Ella's Verbiage

Ella has added the following words to her vocabulary:

• "No!"
• "Mine" (she's had this one awhile... I think Grandpa Nelson teaches it to all the grandkids right off)
• "Why?" (already??)
• "I don't know..." (seriously?!)

Ella: Verbally Progressing

Ella seems to be really taking off verbally! She can replicate a lot of words that we ask her to repeat.

Her versions of "cheese," "juice" and other words along those lines come out as "ch--" with a lot of crackling spit in her mouth. Sounds very German. ;)

My favorite is her version of "Dude-y," which is the nickname we frequently call Taylor. Ella says "Du-du" which rewards her with hysterical laughter every time. :) It takes a little bit of time to get her to say it in the following footage, but by the end you can hear it very clearly. :)

School Volunteering

Although it has been detrimental to our finances, I have been blessed with the opportunity to volunteer a few mornings in Taylor's Kindergarten class. It is such a pleasure to witness him in his school environment and I have learned several things about teaching children his age.

This morning, the children were learning how to spell the new month: M-a-r-c-h. The teacher remarked that the 'ch' sound also begins the train sound "choo-choo."

Taylor's words:

"Choo-choo-choose the right!"

Such a pleasure to hear! ;)

A Rose By Any Other Name...

Taylor (to me): Your name is Dana.
Me (hesitantly, but admittedly): Yes...
Taylor: Mommy is your middle name.

lol!

Sweet Sisters

Averi and Ella hug almost every morning and snuggle on occasion...

Ella has a cold/potential sinus infection, hence the open mouth...

Ella: A Crazy Hair Moment

I just love this picture! She looks so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I used this pic as card inspiration here. ;)

Avi Eye Update

I was reminded that I haven't updated re: Averi's eyes.

The MRI showed that while the muscles are anomalous close to the eyes, they are better situated further back. So we have booked another surgery in hopes of correcting her lingering strabismus. It's on March 11 and any prayers are appreciated! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I don't often post my papercrafting stuff over here but I thought I'd do so this time because it involved Taylor. ;)

Taylor and I worked together yesterday to create his Valentines for today at school. Here is what they looked like:

He signed the back of every one of them!

Here are the treat boxes we sent along as well:

You can find more details here.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Someday I'll Laugh About This... Right?

It always seems to be that one has just sat down to complete a project when all hell breaks loose.

"Mom! The toilet!!"

I figured the toilet was just having difficulty flushing and attempted to finish coiling a ribbon flower.

Then, I heard spattering water close by. (My craft space is in the undeveloped basement.)

I dropped everything and ran upstairs to the main floor toilet. As Averi had tried to inform me, there was a puddle spilling out of the bathroom into the hall. At least the toilet had stopped running.

Ella, of course, had run right through the puddle, so I removed her sleeper and grabbed a towel to start mopping up.

I had almost finished soaking up the water when Ella ran in carrying the dirty diaper she had just removed by herself. When I say dirty, I mean DIRTY.

I abandoned bathroom clean up to whisk Ella upstairs to the bathtub (after a quick bum wipe down).

Eventually, I finished cleaning, including the water that leaked into the basement (all over my mother's stored belongings) and all contaminated human bodies.

I'm tired.

Scentsy Buddies

The kids were thrilled to receive their Scentsy Buddies today! They're so cute!

Taylor has a frog and Averi has a lamb. Ella chose the little piggy.

I told them they didn't have to keep the names the animals came with so Taylor named his frog Thomas (after Thomas the Train). After hearing this, Averi named her lamb Percy (Thomas's friend on the show). So adorable!!

Thought you'd like to see these, Mom! ;)

[Addendum Feb 14: I've joined up with Scentsy so if you're interested in this little guys, check out my website here!]

Big Brother Taylor

I need to blog things as soon as they happen or I forget things!

Averi bit Ella's arm a little while ago. It was hard and with a small surface area, resulting in quite the pinch! Avi was sent to her room with a spank while I comforted Ella and made a small ice pack. (Ella did not like it on her arm but is happily playing with it...)

After Averi was allowed out, Taylor asked her quite nicely to come with him so he could talk to her.

Not wanting to miss a second of this surprisingly mature sounding request, I made a dash for the room that they had closed the door to. Watching through a crack, I heard Taylor ask Averi why she had bit Ella.

Averi: Well, Ella took the lid off of the bin I was hiding in.
Taylor (placing his hand on Avi's shoulder): That doesn't really matter. You can stay in or get out.

I watched as he continued to affectionately chide his sister, a silly grin on my face.

The moments that make things worthwhile...

Ella Loves Her Toothbrush...

 She does this ALL the time...

Cutest Picture with No Picture

I was notified at work yesterday that Averi was sick and that I needed to pick her up from the dayhome. When I arrived, Averi had curled up on a rug and fallen asleep. The cutest sight to behold, however, was that her baby sister had curled up next to Averi's sleeping form and fallen asleep herself!

I had no camera, of course, but it was the sweetest picture!

Incidentally, Averi seemed to get over her little bug right away.

My Little Man

Taylor was SO excited to go back to school today! He has been missing his teacher (so cute!).

1. He awoke at 6 a.m. and immediately dressed himself.
2. He prepared, for the first time ever, his own snacks! He had an apple, a yogurt tube and some crackers. I expressed that a yogurt tube might be too messy and so he stated that he would get some carrots instead because they were "healthy."
   

   Mommy: Who taught you to eat healthy, Taylor?
   Taylor: You did, Mommy!

   I was pleased, though surprised... I really should follow my own advice, it would seem.
3. He put on his boots, coat and gloves (prematurely) without having to be asked!

I was pleased as punch this morning!

Happy New Year!!

Our version of a New Year's party for the kids involved noise makers and numerous laps around the kitchen island. They slept like babies when Uncle Norm, Aunt Ariel and Cousin Rebecca came over for games!

Happy New Year!!