Fall Break 2011: Great Wolf Lodge

For fall break we took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. This is our 3rd year to go and by far the most fun! Nick is finally old enough to ride ALL the slides which boosted his ego 120%. Ella LOVED going down the water slides by herself like a big girl and also loved the magiquest games where she got a "magic wand" to perform tricks. Olivia is not quite old enough to fully enjoy the kids area but she was tickled to death to play in the water fountains and spouts! We had such a wonderful time this year and can't wait for the many more Great Wolf Lodge get-a-ways with our precious littles!

Hanging of the Webs

We started a family tradition a few years ago to hang spider weds on our house before Halloween. It has been a neat thing that the kids really enjoy. Nick helped this year spreading the webs to the trees and house and giving his opinion on how we should do it. Ella was just excited to see the huge web we were making and I don't know if Olivia even realized what we were doing. I love traditions and we are creating more and more as the years go on. The kids are ready for Halloween now - the count down is on.

Family Zoo Day

We took the kids to the zoo last weekend since the weather is finally getting nice! They had so much fun seeing all the animals and playing on the playground. Nick's favorite thing was the bird exhibit where he fed the birds nectar. Ella loved the playground this time, and Olivia enjoyed the seals (like usual).

Oh no…she likes to be pretty.

Over the past month Ella has found her way into mommy's pretty things. This girl loves makeup, nail polish, hair products, shoes, and purses. The only thing she hasn't taken an interest in yet is jewelry- I'm sure that's to come.

Ella,
You are a VERY independent little girl and like to "do it myself, mommy". One day we sat for an hour while you painted my nails. I would then take off the polish with remover and you would choose another color to start over again-again and again. YOU LOVED IT! You have great motor skills and are very particular on your color selection. If the polish wasn't bright enough for you, we would have to start all over. You are an amazing little girl and pick up on stuff too quickly. I really didn't think you would take interest in painting your own nails until you were atleast 8 or 9……but 2? I love your little spirit and you make days at home with your so much fun.
I loveS you….Mommy

Pumpkin Season is here!

Oh how I love fall! I love everything about it. Today we make stove top potpourri out of orange peel, apples, cinnamon sticks, cloves and nutmeg - it felt so warm and 'homey' all day. Every time we go get groceries Ella wants a "big orange apple" - finally after picking out about 5 she got that they were pumpkins. We have been reading halloween and pumpkin books already and it's just the first of October! Today the kids put up spider webs over their bedroom doors and wanted to paint pumpkins. I love this season- if I haven't said that already!


Ella was super excited - I LOVE her age right now. Everything is a new adventure.

My little pumpkin Liv (attempted) to painted one too !

Ella was SERIOUS about it - you can almost see how hard she was concentrating in this picture

Nick harley let's me take pictures of him nowadays. I have to be sneaky! He painted a motorcycle pumpkin.

Sweet Livs

Ella wanted to put stickers on her pumpkin - and herself too I guess.

Olivia is Walking!!!

For milestone purposes I have to post that Olivia is a walker (October 6th) ! I haven't had a chance to get a video yet but today she is officially walking - just before she turns 11 months! Chris is sad to see this - he's not ready for his baby girl to grow up. Neither am I. She is super cute. She is a little slow because she finally figured out how to balance herself between steps, but she is soooooo stinking cute. Those chubby little legs walking across the living room floor. {MEMORIES}

This picture is of her playing in the water hose a couple days ago. Crazy that she was able to be outside playing in the water in October?! She figured out how to drink from the hose and thought she was pretty neat.

Olivia: 10 Months

Olivia is 10 months and is getting so active! Her personality is shining right on through and it couldn't get any cuter. She is a squealer when she's mad, a cuddle bug when she's tired, and a monkey when she is playing- the girl loves to climb! Here are some things from this month:

Taking 10-15 steps at a time!
Eating "normal" food now
Loves her milkless, eggless, nut free bread (yuck)
Pointing to animals in her book
Pointing.
Says "dat" when she wants something
Weights 20 pounds
Size 12-18 month clothes
Has the cutest little grin
Can moo like a cow and meow like a cat
Loves her bannana apple juice
Loves brushing her teeth
Wanting to feed herself with her spoon
Absolutely loves walks to the park and swinging on the swings
Interacts with her silly sister and brother
Likes rubbing lotion in those chubby thights

I could go on and on. This girl melts my heart. I love going into her room in the morning because she is standing at the corner of her crib with the biggest smile for her momma and when I pick her up she buries her head into my chest and gives me a big hug- LOVE HER.

Go Pokes!

My mom (an obvious OSU fan) bought the girls their first cheerleading outfits. I think Nick was actually more excited about them then they were. He said "So can Ella start wearing her cheerleader outfit to my football games and cheer for me" - cute, huh? So needless to say we haul the girls to watch their big brother play flag football every Saturday morning in their cheerleading suit.

Gooooo POKES!

Olivia:9 Months

She's 9 months already? Man has time flown by. Olivia is starting to take interest in books and animals and makes the "b" sounds when she is wanting to read- super sweet. She has started a mother's day out at church and LOVES being around kids her age. They say she is very active and fun to be around. Here are a few things this month:

Drinks 3 bottles (morning, afternoon nap, bed time)
Loves her pluggie (oh great…do I stop this now before she gets too addicted like her sister?)
Learned to make "big slashes" in the tub
Attempting to take steps
Size 12 months clothes (she'll outgrow Ella before too long)
Sleeps 7PM-7AM
Loves being in my lap
Likes watching me while I'm cooking
Starting to say "Uh-oh"
Coo-ing a lot
Loves dogs
Giggles when she is swinging on the swing
Likes to try to climb up the slides (little monkey)

School begins

School is here. I thought I was ready to be back into school -more structured days, more time without all 3 kids ;) - but it really has been a little quiet around the house and I'm not sure I like it. School is not an option and I wouldn't want to home school, but I really miss the kids when they are gone. This is Nick's first year to go a full day as a big 1st grader in Mrs. Saudeghy's class. He has a couple of classmates from last year that were assigned to his class, but has a lot of new friends to make as well. He loves that he gets to participate in P.E., music and health this year, and SPELLING TEST too! I can't believe he's already reading and having spelling test (sigh)

Ella has started her first preschool program this year! Her teachers Mrs. Nancy and Mrs. MaryKay are great! She is the youngest in her class and hopefully will be mature enough to hang with them! She will get to experience Spanish class, chapel, and most importantly (in her eyes) recess!!! I know she will love it there.

Olivia and Ella both also are going to a MDO this year on Tuesdays, to get a little more social/learning time from someone other than me. I love Olivia's teachers in her room - they are just the sweetest women and I know Olivia will gets lots of love! This day is also mommy's day to run around grocery shopping, running errands, or studying for my real estate license.

These days go by WAY too fast….here are my growing children on their first day of school.

Ella's 2nd Birthday: Ice Cream Party

I've been thinking about this post for weeks and every time I sit down to write about my first baby's second birthday I start getting choked up. At least you won't be seeing my 'ugly cry' while you read this.

Dear "L",
You have had an amazing second year. Your dad and I have loved every second of you and our hearts would not work the same without your loving spirit in our family. You have grown up so fast and I selfishly didn't realize these moments with you wouldn't last forever. Going back and looking at your life so far just tears me up because you are growing and changing way too fast for mommy. You have such a unique personality that I am lucky enough to enjoy every day. I love the moments when you pretend like you are the mommy to your little sister. You love that little girl so much. You watch her and let me know when she's into something she shouldn't be (maybe a little too much :) ), you love feeding her breakfast in the mornings and even scrape off the extra cereal on her face with the spoon. It just melts my heart when you try to teach her things too. You have the kindest little voice saying "See Livi, can you do this?" when you are teaching her signs for 'all done', 'more', 'thank you', ect…. You are wise beyond your years and it I can already see that little 12 year old girl in you. I love how you care for your big brother. You are always making sure he's ok. When Nick has to take a break in his room (aka time-out), there you are running as fast as you can to his bed, patting his back and saying "you ok nick?". I love how you are respectful to him and really listen to things he teaches you. You two have a pretty neat little relationship as well and play together great. I love that you are not too girly to play cars with your brother or dig in the dirt for worms. You love sleeping in your brother's bed and would probably rather share a room with him than have your own. You are precious.

You can do so many things. You know your colors, can count to 20, climb like a monkey, spell your name, take care of your precious baby dolls (that you love so much), know your shapes, and "read" us books ( you even turn it around like a teacher would to make sure we can see the pictures while you read). You are amazing. A total blessing from God. You are loved more than you could ever know and are going to be someone someday - you just have that personality.

You don't like vegetables much anymore so we have to sneak them in your meals. You don't like sleeping in your bed at night, but if we do get you down in your own bed - by midnight you are found in between daddy and me. You don't like for others to pick out your shoes (you are pretty particular), and you don't like unfamiliar noises - you say "I scary mommy". All around you are very flexible and adjust well to situations. You ARE 2 - so there are times that your tantrums get the best of us. But when all is said and done I almost enjoy these times because I know they won't last forever.

You are a beautiful little girl with and amazing spirit. I wish for you on your 2 year birthday many more adventurous days for you to enjoy as a child and not let anyone destroy the person you are.

I "loveS" you,
Mommy