Gushers are Gross!

Somehow Holly ended up with Gushers when she got home from the grocery store even though she didn't put them in her cart. I am familiar with these nasty snacks because my dad actually likes them and for some reason I remember him taking them on a trip to Russia about ten years ago-primarily because they'd probably last through nuclear attack so a trip to Moscow didn't hurt them. Anyway, when Holly and I were out for lunch with the girls the other day she decided to give them some and see if they liked them. Hope only ate one (good taste) but Ella ate a bunch. YUCK! A few minutes later we realized that the Gushers had left their mark...

Rockettes Christmas Spectacular!!

The Rockettes show was nothing short of spectacular. I don't usually rave about shows but this was really wonderful. It's a huge feat to keep everyone in my family literally ages 3, 29, 65, and 90 totally engaged in a show for 90 minutes. We all loved it! How likely is that? It was a fabulous way to get in the Christmas spirit (it helped that it was snowing when we left too!). With every part of the show there was some new surprise that kept you fascinated. There were live camels, sheep, and donkeys, ice skating on stage, amazingly precise, synchronized dancing, elaborate costumes, great singing, fireworks, shooting streamers, a huge screen with a ton of cool 3D special effects...it was awesome. I brought all kinds of things to placate Ella during the show if need be, but she didn't squirm or look away from the stage once! It was fabulous. It also meant a LOT to be there with my grandmother (who also bought us all the tickets-thanks!!) since she was a Rockette in New York 70 years ago. Somehow the fact that she's a former Rockette came up when she was in the restroom there and people started asking her for autographs!! I LOVE that we have this legacy passed down to us. I hope we can make a trip to this show an annual tradition. Who knows, maybe Ella will follow in GG's high-kicking footsteps and become a Rockette (or at least a dancer) herself!


Chris, Ella, and my dad pre-show

The finale of the amazing nativity part of the show-surprsingly reverent and biblical!

The screens made it look like there were 100 Santas instead of 25!

Ice Skating on the front part of the stage!

World's Best Grandmother!

Nails and Cake

We recently got to go to a fancy dinner out for GG's 90th birthday celebration and also spent a fun afternoon at her house painting our nails! Ella is a big fan of birthday cake and pink nail polish so both were a great time for her :-)


All dressed up at the fanciest restaurant Ella's ever been to!

After dinner they wheeled out this beautiful bouquet and cake for my grandmother! It was beautiful and tasty!

Nail painting party! Chris sat in the corner and took pictures and handed us things while our nails were wet-such a good guy :-)

Blowing Ella's toenails dry had her laughing hysterically

All done with our matching manicures. Lots of fun and great memories!

She's got skills

On her birthday, Ella came and asked me if we could "please go on a walk outside to see the beautiful trees". She never asks to do that (and usually whines if I suggest it) so I was happy to take her. I also decided to take the camera and let her take some pictures while we walked (we only made it about a block but that's ok). I was SO impressed with the results! Very artistic. I loved one of them so much it inspired me to change my whole blog layout to incorporate it. So, here are the completely unmodified pictures of my future artiste!

Sick but still sweet

We're sick. It stinks. I have an upper respiratory infection and Ella has a lower respiratory infection. She went to the doctor last night, she went with me for my appt. this morning, and we went to another doctor for her to get a chest x-ray before that because she might have pneumonia (her cousin and my dad both do). She's been remarkably good through all of it and doesn't really seem sick even though she has a horrendous sounding cough and horribly runny eyes and nose. Not much lethargy and no more whining than normal are great signs that she'll be better soon. Hope that's true for all of us. So, not much to blog about but here's a conversation we just had a few minutes ago.

Ella: Mom, I love you more than Cinderella
Me: Really? Thanks Ella!
Ella: I love you more than all the Princesses!
Me: Wow! Thanks!
Ella: I love Daddy more than Raleigh (the dog)
Me: That's good
Ella: Mom can we get a kitty-cat?
Me: I don't think so, Raleigh wouldn't like that
...long pause...
Ella: Mom, I love you more than princesses and kitty-cats. I really do.

How cute is she?? Right now princesses and kitty-cats are at the TOP of the totem pole so I'm feeling pretty special :-)


A little sick day fort fun :-)