Life With Our Little Ladies: November 2013

Monday, November 25, 2013

Big Girl Bed

Abby got a big girl bed! The day we set up her very first twin bed was a milestone moment for all of us! She was so proud. Ella thinks it is the coolest new place in the house and figured out how to climb up on it in minutes. Until we decide on something else, we pulled out my college comforter. Looking at the bed all made up brings me back ten years to SU and my very first dorm room on Lawrinson 4. Ahhh the memories! I love that my girl gets to use it now. She calls the fleece throw at the end of the bed her "Polka Dotty Shake your Body" blankie.

"Cheese!"

Proud girl wanted to take a picture with her digital camera

excited for her first night in her new bed

And....3....2....1....out like a light!

Thankful tonight that though her new bed officially makes her a big girl, she still looks so small in it!

Biscuit

Biscuit the Dog is Ella's favorite right now. She specifically picks any Biscuit book from the shelves at home OR the library and brings them to us to read.

Watching Ella's response to the book is one of the best parts of reading to her. She loves that little pup.

"Biscuit is hungry." Ella: "EAT!"

"Biscuit is ready for bed." Ella: Nigh-night

"Biscuit is thirsty." Ella: TEA! (her universal word for all beverages)

"Biscuit needs a hug." Ella: hugs the book, then makes sure everyone listening to the story hugs Biscuit too.

"Biscuit needs a kiss." Ella: kisses all around

and my personal favorite...

"Silly puppy" Ella: starts laughing

It's also pretty fun that Abby has been checking new Biscuit first reader books out of the library and practicing her reading with them. Ella is loving her Biscuit time and you better believe Abby is loving having a rapt listener while she "teaches" and reads out loud.

In this video, Abby is pretending to read and putting some of the punch lines in because we wanted to see Ella's reaction. She only responded to a couple, but oh how I love watching her sit there and take it all in. She's such a big girl now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYp_P3P79ik

New Testament

There are no words! I adore this little girl so much! Her constant desire to learn...she is a little sponge. She always asks us to listen to her while she practices or to challenge her with something new. It is serious fun for her. This was one of her latest completed projects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i70wh4ZHeuM

And for now...I just don't have the heart to tell her it's Thessalonians and not Casselonians. I melt every time.

Now, she is on to the Old Testament...

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Singing Princess

We've always loved listening to Abby sing. She has such a beautiful little voice. She asked me to take a video of her singing her favorite song from the movie Tangled. So, here is Abby singing, "When Will My Life Begin".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_fYSAIEFw0&feature=youtu.be

Abby loves Rapunzel and asked for a Rapunzel themed 4th birthday party this year. Time to get planning!

Monday, November 18, 2013

Ella: 16 months

16 months old

Our passionate little funny girl,

You express your emotions with such enthusiasm. When you are happy, everything about your laughter and silliness is big and contagious. When you are sad or angry, you throw dramatic tantrums, throwing yourself on the floor in hysterics or stamping your feet at me and yelling. Serious passion.

You have such a sweet and generous heart. You're always making sure everyone is taken care of before yourself. If you want a drink, not only do you bring me a cup for yourself, but the appropriate ones for each person present. Just the other day, you came over to me with Abby's cup and I told you that you couldn't have it because you already had a cup of milk. I put it away. You took it right back out and handed it to me again. Because I was making dinner and need to choose my battles, I filled up Abby's cup for you thinking you were just being stubborn and wanted two cups for yourself. When I handed it to you, you walked over and picked up your cup, then ran into the living room calling your sister and bringing Abby's cup to her. You weren't being stubborn. You were caring for your sister and making sure she had a drink because you did. This happens daily and in multiple situations. You won't even take your vitamin or sit down for breakfast if you think Abby is missing out. It's the sweetest to watch.

Your attention span has grown tremendously in the last month. It has changed a lot around our house. You love to read books and be read to. You will sit and watch an entire show with Abby. Most often, you are engaged in some focused play activity like playing with your Little People Farm, Mickey Mouse figures or cooking in the kitchen. You love hide and seek. You love playing babies and puppies. Literally playing puppies with your sister. You crawl around with each other barking, fetching and taking commands from each other. At times, Abby sneaks snacks from the kitchen as "doggie treats". You love Elmo and all things Sesame Street. You still love Barney. Your favorite book by far is Biscuit (and any book in the Biscuit series).

You are a sponge constantly learning and soaking up everything around you. With a growing vocabulary and a desire to be heard just as much as your big sister, you are talking up a storm. It amazes me to see how much you understand about a smartphone at this age. You know how to look through pictures and when to ask me to press play because you've scrolled to a video. When we take a picture, you run over to and turn the camera to see it.

Hmmm...what are some of your other unique quirks? You love popcorn. You ask us to pray multiple times during dinner by making everyone hold hands, bowing your head and saying amen! When we give you your pacifier, you always switch it around in your mouth right away (even though it is the same all the way around).

We took you to the allergist this week and found that you have a slight egg allergy. You kind of let us know that a long time ago when you refused any type of egg we tried to feed you, but now we know what to be looking for just in case!

We love you Ella Bean!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Abby's Cooking Show

When an almost four year old lady asks you to video tape her very first cooking show because she has created a recipe, don't ask questions and get the camera! I think she is a natural. Can you tell she watches cooking shows with her mommy? I couldn't get over the ways she would talk about what she was doing as she made her sandwich. Bobby Flay or Rachael Ray might have a thing or two to say about all the finger and spoon licking...at least in front of the camera!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edTvzmtHzzA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqqcsw0Zj5Q

And yes...that morning we enjoyed staying in our jammies around the house right up to lunch time! Girls need that every now and then!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Halloween 2013

Halloween was rainy and cold, but that didn't stop my little owl ballerina and leopard from spending the evening walking around our neighborhood. Did I mention that we love it here? We just love the relationships we are forming with our neighbors and are enjoying really getting to know the people around us. Halloween provided the perfect opportunity to connect with some new faces again. Not to mention, the candy is always a perk, right?

This year, our friends came over to for a yummy dinner of Cheddar Chicken Chowder (nothing like chowder to warm us up on a rainy fall night) and then we all went out trick-or-treating. After going around the first block, the mommas and littlest sisters headed back to the house to hand out candy, while the daddies and big sisters continued on. It was a great night!

love.

Check out my tail, Mom!

Cheese!

Rawrrrr!

Check out that cute little pumpkin baby bump! Can't wait to meet our friends little guy!

Makena and Abby

our family

all ready to go in the wagon

the little sisters came back early and each got to enjoy a treat. Ella picked M&M's. (Mary, I think she's hooked!)

Saturday, November 2, 2013

A perfect autumn day

Last Saturday seemed like the perfect day of autumn activities. A good friend from college came to visit for the weekend from New York City and we spent the afternoon doing fall. The girls were especially excited to meet Mr. Matt and take him with us to choose our pumpkin.

We started out at the pumpkin patch and found the perfect pumpkin. Our very first time finding one that was still attached to the vine.

"I think this is the one, Mommy!"

Did somebody say "CHEESE!"?

My little loves.

There is just something about fall in New York State.

It wouldn't be a trip to the farm without some cider donuts and of course...stopping and feed the goats. Ella was pretty fascinated by those little corn kernels and the goat's excitement. She just kept shoving the corn in his mouth and giggling. When we ran out, she started picking up corn off the ground to feed him. I'm especially glad for Ella's carefree spirit that reminds me to loosen up. As that stinky little goat slobbered all over her hands, I had to stop myself from running away to find large amounts of hand sanitizer. I'm glad I chose to stay put and not miss the moment.

Mr. Matt

When we got home, the girls stayed outside with Daddy and Matt to rake leaves and jump in the piles, while I went inside to put the finishing touches on dinner.

priceless.

We finished off the night with Pulled Pork sandwiches, Apple Bacon Cheddar Mac and Cheese and a big green salad to balance that all out. Add in some tall glasses of apple cider and we were all set.

We were in autumn sensory overload last Saturday and wouldn't have wanted it any other way!