Paesanos

We enjoy our dinner outings especially when the restaurant is kid friendly.  What makes a restaurant kid friendly?  For starters, when they give your kid a piece of dough to play with you know they don't mind a little mess.  And when you have a toddler, you know what I mean!  Paesanos was wonderful, Ella ate her entire pizza and ice cream bar.  William sat on Tara's lap for most of the meal ;) while I enjoyed my happy hour drink.

Video:  Ella touching dough for the first time (January 14, 2013).

On another interesting story, I locked myself out of my kids while the kids are in it.  My friend Tara was putting Liam in his car seat as I was putting Ella in hers, both of us finished at the same time and shut the doors.  I open my door to start the engine and realize that Ella still had the car keys.  I get out and as I am about to open Ella's door, my door shuts, doors lock (Ella is pushing the lock buttons), and I am locked out.

While Tara is calling AAA, I am trying to signal to E to push the buttons on the keys in hopes that she would unlock the doors.  At one point, she figures out what I want her to do and picks up the keys and pushes the button.  Lock, lock, lock, lock. . . She only pushes the lock button.  Good thing AAA came within 10 minutes. 

I love playing with my baby brother

Ella is enjoying her new role as big sister (most of the times anyways) and she continues to surprise me.  She now likes to "play" with her baby brother and show him how to play with their toys.  At least she's trying to share instead of refusing to give him any toys (like she did in the past!).

Video:  Ella teaching Liam how to play (December 23, 2012).

Video:  Ella showing Liam how to play with his toys (December 24, 2012).

Video:  Ella playing tea with Liam (January 9, 2013).

Pictures of the two playing with each other:

;)

Why I love my daddy

Ella loves this book called "Why I love my daddy" as it describes each way a father shows love through various animals...

Why I love my daddy. . .

I love my daddy because he plays with me.  (Picture: December 27, 2012)

I love my daddy because he tickles me. (Video: December 27, 2012).

I love my daddy because he teaches me how to feed the dogs. (Picture: December 30, 2012).

I love my daddy because he makes me laugh (Video: January 6, 2013).

I love my daddy because he helps me (Video: January 6, 2013).

I love my daddy because he is strong (Video:  January 8, 2013).

More to come. . .

I love having lots of friends over. . .

We had a great week with friends visiting.  Ella really enjoyed having different friends over even if they touched her toys. Ha!  She's starting to get really vocal and physical about not sharing certain "favorite" toys.

Video:  Ella, Isaac and Jack bouncing on the bed together (January 2, 2013).

Video:  All the kids playing duck duck goose (January 3, 2013).

Video:  Ella loves head and shoulders (January 3, 2013).

Picture:  Ella with Kelly and Liam (January 4, 2013).

I still want to be a dog!

One would think that Ella would have gotten over her fascination with our dog crates but she has not.  She continues to climb in. . . I swear she wants to be one of our dogs.

Video:  Ella climbing into the dog crate (December 27, 2012).

Pictures:  Ella loves being in the crate

I can go forward. . .

Ella finally figured out how to go forward.  Yay Ella!

Video:  Ella goes forward on the car (December 10, 2012).

For the longest time she would only go backwards and want you to push her around forward.  It's a blast to watch her understand a new concept.

Hello world! Are you out there?

Ella is going through a shouting phase.  These days I find her wanting to stand in front of the door and shout.  Not sure what she is saying or who she is shouting to but it's pretty fun to watch.

Video:  Ella shouting to the world (December 19, 2012).

Hello Ella!

Day 7 w/ Uncle Kellen & Aunt Bailee

Last day with Uncle Kellen & Aunt Bailee.  Ella doesn't even realize that they're going to leave!

Video:  Ella wants her starbucks from Aunt Bailee (December 15, 2012).

Where's Daddy?  We spent the afternoon teaching Ella to say "daddy" and she finally got it!

Video:  Ella trying to say daddy (December 15, 2012).

Video:  Ella looks for daddy (December 15, 2012).

Video:  Ella practicing how to jump (December 15, 2012).

Day 5 w/ Uncle Kellen & Aunt Bailee

Day 5 -  Ella enjoying her time with Uncle Kellen and Aunt Bailee.  The house is filled with laughter, screams of joy and giggles.

Video:  Ella showing her toy to everyone (December 13, 2012)

Video:  Ella sits on Uncle Kellen's head (December 13, 2012).

Video:  Ella being chased by Uncle Kellen (December 13, 2012).

Video:  Ella roaming around (December 13, 2012).

Day 1 and 2 w/ Aunt Bailee & Uncle Kellen

Ella, Uncle Kellen and Aunt Bailee (December 9, 2012).

Ella had a fantastic first two days with her Aunt Bailee and Uncle Kellen.

Video:  Ella playing with Uncle Kellen (December 10, 2012).

Video:  Ella laughing with Uncle Kellen (December 10, 2012).

Video:  Ella being fed by Auntie (December 10, 2012).

Video:  Ella playing with the tunnel (December 10, 2012).

Video:  Ella playing with Uncle and Auntie (December 10, 2012).

I can use a fork!

Ella is getting more advance in her self-feeding skills.

Video:  Ella feeding herself fruit with a fork (December 4, 2012).

Video:  Ella waiting for her pho.  (December 8, 2012).

Let's Play!

Returning home has never been so sweet for Ella as she is reunited with her friends and getting back to her routine.

Video:  Ella and Izzie coloring (December 4, 2012).

Pictures:  Ella, Cameron and Andrew (December 6, 2012).

Picture:  Ella and Claire (December 7, 2012).

Video:  Ella and Claire laughing together (December 7, 2012).

Toys toys toys

Ella loves her toys and never seems to be bored with them.  I need to rotate them out soon as I don't want her to be obsessive with a certain toy.

Video:  Ella playing with her toys while William swings (September 14, 2012).

Video:  Ella enjoying her toys (September 15, 2012).

Video:  Ella using her new table (September 19, 2012).

Not only does she love her toys, she loves all of William's (aka her old toys) toys.  She continues to enjoy new things such as balloons!

Video: Ella loves the balloon (December 2, 2012).

Video:  Ella enjoying her tub tent again (December 4, 2012).

You can never give a kid enough toys.