High Heels and "Toodles"

Yesterday we were at the store getting Andrew some plain ties for work. Ella came up to me with a box of assorted play tools and said, "Mom, can I have these 'toodles' to 'six' my 'chicken?" In translation, she wanted the tools to fix her kitchen. I could not resist knowing that she is always asking for Andrew's 'srewdriber' and she loves it when we let her play with it. However, Peter uses them more for weaponry and we can only let her if he's sleeping. So I figured these were a safer option anyway. Hey, they even came with safety goggles! We got home and she went straight to work. This morning, she woke up and said, "I can't find my toodle!" I had cleaned up and it was in a different spot. Well, I could not remember what she was talking about and she said it about 10 times before getting upset and saying, "The toodle for my chicken!!" OH YEAH! So sorry Ella, yes, the tools for the kitchen. I got them for her while she proceeded to put on her princess shoes and get to work again on the kitchen. So, while she loves tools and other things of tomboy nature, she makes me a proud mommy by working in her pink sparkly heels. 

Post 2 for August...maybe next month I'll do better...

The month has gone by and it seems like every day I think of things to put in the blog, but don't get around to it. Aunt Bekah came for a visit from August 9-15 and we had fun with her here. The kids made a habit of visiting her in the morning while she tried to get ready for her day. They sure enjoy company and Peter has said "Bekah" a few times since she was here. We have also been able to see Kasey quite a bit this month and the kids love it when she comes to see us too! Not to mention, I like the company just as much, if not more than they do :). I finished up baby sitting this month and the past week I have had to really think of things to do during the day, when before, leaving just wasn't much of an option. Both have their up and down sides. I got more done staying home, but it's fun to take the kids out. It's been so hot and humid here, but it's finally cooling off, and I pray it lasts. I'm over summer and ready for fall. While the month goes by quickly in terms of the date, some days I feel drag on forever. The kids are very busy and I am getting more tired as time passes. Peter is taking 1 nap now, and sometimes it's still pretty short. I think he dislikes sleep, as Ella usually sleeps for 2-3 hours in the afternoon and all night too. He's up sometimes at 6:30am and I don't like the hours before 7am much at all. He's a talking machine and it's so fun to hear him learn to say new things every day. Last night he said, "Pop pops" while talking to my dad on the phone and he pretty much repeats every word he can from Ella. She's been a good teacher and praises him when he says a new word. They have become friends and I love watching them play together. Sometimes it's fighting, but that's only normal. Yesterday, Ella tried to get in the play car with Peter and there was not enough room. I told her to stop pushing him and let him have a turn, but he took matters into his own hands by pushing her over and slamming the door shut. I guess sometimes they have to learn from each other too. He's quickly learning to hold his own and I find myself saying, "you two stop it!" a lot these days. 

Today, Ella told me, "I don't need lunch Mama, just chocolate." Ok, so what am I supposed to do about how cute that is? I did not just give her chocolate, but she's pretty cleaver to try I'll give her that much. She is saying all kinds of funny things lately. "Mommy and Daddy are potty trained just like Ella!" is one of my all time favorites. Peter repeated "Love you" yesterday and I remember when Ella first started to do that, my heart skips a beat and I don't want to put them down. 

Peter has a new haircut! Andrew and I held and clipped his hair about 2 weeks ago and  he seems to like getting it washed a lot better. I think it helps to keep him cool too outside. He's getting so grown up, I just want to bottle this time and save it. We spent some time at the park the other day. Peter and Ella love the park. It's hard for me to take them there because I have to climb all over and keep up with them in the heat, but soon they can go more as it will cool off and Peter can climb more on his own. I am 30 weeks pregnant this Saturday and it's hard to think about still having 10 more to go. The baby moves a lot and I like to feel him kicking around, but I'd like more to meet him in person. Still deciding on a name...it might be a while.

I'd better get to bed and attempt a decent night sleep as that is getting harder too :). 

Finally!!

These pictures ended up in reverse order, from May to July, but if you look at them from the bottom up, they're fine! This summer has flown by and I have been terrible about keeping up with this. Andrew had this weekend off and catching up on this was one of my goals. It feels good to get things accomplished. We have been to Alaska and back, I'm still babysitting, 6 more days then I'm done, my mom was here for 2 weeks, Andrew has been really busy with Orthopedics, and Peter is walking and talking. Ella stayed with my parents for a week after I left with Peter and I thought my house was so quiet! My little woman keeps me more company than I ever realized. Peter is busy, but not able to have a conversation yet. It's almost sad that his first real sentence has been, "Daddy's at work!" I'm working on others...like "mommy's the best." ha ha. Ella said yesterday, "Daddy and Mommy are potty trained just like Ella!" My life is never dull and the kids are keeping me busy. The pregnancy is going well so far still and I think we are all looking forward to fall time. Slower work for Andrew, cooler weather for us, and the arrival of a new family member...

Peter thinks that making a mess is the greatest thing since food. He says, "eat, bite, melon, cookie, berry, cracker, drink, cup and spoon," all related to his favorite time...meal time :).

At Lake Winonah with the Keller's.

More S'mores! What is summer without this delictible dessert? The kids are in their jams after swimming and I didn't think to bring clothes other than these. When we got home, the needed to change into clean ones since they managed to get dirt and marshmallow all over them :)

Grandma Paula and Peter. My mom flew back with Ella from Alaska and was here with us for 2 weeks. It's always so nice to have family here and we have been very blessed in that way. 

Peter and I relaxing and watching Ella and Daddy swim with Kasey and Matt Keller. 

Ella loved the lake and swimming with Daddy. 

Peter being silly at the lake. He really hated the splashing from the boats and swimming in the water. Maybe he will like it better next time, but he stayed next to me on the dock the whole time and played with rocks. 

25 weeks pregnant here. 

We found out on our 5 year anniversary that we are going to be having another BOY! We are really excited, I was a little shocked at first thinking of how I would raise 2 boys when Peter never stops and gets hurt all the time and thinks the toilet bowl is something amazing to put his hands in. He needs a brother though and Ella will always be my sidekick daughter. (Except when she's a teen and thinks I'm the worst ever.) When I told Ella there was a baby boy in my tummy, she said, "There's a boy in my tummy too, and in Bubba's and in Daddys." I said, "I think I can only handle ONE more baby boy, not four, but ok Ella." 

Ella had quite the stash of candy after a few floats went by at the Iron Heritage Parade. She was anxiously awaiting the next float with candy. She waved at all of them, but especially those with treats. It was a fun night for all of us. 

With grandma at the parade.

The family picture at the parade. 

 Last year when we went, Peter was only about 2 months old. Here he is excited and waving his little flag. 

Andrew likes to take the kids on bike rides. Peter has his own helmet now, he's not sure what to think of it, but it makes me feel better knowing he has it. The kids really like this trailer and it gives me a little break when they go out. This winter I am going to get a bike of my own with a little carrier for the new baby. I keep ending up pregnant when we think about getting a bike for me :).

The picture proof that my son loves my daughter's things. Her shoes are a new favorite of his.

I had to take this picture of Ella. She was sound asleep after coming back from Alaska. I missed her so much! I went to check on her and when I saw how much she has grown up and how beautiful she looked sleeping here, I ran for my camera. My little girl is turning into quite the kid. She's so gentile and caring, but she has this amazing ability to argue and tell you exactly what she is thinking. (Not sure where she gets this :). 

Peter loves reading books. He will stand by you with a book in his hand and say, "Up, book." His blanket and frog are often companions of his as well. This is my Grandpa Jim reading a book to him in Alaska. This book he got for Easter and he knows how to say "truck" "dog" "car" "train, choo choo" and "boat" from these pictures.

We went to the Zoo in Anchorage and the petting zoo was open that day. Ella is finally over her fear and thinks the animals are pretty neat. I should say, so long as they don't approach her. She still doesn't like dogs (Peter loves them), and she says a lot, "I like Kitty Cats." Peter says, "woof woof, gog, gog!" He loves all animals and animal sounds. We still aren't getting a dog no matter how cute this is. 

With the kids in Whittier.

This is Whittier, Alaska. The day this picture was taken, Peter took a big spill on a ramp with the stroller. It's not something I like to re-live, but I am thankful to God that he was alright and didn't end up in the ocean, strapped in a double stroller. He came away with a bloody lip, cut up hand and elbow, and scrapes on his head after the stroller flipped down the ramp. It made me realize how precious life is and reminded me how God's protection on my children is the only thing I can rely on. 

The cousins had a lot of fun together. We were at the park and this happened to be the best picture of the 3 of them. Ella misses her cousin Levi and talks about Alaska a lot these days.

My mom officially started the tradition of getting matching shirts and going on a girl's night out. We went to a movie at Bear Tooth. At least this year, the shirts didn't attract so much attention being different colors :).

My big boy with his new haircut just discovered that olives fit nicely on little fingers. 

This was our first night in Alaska June 18th, Peter's first haircut. Aunt Jenna gave Ella her first one too. I think we will keep up this tradition.

The kids love to chase bubbles, and now that Peter is walking better, it's more fun for both of them.

This picture was taken back in June at the Montour Preserve. I can't help but take pictures of her, she's so darn cute.

Peter loves to carry around Ella's purses and wear her shoes. This has been going on for some time now and it's pretty funny. My mom tells me that my brother did the same thing, so it makes me smile to see Peter doing it :).