M and E updates

Blogging/Facebook etc. are funny things. You portray your lives in whatever manner you want, in whatever mood you happen to be in at the moment. Sometimes I think that I portray our lives overly "rainbowy" when in reality, we just have normal, sometimes boring, sometimes exciting, sometimes stressful, sad and serious lives, just like everyone else.

I am a worrier (always have been) and the list of things I worry about on a daily basis is long and ever-changing. Right at this moment I am worrying about: the car in the shop, when I will go to the grocery store without a kid so I can buy lunch supplies, what to serve for lunch when Mia's friend comes over tomorrow, class size in public schools, the fact that I compare Ellie to Mia too much, health of family members, and the weird noise our A/C seems to be making.

These are just the first few things that popped into my head. So anyway, I don't really want to blog about that stuff--this is supposed to be a place where I record family memories and cute things the kids do. But, I just wanted to get that other stuff off of my chest a little bit.

So, onto the cute kids :)

 Mia started soccer last week. Most adorable thing ever. Stay tuned for great pictures. At yesterday's practice/game, Mia did impromptu jumping jacks during the game, and ran around lifting her shirt up. Hmmm. not boding well for future college scholarships. :)

We had many, many rainy days recently. When the 4 year old is driving you crazy, let her make pizza. Worked like a charm.

Elliebean is talking up a storm lately. Lots of her words sound the same though. Book, Milk, Sock, Look all sound exactly like "gook". Lots of guessing going on, but we make it work :)

She's definitely enjoying the one-on-one time with mommy. I'm really glad for it!

Just some pictures

Busy week, settling into new routine, adding more activities to our lives and attempting to organize. A few recent pictures...

 Mia's bday card to me. I love it. Sean drew the cat and present and words :)

 She is a much more fashionable mommy than I am :)

End of Summer, Beginning of School!

Lovely long weekend with one last beach visit, pool trip, BBQ and marshmellow roast! Mia started pre-k today and I'm so excited about her class and teachers this year. I love, love, love this time of year. I always feel more motivated to organize and clean in September than in Spring. I love back-to-school supplies and opening windows and the hint of leaves changing and crisp air.

Swamp Fires, Earthquakes and Hurricanes, Oh My!

The weather last week was interesting, to say the least. Thankfully we made it through with just a lot of yard cleanup to do. We know others who are still without power and that have trees where their roof once was, so I'm counting my blessings.

We did spend a ton of time inside and got a little stir crazy though. Yes, Ellie spent a lot of time in her diaper, trying on various hats and shoes. 

 each of them are wearing our mismatched shoes :)

finally getting outside again with some buddies!



tree down at the park :(

A day in the life of an (almost) 18 mth old

0dark30: Wake up yelling/babbling/screeching non-stop until Daddy comes in for rescue.

0dark30 - mid morning: Screech, take diaper off, eat cat food, spill cat water, climb on top of older sister's booster seat, swipe older sister's leftover cereal, spill cereal on floor, fall in spilt milk, cry. repeat.

Mid-morning-lunch: Tag along with mom, sister, friends for various outings; climb anything and everything possible, screech, attempt to take off diaper, eat dirt/mulch/small bugs/crumbs stuck deep down in stroller; hug strangers, cry when strangers remark on how cute that was, screech.

Lunch: spill, throw food, shove entire banana in mouth, choke on banana, smear mushed banana in hair, laugh at mom and dad's facial expressions, screech

After lunch: NAP. allow mom to catch breath momentarily.

Mid afternoon-dinner: teeter on edge of baby pool trying to reach dead bug and put in mouth. screech when mom removes from edge of baby pool. drink pool water. screech when mom says no. repeat "no, no, no" for half hour at top of lungs. put fingers up nose. attempt to remove swim diaper.

Dinner/post dinner: consume massive quantities of food. must have enough energy for tomorrow's escapades. jump on furniture. climb on exhausted parents. copy everything big sister does. attempt adorable dance moves. one more valiant effort at removing diaper. screech for good measure. give adorable good night hugs and kisses. throw books around room. sleep.... ahhh

Arts and Crafts and Silly Pictures

Dog Days

We are in the middle of the hottest summer I can remember. But I think I say that every year. I am somewhat seriously looking into moving to Rhode Island or Seattle or somewhere cooler :) The thought of constant drizzle actually sounds awesome right now!

But, we've been forging through and finding plenty to do! Birthday parties and playground dates and snow cone making and painting rocks (Mia's idea). And the neighborhood pool, ahhh... We've been going every day since Aug. 1st (we are number 14 on the waiting list for full time membership. I know.)

Mia has made tons of progress "swimming". She likes to wear her goggles and go under water. She said that she wants to play soccer, do ballet and take karate lessons now that she is 4! We hope to narrow it down to one :) She will be in school 5 mornings a week in September, wow!

Ellie is causing all of my hair to turn gray at an alarming rate. She can open doors, reach counters, and has absolutely no fear. She doesn't really like just playing in the baby pool. She wants to climb on lawn chairs and scale fences and practice running. But it is such a great age too because you can practically see all of the things she is learning on a daily basis. I am excited to take music classes and go to library storytime with her in the fall.

No new pictures but I will repost this one because it makes me laugh. I can never get a real smile from Ellie--she scrunches up her face and says "cheese"! Hope everyone is great! xoxo

Amelia is Four!

Dear Mia,

Happy 4th Birthday!! What a wonderful year you have had! We've watched you grow so much and try so many new things with endless courage and grace and we could not be more proud of you.

We love that you are such an outdoorsy person and that you went to pirate daycamp all by yourself and had so much fun.

We love to hear all of your made up songs and stories and think it is the cutest thing that you can spend hours just making up adventures for your babies/princesses/mermaids/whatever :)

We love that you will swing as high as the trees, but if there is a single spiderweb on the slide you won't go near it.

We love how you give Ellie hugs and kisses and teach her new words (so far so good).

We love your sentimental side that cries when saying goodbye to family and friends.

We love you more than cotton candy and lollipops!

Happy Birthday to our "big kid"!

xoxo