Another First...

So, Ella's discovered meanness and it's breaking my heart. Last week her friend L did something with her toy that she didn't like and she told L "I don't want to have playdates with you anymore." And L burst into tears. Ella looked kind of shocked and I honestly feel like it was the first time she's said something to a friend and produced that kind of reaction. She doesn't have the filter for her thoughts and feelings that us adults have and it's beginning to be a bad thing!

We've had many conversations since this event about how words can hurt feelings and other ways to handle it if someone does something you don't like. I hope she catches on but it's not looking great so far. We got home from a date last night and the babysitter said Ella told her "I don't love you anymore and I don't want you to babysit me." Ahhhhhh!!! Grace is super sweet and wasn't offended but this is NOT the kind of comment I want my kid making! Part of me has enjoyed the unfiltered brain-to-mouth content of Ella's speech. It's so innocent and until recently, mostly very sweet. However, the same simple logic that causes her to want to bring me bandaids when my stomach hurts (soooo cute) is now causing her to "unfriend" people who do something she doesn't like. It's simple enough-you're mean, so I'm done with you. I'm sure she'll "get" social mores at some point but this meanness is I new milestone so I thought, for the sake of honesty, I'd record not only the first haircut and first time writing her name, but also the first bits of nastiness. Guess this whole sin nature thing can sneak up on you. Happens to the best of us.

September so far...

Here's a little of what we've been up to lately...

A LONG Crab feast at my Aunt and Uncle's Bay house-SO tasty

We took Ella to a "Paint your own Pottery" place and she LOVED it! She now has her own self-designed hot chocolate mug for the winter :-)

Ella started school! This was her first moment in the classroom (I snuck in) finding a seat with her buddies from last year. I totally cried once I got in the car-SO hard to watch her grow up and become independent.

Ella and her buddy entranced in the circus

The tight wire guys were incredible.

And of course, elephants :-)

And here's a crazy video of the motorcycle guys who started off the show. Enjoy!

Oh how the years pass...

Oh yeah-I'm 30! Happy Birthday to me!

I got to celebrate with friends, family, Japanese Steak House fun, sushi, green slime (only family will get that), lots of cards, gifts (Chris-MOST thoughtful present EVER), a nap, lots of phone calls from friends, and pizza. Lovely weekend of celebration and great beginning to the next decade! Thanks everyone!

From Tires to Tiaras

We had a really fun day last Friday-first playgroup at a Tire Playground that I had never been to (and it's $2 and 20 min away-awesome!) then went to a special Princess Storytime at the Library where the kids could dress up! Great times with friends and I had a really good time enjoying Ella and all that 3 1/2 means. SUCH a fun age.



I got to play with a friend's baby-she's SO adorable!

Ella was quite the adventurous climber!


Sadly, right at the end of the playdate, Hope got stung by a bee :-( SO sad to see her in pain but she recovered quickly-kids are resilient!

All dressed up and ready for some stories!



After storytime we got to help the kids make tiaras. Here's Halle sporting her finished project.

All the girls finished and posing! Super fun day! I LOVE having a girl!

*Thanks Esther for the awesome pictures!!

It's that time again...

Every once in a while I get completely freaked out that strangers can read my blog and get concerned about our privacy and Ella's safety. Even though I try to be discreet about where we live and our last name, there's still a lot of info out there for anyone in the world to read. I know God is the ultimate protector of my child and I'm praying through my worries about her safety but also trying to do my part to keep her safe :-) So, it's that time again! I'm pretty sure I'm going to make this blog private. So, I'm posting so that any of you who read and want to keep reading know:

1) I'll need to add your email to a list for you get to the blog so if you want to be added (and aren't someone I know reads regularly), don't be shy! Email me and I'll add you. I'm fine with lots of friends reading, just not strangers.

2) You'll need to log in to get to the blog- Just a few more seconds of your time to keep the creepy people away :-)

2) There seem to be technical difficulties when people try to make this transition so if you can't get to the blog, just email me and I'll do what I can. Thanks for understanding!