Garage Makeover

BEFORE


AFTER


This week while Eric was out of town, I cleaned up the garage and set up a workshop in the corner as a surprise for his (upcoming) birthday. I think it's the most I've accomplished since Josie was born so it felt good!

Ellie and Josie during the clean-up. They did great!

Sisters






Cousins




Josie and Daddy




Family Photo




All these pictures were taken at my Grandma's 100th birthday. Happy Birthday Grandma!

Impromptu Picnic

The girls and I were at Target today when we came upon these three little girls having a picnic in the aisle. As soon as Ellie saw them, she ran right over and just plopped herself right down and asked "Can I play???". The girls just looked at her and giggled and spoke in another language. Ellie didn't even seem to notice that they didn't understand her and "I'm Ellie! Can I have a bowl please?". It was so cute! I just stood a little off in the distance and let her play for about five minutes. The little girls accepted her pretty quickly and soon they were all passing around the plates and drinking from their cups and being all cute and giggly like best friends! I would have loved to have taken video but I wasn't even sure if the father (who was lingering between the girls and the dressing room where I imagine the mother was) even understood when I asked if I could take a picture...
I just love the little social butterfly that Ellie is. She will never have a problem adapting to new situations or making friends (like I did when I was little) and that just makes my heart smile. :)

Serenade

After Ellie and I made pancakes this morning, I told her was time to help me clean up. I said "You can help by..." when she quickly interrupted and said

I know how I can help Mommy! I can play sweet songs for you on my guitar while you clean!

...and so she did get out of the cleaning and I got to clean to some (very) "sweet" music!

So Brave

I love how gymnastics has been encouraging Ellie to be more and more brave each time. Last week it was front rolls on a balance beam (that was taller than her!) and this week it was falling backwards. Ellie just trusted that she would be safe and just went for it! I love it!

Dancing Dr. Ellie

I want this kind of energy! (Even having a cold doesn't stop her!)

Ellie's Picnic

I love, love, love when I catch Ellie in the middle of imaginary play and can watch her without me knowing it. I love even more when I can capture it on camera!
This time she is setting up a picnic for all of her friends. It's so cute how she even put on her chef outfit by herself to serve them in. In this picture, she is giving "Cloudy" the monkey a banana. Too cute. :)