Ella Reads

This might be a little hard to understand. She is reading a book called Kites. This is my first video post! Woo hoo! She reads what kind of kite each one is. See if you can hear the last part "a tangled mess."

Willowwind Memories

Counting using the Montessori beads.

Ella & Frankie playing with clay.

Ella mixing & cooking.

Elena, Ella, Gilly & Rebecca all snuggled in to read.

Hanging out and reading a book on the pillows.

I was so surprised the other day when I opened an envelope from Willowwind, Ella's preschool last school year. Inside was a lovely thank you from her teacher Marissa and a CD full of pictures and some video clips. Ella loved looking through the pictures- as did I. I still find it hard to believe how much she has grown up in the past year.

Trains, Football & Friends

Big Boy Bed

So we have finally admitted that Lars is no longer a baby. He has made the move relatively well. He stays in the bed and hasn't fallen out. he does however, like to use his bed a stepping stone to climb on top of his dresser and find things. I have fun orange sheets coming! It really is such a comfy bed, he loves snuggling in it at night. I just hope he will soon learn to go to sleep without all the checking on him and negotiating. Sometimes he is fine but others he just pushes it so far!

Monster Ears

He entered the bathroom to quietly brush his teeth. Four short minutes later he was quietly transformed into the monster we see here. Lars came out so proud of himself and his short time alone (what was I thinking!!?) in the bathroom. He discovered the Q- tips and presented himself as a monster, scaring Ella and mommy. Like all good mommies, I grabbed my camera and took a picture (after being scared and laughing), then we sent the jokester in to see daddy. After scaring daddy we took them out and explained you cannot put sticks in your ears. He was very very sad and began crying and told daddy he wanted his monster ears back.

Seriously- who is teaching my children these things? I would like to know! Class clown anyone....?

Need Ideas

I had a successful Goodwill run and found these cool retro 70's towels. Now, Ella loves the pink ones. I am thinking of ideas...I am willing to take some ideas if you have any. Watch to see what they become.

Busy Weekend

I think this picture sums up all the fun we had today. Might be one of my favorites ever of Lars. I think the dimple is perfectly captured!

We began Sunday with a breakfast at the airport and the kids got to see airplanes take off and land. They sat in a helicopter too. I think Lars' favorite hands down was the ambulance and firetrucks he could explore. He would have stayed there all day if they let him and if I was comfortable with him around that many buttons.




In the afternoon, we visited ACT for their yearly family picnic. This year the theme was Pirates! They kids happily dressed the part and had fun as they partook in the activities like the treasure dig, carousel ride, and train ride. We all had our pictures taken on the pirate ship but I am still awaiting to see our happy pirate family. I think we all had a great relaxing afternoon, but I do not ever remember it being quite so crowded. Perhaps next year we won't have to wait until 3:00 to go- obviously nap time still dictates our social scene. I can't wait till there are no naps but I also fear the day there are no naps.