Open Those Windows

Setting the table for our pretend pancake breakfast.
Ella found a little friend on the window blinds. After a few huffs and buffs it blew away.

Little Miss E.

We did a Hallelujah dance this morning. Suz opened the front door to see if the mail man came early (they are always curious as to if he comes before they awake). As she opened the door it was a like a breath of Washington air. It was crisp, non humid and felt so wonderful! We went around and opened all the windows (mind you we haven't been able to do so for the last 6 months)....it was nice! In fact the entire day was just lovely. After the preschool drop-off and putting William down for morning naps, Ella and I went outside and just enjoyed the cool mid 70 low humidity weather.

Painting

One of the girls' favorite past times is painting. They prefer to paint with brushes rather than their fingers, however I caught Ella painting her fingers.

Funny! I just love how easily these paints wash off of everything, including fingers and hair!

Chicken Noodle Soup

The girls have made up this game when it rains. They get their rain jackets, boots and grab their bowls from the play house outside. The rain becomes chicken noodle soup. William wanted in on the action this afternoon.

Bugs Bugs Bugs

I don't mind the non eating bugs outside, but when they come into the home all bets are off. Lesson learned from a good mother, I've tried to recreate that "no fear" attitude when taking care of creepy and crawly things in the home. We smush a few dozen arachnids weekly. The girls have began to involve themselves in this activity and most days now we'll just hear them yell, get their own tissue and a flush of the toilet. Some nights we hear Ella screaming out of her sleep yelling "Bugs, bugs, bugs!" (and she's half asleep trying to squish the "bugs" in her bed). Poor thing gets those vivid dreams from her mom. Anyhow, this morning I heard her yell for a bug and by the time I got there I was too late. She had grabbed the tissue, in fact the whole roll as there was a trail from the bathroom to the bedroom.
And look whose special shoes she was wearing. (Shhh, don't tell or Ella's dead meat) I do say Ella's enjoying being the queen bee at home when big sis is off to preschool.

Ella Naps

I know there's been a few postings of Ella napping, they are one of my favorites. I'm so impressed she still naps. I seem to remember Suz slowly loosing them at this age.

Something Slimy This Way Comes

Outside Saturday night we heard some unusual noise from behind the kids' toys. It was a frog. We've seen him once before after the tropical storm hit the area. Casey's trying to see if anyone is interested in kissing it. Suz was dead set against even touching it.

Fearless Ella.

Casey showing the girls it's not so scary.The girls of course screamed when he told them he was going to eat it.

Just taking it all in. Not sure of what to think about the frog.

Snuggle Time

We've recently discovered William has sided with the fleece blanket fan club. Ella would be happy. We figured so much as he's been grabbing at Ella's blanket (oh so special blank). Suz calls fleece blanks "hot" blankets and cotton ones (which she prefers) "warm" blank.

Sweetness

This little guy seems to brighten up the house when he's awake.

Its All in the Point

Practice makes perfect.
I love to watch Ella copy Suz, this picture just shows her admiration for her big sister.

Ella trying out her point.

Catch

Fashioning the new shoes.

I love to just sit and watch the girls play. They've got a great imagination and also take turns being the chaser and the chasee.

I'd say by now Ella can match Suzanna in speed and witt. Do you see the shoes Ella's wearing? Those are the clearanced shoes I found for Will. Tiny toes.

Going For A Ride

I asked Suz if she could bring William over closer to Ella and myself, so she grabbed him by the feet and off they went. William was laughing the whole time.


Does anyone recognize the skirt? Yes, it is the very same step-in-time skirt....she's been wearing it for over 2 years now. Now that's a skirt!

Sweetly Sleeping

One of my favorite times of day is waking up Ella from her naps. She's really groggy and snuggly.

Time Moves On

As time moves on our little family is growing up. Both girls are old enough to have their own Nursery and Sunbeams class, William is walking around assisted, we've bought and sold our first home, we own a minivan....Casey and I just celebrated our 6th year of Temple marriage.

Here's some pictures of the little two after dropping Suzanna off at preschool. Ella's 27 months old.

Yes you can see Will out of his polo shirt onesies.....usually on a Sunday. He looks so much older with button up's and trousers.
Sharing some love.
What a sweet moment. When Will cries, Ella is usually one of the first to race over to him, offer him the coveted fleece blank and sing "Twinkle Twinkle". Very sweet.

School Bus

What is about school buses? The girls go crazy when we pass them on the road and really really love the idea of riding on them. At home they line up the yellow chairs and pretend to ride the bus to school.

Out For A Walk

Last night we squeezed in a family walk before Casey had to meet up with the Boy Scouts. They were doing a service project and planned to meet earlier than usual. Of course Pepito was invited to come along, William held him as the girls splashed in the sprinkler puddles.

Suzanna asked if I could take a picture in front of these palm trees. We're hoping to plant some in the front of our yard soon.Cooling off on a warm September evening.

We Have Seen This Before.....June 2006

First Cookie

Celebrating his 9th month we gave Will his first "bicky" as the Brits would call it.
Really enjoying every taste.

It began to melt in his hand, so I went to push it up but he had such a tight grip on it that half way through he was just sucking on his knuckles. I attempted to replace it with another cookie but he didn't like that one bit. My very content baby began to cry immediately.
Okay, Mama's learned her lesson, won't do that again.

Moving Right Along

William will circle the kitchen walking this way. It's like he's making laps.

Preschool

Here's where Suz goes to school, the Lighthouse Christian Academy.

This is all of us, picking up Suzanna from preschool.

Oh No!

We've come to that age yet again. The age of pulling themselves up and tearing things down.

Reading to Little Brother

While Suz was at preschool Ella really wanted to read to William. She sat down next to him and began to show him this book. She had his attention for a small space of time, that is until she was done reading.

Cell Phone

I came into the room and saw Ella's head kinked with the play cell phone under her cheek. I asked who she was talking to, she responded "Peter. I love Peter".

Astroturf Park

Just a mile or two past Suzanna's Lighthouse Christian Preschool is a park we recently discovered. In fact this would have been the park we'd frequent had we bought our plan B home. Total it is about 7 miles from where we are right now. The best quality of it, besides the age appropriateness of the slides and monkey bars, is the astroturf they laid down. It kind of feels like you are walking on pillows or something. Neat!