Shopping/Bubbles/Fun at the Park

The week Josh and I took turns being off...he took Monday off and Friday off. I took Tuesday and Thursday...and Grandpa and Gigi got Wednesday! Ella had a busy week! Monday - Josh took Ella to the "Car Doctor" - which was really an oil change. Then they got lunch and came to my work and we ate lunch together. Josh had plans of taking her to Amazement Square...but when they got there...they were closed...turns out they are closed on Mondays. Tuesday was my turn...Ella and I went to Target! Oh boy...we got into trouble there too...we didn't tell Josh all we bought...but such good deals couldn't be passed up! I figured I am saving us money in the long run! :) I bought Ella a bunch of clothes for next summer. After that excitement we couldn't spend any more money so we came home! :) Wednesday was Grandpa and Gigi's day...they came and met me at my work...where we switched the car seat and they took Ella for the day. They went to the park, went and fed the big fish at the lake, went swimming and to sweet frog...

Thursday was my day again...Ella and I went to my work for a bit so I could teach the new manager how payroll works...then we picked up lunch and went and ate at Josh's work...after lunch one of his co-workers came with us and we went to Rita's again for a sweet treat! On the way home I was going to take Ella by the pet store as she was asking to go see the bunnies...and even though it was just down the road from where we were...she was already asleep...so we just came home...of course that nap in the car was just enough of a power nap that she never took a real nap when we got home....she just kept going and going and going! Friday was Josh's day...they did go to Amazement Square finally...and they went and ate lunch at Josh's work. Needless to say...Ella was kept busy!

Last Sunday after church we went to the park for a cook-out with friends...it was hot! However we did have fun!

Last week was a busy busy week again. On Friday Josh left to go to Indianapolis for a motorcycle race for the weekend...so it was Ella and I allllll weekend...whew! I'm tired out...I need a weekend to recover from my weekend! Saturday we went to Roanoke...we picked up Gigi and went shopping and out to lunch....oh and a train ride through the mall! On the way back to Gigi's house...Ella piped up from the back...what about dessert? I didn't have any dessert yet! (which by the way she doesn't get dessert everyday but the waitress at the restaurant asked if we wanted any dessert...Ella remembered that!) So we got Sweet Frog and brought it back to the house so Grandpa could have some too! We stayed at their house for about an hour or so...then Ella and I headed back....which she slept the whole way home! :) Ahhhh....a little quiet time!

Today Ella and I went to the early service...8:30 for church..I was helping in nursery. Ella went to children's church...she has done such a great job going to church...no hesitation whatsoever...just goes right in! After church...Ella requested Target! Then grocery shopping then home. Today was kind of overcast...so we decided to stay put....plus I had a lot of housework to do! Which...Ella insisted on helping me with! So we cleaned the floors, vacuumed, and cleaned the bathrooms...oh and laundry.

Ella got some new goldfish...princess goldfish....good marketing huh? :)

 

We've had a few mild nights...which Ella always asks to play outside or eat outside...so we had one night a picnic on the deck....and another night played with some bubbles....

 

Hard to believe the weekend is over and it's already time for the week to begin! In that case...there are more clothes to be folded tonight!

July

So where I left off....July 4th....we got our sparklers...and went over to Wayne and Fallon's for a cook-out on the 5th...

Ella was scared of the fireworks and sparklers that we did....it was fine if she was far away...I FINALLY convinced her to hold a sparkler...it took a lot of persuasion...

Josh has gone out of town once in the past few weeks to Norfolk to be a hearing in court. He'll be gone for 2 days this week for a training in D.C.

We've been grilling every weekend....we've done steaks, burgers and boneless spare ribs....and Ella has tried them all....her favorite is the burgers. I usually split one with her as she won't eat a whole one...I'm impressed she eats them...we always do them "black and blue"....so pepper and blue cheese and she still eats it!

Ella has been begging me for a while to paint her nails...so we finally got some nail polish...she requested blue...like Elsa (from Frozen)....

So early one morning right after breakfast....I painted her nails!

I took this past Friday off (our sitter is on vacation)....and Ella and I had a fun day....we went to the playground at church...then we went and met Josh for lunch (Ella's first taste of Chinese food....she liked the sesame chicken the best)...then we went to Rita's....which I guess is Italian ice and custard...which was good! Ella like the custard the best...wasn't a huge fan of the Italian ice...it was our first time trying it out...then Ella and I went to Target...we had a very busy day!

I got an email a few weeks ago about Romp and Roll (Ella used to go there a few years ago when she was younger...) they were having a FROZEN party.....well I knew Ella would love that...so I called and signed her up! I didn't tell her about it until Friday afternoon...as I knew she would talk about it non-stop (I was right...she did ask about it non-stop right up until the party!)

It was very very cute...they did a great job with it...they had a "snowball" fight, played with musical instruments, jumped in the bouncy house, painted a picture frame, got to have a frozen treat, all kinds of great fun...Ella had a blast...and was not ready to leave! I think she would have stayed all afternoon if she could have!

That has really been our last couple of weeks! Work, work, and work....some fun on the weekends...we did go to Amazement Square last weekend....and tried a new restaurant in town...Zaxby's...it's chicken. Glad that we tried it...it was ok...probably wouldn't choose to eat there again. And Ella helped make brownies last weekend...she was very excited to help. She's in a helping phase right now...she helped me clean today.

Tomorrow is work for me...and Josh is home with Ella....Tuesday we'll trade. I could get used to having days off during the week...I miss that!

Bike Rides/Fair/Disney

We officially have started our Disney fund....hoping for 2016...Ella will be 5...Josh ordered a DVD all about planning your Disney vacation....and we watched the whole thing this morning :) It got us excited for Disney!

Last weekend we took Ella for her first bike ride...she's been on it a few times...but this was her first real bike ride....it was very short...and Josh pretty much had to hold onto the front the entire time...she doesn't have the steering part down yet!

 

She did a pretty decent job pedaling...by the end she said..."my legs are tired!"

This week a friend of ours had their first baby...so we went and saw them in the hospital the day she was born..Josh and I took turns staying with Ella in the waiting room as children are not allowed to go back...which worked out just fine....we're going over to see them at home tomorrow...so Ella will get to meet Baby Peyton!

Today is July 4th....we had a fairly low-key day...in the morning we actually went to the mall! I wanted to go TJ Maxx....and Bath and Body Works....then we came home and had lunch....then we decided we would go to the Salem fair as it was a little cooler today....but it was still about 85...no breeze, in the bright sun....it was a little toasty! We stuck it out for about 2 hours....then decided we were done. We watched the pig races, and went to the petting zoo....the two big highlights for Ella...and her and her daddy shared a funnel cake....she was all about that! After the fair we went to dinner and then headed home...Ella didn't take a nap at all the entire day...and she talked the WHOLE way home...I thought she would be out like a light once in the car....but noooo! So she was getting towards meltdown time...we weren't risking it....we came home instead of going to see fireworks....but we actually bought some small sparklers and little fireworks that we are going to do tomorrow.

And it's a 3 day weekend...I love it! Tomorrow Josh is going shooting bright and early....and then he's in a shooting competition on Sunday...we're going to go check out the local farmers market...I say it every Saturday that I want to do that and forget about it and remember it after they are already closed. That and cleaning is on my agenda tomorrow!

The past few weeks....

Let's see....

I left off at our anniversary....did I mention Josh surprised me with a new Michael Kors purse...good job Josh! ;)

Last weekend Ella stayed up probably the latest she has in a reallllly long time! It was our friend, Ivy's, birthday....so a group of us went to La Caretta for dinner and then to our friends house for a bonfire with s'mores....well you know it stays light out so late these days...I forgot to pay attention to the time! :) Then Ella laid on me and said, "I'm tired..." I looked at the time...almost 10:30...yikes! Well yes little girl you are tired! So we packed up and headed home to get her in bed! She did sleep in the next morning until about 8:30...then I got her up and ready as we headed to church and then to the lake for Father's Day....

Ella got a little braver with her car....she still won't push the pedal as it makes noise..but she was all about sitting in it and pushing it around! (with help from her Grandpa)

We went to the pool...which was lots of fun...followed by some ice cream at Sweet Frog...and thennn Ella crashed....just about 4:00-4:30....and she had a meltdown but was asleep within 5 minutes!

Ella's sitter moved last week....so this past week was the first week in her new house....she moved further away....yuck....I logged my miles one day to see how much I drove...73 miles total in 1 day...I said that's it...I'm ready to move to the other side of Lynchburg.

This weekend was a little quieter....yesterday I dropped Josh and Ella off to go to Amazement Square while I went and did the grocery shopping...that worked out great...she got to play for about an hour and half while I got all the groceries. We went to the pet store later on in the day...always fun to look around...Ella said her favorite thing was the kittens and the snakes! We walked around Best Buy too...we've been contemplating putting a TV downstairs in our bedroom....we "window shopped" but didn't take the plunge yet.  I did 7 loads of laundry in the past two days...how does 3 people have that much! Between all the bedding, clothes, towels, dog bed and blanket, and the blankets in the living room....it added up quick! I was doing some major cleaning today....I've slacked the past few weeks...so I was getting caught up...and I said...I really want to watch, "The Proposal"....so we did while Ella napped....I absolutely LOVE that movie....we don't watch many movies....but I'm pretty sure I have seen that one at least 5 times...I love it!

Oh yeah....can't remember if I said this or not...Ella had her 3 year old check-up...she did great. I absolutely love her pediatrician! She really put Ella at ease...she was running with her (as she wanted to see her walk/run) she tickled her belly when she was feeling her belly....she "played" with Ella the entire time while doing the examination....I was very pleased with her. Ella is 37 inches tall...and 27.8 pounds...a little on the small side :) However, according to her growth chart she is doing good...Dr. Gagen said that she has always been a little small but she's growing! I just can't say enough good things about Dr. Gagen!

Tonight we played with some sidewalk chalk....

 

We all had fun playing with it!

Josh is on a Disney kick....researching it all....maybe we'll start planning our Disney vacation sometime in the near future! :)

 

Birthday/Vacation/Anniversary!

Whew...we've packed a lot into the past 3 weeks!

Ella is now 3...whew where does the time go?? She holds up three fingers...and asks..."Mama am I three now?" She's a very busy girl! Just about fully potty trained...it's a work in progress! She told me the other day (after having an accident)..."Mama I am learning. You don't need to be sad that I had an accident...I'm just learning how to use the big girl potty." We're getting closer! She's very much a routine girl (she gets that from me!) I always carry her in the morning from her bed into the kitchen...yesterday she told me that she didn't need me to carry her...because she was 3 now...she was a big girl who can walk by herself...I told her that she was never too old for me to carry her and get cuddles! She's all about FROZEN! She has pj's, a puzzle, sticker book, an Anna doll, 2 pairs of Frozen socks, a t-shirt, and a beach towel...I think that covers it all....she loves it! She sings, "Let it Go" on a daily basis...running up and down the hallway...sometimes Josh runs up and down the hallway with her singing too! :) I need to get that on video! ;)

We also went on vacation....to Cape May, NJ. That was a lot of fun. With Josh's family....parents, his sister and all of her family. We had such a nice time....we went to the beach, pool, the boardwalk, a really nice zoo, a pirate cruise, a lighthouse, an aviation museum, and got to eat some good seafood. It was a great week that went by so fast!

Ella played great with her cousins! She loved having little playmates! They even played dolls with her! She wasn't a huge fan of the ocean...stuck her toes in it the first day...and then that was it! Was scared of the waves chasing her!

Now it's back to reality....work, work, work! We got back from vacation on a Saturday...and the very next morning bright and early Josh had leave to go to Myrtle Beach for the week for a conference for work.

Ella has moved up to the 3 year old class at church...last week was her first week...there were tears....this week she walked right in and was just fine....Josh said, "wow, that was a much easier transition then I thought it was going to be."

It's our 8 year anniversary today...wow! Time has gone by fast! I stopped and picked up steaks for the grill for dinner. We also put a pepper and onion on the grill....and had some Chedder Biscuits...followed by cheesecake....yum! Now it's back to eating salads everyday! :)

It's been busy...and summer just started!

Way Overdue!

Whew...where does the time go??

It's been a whirlwind of much of the same things....work, work, work....a few weeks ago on a Saturday morning I was tied up with a baby shower for my friend who is due with her first baby in July. Josh played "Daddy Daycare" for a few hours while I was there (I was helping set up/clean up...hard to have Ella with me for that)....so after the shower...we switched...I got Ella while Josh went golfing with some of his friends. Ella and I went grocery shopping and then home for a nap! Once Ella got up...we watched...what else...FROZEN!

Last weekend we went to the lake for Mother's Day....for a quick lunch and then an afternoon out on the lake!

Ella did fantastic on the boat....she was a little leery at first of the wind....but got over that pretty quick....she liked the waves...she liked being able to walk around...and she loved looking out at the front.

An early birthday celebration was also done....and Ella made out well! And she got her favorite....

 

It's a little blurry....but it's FROZEN pajamas....she was thrilled!

Funny Ella antics over the past few weeks....

She loves to sing the Frozen songs....so she runs up and down the hall with her blanket like a cape singing, "Let it go!!!!" When she had on her Frozen pjs she walked up to the tv and was talking to Elsa...saying, "look I have you on my shirt!" 

One day this week Ella and I were playing outside...Josh had torn apart our oven (the bottom element burned out so we had to order a new piece...and it took a week to get it! Being without an oven is hard!)....so Ella and I were outside staying out of Josh's way...we took the puppies out. Ella kept running on the sidewalk and I told her not to run on the sidewalk she was going to fall...so after about the 10th time of me saying that....what happens....she falls on the sidewalk...drama galore! Thankfully she had capri's on so her knee had been somewhat protected by her pants...but sure enough...still scraped it up...a very small scrape...so she has tears....I carry her inside and I clean it up (after her Daddy gets to see it first)....and I put some neosporin on it....and a little pink Cinderella band-aid....well for the rest of the night she's hobbling around...and let me just say that this was the tiniest scrape ever!! The next day she wakes up grumpy and still hobbling around....we get to the sitters house..and I tell Beth what happened and Ella is still being sour....well the kids that were there were like....can we see it? can we see it?? Ella hobbles over to the living room and sits down and all the kids sit around her...she pulls up her pant leg...and the kids are oohing and aahing over her band-aid....asking her questions..and she was just soaking it right up....it was sooo funny! I wish I could have recorded it!

We have been working on the potty training pretty hard....and we're having some good success....even a few hours have been spent in "big girl panties"....and she thinks she is so special by getting to wear those....we're working on it!

Ella is getting a DVD player and some movies for part of her Birthday gift (a portable DVD player for the car)....I got Cinderella and The Little Mermaid....now she'll be even more into Disney Princesses! However we figured those things would be good for longer car rides....as vacation is coming up VERY soon!

Ella keeps us on our toes that is for sure! She's always making us laugh...this is a fun stage....she just says the funniest things sometimes! 

Well I need to work on my grocery list for tomorrow...Josh brought home a lot of venison that his co-worker gave him....now I need to find some recipes...I don't know what to do with venison?? 

Frozen...and More

I forgot to post this a few weeks ago....a great article about Josh's office....

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/9da8872b#/9da8872b/106

So...Frozen has taken over our house....I mean....really taken over! Ella LOVES it. She watches it any chance she can get (usually in the morning when I am getting ready for work she gets to watch it a little bit...and maybe a little bit before bed)....and a lot of times it will be on but she'll be coloring or playing lego's while it's on....but the main song..."Let it Go"...she is up and dancing and singing....it's so cute!

Josh had to work late Friday night (night qualifications)...so he worked until 11....and then was up at 5:30 to head into work...he actually was supposed to work at the office but got roped into working an event....they did a "Child ID" event at the Chocolate Festival on Saturday...so Ella and I decided we would go visit him there....we walked around and got to see Alpaca's...Ella jumped for a few minutes in a Bounce House...we ate lunch...then went to Sweet Frog for Frozen Yogurt...Ella got a balloon...she was having fun! After we did that we went to the grocery store....I thought for sure she would fall asleep in the car on the way home...but she didn't! We got home around 3:45...I carried everything in and put her down for a nap...and she was in her room playing...she was playing in her bed...but I could hear her talking...then Josh came home...so I just let her get up since she was clearly not going to sleep....a few minutes later we made plans to go to the park with friends. They picked up dinner and we met them over there...the boys all played "Disc Golf."....Golf with frisbee's?? The girls walked the path...and then we came across a playground that Ella spotted and wanted to go on! It was made for 5-12 year olds is what it said on it....so it was a little big for Ella...I had to help her on everything...she wouldn't go down the slides...she was too scared....but she had fun climbing on everything! She finally got into the bed around 8:45...and she was GROUCHY! It was past bedtime!

I had to wake her up this morning...we were going to the early service as Josh had to work again today. I needed to get her up and have a bath before church. After church Josh went to work...and Ella and I went to Target...mainly to just walk around....something to do! Ella loves to play with the toys..and she is actually fine playing with the toy and then putting it back on the shelf....and by play...I mean she picks it up and looks at it...and if she can push a button on it she will...and then onto the next toy...works for me! Then...the best part...she took a 3 hour nap! I was happy....she needed it! And I was happy to have some quiet time! Josh came home...and it was so nice out...we cooked dinner out on the grill...actually Josh did everything....prepared it and cooked it....we did Black and Blue burgers....they were good! I cut mine in half....for Ella and I to share...I put it on her plate...and she took one bite and spit it out...she was also eating cucumbers...dipping them in light ranch dressing...so Josh said...why don't you dip your burger into the ranch sauce...so she did....and said, "Oh I like that." Way to go Daddy! She ate her cheeseburger...dipped in ranch! Oh well...at least we got her to eat it!

We had weather in the 80's today....and tomorrow is only supposed to be 62 and rainy..yuck! At least we'll be at work!