When pigs fly

Ellie: "Hurry! Hurry! Close da door! We don't want my pig to fly away!"

Big Sister Quote of the Day XLII

Mommy: Please don't hit Addie with that toy.
Ellie: Why?
Mommy: Because it's a hard toy and it might hurt her.
Ellie: Don't worry. If I hurt her, it will be an ask-a-nick and I will say I'm sorry!

Wow Addie!

Today marks the first day I leave my young baby in one room and she comes looking for me in another room, down the hallyway! You go baby!

Raising two beautiful souls

Remember this stinkin' cute picture that I posted the other day? It also happens to be the one in the center of my background. I haven't been able to stop staring at it since.

Sometimes I take a photo where I feel like it portrays my daughter's personality perfectly (can't explain it) and I can't stop staring at it. That's the first one of Addie that makes me feel that way.

I'm not sure when I first felt this way about a photo of Baby Ellie. When I go back and look through old photos, this is the one that stands out. But it's hard to say. I certainly didn't have the same perspective about it as I do now.

With Ellie, because I didn't know what was in store, I always assumed that her personality was present in every picture. For some reason, with Addie, I'm aware of the fact that a child's personality really starts to blossom when they can start exploring the world on their own. How else can you really get a glimpse into what a person is like unless you see how they take in the world around them?

It's an exciting moment for me. I wish I could describe it better. What is it about certain photos that make you not only appreciate the moment but also makes you excited for what the future has in store? There are those rare photos that make me realize that I'm raising two beautiful souls. And sometimes, regardless of the honor, I have a hard time grasping its full significance.

Ellie's first fireworks

This is actually a story told to me by my husband (so excuse me if I paraphrase or get the exact words wrong - Michael, feel free to add to the list and I'll edit my post). I wish I had been a part of it, but I had to go home early to allow Addie to sleep at a decent time. However, Ellie stayed at the BBQ with Daddy, Nana and Grandpa. We made a big deal out of the fact that it would be a really special treat for her to stay up past her bed time so that she could see the fireworks. Unfortunately it rained most of the evening, though they were lucky enough to steal a concession tent to hide under. The fireworks were scheduled for 9:30 (Ellie's normal bedtime is 8:00) but they didn't start until around 10:00.

While waiting for them to start, here is a sampling of their conversation:

Ellie: I'm so tired. Can I go to sleep, Daddy? For a couple of mindents?

Ellie: We can wait for the fireworks for a couple more mindents. If dey don't come in a couple more mindents den we can go home. I will tell you when a couple more mindents is up. OK?

Daddy: I hope the fireworks will come soon!
Ellie: NO! Don't say dat! If you say dat den dey won't come!

Apparently once the fireworks started, Ellie was in complete awe for about 5 minutes, at which point Daddy asked her if she was ok. That only opened the flood gates and she talked non-stop for the rest of the evening:

Ellie: Dose people over dere are sad because dey are cold.
Daddy: That's because they're getting wet from the rain.
Ellie: Dey are sad but it's ok because the fireworks are pretty!

Ellie: I'm going to tell Brynn about the fireworks. And Miss Stacey. And Miss Kim. And Mommy. And Add-line. And Gramma. And... And...

Once they got home, Ellie told me all about the fireworks:

Ellie: I just get scared and Bun Bun will keep me safe. I just told Nana dat Bun Bun will keep us safe.

Ellie: It was cold but I stayed up all by myself!

Ellie: And dere were blue ones and red ones and white ones and green ones and blue ones and green ones and lellow ones and white ones and red ones and lellow ones and blue ones and green ones... and... and... yeah.

Ellie: And den we saw lots and lots of dem at the same time and dat means it was over.

Ellie: And when da people cheer, dat means it is over.

Wordless Wednesday XLVII

Sing Sing

I've never been much for fashion (gasp!) but I do own one pair of shoes that I spent $100 on. For anyone who knows me, this may come as a big surprise. After all, wasn't it just the other day that my sister complimented me on a pair of shoes that are literally 13 years old???

Anyway, these shoes are magical shoes. I bought them for one purpose only - swing dancing. I used to dance until my legs felt like they would fall off. I would never stop to take a break because I knew that if I did then I would not be physically capable of walking myself home. I loved it. These shoes have danced many dances and they are by far the most comfortable things I own. Well worth the money.

Through the years I stopped dancing (for various reasons, none of which are worth noting) and my happy shoes just sat in my closet. For years. For over a decade (oh god). I couldn't bring myself to give them up but I couldn't wear my dancing shoes just anywhere. It wasn't until I was pregnant with Addie and complaining about how all my shoes (even the trusty comfy crocs that got me through my pregnancy with Ellie) were uncomfortable, that my husband finally convinced me to wear my magic shoes again . He pointed out that they weren't doing me any good in the closet and I might as well enjoy their comfort again.

So I did it. I started wearing my dancing shoes to work. Gasp! I even wore them to walk across the parking lot! And I was quickly reminded of how comfy they were. It was like an old friend tugging on my shirt saying, "Hey, remember me?"

But it wasn't until this previous weekend when we went to a 4th of July BBQ/party that I remembered the life I felt when I was dancing in my shoes. It was just a coincidence that I was wearing them but as soon as I heard the big band playing, memories of my swing dancing years came rushing back.

And as soon as that song came on, I had to start dancing with the nearest person, who happened to be my daughter who I was holding in my arms. Sing Sing. There is no other song that affects me like it. Sing Sing. It makes my blood pulse and my feet dance. It brings me to life. And this time, it brought the most wonderful smile to my daughter's face.

Much of the next hour was spent with the other people at our table being entertained by this one choosing to eat 4 pickles instead of any veggies or fruit and her big sister, who chose to eat her hot dog bun by itself and THEN her hot dog. My reaction to Sing Sing must have hit strong for Ellie because she eagerly told me which songs she liked and made sure to point out every couple who was dancing to the music. I think she understood that there was something about this kind of music that made it special for Mommy. She'd even throw in a chair dance here and there.

At one point, the older man sitting next to me told me that it was a real treat for him to watch us. He said that he could tell that Michael and I were in sync with our children and that it was obvious that they knew they were loved. He said that they both seemed so happy that they're sure to turn out secure and confident. Little did he know that his words were only matching the feelings I had inside my head, dancing a little jig to the beat.

After we ate our dinner, we danced some more, which always ends up with lots of twirling. I'm thinking that it's impossible for a 3 year old to dance without a good twirl.
And no twirling is worthy unless you can't stand up afterwards. At least a 3 year old knows how to do it right!

My evening was short (had to take the little one back home for bed) but it was a magical evening for me. There are times when I miss my swing dancing days, but having an opportunity to dance with my daughters brought back that energy that I felt when my shoes really were dancing shoes. And seeing the joy come over them that you can see, not only in their smiles, but in their eyes and body language, and you can hear it in their squeals... well let's just say I don't miss those days much anymore. Sing Sing still has it. I still have it. My daughters have it. A love for life and it's all good.

Which princess is the most patriotic?

Snow White, of course!Sure, Sleeping Beauty is everyone's favorite. She's cute and all, not to mention pink, but can we say "CLA-ASH!"But Snow White... now there is a princess who knows how to rock the red white and blue!On the other hand, there is something to be said for going au-natural and defining your own type of princess.And sometimes a princess just has to say, "Screw the red white and blue," and that's ok too. Just as long as you do it with class.Regardless, every princess is kind, helpful, full of smiles and likes to spend time outdoors and that's exactly what we did for the 4th of July.Happy 4th of July to all the common folk out there. =)

Big Sister Quote of the Day XLI

While staying home because she was sick...

Ellie: Mommy? Where's my sistery?
Mommy: She's at school.
Ellie: But why?
Mommy: Because she's not sick.
Ellie: But I miss her. Can we go get her? Please?

And she's off!

Do you see this adorable little girl, who is totally rocking the Pebbles do? Well, ladies and gentlemen, she has finally convinced me that she knows how to crawl. I do use the term "crawl" a little loosely, but that's why I also included the word "finally."
If nothing else, at least she is determined...
She quickly gets into a crawling position, looking quite confident, I must say.
Then comes the first step! Sometimes it's even followed by another step or two. I've seen her crawl at least 4 steps, enough to trick any fool into thinking she's got it down.
But alas, without fail she falls onto her tummy. The audience lets out an audible "awww" thinking she has given up.
But no! It was only a trick! She hasn't given up yet! Crawling is over-rated, but swimming - now that's a great mode of transportation! Add determined grunts all the way across the room and we have our very own baby seal.
To the untrained eye, it seems that she has failed in her attempt to crawl,
But she gets around and that's all that matters anyway. If in the end, we need to start worrying about the baby gate at the top of the stairs, then we call her attempts a success.
And we're all entitled to feeling proud for our accomplishments, right? Who is to stay what's the right and wrong way to do something? When you see her face, you know she is proud. You know she accomplished greatness and she knows it too.

And now, without further ado, sit back and enjoy the show...