Itsy, Bitsy Pider

So Ellie loves to sing - she always has. But lately, she's wanted to get in my lap and go through her repertoire, especially before going to bed. We are onto her - believe me - the girl's got game and we know it! We don't let it get out of hand; but it is really cute. First, we sing "Jesus, I know", which translated means "Jesus Loves Me"! Then "Itsy, Bitsy Pider", "Patty Cake", "Head, Toes" (the poor shoulders and knees always get left out!) and we finish with "Jesus, I know" again! It's so cute. For all of them but "Jesus Loves Me", she sits straight up to do the motions; but for that one, she lays her head on my chest every time. And I just eat it up! We've sung that one since she was a baby - it was the only thing that would calm her sometimes. Recently, due to preschool, "We Give Thanks" and "Happy and you know it" have made the short list of favorite songs by Ellie. We'll let you know when the first CD has been cut!

Go 'Noles!

It was a record crowd for Alltel Stadium - most of them Garnet & Gold; you couldn't tell though, until we started the chop!

It's been a while since I have been able to go to an FSU football game - three years! So, when friends bought a section of tickets back in the Spring and invited us to go, we jumped on it. Brian and I traveled with great friends Mike and Rachel Dasher to my old stomping grounds of Jacksonville to watch FSU roll over Alabama - wahoo! We left Ellie in the expert care of her grandparents and left Saturday morning for a short road trip down I-10. We decided to get our food for the tailgate at a Publix once we got to town, so of course I was excited to try to find the one closest to downtown and help with directions. (me?, help with directions?, no...!) Anyways, I chose the Fort Caroline Road Publix as the closest and easiest to get to. (Mom and Dad, you would not believe how run down University Blvd. approaching Ft. Caroline is.) Well, no sooner had we turned into the shopping center, than I saw a Blue Boy Sandwich shop across the street! We LOVED Blue Boy when we lived there and I'd told Brian before about the legendary size of the sandwiches. So, everyone was in agreement that we had to get our sandwiches there. I was hoping that it was still good! It was - everyone was very happy with their selections. The only problem was that it seemed to be a Gator establishment; but sometimes you have to compromise! Brian and I had a great time enjoying friends, food, fellow Seminole fans and the game. It was definitely worth it and we'll do it again with the Dasher's anytime!

Ellie's Two!

Auntie Steph made this cute apron!

Ellie on her first Birthday - WOW! (Auntie Rachel made this dress!)

Well, we've survived another year! Just kidding - more like Ellie survived us! This year was awesome! We cannot believe how much she's grown up since her first birthday. Who would have known that so much development takes place in one year. I think we're more astounded with the second year than the first. Probably because it feels like more mental growth has happened this year. She's definitely a little girl who can run, climb, talk quite clearly and carry on conversations - somewhat! And think, man does she think about stuff. I think I may have met my match. Her brain is always processing. With the first year, there's more physical growth and changes; but they still seem like a baby at age one. Not so this year. We had a party with all her friends the Monday before her birthday. Everyone had fun playing at a local park. I was too preoccupied to get many pictures - sorry:( Then, I took cupcakes to her class on her birthday. This was a true Mommy moment to me - that I am actually taking cupcakes to my daughter's school for her birthday! I just love it!! That night, we celebrated with my mother in love, Dianne, and Tom since Dianne's birthday is the day before Ellie's. We had yummy dinner and opened more presents. Ellie had the greatest time opening gifts and having 'Happy Birthday' sung to her over and over. There is no doubt that she understands what birthdays are now. To a two year old, birthdays mean singing 'Happy Birthday', getting presents and eating cupcakes - sounds good to me!

To see more pictures, Click Here.

School Girl!

I apologize that this is a little late. Ellie started school almost a month ago and I'm just now showing you pictures:( She goes three days a week to our church's Mother's Morning Out, which at Wildwood is a 2-3 year old preschool. The days she goes are actually the days that I work so we just ride together, I sign her in and then walk down to my office to work. How great is that?! These pictures are from her first day. She loves her backpack and lunchbox (a little pink elephant - gotta love PBKids!). Her teachers, Mrs. Janet and Mrs. Bo love her too. They say she's always happy and very smart. Of course, that makes Brian and I quite proud! Within the first week, she already knew all the kids names in her class (there are 8) and the rest of the teachers from the other classes. Her favorite thing to do in the car is ask where everyone is, by name! So, we now include her classmates and her teachers. "Where's Miss Bo, Mommy?" "Mommy, where's Miss Bo?" "Where's Jeremiah, Mommy?" "Where's Emma Grace?" "Where's Miss Janet?" Of course, she always asks where are daddy, Ryan, Lucy, Auntie Steph, Uncle Jimmy, Uncle Jon, Grandma, Grandpa, Papi, Abuela, the list goes on and on. It gets tiring; but I've learned to ask her where they are and she usually has the right answer! Can you tell I'm a proud Momma??!!! She definitely did not start school a minute too early and we're so thankful for the God-fearing instruction she's getting.