Today I gave Ellie an early Christmas present to keep her busy while I wrapped presents during Josie's nap time. It was a little magnetic set with lots of different shapes. I wasn't even in the basement but a few minutes when she was already calling for me to show me a "surprise." This is what she made:



She has been writing her name since she was two but I thought this was cute and creative!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The whole family has been hit with some bug so we have all been either sick or taking care of someone who was sick (or both!) the last couple of weeks. That's why there have not been any updates recently. Everyone seems to finally be on the mend so thank goodness for that.
Because of all the sickness going on, we ended up just staying home for Thanksgiving. It was actually nice because Eric and Ellie were able to make a super yummy vegan feast. We had all the traditional Thanksgiving fixings- just veganized. Make fun of our Tofurkey all you want, but it is delicious!! :)


making pumpkin pie


Grandma and Grandpa braved the sickness to stop for a quick visit and took this. We actually have very few family pictures so I am thankful for this.


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An Awwwww... Moment

You want to hear just how sweet Ellie is? When I asked her what she was thankful for, all she named were family members and friends! She just started naming everyone, starting with Josie and Charlie. :) I was expecting her to name things and instead she just named people!
And so then, I asked if there was anything else she was thankful for besides a person and you know what she said?

Love.

And when I asked if there was anything else, she said

All of our hearts.

And as if she hadn't melted my heart enough yet, she then said

And you know what else makes me smile? A great big hug and kiss!

And she threw her little arms around my neck in a big hug. It just doesn't get any sweeter...


I am so thankful for my family!!!




Here we all are...including Charlie this time :)

Catching Up

Here are a few more miscellaneous pictures and videos that I thought I would share.


Ellie pretending to "eat" Josie's fingers...always makes her laugh!



a really cool ship that Ellie built with Tinkertoys.



A couple pictures Ellie colored of her new love: Strawberry Shortcake


Ellie playing Mary Had a Little Lamb without the music.



A cute little tap dance by Ellie while dressed as Fancy Nancy.



The girls having fun in their boat.



Josie on Ellie's big wheel and calling for her to show her. She says Ellie like Eh-eeee.



Josie playing "peek-a-boo" after we saw a toy that said it.

Family

Ellie, Daddy, Josie, Mommy (Charlie was "in the mudroom.")



A rare moment of all three of them holding still long enough to capture together on camera!

I love finding Ellie's notes and drawings around the house. She is getting better and better at spelling and usually only has to ask me how to spell something once before she's got it and starts writing it regularly. Here are a few things I've been able to take pictures of before they get erased or heavily taped into envelopes that I'm "not allowed to open."





Ellie loves Mommy and Daddy and Sara and Silas and Josie and Uncle Ike.


Picture of Daddy with his new haircut and the glasses he was wearing that day. She even drew a goatee :)








Ellie told me that this is "Sara and me...best friends forever."


and this is a sad cookie "because he didn't get into anybody's tummy..."


More to come later!

Art Box

Ellie is always asking to do "projects" so we picked out this blank treasure chest for her to paint and use as an art box. She spent two whole hours working on this thing and it turned out gorgeous! She did every single bit of it herself, even the placement of the stickers. She is so proud of it and I am too!
(Watch the video below and try to guess whether painting makes her happy or not.)

Telling Stories

Once upon a time there was a little kid baby Ellie...who was doing a walk...then they had a bubble that got them...and then she got stepped in a water puddle and she got all dirty...and that's how it ends, the end.

Artist

I love how peaceful and confident she is while painting.