Sweet Love

We snapped this picture last weekend after a night out for dinner. I love this picture and can't believe how big Ella is getting and how grown up she's become. She is so sweet and always giving us hugs and kisses (muuaawwwahhhh)!

Weird things my child does...

Like this: I have no idea...

A few things...like a bloody nose

It's been a few weeks since my last update. We've had a few things going on.

1. Ella fell down the stairs on 2/27 & got her first (I'm praying last) bloody nose. OMG! I felt so terrible. She was on her way up the stairs and we had Lilly (the dog) staying with us, and Lilly decided to head up too, so that startled Ms. Ella which caused her to fall back & down like 4 stairs. Somehow in the chaos of the fall, she hit the bridge of her nose just right on the stairs which gave her a big bruise (and bloody nose). Not my proudest parenting moment. I was standing right there, but I was bringing a bunch of stuff upstairs and it all happened too fast to grab her before the inevitable. Why did it have to be on MY watch?!?! You can see the bruise (this was day #3) in the picture below.

2. We made our first trip to the Children's Museum (St. Paul) that same weekend of the 27th. Talk about craziness! It was a bit hectic and tons of kids (most older than Ella) but we all had a good time anyway. Ella's favorite parts: the bubbles in the water area of the museum and checking out the LEGO dragon (which she calls a "saur" as in dinosaur). I'm sure we'll go back, but probably when Ella is a little older and can play & explore more areas of the museum.

Playing in the water area

Saying hi to the LEGO dragon ("saur")

I guess Ella thought she was under arrest?!?!

Imposter Girl Scout Cookies

I baked some cookies today - new recipe I found online for Samoas Girl Scout Cookies, which are so delicious I can hardly stand it! The recipe was tedious, so I don't know if it's generally worth all the work, but it was fun anyway!

YUM!

Snow Shoeing!

A week late but here are pictures of our first experience show shoeing by candlelight (last weekend in Eagan)

Ella at Church

We headed to church yesterday (it's been awhile, which is why this is "news"). We were late (shoot!). A few minutes into the service, the children's choir sang a tune. Ella was doing pretty good thus far. After the choir finished the song, there's always that brief & quiet pause before the pastor begins the next segment of the service. Well, Ella just loved the choir's tune b/c in the silence, she started clapping and said "yeah!" (OUT LOUD!) OMG. It makes me laugh just retelling this story! She's really into clapping and saying "yeah" and just Friday I realized she says "Hooray!" too (which I never say, that one she picked up from Barney).

Happy snowy Monday.

Happy Valentine's Day (Post 100)

Happy Valentine's Day!

To mark the occasion, Jay & I went snowshoeing for the first time on Saturday night via Candlelight at Lebanon Hills in Eagan. It was so fun! I have pictures and I'll try to get those posted tonight. :)

Because this is my 100th post (wow!) and it happens to be Valentine's Day, here is a little nostalgic look back at Ella and a few things I love about her:

Ella - Valentine's Day 2010


Ella - Valentine's Day 2011


A few things I love about Ella:

- The way she says "horse"
- The way she yells "MOM" when she's looking for me
- When she dances (and announces that she's dancing)
- Announcing when she's going to sit
- Her sweet hugs & kisses (to me but also when she gives them to her baby, her elephant, her bear, etc!)
- When she sits in her chair and reads a few books by herself, pointing out the animals on each page

Oh, she's growing up so much!