Organizer & Cleaner

Ellie is taking on some very good traits that her mother has. Recently two incidences really pointed this out.

She has these Disney books on tape that we listen to in the car, because it's the only tape deck I own. Plus, it's a great way to keep her occupied. Jack & I aren't too sure we enjoy listening to the story of Aladdin & Ariel all the time, but it's something to do.

Anyways, the other day she said, "Hey, Mom, look! This side is princesses and this side isn't."
She had organized the tapes in the box by whether or not they were a princess story (Cinderella, etc) or not (winnie the pooh, jungle book, etc.). She was so proud of herself. And so was I!

Also, yesterday, she was to be napping...and when I went in to check on her she wasn't sleeping. I asked her what she was doing. "I'm picking up my room! Abbijon (nickname for my brother and his girlfriend) is coming and I need to have my stuff picked up." And there is was...a neat and tidy room...beds made...not a toy out of place.

Let's hope these great traits make it thru the teenage years!

Model & Photographer

Did you know that we have a professional photographer and high fashion model in our family! The model is none other than our beautiful niece, Lilah...here she is posing for the photographer. Although Ellie is just a rookie...she does manage to get the model to pose just right for the shot. I'm sure it'll make the cover of the next Toddler Weekly!

A little back story, this was the evening of Jack's 1st bday, and Prom in Ames. We had just finished getting pictures of Nicole (our sitter) in her prom dress. Ellie & Lilah thought she looked like a princess! Afterwards, Ellie grabbed the camera and shot all these pictures of Lilah all on her own. I didn't even realize she did it until the next day when I was scanning the photos of the party. Hilarious!

Dressing Up

As with all kids...dressing up is usually the most fun thing to do when you are cooped up in the house. Jack does look quite cute in the too big nitegown of his sister....but probably not something the men in his life would like to see him wearing in the years ahead.

I'm always facinated by the growing imaginations of my kids. Whether it's the songs and stories that Ellie shares (or shouts), or the sound effects that Jack manages to make up for different trucks and toys.

A Princess or Superman seem to be the most frequent visitors at my house. Jack isn't quite old enough to imagine or dress up...but Ellie does usually manage to get him into the story.

Sweet Sister

Each nite as I put Ellie to bed, we have a bit of a routine. We read a couple of books, she gets into bed and we say prayers. Then she usually has some things to say...or we say, "Guess what? I love you!" back and forth.

Tonite I asked her what the best part of her day was...she responded thoughtfully, "I like Bubba." (her brother) She asked, "Do you like Bubba?" I said, yes, of course. She asked, "Does Daddy like Bubba?" I said, yes, of course. She commented, "Everyone likes Bubba!" I said, "Yes, and everyone likes you too." Confidently, she said, "I know."

Gotta love her.

Swingset Helper

It's amazing how kids just want to help, in any way possible. I don't think it's really that they want to help, as much as they want to use any type of tool or instrument that looks dangerous.

Here is Jack helping Dennis & I put up the swing set. He usually went for the largest hammer on the ground...or a board that was 3 times his size. I'm still trying to decide if that's a "boy" thing, or a "kid" thing.

Dennis, the good grandpa that he is, kept trying to keep the dangerous tools out of Jack's hands. I, on the the other hand, knew it was pointless!

Corn on the Cob

We wouldn't be true Iowans if you didn't have pictures like these to share! Ellie loves corn on the cob and off the cob. But, of course, the messiness of it being on the cob is the best part.

I remember growing up and my dad always giving the cob back to me and telling me to clean it off better. That always bothered me....I was afraid that if I ate too far into the corn then I'd get a big chunk of the cob in my mouth...or a bug. I wasn't ever a good corn on the cob eater.

My 3-yr old daughter, on the other hand, does an amazing job! Heck, I swear she'd eat the whole thing if she didn't know better. This was Jack's first try at the corn...he'll do anything that he sees everyone else doing...so he was head first and trying to keep up with big sister.

And nothing makes corn easier to eat than those Pampered Chef Corn Cob Knobs!

Getting Started

Well, since it seems to be the thing to do...and I'm always one to give into peer pressure...I've decided to make my own blog. I don't have anything great on my mind personally, so we'll just stick with the kids. They are WAY more interesting than me at any point in time! Plus, since I'm terrible at keeping up the writing in their baby books...maybe this will be a way of keeping track of it all. Is there a print button somewhere?!