Fun at the Park

It's been another week of the same ol' thing... Ellie has had preschool and ballet. We have also had visiting teachers over and have also gone visiting teaching. Yesterday we went to the park for a little while after ballet. Ellie got out some energy... much needed. Owen also had fun swinging.

Owen enjoying the swings.
Ellie emptying the sand out of her shoe. She also played on the slides and ran in the park grass.
Owen still loving the swings... finally a swing baby. Ellie was always scared of the swings... still is.
Here is some of Ellie's artwork. This week she learned about the letter E (the eggs in the picture) and the number 5 (the five eggs in the picture).

Owen walking but not sleeping

Owen has started officially walking. He took his first real steps a few weeks back but since then it has only been 2 or 3 steps here and there. However, just today he has really started to go. He walked from the playroom to the family room all by himself!! It was pretty impressive. He falls a lot still and gets pretty frustrated with himself, but he is doing a fantastic job!

Owen has also gotten to be a little more particular with toys. He likes the magnadoodle, but hates that the pen is attached to the string. He also enjoys it when Dad and Ellie play with the ball but wishes he could join in. Before he wouldn't ever care when Ellie took a toy away from him, but now he minds it a little more. Sleep is still an issue in our house. Owen woke up about every half hour last night... I have no idea what the deal is. We are trying yet another new strategy this week... I will let you know.

Here are Elise and her dad on the Sunday that Owen and I stayed home sick. --- It was a nice treat to stay home with just one child, even if I was sick.
Owen enjoying the tub. He is funny because whenever he hears the bath water going, he will bolt to the bathroom. He LOVES baths. He practically lunges in every time and is pretty obsessed with the tub even if it isn't bath time.
Ellie likes taking a bath as well. When she finishes she just gets right on out on her own and ends up walking around the house wet and naked.
Owen playing with his ball. He pushes it around so he can go chase after it.
This is a picture of Ellie trying to catch the ball that dad threw her. She thought it was hilarious when it hit her face... she is funny. As you can see, she is still working on catching the ball.

Elise continues to love both preschool and ballet. I am hoping that maybe starting this weekend her and Daniel can go to the library on Saturday mornings. I know she would love to check out some new books (though I do fear ruining them with "Trouble" around) and Daniel has run out of books around our house to read. Hopefully they can do that together. Right now Ellie's favorite thing to do is to cut. She likes to cut paper, straws, basically anything. So far no hair!! She only uses safety scissors but occasionally tries to reach mom's scissors.

Daniel continues to be busy at school. He has had a few more later days this semester than he has in the past, but I can't really complain because he is usually home fairly early and when he is home, he doesn't do work-- so that is nice. I am glad he has made it a priority to be home with his family as much as possible and to have a pretty active role in helping with the kids.

I am sick, again! I feel like I am always sick these days. Other than that, I am doing well. The kids and I have been enjoying morning walks and occasional trips out to lunch or somewhere to play. In a couple of weeks it will be my turn for preschool again so I have started thinking about that already. I got my hair cut. Not too short, but a needed trimming for sure. Like I mentioned before, we (meaning me) are not getting too much sleep these days. I think my body has gotten pretty used to it. I have woken up at least 3 times a night since before Ellie was born. It will be nice to one day get a little more sleep.

Look Alikes

We saw this on Daniel's sister's website and thought it was kind of cool.... not sure I agree with it, but still fun.

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Ducks at the Park

Our day started off with some yummy kaloches. While Elise and I ran in, Owen napped and Grammy took pictures of my napping boy. Isn't he a sweetheart?

After breakfast we went to the park to feed the ducks. Both of the kids seemed to really enjoy it. Owen enjoyed from the stroller.

Sometimes Ellie had to yell at the slightly over-aggressive ducks.
Here are Ellie and I right after we ran out of bread. It was funny how the ducks just knew that there was nothing else that we had for them and they ran off about as quickly as they came. Elise wanted to go in the water after them but the water was pretty rancid.

Owen enjoying the ducks.

After the ducks, we went to the playground and let the kids play for a bit. Ellie loves the slides and is still, to this day, afraid of the swings.

Owen looked really cute in the swings. He enjoyed himself quite a bit.

We are back to Austin today. It is probably about time to head back. Owen has had a couple of rough days. I think he is teething a bit and also going through some serious mommy attachment. Ellie is also looking forward to getting back to ballet and preschool.

Fun at the Mall

The kids and I decided to spend a couple of days in Katy with my mom and brother while my dad is out of town. So far, we are having a pretty good time.

When we first arrived yesterday, we went to Toys R Us for a little grandchildren spoiling-- My mom got a few new toys to keep at her house and also bought Ellie a new Disney Princess movie. After naps (which are never long enough), we headed to the mall. The mall has a play area that is pretty good for kids that are the age of mine and so they really enjoyed it.

Ellie and Owen holding hands in the car. Owen likes to be touched as he is falling asleep in the car and Elise is happy to oblige.

The mall also has a carousel that we took a ride on.

Even Owen and I went on the carousel, but I opted for the chair that does not move.

After the carousel ride, we stopped off at Johnny Rockets for some yummy milkshakes. We saw the missionaries while we were in there and if they had come our way, we would have bought them some shakes... too bad for them.

Later that night we went out to Uncle Evan's favorite wing place. They had a trivia game and we tied for third place. Poor Owen didn't make it home though... he was tuckered out.

"C" is for Cat and Caterpillar

Elise really enjoyed preschool this week. Here are a couple works of art. The letter and number of the week were C and 3 and the color and shape of the month are green and square.

The cat she pasted together herself.

Her caterpillar that she helped cut out and then glued and painted it.

Saturday Bubbles

Ellie and Owen play in the backyard.

Twinkle Star and ABC's

They're the same tune with different words, but Ellie knows them both fairly well. This one is a little risque at the beginning. We're still working with Ellie on keeping her dress down.

Star Wa(l)r(u)s

Wasn't there a walrus looking alien in the bar scene in Episode 4? And, in case you were wondering, I'm a geek.

Car Trouble-- When it Rains it Pours

No pictures for this post, but quite a story.

This morning I took Ellie to ballet while Daniel went to a dermatologist appointment. I can't find my phone (I let one of the kids slobber on it so who knows where they put it), so I was no where to be found when Daniel was unable to start his car after the appointment. Apparently the battery was dead.

Finally, I get home and get his call and run off to pick him up. It is 11:20 at this time and he needs to be at school at noon and he is about 15 minutes away. Luckily, I made most all of the lights and made it there in record time.

On the way to take Daniel to school (he had been in the car for less than one minute), a big truck hits us from behind. Scared Owen half to death! It was a very minor accident and not my fault. So, we pulled over and exchanged information (even though the guy seemed filthy rich and wants to pay cash). Then we were on our way again. Daniel made it to school at 11:59.

So, my afternoon has been filled with making tow truck and repair shop phone calls. Hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be thankfully. Just kind of annoying as is any car trouble.

Ellie Belly Ballerina

Today was ballet again for Elise. She talks about it all week long and really genuinely enjoys it. All throughout the week she sings the songs that they dance to, practice the moves and talks about what she did last class. We are really glad that she is loving the classes as much as she is.

Here is Elise ready for Ballet class! Almost ready... first she had to have an accident in this leotard so she ended up wearing a purple one today. Figures. She loves to pose for the camera but she always looks so silly. I wish she would realize what a beautiful normal smile she has!

Here is Ellie showing off a ballet move. She is curling her arms over her head. I am not sure what that is called, but she looks cute doing it.

Sorry that these ballet class pictures are so bad, something about taking pictures through a window, it just didn't come out real well. I really wanted to give you an idea of what they do in the class though. So, next time I will get some better pictures. This first picture is of them doing a train in their tap shoes. They march, which makes a noise, and say "chugga chugga".Here is Ellie (and some other ballet students) doing 'tip toes'. She is really good at following directions in class. She does like to help the teacher get all the equipment out though. She has been really fantastic! Most of the kids cry for several classes but she has never cried in any of her ballet classes.

Baking Cookies

This past weekend we went to our ward's annual picnic. We are on the activities committee so we had to be there, but it was fun nonetheless. There is a creek at the park that we went to and Ellie almost floated away down it, but she is fine, just got a little wet.

For the picnic we made some cookies. Ellie helped me out... like always. She gets really excited when she helps me and is not always careful with what she is doing. She knocked down a whole bag of chocolate chips. I have found when I get really frustrated with my kids and my initial reaction is to get mad and yell, I should just get the camera. It always makes me calm and makes a lasting memory that I can later look back fondly on.

Here is Ellie surrounded by chocolate chips.

Here is Owen, enjoying some chocolate. Yeah, he is our kid.

Dad and Ellie hanging out in bed. This picture is a little foggy because greasy little fingers got on the camera lens... wonder who that was.

Owen having fun after Ellie went to bed. After Ellie goes to sleep Owen thinks it is party time. He gets to play in peace without someone ripping toys out of his hands.

Preschool

One of the moms just sent me these preschool pictures, so I thought I would share them with everyone!! They show all of Ellie's cute little friends.

Elise and Braedon.
Janae (well, the back of her head), Elise, Braedon and Ashlyn.
From left to right, Adam, Danielle and Tyler (Tyler is Janae's brother).
From top left going clockwise- Adam, Danielle, Tyler, Janae, Elise, Braedon, and Ashlyn.

If you can't tell from the pictures, they have an awesome time at preschool. This is why Elise talks about going 24/7. It will be my turn to teach in four more weeks! Until then, I am enjoying the time off and Elise is enjoying socializing at each of her friend's homes.

"B" is for Bug and Butterfly

We have had a pretty fun-filled week. This week was our first week of all of our activities that the kids and I will be having this year or more like all the activities that Ellie will have!! This week was the continuation of preschool and the start of ballet/tap.

"B" is for BUG.

Ellie did really great at preschool. It was the first week that I didn't teach so I really got to experience what it was like having the time off twice a week. Ellie learned about the letter "B" this week and the number 2. She was really excited about her bug ears that she made and a butterfly painting out of her hands. Elise LOVES going twice a week and gets really excited about seeing all of her friends. I really like seeing all the different creative ideas that the other moms have for preschool. So far, this experience has been very positive and I am glad that all the work has paid off.

The Butterfly.

On Tuesday during preschool I took Owen to Gymboree. I was feeling guilty because I did Gymboree with Ellie and haven't done anything with Owen. So, I took the opportunity of my time alone with Owen to take him to Gymboree. After going once, I realized that it is kind of far to drive and honestly seemed like a first-time-mom thing to do. So, I cancelled, but we are still committed to four more classes so we will enjoy those classes and then be done. I shouldn't feel bad because I put Ellie in Gymboree so she could be around other babies her age but Owen gets to be around others his age all the time, so I shouldn't worry so much about it.

Owen drinking out of a cup.

Wednesday was the start of Ellie's ballet and tap class. We went to a new place and I am glad to report that I really like this place. My one dilemma is whether to keep her in once or twice a week. She loves it so much that for now we will keep going until I get tired of driving out there twice weekly. I forgot my camera but this picture below is of her before ballet over the summer.

Thursday was more preschool. Owen and I took the opportunity to go grocery shopping. It was so nice going with him!! He stays in the cart the entire time, it was awesome. After grocery shopping another mom from preschool and I went out to lunch at a real sit-down restaurant. It was so fun and kind of needed I think. It is good to feel like you are normal again. Usually the kids and I go somewhere once a week for lunch (like McDonalds or Chick-Fil-A) so I think on the weeks that we don't go out maybe myself and some other moms can have lunch. I am starting to realize that I need to do more things for me and I feel like this is a start!

Friday was ballet again. The teacher said that Elise did really awesome on Wednesday and that she was by far the best kid in both classes. Apparently she listens and follows directions. Wonder why that doesn't translate at home! Anyway, she was super cute all dressed up and did the best somersaults out of anyone else in the class.

Here is Owen playing with his car. Dad was especially proud.

Ellie before church this past Sunday.

Saturday is a Special Day

We have had a pretty good Saturday today. We started off the day with a family trip to the grocery store. I feel like I am going to the grocery store all the time, so I'm trying a different shopping strategy of planning by meal instead of the "grab what looks good" shopping and we will see how that goes. Usually the grocery store trip is both kids and myself but luckily Daniel was in a good mood and decided to come along.

We finally decided to turn Owen around. I know, I know they say to wait until they are a year old and 20 pounds. He has been 20 pounds since he was 6 months old so that isn't a problem and he has much more strength in his body than Ellie ever did at a year. So, we think it is safe to turn him around. Plus having him facing backwards meant that the passenger seat had to be pushed all the way forward which meant that if those airbags ever deployed the passenger would be in serious trouble (most of the time me). All in all we have weighed the pros and cons and feel we are now much safer than we were before.

After the grocery store, we went to get Owen's haircut. I had a coupon for a place so we decided to take advantage. I am not sure that we were impressed by them. I didn't think they did a great job and Daniel said the lady cutting Owen's hair smelled like BO. So, we won't take him back there. She also brushed him off with this brush and ended up getting a bunch of other people's hair on him rather than taking off his hair.

After the haircut, we went to Texas Roadhouse for lunch. We haven't been out to dinner as a family since Owen was a wee one... maybe like 2 or 3 months old. It went fairly well I guess. Owen liked it.

Here is Ellie at the restaurant. She was a little wild. She kept wanting to stand up and look at the people in the booth behind us because they had some big balloons that had Disney Princesses on them. But she wasn't too horrible.

Dad was pretty well behaved as well.

While we enjoyed our meal out as a family, it reinforced the idea that when eating at a restaurant, it is much more relaxing without kids--even though they were pretty good this trip!

After Roadhouse and the babies' wonderfully long naps, the BYU game was on (BYU won 20 to 7). Dan was pretty pumped to watch the first BYU game with Owen. He was awfully proud to have a son to watch the game with. Ellie was a good cheerleader and definitely has that Cougar cheer down!