Painting

Yesterday Aunt Marissa cemented her position as super-cool aunt by inviting two 2 year olds over to finger paint. As you can see from the pictures, it was more like full-body painting which probably is the most fun thing Ella can imagine ever doing. She's been into watercolors lately but I haven't ventured into anything messier so thanks Aunt Marissa for letting her have so much fun and get so messy on your watch!

Mall trip

We had a fun trip to the mall with friends the other day and got some good pics :-)



"on a mission" in a rocket...slightly terrified


I know, I know. It's a little early to be kissing Builder Bob but he is a cutie.


Still loves the fishies and isn't scared of them anymore

PS-I get lots of comments about Ella wearing dangley earrings but no, Ella does not have her ears pierced, the little thing hanging down is part of her hearing aid :-)

Lexi's Birthday Party

Birthday Parties are a big deal these days. Ella talked about her friend Caroline's party almost every day for months afterwards and Lexi's party is proving to have the same impact. She had SO much fun!


She LOVES helping in the kitchen lately and was excited to make cupcakes for Lexi


playing outside before it got dark and cold (not that that would deter her)


She was strangely captivated by foosball



There was a box of hats and she tried most of them on. I have a hysterical picture of some of the dads sporting some fun hats but they probably wouldn't appreciate me posting it for the world to see. (It's really funny though)


Amused by her friend Caroline (of birthday party fame)


Ella and the Birthday girl in the moon bounce


After MANY tries (and eventually some help) she made it to the top of the moon bounce slide! This was the first time she would go near any "bouncy" toy and not FREAK out and cry. She's overcome her fear!

Thanks J and S for throwing such a fun party!

Conversations

While I'm cooking dinner...
Ella: Jesus at Lexi's birthday party
Me (making sure I heard right): Jesus was at Lexi's birthday party?
Ella: yeah!
Me: Did you see him?
Ella:Yeah!
Me: What did he do?
Ella: Ate a cupcake
Me: Really? What else?
Ella: Had dinner time
Chris: Did he talk to anyone?
Ella:Yeah, Lexi, [it's] Lexi's birthday party! (this seemed like it should be followed by "duh" but she thankfully, doesn't know that word yet)


Later Ella was doing watercolors on a picture of a little penguin with his mouth open

Ella: Penguin is calling mommy
Me: He is? What does he say?
Ella: "Moommmmy, where aaaaare you?"
Me: What does the Mommy say?
Ella (very matter-of factly): "I'll be back in 2 minutes"

She surprises me all the time

This morning as we were leaving for playgroup

Me (heading out the door): Ok Ella, let's go
Ella: put coat on?
Me: no, it's really warm outside today
Ella (glancing outside at the leaves blowing): but it's windy!

Ok then smarty! Coats all around!

Like mother like daughter...using up cell minutes

Yesterday Ella did not nap but was mostly quiet or talking happily for almost 2 hours in her crib. I kept hearing her say things like "Hello! How are you?" and thought maybe she was developing an imaginary friend. So, I eventually went in to get her and discovered that my cell phone had been in her crib the whole time! She was sitting there happily talking on it. I checked the history-she made 15 calls! One of them was to Poison Control!! I would have loved to hear that conversation. She CRACKS me up!!