Growing up

There have been several little moments lately where I've realized these two little ones are growing up. I won't lie - sometimes it's a relief. Sometimes it makes me sad, though.
Will is becoming more of a little guy every day. He's reading words, doing simple math problems, growing taller, and giving a little attitude (as you can see in the photo at the top. I asked them both to smile...that's what I got from Will.)
Is there anything cuter than a little boy with a new haircut?

Eleanor has decided she's had enough of the highchair and wants to sit at the table with us. She is conversing more. The other day she said several times in a very whispery voice "whass da sow?" [what's that sound?] any time a new sound occurred around the house. Her other multi-word phrase that has become a favorite: "I throwed it." She's loving books and tries to sing her ABC's. We only get "A, B, C, D, E, eh, G" then she just sorta makes sounds to the tune of the song. Will thinks this is hilarious and laughs every time she does it, which, of course, makes her laugh - and do it even more! They are generally getting along really well and learning to play together more. It's fun to watch them entertain each other.

Tubes, tubes, here we come!

After a visit to the ENT yesterday, Elle is now scheduled for tubes in a couple weeks. We're hopeful this will provide all of us some much needed relief!

Her ears actually looked good at yesterday's appointment and she did great with the hearing test, so that is nice. Of course, her nose was runny after we got home and that continued through the night. I'm so hoping this doesn't turn into an actual cold and the inevitable ear infection to follow!

Snow Days & busy January

All of a sudden, winter has hit here! We didn't have any snow before Christmas, but we've had 3 good rounds of it lately. KU even closed for 2 days!!!! Unbelievable! We're all still trying to get over colds, ear infections, etc. but we enjoyed the snow days nonetheless. It was fun for all 4 of us to be home together.

These pictures are from the snow a few weeks ago. If you look really closely you can see Will using the saucer he got for Christmas to slide down the very small hill in our front yard. He loved it! Poor Elle is still battling ear infections, so I haven't let her go outside and play yet. I have no doubt she would enjoy the saucer rides!

And these aren't really snow days, just cute pictures of Eleanor :) Though in the first one she does look like she's all bundled to take on some outdoor adventure!

January was very busy for us. Along with the start of a new semester and Justin's birthday, we've had several other events. We had 4 babysitters lined up for different occasions in a 2 week span! I think the kids are glad we're done with all that! Last weekend, we got all dressed up to go to our Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner and auction. Justin is now on the board of directors, so it was important for us to go. Thanks so much to Casie & my mom for watching the kids, and especially to my mom for staying overnight! Elle has not slept all night in weeks (thanks to ear infections) and the thought of an uninterrupted night of sleep in a hotel was more than we could turn down!

And finally, here is our most recent snow storm -- a blizzard really. In our 2 snow days at home we: watched "Mickey's Magical Christmas" because Will insisted it was "the best snow movie!", baked cookies (as E shows evidence of below), did yoga (you gotta see Elle try to do it - she's awesome!), played lots of games, built a fort (inside), painted, did art projects, made snow ice cream, and so much more. We are now ready to go back to work and school :)

Happy birthday, Justin!

Yesterday was Justin's birthday and we got to go on a date to Lawrence to celebrate! Would have been perfect had the Hawks won, but we still enjoyed our time together. Elle has been sick lately - battling ear infections. So, she's been at the doctor's Thursday, Friday & Saturday to get injections. The ear pain, cough, and insomnia from steroids has made her sleep rocky at best. She was so exhausted Saturday because she had so little sleep Friday night that she was just a mess. We got a little more sleep last night (it's all relative at this point) and she's in a happier mood today. We're keeping our fingers crossed that she'll sleep better tonight. That would be J's favorite birthday present, I'm sure!

Will picked out a present for Daddy -- a Snow White DVD. Thoughtful, don't you think? :)

Here's to a healthier, more restful week.

No pics - just updates

It's been awhile since I've updated on milestones and highlights. So, here it goes.
Will is great. He is learning more every day. We're reading Charlotte's Web chapter by chapter before bed each night. I'm not sure how much he's getting, but it's fun. Tonight as a I finished, he said, "Now, Mom, when you see a circle you stop. And when you see one of these [pointed to a comma], you pause for a just a moment." I swear I did not learn punctuation as a 4-year-old! He's delightful and happy most of the time. He wants to be outgrowing his nap, but we aren't so sure that's a good idea

Eleanor is growing up so fast! Her vocabulary has been booming the last couple months. She says so many things including many multi-word phrases. She has perfected the teenage "mooo-ooom"whine. All her teeth (minus the 2 year molars) are in, she's 26 lbs. 11 oz as of a couple weeks ago. We're working on keeping the pacifier and blankie bed only. (For what it's worth - I'd take a thumb-sucker over a binky-kid any day!!)
Ellie Kate is playful and daring - often trying to climb into her own high chair. Pretty much anything her big brother can do, she can do, too. She loves bath time. Watching the two of them splash at each other is a blast! I tend to get very wet, but it's so fun to watch them be so happy and have fun together. Elle loves babies. I don't know if this is intrinsic or what. I've purposely tried not to totally genderize my kids' toys. They both play with all kinds of things. And we are definitely not into princesses yet. But, I tell ya, that girl LOVES babies! She loves her baby friend and day care. She always has to give her hugs and kisses and say goodbye before we leave. She loves looking at babies' pictures in magazines or books. She's not huge into dolls, but occasionally she plays with them. Will be interesting to see how that plays out. Will was always so much more interested in adults and people older than him. (As evidenced by his imaginary friend whose age varies, but is always older. I learned his "big name" tonight: Jason William Best. I thought that was cute.

Enough for tonight. Just wanted to try to provide a little snapshot so I could remember later on.

Will's 2011 Interview

We did this last year, and I thought it was so fun. I asked Will some questions and have recorded his responses in blue. I added a few new questions this year. Next year, Elle will be able to participate, too!

Favorite color: red and green...and orange...and yellow
Favorite TV show: Scooby Doo
Favorite holiday: Halloween - where my birthday is!
Favorite food: chicken and macaroni & cheese
Favorite vegetable: Tomatoes!
Favorite drink: juice -- grape juice
Favorite toy: Buzz & Woody
Favorite game: my video game (see the Happy New Year post - I told you he loved it!)
Favorite book: my pink & blue chapter books (these are the Disney Storybook Collections)
Favorite restaurant: Double Dinos
Favorite animal: polar bears
Favorite movie: Toy Story 3
Favorite song: ABC's (he sings this to Elle when she's upset)
Favorite sport: hockey
If you could change your name, what would we call you instead of Will? Silly Squawker
Who is your best friend? Ms. B (his teacher)
Where should we go for a vacation this year? Monkey Bizness! I mean like the Big Monkey Bizness.
What would you like to be when you grow up? A grown up. What do you think you'd like to do for your work when you're a grown up? Help daddy get all the dirt out. (I have no idea what that means!) They talked about this question last week at school, too (after I had done this interview). The report from that conversation is that he wants to be Mickey Mouse, a football player, and a baby doctor when he grows up. (After some questions, I figured out he means pediatrician, not obstetrician :) )
Favorite thing about Ellie Kate: I hope next Halloween she'll be a flower.
Favorite thing about Daddy: when he drops me off at school
Favorite thing about Mommy: when you're gone. I love daddy days because Addison always has these and I love those.
Needless to say, J & I are feeling the love.

Happy New Year!

We had our final Christmas celebration on New Year's weekend. The kids enjoyed themselves at the New Year's Eve celebration at Grandpa & Grammy's. (We did a countdown around 8:00 - they don't know the difference yet!)

Ellie Kate loved the "kid wine". I think this might have been her first taste of juice. The bubbles didn't seem to bother her at all.

We did Christmas morning on New Year's morning and the kids opened their gifts. Ellie Kate was more interested in opening than she had been before, so that was fun. All the kids got great things that kept them entertained the rest of the weekend! (Of course, EK woke up with pink eye that day...which has since turned into another ear infection and icky cough. Have I mentioned I love the winter?)

Will got a Leapster Explorer, which he LOVES! We just had to replace the batteries -- after 1 week! Hello, rechargables!

Ellie Kate liked her new clothes so much, she thought she'd go ahead and put them on :)

 And I just love these. Aunt Jenny was such a good sport about letting the kids "duet" with her.

The end of a fabulous weekend - I'd say we wore them out, don't you think?