What do you LOVE about DAD

When he makes sure to wave to wave to the girls everyday before driving away, his "secret tea parties" he brings to Lily while she is going to bed
Everything! Seriously a GOOD papa he is. Thanks babe-

Tonal Language

This is a good example of Ella mimicking the words we say, but it's kind of long so just watch the first minute (sorry I don't know how to edit videos)

Lily's Fun Mommy/Daddy Dates

GOODNESS, I ADORE this little MISS. She has just been so FULL of CUTENESS lately, and I feel like if I don't record it I will be so SAD to forget any of it!

We Have been on LOTS of walks lately with the nice weather, and a certain somebody can't help herself from a bit of FLOWER Collecting. She simply can not HELP HERSELF I tell ya, she simply MUST have a flower with her at all times. Well, when some people's flowers spill onto the sidewalk from their front yard, and there are obviously enough to go around, I ocassionally let her pluck one blossom. (Is that so terrible? I've contemplated letting her ask permission first, and when it is someone we know, she does, but I have come to the solid conclusion that if they could just SEE the JOY it brings this little girl, they would not object to parting with a flower or two) Anyway, what I really love about her is that anyone we encounter from then on is offered a BEAUTIFUL FLOWER from an enchanting little PRINCESS. And I love seeing people smile at this perfect little offering of HAPPYNESS.

Chad and I have wanted to spend some more one on one time with her, as now Ella is encroaching a bit more on her territory. For her Daddy Date she and Chad went to see UP. This was her first movie in the theater with one of us, and she LOVED it and didn't make a peep (if you know Lily this is almost impossible to believe). Maybe the fact that she took a purse full of treats with her, and Dad fed them to her during the show, helped with her silence and contentment a bit?
Then today Lily and I got to go see a production of Cinderella the ballet. She was in HEAVEN because it included 2 of her very most favorite things- 1. Ballet 2. Cinderella (or any princess) 3. a ball 4. dancing animals 5. a prince (who dances too) 6. A bit of Magic (from the fairygodmother)
It was really fun to just be with her and enjoying something we both LOVE.

May Flowers

I Love what few flowers actually bloom in my yard (not counting the weeds). This little white flowering tree by the front door was much enjoyed by Little Miss who probably picked it's flowers for a good two weeks before they all fell off. And even more than flowers, I think I LOVE enjoying the sunshine with my girls on my front steps! Just one thing that makes me HappY!

Easter

Wow, I didn't forget about Easter, just put it on the back-burner for a bit. So we had a great Easter egg hunt at the park again with friends, and the girls loved their baskets full of treats. Most anticipated were their matching pink dresses (I had bought back in December but made them wait to wear) and Lily's Cinderella Glass Slippers (Old Navy Jellies) which she asked to see everyday for three weeks, she was with me when we bought them (Bad Idea), and just begged me about five times a day to let her wear them just for a second. I held my ground and she was so excited to actually get to wear them that day, I don't think she took them off for a few days straight.

SHERYL

Yes, this girl deserves her own post! I LOVE my BFF Sheryl and lucky for me when she came in town last month for Spring Break we got to have her stay with us for a few days. Seriously, do you see how much my girls adore her? And why wouldn't they, she LOVES them (more than me?). So thanks for so much fun Sheryl, I love hangin' with friends that new me before the marriage and kids, I feel so young again! Come back Soon Sheryl, we miss you!

Happy 1st Birthday Ella

Wow, seriously wasn't I just meeting this little face like yesterday? I am always AMAZED how much babies grow the first year of life. And it is even more amazing how our little Ella Rose is just such a huge part of the family and I can't imagine life without her sweet smiling face! She is funny, smart, strong, sweet, curious, kind and sassy already! I can't wait to see what the coming years will bring for her.
I miss this dark mop of hair she was born with. She is another blondie though, like her sissy.
And this picture cracks me up because their little relationship has also grown and changed so much. When Ella first came home, Lily liked her but really didn't acknowledge the presence of someone other than her. Now they are constantly playing/fighting/laughing/crying/loving/biting/kissing/hitting and always wanting to be a part of what the other one is doing. So much fun these sisters!
(More pictures to come)

Memorial Day 2009

For Memorial Day we went over to the Earnests house for a BBQ with the Pelisses. It was so fun to just let the kids play outside and enjoy some yummy food!
Lily loved riding on Ollies Tricycle, and she even figured out how to pedal and steer at the same time.






Ella was enjoying rolling and crawling on the grass with her baby friend Ava