Belated Christmas

I finally figured out how to upload the video from Christmas. Warning: It's a long video (approx 15 mins) and I imagine only the grandparents will be able to sit through the entire thing! ;-)

Note: The Growing Puppy that Ella specifically asked Santa for... well, I think she's played with it all of two times since Christmas. The Doll House (momma's idea), not such a big hit either... but I'm still hoping that will come in handy in the future. The princess purses? Definitely high on the play list!

What I want to be when I grow up...

I was sitting at the table with the girls as they were drawing and Ella says, "I could be an artist when I grow up because I can draw really good!"


"Yes," I say, "you can be anything you want when you grow up."


She continues, "I can't decide if I want to be an artist, a space man, or a mermaid..."


Katie chimes in with, "I can't decide if I want to be a princess fairy, a Barbie, or an artist..."

Toes

Girl toes...

Girl toes and Daddy toes...

Hand Prints

Katie and Ella and their best friend, Anna Yuki, had their hand prints done for a plaque we're having made for them. As each family heads their separate ways this summer (Anna to Japan and us to who-knows-where), we'll have something to remember the girls' first best friend.

Katie just finishing making her hand print.

Anna's turn.

Ella's next.

Ella really (REALLY!) wanting to touch the clay again...

(she loved squishing her fingers in the clay!)

What I'm Thankful for...

The other day I turned on the TV knowing Sesame Street was about to come on. Ella walked in the room, excited that the TV was on, and asked me, "Mommy, do you like us to watch TV?" I said, "Well... I like it best when you play and use your imagination, but I know you like to watch TV, so I'm happy to turn it on for you on occasion." She said, "I really like watching TV." I continued with my "life lesson" saying, "It's okay to watch a little TV now and then..." and then went about my business in the kitchen.

A few moments passed and I heard Ella say, "Mommy, know what I'm thankful for?"

"What, Ella?"

"YOU!" But before I even had a chance to settle in on Cloud 9, she added, "...for letting us watch TV!"

Making Pancakes

One of Katie and Ella's favorite jobs is to help me make pancakes...

Here, Katie (in pink) with the pink (of course!) whisk... Ella is using the 'baby' whisk.
Cheesing it up for the camera!