Just a quiet Saturday morning with our beautiful girls…
Couldn’t love those faces any more than I already do. 🙂
A Saturday Morning…
Tag: Ellie
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween Everyone!
Today was a wonderful day with the girls. We enjoyed some Halloween movies at home (like Spooky Buddies and The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown) took naps and then got up and ready for our night of family, friends and Trick Or Treating. Once the girls were dressed and ready they were forced to pose for pictures. Sorry girls, but as long as you love Halloween and dress up to Trick Or Treat there will be an obligatory photo op before festivities commence.
This year Abby dressed up as Merida from Brave and Ellie was Dorothy. They looked adorable and I think the girls actually enjoyed the photographs a bit. Once we were done it was into the car and on our way over to Grandma Zoe’s house for the first stop of the night. At Grandma Zoe’s the girls took pictures and showed off their beautiful costumes. She gave them cute Halloween baskets with some very yummy (and parent friendly) Halloween treats. After some singing, dancing and parading around in their costumes we had to leave and head out for the big event, Trick Or Treating!
For the Trick Or Treating Festivities we headed to Auntie Jen’s house. I could kick myself for not getting a picture of Bixby and Felicity. They looked adorable! Bixby headed back home with his daddy after a round of Trick or Treating. Felicity and Jen stayed and did another round with us. Abby and Ellie had a wonderful time. This year Abby was noticing a lot of things which made her a bit uneasy. She still enjoyed herself but with a bit of caution. Ellie, on the other hand, couldn’t get enough. After the first few houses she had the idea. “Knock on the door, when the person answers be cute, say Trick Or Treat and they put a handful of candy into my basket.” Before we knew it she was saying “Trick or Treat, Trick or Treat give me something good to eat!” We have no idea where she learned that from but she had everyone laughing. In the end I think she had more in her basket then Abby. Not that its a competition. 🙂
After a trip around Jen’s neighborhood the girls were losing steam and getting hungry. I think they were mad at mommy too because I wouldn’t let them dive into their candy. Oh well… soon enough! Because the night was still early we had enough time to stop by and see Grandpa, Nana, Aunt Brittany and Uncle James. When we arrived we headed straight for Papa Ralph’s house. Ralph and his family have been doing an elaborate setup on Halloween for as long as Shaun can remember. This year was no exception and the girls loved it! They were given an extra helping of candy too! After visiting Papa Ralph we headed back to Grandpa and Nana’s for a bit. The girls received a few goodies and talked about Trick Or Treating. Shaun and I had a moment to relax and enjoy the remainder of the night. When the girls came down from their sudden sugar high we headed home and put the girls and ourselves to bed.
Despite the events in the early hours of the morning, Halloween was very nice this year. I have a feeling it was because there was an extra angel watching over us and she was happy. Happy that we still enjoyed our day with family and friends just as she loved to do. I know she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Pumpkin Carving with the Girls
Tonight we carved pumpkins with the girls in preparation for Halloween tomorrow! Shaun helped Ellie draw her face and carve the pumpkins and I helped Abby. Each girl had a lot of fun and even helped us choose their face designs. Abby went with a more traditional face on her pumpkin and Ellie did a traditional face but asked daddy to put ears on him as well.
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| Ellie starts carving her pumpkin. Don’t worry, we didn’t let her use the knife on her own for too long. |
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| Now that’s true talent. |
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| Abby balanced her spoon with ease and grace. |
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| Scooping “pumpkin guts” never looked so cute! |
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| All done with her pumpkin. Look, he even has ears! |
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| Abby and her pumpkin. So proud! |
While Shaun and I did most of the work it was the time spent together and the fun that we had that made it special. The girls loved being silly, balancing their spoons on their nose and having a blast scooping out all of the “pumpkin guts”. When the pumpkins were finished both Abby and Ellie were very proud. We cant wait to put them out on the porch for all of the Trick or Treaters to see!
First Day of Dance!
Today was the first day at dance! But for one little girl it wasn’t just the first day back, it was her first day ever! Yup, Ellie took her first dance class today and she loved it. She did dance a bit but spent time just watching her teachers and the other dancers but that is very much Ellie. She watches and takes everything in when she can. Before we knew it she was off and dancing, trying to do everything she saw. Only time will tell if this is something she continues with.
Abby was very excited and took to it fast, but she already had some experience behind her. Its amazing the difference a year makes and what being in preschool can do. Abby was even more focused, more confident and eager to get right into class and dance. She even knows how to skip already! I was so proud of my little ballerinas today. So glad to be back at dance this year!
Pumpkin Patch 2012
Today was our big trip to the pumpkin patch! Abby and Ellie were so excited that it really was hard to contain their energy. It took us a while to even get out of the door and on our way because they were so excited and easily distracted.
The day was beautiful, just warm enough with the perfect cool breeze. The girls rode around in one of the red wagons which, with mommy and daddy pulling, was a ride of its own. Their one special treat while we were there was to ride the ponies. Both girls were thrilled to be doing it, but it was Ellie who loved it so much that she didn’t want to get off. Luckily we were able to do so without causing a scene.
Before heading to pick out pumpkins, we fed lots and lots of animals. Goats, sheep, mules, horses, ducks, pigs, alpacas and more. We even got to feed turkeys! Although morbid me couldn’t help but wonder which turkey was going to end up as Thanksgiving dinner. (Sorry I cant help it, Thanksgiving isn’t that far away!).
After our visit with the farm animals and a little shopping at the country store, it was time to pick the perfect pumpkin. Both Abby and Ellie chose their pumpkins pretty quickly but I think we still spent about 45 minutes out in the field watching the girls play among the massive amounts of pumpkins. Abby even stopped to build a birds nest in the hay. Ellie was singing songs and from what I could hear, I think she was pretending to be a princess and each pumpkin was a castle. While I couldn’t tell exactly what was happening it was still cute to watch.
As the sun started to get low in the sky and the day cooled a bit we decided it was time to go home. Abby and Ellie had a wonderful time at the pumpkin patch and before we could even get them buckled in to their seats they were asking if we could come back tomorrow. That’s definitely a good sign that fun was had by all. While I miss the infant years with each of them I am really loving watching them grow and understand more. The excitement that comes with going to the pumpkin patch and how Abby really is starting to understand the fun and joy of this time of year and pass that excitement along to her sister, is such a joy to see. I miss having babies but I am loving what lies ahead. Yup, it was another wonderful memory that I will cherish.
Birthday Party Weekend!
Abby has two good friends in this world, both of whom she loves and adores. There is Emily, who Abby calls “her Emily” and then there is “her boyfriend” Harrison. We dont always get the chance to see them but when we do its a blast. Emily and Harrison were born within 2 weeks of one another, which means Abby has two birthdays to look forward to in the month of August. This year they fell on the same weekend! We were busy but we certainly had a blast.
On Saturday, Emily had a Lalaloopsy Party.. She was adorable and her party was a lot of fun. The girls enjoyed cookie decorating, temporary tattoos, and just running around and playing. Ellie loved the little bottles of bubbles that were given out to play with and Abby was thrilled to sit and play with Emily’s dollhouse a bit. I think the girls had a great time. Happy 4th Birthday Emily!
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| Ellie was having a blast with her bubbles and was actually blowing them on her own! |
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| Abby and her beautifully decorated cookie. |
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| About to sing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl. What a bunch of hams! |
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| Happy Birthday Emily! You are adorable! |
On Sunday we headed over to De Anza Park in Calabasas for Harrison’s 4th Birthday party. This year he had a superhero themed party and it was pretty awesome. The girls came home with their own capes and masks to play with and they love them. There was a bouncy castle to jump in and the park also has a water feature that the kids can play in. Super Abby and Ellie Girl (aka The Jaybird) had a blast running around and playing at the park. Abby practiced her superhero moves and had the chance to meet a new friend or two (although I will add that they were all boys). It was definitely a “super” kind of day! Happy 4th Birthday Harrison!
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| Super Ellie with Clark Kent curl to boot! |
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| Super Abby! |
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| Happy Birthday Harrison! Love your cake, made my hand by your amazing mommy! |
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| Super Abby and Ellie Girl (AKA The Jaybird) |
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| Super Hero friends… Love this picture. |
When A Girl Needs Her Beauty Rest…
… Any location is perfectly acceptable!
Ellie’s First Unofficial Hair Cut
It was Monday morning and everything about it was normal for Monday. I woke up however, with a splitting headache and after one attempt to get the girls dressed I took some Advil and laid across my bed, hoping it would kick in soon. The girls were in their playroom singing, dancing and talking. As usual they were enjoying their playtime together. As I started to relax a bit and the headache subsided I noticed that it had become very quiet in the house. Too quiet. So I called on Abby to see what she was up to.
She quickly responded and I could hear her little footsteps as she started to walk into our room. Before I could see anything I hear her sweet little voice say to me, “Look mommy I cut Ellie’s hair!” The minute she uttered these words I bolted straight up to make sure I heard her corretly. Before I can say anything I look at Abby and in one hand she has my scissors (which I had a huge brain fart and forgot to put back up the night before and this memory was just coming to me now) and in the other she had a large clump of hair. Then, as I am about to utter a shriek of terror Ellie comes bounding in looking like this…
Oh yes, at this point the shriek erupted from my mouth and the sobbing began. Abby had cut off most of Ellie’s hair and pretty much all of her untouched baby girls. Abby had also taken the scissors to her hair but luckily it wasn’t too noticeable. She basically gave herself some long bangs. I called Shaun in a hysterical mess but eventually calmed down.
Before I knew it I was laughing about the situation. Abby gave Ellie her first haircut and soon it will grow back. Until then, Ellie will have a short pixie cut and hopefully I can get her in to Christina soon to at least even out what we can. Oh, I could kill myself for leaving out the scissors that are normally in a box way up high in my closet but I cant dwell on it. I am just thankful no one was hurt. Hopefully Ellie’s hair will grow fast and we will have those cute pigtails back soon!
Little Princesses
I love that Ellie is now getting to an age of playing dress up and make believe. Listening to the two of them play is such a treat. They mimic their favorite movies and make up silly songs all on their own. I love this age! As long as it doesn’t turn into fighting I could listen to them for hours. I sure do love my little princesses!
Ellie’s Two Year Check Up
Ellie went in to see Dr. Calig today for her two year check up. It was a longer wait then normal but the girls were great! Abby made a new friend in the waiting room and Ellie found a few magazines to look at and of course attempt to tear apart.
Her check up went well and everything, according to Dr. Calig is great! She is very happy, healthy and doing a great job when it comes to growing. Just to show you how well she is growing, here are her stats:
Ellie’s Two Year Stats
Weight: 30 Pounds
Height: 36 Inches Tall
Ellie has grown a lot in 6 months. She is in the 98th percentile for both height and weight and doesn’t show any signs of changing. She is my skinny girl but we think she will be tall too! Ellie lucked out with this appointment as well. No vaccines today just a prick of her finger for some blood work and a poke on the arm for the TB test. She still wasn’t happy about it but it could have been worse. It wasn’t anything a few stickers couldn’t fix! Always glad to see that my girls are happy and healthy. No more doctor for another six months unless we get sick, but maybe we can make it a goal to stay away until then!
Ellie’s First Pair of Glasses
About a month ago Shaun and I noticed that Ellie has having some trouble with her eyes. Out of the blue she started crossing or turning her left eye in and as parents this had us a bit concerned. After a trip to the our pediatrician and then to see a pediatric ophthalmologist we discovered that Ellie is extremely farsighted and has an astigmatism. As a note, most children up to age ten are farsighted. Its a natural part of eye development. They range between a 1 and a 2 and can correct their sight automatically without any issues or without any awareness of it. Ellie on the other hand sits between a 5 and 6. In order to see properly when looking at certain things she has to cross her eye or eyes to focus. The brain quickly adjusts to this, so the sooner you catch it the better.
Well we caught it right away so hopefully this will benefit her in the long run. Ellie now gets to wear glasses in order to strengthen her eye muscles and correct the issue. So today after a bit of waiting and a lot of patience we picked up her glasses! She looks adorable in them. We chose a light purple color mainly because they looked the best on her but also to match her blankie! Now the challenge will be getting her to adjust to wearing them and keeping them on. But until then, she looks adorable!
Happy Second Birthday Ellie Belly!
Ellie,
Has it really been two years since we held you in our arms for the first time? Has it already been a year since we celebrated your first birthday, your first big milestone? Time certainly moves quickly but we have enjoyed every minute of it that we possibly can. You have grown by leaps and bounds; walking, talking, running, climbing, testing anything and everything. You are our fearless girl, the one who will climb and keep climbing. You are our engineer; taking everything you can apart just to see what happens and building whatever you can with blocks and more. There isn’t a book left in your library that hasn’t been torn to bits because of this. You are our thinker, always stopping to ask why at everything thing we do or say. You are our tester, always trying to see how far you can go before there are consequences. This keeps mommy and daddy on their toes and a little bit frustrated at times. You are our snuggle bug, always wanting to be held and loved when you can. Asking mommy or daddy to “nuggle” is guaranteed to put a smile on our faces. You are our silly goose, always making a silly face, saying something funny or doing a silly dance just to make us laugh.
Ellie you bring so much joy and love into our lives. Your sister has a best friend, a playmate and a cohort in you. We see many years ahead of us filled with dress up, artwork and plays put on by the both of you and your daddy and I look forward to each treasured moment. We love you so much and cannot wait to see what age two will bring. Happy Birthday Ellie Belly! We love you so very much!
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| Ellie only a few hours old, July 1, 2010 |
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| Ellie only 1 week old, July 8th, 2012 |
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| Ellie at One Year Old, July 1, 2011 |
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| Ellie Turns Two, July 1st, 2012 |
The Wharton Adventures 