And I must admit, she sure pulled out all the stops.

Picture bedtime.  Abs was asleep.  E was tired.  Our good friends had just left and it was a full day for everyone.  I was ready for some down time and E was taking her sweet time sitting on the potty.  I am talking about singing songs, playing with stickers, and just procrastinating.

Thinking it would motivate her to hurry up, I told her I was going to lie on her bed and that I was ready to read books.  After some time she came in.

   "Did you wash your hands?"
   "Uh- huh."
    "Are you sure? Go do it again," I say knowing full well she didn't wash her hands.

E gallops (her favorite method of moving lately) back to the bathroom.  She turns the water on and returns back to her room.

     "Did you wash your hands?"
     "Uh- huh."
      "Are you sure?  Let me feel them."

The LITTLE STINKER turned on the water and did not wash her hands!  Wily little girl.  And then it dawned on me; this is just the beginning and I am in trouble, big trouble.

V is for Violin

Today Ella began violin lessons at school.  Now, I know it is ridiculous, but it just makes my heart happy because she loves musical instruments.  And let me assure you, I would never seek out violin lessons at 2 years 8 months, but since they offer it at her school I thought it would be fun for her, and hey why not?  

According to Ryan, E was talking about the violin and making music all morning.

Her teacher said she did a lot of watching today, just soaking it all in due to the fact that it was in the big kids' room.   Apparently next week she needs a binder and ruler.  The binder is to keep her music organized and I have no clue what the ruler would be used for.  Her teacher is also making little box practice instruments so they can play/ practice at home.  

Funny thing is, I have not a musical bone in my body, but maybe, just maybe, Ella is a savant.  (j/k!)

Snow!!!

Coming from the east coast I remember tons and tons of snow.  Granted, my memory sucks, but I firmly remember days off of school, enough snow to warrant snowmen, snow angels, and good ol' fashioned fun followed by hot chocolate with fluff. 

Things are just a little bit different here. 

Occasionally we are lucky to get a flurry here and there and we live at roughly 1,000 feet while the rest of the city is in the valley. 

 

It snowed earlier this month, as you can see.  We had snow and it warranted a 2-hour delay for Ella and Abby's school.  Of course, my school in the valley had nada.  Then again, there was not snow to be seen on campus.  It sucked.  Obviously I wanted to be making memories with my little one, playing in the snow, and living life.  Instead daddy snapped these precious photos for me.   

And although I am bitter about not having a snow day or delay, I am glad it snowed.  At least now I can justify the Columbia snowsuit and the Nike snow boots.  E was prepared with her $60 worth of snow gear, even if she just played outside for 15 minutes... 

Go Me....

I have been husbandless for a full week (minus the 16 hour whirlwind "visit" that was mostly spent sleeping).  That is a long time.  I am mostly used to it, as a pilot's wife, you have to be.  With the new job he was gone for six weeks while training on the new plane.   However, since that training he has only been gone a handful of days due to an unusually quiet schedule.  Not this week.

As a result, this week seemed long after having him home for such a long stretch.  Perhaps it was because it was the week before Christmas Break or because both kiddos were recovering from some sort of illness or because I have a gazillion and twelve things to do like finish my shopping and wrap presents while managing a full-time job and two kiddos.

One of the the to-dos on my list was to take the girls to go see Santa.  I wanted to squeeze it in over the weekend because this up and coming week is busy, busy, busy too.  So, on Saturday I dressed and bathed both the girls, dressed them in holiday finerary, and trudged to the outdoor mall.  Ever the planner, I assumed there would be no line because by now EVERYONE should have already visited Santa.  I mean, Santa has been in the malls since Thanksgiving week.  Surely, everyone who was going to visit the big man must have already done so.  Wrong.  Dead wrong.

So, after all my holiday primping and prepping, we waited in the outdoor line for precisely 10 minutes.  During those ten minutes I was formulating a plan to get my two year old to agree to leave the line and return another day.  She happily agreed.  Thank YOU, Ella, because I believe we would still be in that line waiting.

Along the same lines, today we made it to church.  I dressed them in their same holiday outfits and let me tell you, we were actually on time.  This is a first.  Is it just a coincidence that I managed to dress them, and get them out of the house husbandless?  You decide.

Awww... Sisters

Wearing a headband... a holiday miracle

I love this dress, and Abby, of course. 

Why You Don't Share Water With a Two Year Old

This glass of water looks so good to me...

 Today was the perfect summer day.  So, after naps Ella, Abby, and I packed our necessities and headed into the backyard for a little summer fun.  Ella was equipped with her sunblock, bathing suit, Goldfish snack, towel, and water shoes.  Abby had her swing and sootah (pacifier) and I had the camera, my cold bottle of water, sunglasses, and cell phone.  We were settling in for a day at the beach... um, backyard (the beach here is too cold to actually swim and I don't have the courage yet to venture on any big trips with the girls by myself).

Ella, of course, was amused by her pool for about .5 seconds before she started drinking the pool water.  Normally I would not care too much, but I had filled the pool when she was napping so it could get a little sun and warm up.  By the time our adventure started a fair amount of dirt was floating on top of the water, plus the pool had been hanging out in the garage for weeks.  So I did what any mom would do, I diverted her attention to MY water.

 But, I forgot to take into account that Missy Moo also had a snack of Goldfish that she was working on.  And as you know, those cheese flavored little fish make you thirsty!

Finally Ella had had enough and returned the water back to me. However, I lost all interest in the refreshing drink due to the school of goldfish floating around in my water.  Lesson learned: don't share water with a two-year old unless you want a little extra flavoring in your drink!