My Little Ella James

I wanted to write a little something on my Sweet Ellie.

I have been in awe of her lately. For a good four months she has been a perfect angle. Every night I rave to James about her. I never have to tell her something more then once. She is never naughty, She is so sweet to me and has never talked back, She has never laid a finger on her sister, She is learning to swim so good these days, Sleeping in her own bed all night long, and just does everything on her own.

The other day I watched her go into the bathroom, take out her her pony tail, stick a headband in and wash her face, then she went to the bathroom (which she insist on having no help with) and brushed her teeth. I never set foot in the bathroom to help. I realized she is really growing up so fast. 

She is still super girly and that is probably my only stress with her in the day. She is really difficult to dress and we often leave the house wearing crazy outfit choices. I would rather her feel comfortable and be independent then argue at this point. 

I have been teaching preschool with a small group of kids twice a week and ellie is learning very quickly. Her letters and sounds, all of her shapes and numbers too. She is really into drawing these days and can write her name by herself. I am so impressed how she stays in the lines so well when drawing. She also has an amazing imagination and can play alone for hours with just some blocks and a few princesses.

James has been taking her out on a daddy daughter date every week to thank her for being kind to mommy and helping me through the day. I love that he takes the time to do that and have little conversations with her. She loves their special time since she really doesn't get to see him much.

Ok enough bragging about my sweet ella bean. I have just felt so blessed to have her today and always.

Painting her own nails in her favorite outfit. Bikini top and a skirt. hair down of course. haven't put it in pig tails in months.

 She tells me 30 times a day that i'm the best mommy and she plays with my hair and tells me she loves me so much and I make her so happy. Its all I could ever ask for in a little girl. Love love love

Easter 2013

All Holidays are becoming so much fun in our home these days. Ella has reached the golden age where she can tell the difference between Easter and Halloween and she doesn't ask any more what we will dress up as for Christmas. 

So It has been more fun to decorate, do crafts, check out holiday books from the library and of course dress up.

I mention this often on my blog but a couple of my friends and I started a "craft day" when our kids were 1 1/2 now our kids our 3/4 and we still do it every month. We have had to start doing them outside and at parks because our tiny craft group has grown to be about 10 moms which equals about 25 kids. Crazy and we love it. 

Craft group for March was an Easter theme of course.

Stories and pin the tail on the bunny

I was so shocked that all of the carrot were eaten on my bunny dip. FYI...kids eat veggies when they are cute.

Then a little egg hunt

Everette thought for sure there would be an egg in the drain

A week later we celebrated Easter again

Yes this is the best picture I got. I had about -3 seconds to take it and we were already an hour late for church cause Everette slept in till 10? What? And Ella and I were arguing over whether or not she should get to were her sisters 6-9 month sweater to church.

After church the door bell rang and the girls ran for the door hoping to catch a glimpse of the bunny

The girls got back packs which they loved so much and wear them everywhere.

I love them because they get to carry their own things....snacks, sippy cup and blanket

Everette even naps wearing hers

After naps we had a fun little egg hunt for the girls. Our family tradition is who ever finds the golden egg gets a special treat. Ella got a locket with a picture of mama and papa in it. She loves it and wears it all the time.

 Still wearing her backpack

 Next year we MUST invite a ton of friends over for a hunt because we need to be taking advantage of our giant yard before we have to move next year.

 We ended the day with a nice BBQ dinner of ribs and corn out in the backyard.

 

lately

I'm the worst blogger these days...

here are some things we have been up to.

Does anyone even read my blog anymore??

Probably not!

Valentines day craft party at a friends house

 Ella has been playing on her own so well lately and loves my old dollhouse

 Went to art Basel in Miami a few months ago with james. 

 These two fall more in love with each other everyday

 Everette wear panties in the evenings before bed because she is stubborn and insist on wearing them

 Things are staring to heat up around here

 Ella has been sleeping all night in her big girl bed again after a nine month hiatus in mom and dads bed. James and I are so proud of her. Everette thinks she too is ready for a big girl bed.

Everette is so silly and growing up so fast.

 We visit the beach at least once a week but thats not nearly enough when we live five min away.

Dressing up is slowing down around here. Who has time for pretend clothes when you are changing your real clothes ten times a day?

Papa had a birthday last month 

We went on a beautiful bike ride 

 These two fell a little more in love with each other.

 I have never seen ella do one mean thing to her sister. She is so good with her and teaches her so much.

 We almost bought a cat. Once I figure out how to not be allergic to them anymore we will most defiantly get one.

 I just spent a lot of time loving on these ladies all month long. 

Disney World 2013

We live just three hours from Orlando so we go often. I LOVE Disney more then A LOT of things. I grew up going every year for a whole week so I guess its just tied to a lot of memories from my childhood. 

We usually stay at a Disney Value Resort. Free shuttles to the park, decent resident price and they are super fun for the kids.

Day 1 was spent at the Magic Kingdom

 I would like to start off by saying that going to Disney or any trip or anywhere with a one year old is kinda a NIGHTMARE!

 

Really though.....seriously difficult! 

This little one on the other hand was a true ANGEL!

She wanted ears soooo bad but James and I (mostly James) have never bought the girls anything on our trips so they understand that they are going to have fun and not shop...but I seriously had the hardest time saying noo this time :( the $20.00 price tag made it a little easier.

 

 Angel Baby

 

If you know Everette you know she is OBSESSED with stuffed animals. So we would often wander in to a store and an hour later we would still be sitting in a pile of animals.

She pulls them all off the shelf and then lays in them

Do you see her?

The girls had fun and despite Everette's MANY tantrums she really enjoyed the rides.

On day 2 we went to Animal Kingdom for the first time and it was really fun. We met up with one of James' friends from High school and the kids had fun playing together

Safari

 PRINCESS POWER

 Was Merida worth the 48 minute wait?? Not quite sure she was...

All in all the trip was awesome and we had a great time as a family. Everette loved the hotel bathroom most of all and ella loved everything!

 They were both champs on the drive home too!