Cousins...

"Cousins are those childhood playmates who grow up to be forever friends."

BIG slide!

Ella and I went to the playground this morning to get some play time in before it got too hot. Ella had no fear today and wanted to go down every slide, even the BIG one. At first, I told her no. It made me very nervous to even think about her climbing up that thing all by herself. Towards the end I gave in and let her do it. I think I may have had a minor heart attack watching her climb up that thing.  She made it up all be herself and came down with a smile on her face. I can't believe my baby girl is big enough to do this stuff now!

Ella made a friend! This little boy fell down and started crying. Ella said, "crying boy." We always say prayers before she goe to bed. I ask her every night who she wants to pray for. Tonight she said, "crying boy." She is so sweet!

Going down the little slide! She was afraid of this one last time. 

Climbing up the big slide! She is such a big girl! 

She made it! I think I was holding my breath at this point...

Weeeeee....

She made it!

What we've been up to

Ella started her first gymnastics class this past Wednesday. It was interesting to say the least:) Ella was a little unsure at first. The other two children in the class seem to have been there for awhile so Ella just followed what they did. I think once Ella gets used to it she will like it. Towards the end of the class she got to do the balance beam and swing from the uneven bars, and she loved that! I was surprised she could hang and swing by herself. I think the class will be really good for Ella. It is VERY structured, and she will learn to take turns. The teacher is not what I was expecting, but I am going to try to keep going in with an open mind. I'll keep you updated on how it is going. 

Ella has been saying some really funny stuff lately. Her speech is still improving by leaps and bounds each week. I think it was a good decision to end first steps. I know Ella misses Kathy though, because she still says her name randomly. Anyway, we unfortunately have quite of few people come to our door trying to sell stuff (the joys of living in a subdivision). A couple of weeks ago a guy came trying to promote Trugreen. When Adam shut the door he told Ella to say "bye bye spammer." Yesterday we had someone come to the door trying to promote ADT. Right when I shut the door I hear Ella say, "bye bye spammer." We got a kick out of that! She said the same thing when the neighbor pulled out of the driveway today. 

She has also become obsessed with my parents neighbor, Kevin. She likes to watch what he is doing. She will stand in their yard and look over at his house and say, "Hi Kevin", "bye bye Kevin"  "cut grass Kevin." It cracks me up. Friday night we ate at Hacienda, and when the waitress walked off Ella said, "bye bye Kevin." haha 

She picks up on stuff so fast now. Her favorite thing to say is, "I do it." She is getting so independent and wants to do everything on her own these days. She definitely has a little mind of her own! 

We had a pretty uneventful weekend. Friday night the three of us went to Hacienda. We had to make a quick trip to Target on the way home to get some baby wipes, because I was completely out. I don't know how I let that happen. That was a first. Saturday I got my hair highlighted and cut while my mom and dad watched Ella.  Poppy and Nana (Adam's dad and step-mom) and Lacey came over to eat pizza and cupcakes with us in the afternoon. Poppy is retiring from teaching this year after 40 years. That is a LONG time. I can't even imagine. He isn't the type of person to just sit around so I know he will keep busy even though he won't be working. They have some plans for expanding, "Bertram Feed and Supply." 

Ella had a really good time playing with them. She gets a big kick out of Poppy. All he had to do was look at her, and she will start laughing. It might have something to do with the fact he can wiggle both of his ears. I still have yet to figure out how to do this, but maybe one day I'll be able to. We had a fun time visiting with them this weekend! 

Bathing suit beauty

Excuse the drool, her last molars are coming in! 

Picky, picky

Since it has been HOT the past few days I decided it was a good time to break out the sprinkler and baby pool. Unfortunately, Ella is not a fan of the sprinkler. She wasn't last year, and she is not this year either. 

Ella loves water, but it has to be just the right temperature for her to really enjoy it. Today I got her a new pool that has a little slide, and a tube you throw balls in. Those are two of her favorite things. I was hoping they would take her mind off the cold water. 

It worked! She loved it, and she didn't even seem to mind the water. Now all I hear is "swimming" "slide" "balls". What have I done!? 

Her feet are touching cold water. It's a miracle! :) 

So cute!

Most little girls love to wear their mommy's shoes, but Ella loves to wear her daddy's!

Daddy's shoes

Aren't those the cutest legs you have ever seen!? 

Ella put on Adam's shoes in our closet the other day and walked over to the window to watch our neighbor cut grass. Luckily, she stood there long enough so I could get a picture!