Saturday, April 12, 2008
Ella Turns Two!
It's hard to believe my precious baby is now two years old! Her birthday was actually at the end of March - but we didn't celebrate until last weekend. Kelly and I planned a party for both Ella and Grayson. Their birthdays are so close to one another and it helped out our family traveling from Florida. This way, they only had to make one trip, instead of two within a couple of weeks of each other. (FYI - Kelly made the above invitation for their party. We decided on a "farm" theme since the park had a barn. Didn't she do a great job? She is so talented!)
The party was a huge success! The party was originally planned for Saturday - but had to be changed to Sunday due to the weather. The kids were so excited and loved playing at the park. Both Ella and Grayson got a battery powered 4 wheeler for their birthdays. Maybe it's a boy thing, but Grayson loved his way better than Ella did. She was more interested in the baby doll she received from her great grandmother, Maw Maw Catherine. It was cute to watch their excitement with the party, but they were both a little shy when it was time for birthday cake and singing. Of course, there were probably 40+ people staring at them, so it's understandable. It was a great day!
Ella has changed so much over the past two years. She was once my laid back, easy going baby. Over the past couple of weeks, I have witnessed a change I wasn't prepared for. It's the typical, "I want to be independent" phase. You know the one...Terrible Twos! Everything has to be on her terms - dressing, going to the potty, eating, going to bed, brushing her teeth, and playing (especially when playing with K-Bugg). As difficult as she can be at times, she still melts my heart with her sweet smile and cute little curls. And she amazes me everyday with her vocabulary. I guess being around a talkative big sister has taught her so many things. Too may things, at times! Take for example, rolling of the eyes, or giving me "the hand" (holding it up and telling me, "Stop!"). I also hear "huffing and puffing" when she doesn't like something or when she gets frustrated.
This past week she tickled me with her new found discoveries. One night, I went to check on her after putting her to bed. Instead of sleeping, I found her in the bed with books scattered all around. "I reading, Mommy!" she said. I'm not sure how she could see anything in the dark, but she was thumbing through her books with her baby and piggy sitting next to her. Later, again after putting her to bed, she comes out of her room saying, "I potty, I potty, Mommy!" When I went to help her go to the bathroom, I discovered that she had changed her "Pull-Up" with a different one. Somehow, she had managed to put on a new one (it was inside out) and then perfectly replaced her PJ bottoms. She is too cute!
Ella's Favorites:
* Her "baby" (a snuggle blanket that looks like a bear)
* Her "passy" (which we MUST get rid of soon!)
* Max and Ruby (TV show)
* Baby dolls
* Shoes
* Her big girl panties (She puts them on over her Pull-Ups.)
* Her big sister
* Her big sister's things!
* Oreo (Billie's dog), Sheba and Jingles (our cats)
* Her new earrings (We had her ears pierced this week.)
permalink | posted by NaeNae at 8:38 AM
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Six
Apparently, I forgot to post this...I found it in my "Drafts." Sorry K-Bugg!
Today, my "first baby" turns six. You have grown so quickly right before my eyes. So many things have changed...You are growing taller and your baby face is turning into the face of a "big girl". When you smile, I see your big "window" where you've lost your four front teeth. In your smile, I also see the caring and compassionate child you have grown to be. Sometimes, your heart gets broken easily - but you are quick to forgive and apolgize at appropriate times. You love to play chase with us at home. And a tickle is always sure to make you smile.
You are excelling in Kindergarten - far beyond what I ever expected at this age. Your are reading books and writing cute little notes to us - always expressing your love. I am also impressed with your handwriting skills. You are very meticulous with the formation of your letters. You want them to be perfect, "just like your teacher's." You have built new friendships in your first year of school - Kathryn, Kaitlyn, Calia, Emily and GreenLee. Everyone likes you, and wants to be your "friend." Even the "big kids" (4th and 5th graders)! What a special little girl you are, K-Bugg! We love you!
Your favorite things include:
* Your baby sister, Ella
* High School Musical
* School
* Swimming
* Animals
* Bugs
* Your new room
permalink | posted by NaeNae at 4:36 PM
Thursday, April 03, 2008
NaeNae's Notes (Novel)
Chapter 1 - KellynnJanuary was a busy month for our family. We had lots of birthdays - including Kellynn's. She turned six at the end of the month. (That is unbelievable to me.) She wanted to have a swimming party this year. Luckily, the YMCA in our hometown has an indoor heated pool, so it was possible for her wish to come true in the middle of the Winter. They had a great time swimming, decorating princess tiaras, and eating birthday treats and cake.
For Kellynn's birthday, she wanted her bedroom to be "pink." That sounds like a simple task...a little paint and viola! Wrong! It turned into a nightmare of a project. We had to remove border (wallpaper), which ended up ruining the walls. Kevin had to do some patchwork and sanding before we could actually paint. This process took almost two weeks. After it was painted pink, I promised her I would paint a "garden" in her room. Some of the flowers I painted - others are actually "pasties" (wallpaper). I just added grass, stems and bugs. After about a month, it is finally complete!
Chapter 2 - Going to the Beach
A few weeks back, we went to Myrtle Beach for their annual car show. We went last year for the first time, and had a lot of fun. This year was a lot of fun too, but I didn't actually make it to the car show this time. The first day I spent shopping with the girls (Kellynn, Ella, Billie, Kevin's Aunt Judy, his cousin Jennifer and her children). Later that night, we took the kids to Ripley's aquarium. They loved the seahorses and sharks. If Kellynn had it her way, I would have taken 200 pictures of all the fish! The next day we planned to go to the car show, but Ella got sick with a stomach virus. I spent the rest of the time in the condo (which I didn't mind). It was a relaxing trip, which I desperately needed.Chapter 3 - Easter
We spent Easter at home this year. Remember the stomach virus I mentioned earlier? It was Kellynn's turn to have it over Easter break. Unfortunately, she had it for three days. This cancelled any plans we had for Easter (dinners, parties, Easter egg hunts, etc.). Instead she lounged around the house, watching movies and drinking Sprite. Ella on the other hand, got to go Easter egg hunting at the lake with Billie, my MIL. She had a great time. Kellynn was sad she had to miss the festivities. We made up for it, though! We dyed Easter eggs and had an Easter egg hunt at our house on Easter Sunday. Of course, it was just Kellynn and Ella hunting for eggs - but they had a blast. They made Kevin hide the eggs several times. Each time, having to count the eggs to make sure we had all 49 of them. That evening we had Easter dinner at our house. The girls were happy, because Auntie Crystal came to visit! Chapter 4 - Spring Break and Ella's Birthday
Spring Break was a much needed break for me. I've been under a lot of self-induced stress at work lately. I needed a chance to just walk away and not think about school for awhile. I spent the week doing a *modge podge of things...like going to the doctor, doing some Spring cleaning (getting rid of things), planting my garden, taking the kids to the movies, and celebrating Ella's 2nd birthday. We did not do a lot for her birthday because Kelly and I have planned a birthday party for both Ella and Grayson. The party is this weekend, so more on that later. (*I used this word for Kelly. It's one of her favorites!)
Chapter 5 - Financial Freedom
After receiving our tax refund, we paid off my van. I'm anxious to see what it feels like to not have a car payment. I haven't been car payment free for years! Kevin and I talked about putting in a swimming pool or buying a camper for vacationing after paying off the van. Now, I don't feel the need to tie up the extra money with a big expense. We really need to start a a college fund for the girls, instead. Let's weigh the options....pool or college? I really want the pool, but I need to be more responsible for my girls' future. Any suggestions on how I can have both?
Chapter 6 - A New Look
I've been growing my hair out for months now. I thought I wanted it to be long again - but it just turned into a big hassle to get ready every morning. I decided to go for a new look. I got it highlighted and cut. I chose a style that would allow me to wear my hair curly. I have natural curl in my hair, but have straightened it for years. I think I like it. You be the judge...
permalink | posted by NaeNae at 4:36 PM
