Hair Extensions

I'm sure you've all seen the latest look of feather extensions. In the preschool world, pig extensions are all the rave.

Halloween 2011

Wow, this Halloween was sooooo much better than last! Mike was not only home for this one, but he took the day off! We went out to an apple orchard/pumpkin patch in the Hill Country for most of the day. Hay rides, train rides, cider making, apple washing, puppet show, music show, petting zoo, orchard tour and the best apple ice cream I've ever had. We were wiped out. Ella even fell asleep on the way home (in the middle of the day, which those of you who know her is unheard of). Then we went trick or treating with our neighborhood friends, and ended the day with Ella handing out candy. By the time Ella and I finished our street, Mike had ran out of candy and she was so upset that she couldn't hand out candy, she gave up half of hers just so she could hand some out. What a sweetie! That thought never crossed my mind as a kid.

Oh and in case you can't tell what they are, Ella is a Boise State cheerleader (we've had that outfit for a long time, glad it finally fits) and Grant was "G" the Builder (if you look closely, it says "G" builders :) Ironically, our house in Boise just sold and we closed on Friday!

Praises

It has just occurred to me in the past few weeks that we are approaching some big milestones: Mike being home for Halloween, Mike being home for Thanksgiving, Mike being home for Christmas, and Mike being home for Ella's birthday. I have nothing but praises for all that we have gone through. We are stronger as a family, couple and especially in our faith. Having been ministered to all that time, we are finally stepping out and ministering to others. Wish we would have stepped out of the sidelines earlier.

As we went to the "Boo Zoo" tonight, I was excited to spend this time together as a family. However, when we got to the zoo, the line was at a minimum an hour long. So we made the best of it and went to get ice cream, with a family trip to the neighborhood park to follow. As we drove by a church on our way home, we saw Matthew West was playing there. (Now, if you're not familiar with Christian radio, he is a pretty big deal). So we thought we'd stop in. After the first song, Ella was whispering into my ear, "Momma, I LOVE that song!" Then the next one, "Momma, that is my favorite!" And on it went. So many of her favorites she hears on KLOVE. As we were walking, out she said, "I wanna do this EVERY night! Can we, can we?? I just know that God loves it when we praise Him!" And this serendipitous moment had been forever stamped into my memory. So glad the Boo Zoo didn't work out. This was so much better. And to end with an Ella quote, as we drove home in the car Ella asks, "Momma, were those guys rock stars?"

Flowers for Dinner

Earlier in the day, Ella had been picking up all the Crepe Myrtle blooms that fell on the ground. That evening, we went to a friend's house for dinner. As we walked into the house, Ella started digging into her tiny pocket on her skirt. She pulled out a handful of tiny, crushed flowers and reached out her hand. She said to our friend, "I brought you and your wife some flowers." It was soooooo cute! We never coached her to do so and I can't remember the last time I brought flowers to someone's house for dinner.

Our Future Little Lawyer

Mike and I discussing a news article:

Ella: Come here, we need to talk.

Mike: Do I need to sit down again? (he always has to sit down when Ella has a "talk with him")

Ella: Yes, sit. Now, Daddy, were you arguing with mommy?

Mike: No, we were just discussing something.

Ella: But I heard mommy say you were arguing, so you were arguing. Now, you don't argue with mommy.

Mike: (looking at Ella)

Ella: Don't look at me like that! Now, if mommy said you were arguing, you were. That means you are lying.

Mike: OK, are we finished? Can I get up?

Ella: Yes. You are free.

Mike: That was a better cross examination than some I've seen by lawyers in the courtroom.

Mike to Grant: It's going to be a long childhood for you!

Ramblings of a 4 year old

Another story told by Kelly our babysitter...

Kelly is eating popcorn at lunch and Ella asks for some. As Ella is about to put an unpopped kernel in her mouth, Kelly tells her that she can choke on them. Ella says, "It's a chokin' hazard?" (she is always telling Grant about "chokin' hazards"). Then Kelly tells her that even adults can choke on them. Ella asks, "Is it a chokin' hazard for God?" Kelly tries to suppress her laughter as this always provokes Ella when we giggle at her questions. She tells Ella that she doesn't know. Ella says, "Well, then I'll ask him."' She takes the kernels in her hands and with her palms facing upwards, she raises her hands high and asks, "God, are these a chokin' hazard for you?" Silence. Then Ella says, "God told me no, they aren't." During all of this Kelly is still trying not to laugh and has a huge smile on her face. Then Ella says, "Oh, God must have told you too because you are smiling!"

Ramblings of a 4 year old

Ella stepped outside this morning as we were getting into the car for preschool. She starts yelling, "Mommy, it's FREEZING out here!!! It's as cold as North Dakota!" It was 65 degrees. For her defense, it was the first 65 degrees we've seen since May :)

Grant and Goldfish

Ramblings of a 4-year old

Mike and I were discussing how some people say San Antonio has no culture, and that Austin has so much more culture than we do. Then I said we have a great Latino/Mexican culture that they don't have in Austin. Then Ella said: "Is latino german for taco?" I think teaching her spanish and german is becoming a bit confusing.

Smarty Pants

Our little Grant is becoming too smart which is making my days longer :) He is into everything. He loves to cook and is stirring up pots of soup all the time. He also has been getting on his tiptoes to open and close doors. And since we have no locks, that gives him free access to everything. He is even opening the pocket doors!

He loves his sister Ella and can't wait to greet her with a hug every morning. When we arrive at her preschool to pick her up, he starts yelling "Ay-ya, Ay-ya!" He actually frightened me today...Ella had made a book titled "Things That God Made" and in it she drew things like flowers, butterflies, etc. as well as a family. It had a man, women, girl and boy (representing us). Grant was looking at it and jokingly I said, "Where's daddy?" He looked at the picture and pointed to the man! Thinking perhaps it was a fluke I asked, "Where's mommy?" Then he looked at the picture again and pointed to the woman. This was starting to freak me out. It is not normal for a baby to recognize representational drawings (stick figures) of people. So then of course I asked, "Where's Ella?" He then looked at the picture and pointed to the girl with yellow hair. Incredulous, I had to ask him where Grant was, but he'd had enough of my badgering. He walked away then turned to give me a smile and a string of drool dribbled from his mouth. Yep, he's still a baby!

Trip to Dallas

We traveled to Dallas for Mike's Tennis Tournament (which is a big deal - they made it to sectionals). Outside our hotel they had a park with a fountain. It was such a blast to watch Ella and all the kiddos there. We had to drag her away both nights. Grant on the other hand had to be coaxed a bit, but he eventually went in. Once was enough for him.

Ramblings of a 4 year old

Ella at bedtime snuggle:

Ella: "Mommy, you look kinda tall. You have less um, white stuff around you. You know, you aren't very wide like some people are." I think my sweet girl just gave me a wonderful compliment!
Me: "Can you just stay this size forever?"
Ella: "No, I have to grow up and be a mommy like you. But you'll get lines in your face before I do!" (Lines are Ella's code for wrinkles)
Ella: (After much jabbering) "OK, I'm getting tired. Will you get out of my bed so I can get some sleep?"


Ella and Daddy watching a tennis instructional video:

Ella: "I need to watch this so I can get better at tennis. I practice and practice but I'm just not getting good."

In the video, the instructor talks about backswing.

Ella: "That's what I need to do!" (Demonstrating a larger backswing)

Daddy: Giggles loudly

Ramblings of a 4 year old

Ella playing with her dolls:

Ella: Now kid, you can't love your toys.
Kelly: Why can't she love her toys?
Ella: Because you can make them an idol.
Kelly: What's an idol?
Ella: It is something you bow down to and worship.

How does she remember this stuff? I guess she was paying attention to the teaching of the 10 commandments! We better watch ourselves now or she is going to be on our case!

Daddy's Birthday Card

This is a card Ella made for Mike's birthday. When we were on our date night last night, we were talking about how well Ella and Grant get along and how much Ella loves Grant. Meanwhile, Kelly was babysitting them at home. Ella was making a card for Mike's birthday and drew Mike, me and herself. Then she drew Grant and put him in a crib (actually looks more like a cage, which I don't think was unintentional). She said to Kelly, "I'm going to put Grant in the crib and draw no legs on him so he can't walk." Hilarious!!! Now I know why psychologists have kids draw pictures to express their feelings.

Ramblings of a 4 year old

Ella and daddy in the car playing "Eye Spy"
Ella: I spy with my little eye...a tree.
Daddy: (conversing with me)
Ella: Focus, daddy! You need to focus when I'm telling you what to look for!

Ella was at home with our babysitter (Kelly texted me at work to tell me. She thinks Ella is hilarious). Ella was eating her lunch at the table and thought she bit off some nail polish.
Ella: I think I am dying...my head, my throat...ugh.
(a minute passes)
Ella: Eh, I'm over it.

Ella was dressed up in her pink princess dress, cowboy hat on sideways, white tea gloves and her guitar strapped around her torso. She came out of her room and said "Look mom, I'm a rock star!"

Grant's First Steps

Grant has finally taking his first steps a week or so ago! He is up to 7 steps independently.

Our little Frankenstein!!!

Ramblings of a 4 year old

Today Ella had lots of funny things to say. For whatever reason, poop is a common theme for her ramblings.

As we were driving back from the lake, she had lots of questions. One was, "Momma, why is bird poop white and our poop brown?" Hmm. Mike and I were stumped. Thankfully that's what i phones are good for. Google it if you are wondering :)

Going up down the back roads Ella said: "Ooh, those bumps make my tummy feel twizzely."

When we got home Mike overheard Ella talking to herself in the bathroom saying, "Wow, that was a serious poop."

My Diaper is Full of Fashion

My Diaper is Full...

Full of Fashion.

I look number one...

when I go number two.

I poo...in blue.

Sorry. I couldn't help myself. I had to do a photo shoot of Grant in the super cute Huggies jeans diapers. Yes, I fell for the marketing scheme (We are loyal Pampers buyers). I still giggle when I watch that commercial.

Who's there?

Grant has an obsession with the phone. His favorite toy is his play phone, but whenever he sees our home phone he will drop whatever he is doing and go for it. Sometimes I let him play with it, making sure he doesn't call anyone. I won't be doing that anymore. About 20 minutes after he was playing with the phone, I was giving Ella a bath when I hear a very serious knock on the door. Not the typical "I'm trying to sell you something" knock but one with authority behind it. Mike is out of town and I debate as to whether I should answer it. So I tip toe to the door and look out the peephole. There are two cop cars outside and two policeman at the door. I began to shake a bit wondering if I somehow have set of the alarm again (they have a paid us a visit or two for that). Then I thought, "Oh no, there's a dangerous criminal on the loose in our neighborhood. Great, this stuff always happens when Mike is gone." I decided I'd better answer the door. They said, "Ma'am, we've received a 911 hang-up call from your house. Is everything OK?" Me: "Um, yes, just giving the kids a bath, sir. I am so very sorry." The look of panic, confusion and a day of stay-at-home mommy clothes and hair was all they needed to see. They kindly left, no questions asked, penalties or fines. Then I look over my shoulder and Grant had crawled out of the bathroom and had a big grin on his face. Hopefully this will be the last time the police pay a visit for his mischievousness.

Ramblings of a 4 year old

Ella: I want to marry you so bad Grant, but I can't. I love you. (gives him a hug)