Mother's Day 2011

I'll admit it, I have a problem. I can't really do my daughter's hair. Yes I can put it in funky ponytails but that's about it. I sent her to Grandma Jeanie's that morning, her hair a hot mess, knowing Grandma would make it all better. And she did. I tried to get the bird to pose in her little chair but she said, "uh, nah."

That afternoon we headed to my aunt and uncle's house for a barbecue. Ella (my mom) bought me the cutest bracelets that I picked out the day before.

Then she taught me to pick my nose. It's an important life skill.

I just adore these two together. They make the cutest little faces. And I think they look alike too.

Ella was excited to get an early birthday present.

Dora's talking backpack

Later she raided Steph's closet for a proper hat in honor of the Kentucky Derby.

Summer Lovin'

Finally some nice weather has allowed us to have some outdoor play dates. Ella and Jacob had a romantic lunch date and afterwards, Jake taught Ella some important life skills like basketball and riding bikes. Seriously though, Jill had me over last minute and whipped up a gourmet salad like it was nothing. Totally impressed Mrs Rojas!

Last week we headed over to Deicke Park in Huntley. Check out the difference between Ella and Adriana's personalities in the following two pics...

If you could read Ella's mind, she'd be saying, "Oh shit!"

There's Ade, who's only one month older than Ella swinging like a monkey.

Luke takes good care of Ella except for when he's dumping sand on her head. But hey, she didn't mind...

Sweet baby Emerson

Ella found this hat at Old Navy and when she put it on her head she said, "Look mommy, I'm a cowboy."

All I can say is thank god it's nice out again and we can be out and about!

Happy 8th birthday Otis Van Nostrand, my how things have changed

Hey Otis, remember the good old days when it was only you? You didn't have a care or worry in the world. Then came Greta...She was really a present for you but she moved in and took over. All of a sudden you had to share your people, your water dish and most importantly your treats. She even got some of your birthday dinner...Just when you got used to Greta's female ways, along came Ella. You once enjoyed your own bedroom with a full-sized bed to lounge on, but no more, that damn baby needed a place to live. You used to have full reign of the car, carelessly jumping from front to back, even changing the radio station when the mood suited you. Now you are banished to the very back of the small hatchback, placed behind bars so that you don't jump on precious Ella. And finally, you used to come and go as you pleased, visiting dog parks and walking trails and even neighbors' kitchens. Now you wait for Ella, the one Kelly calls "the bird," to get her diaper changed, her face stuffed, or her tummy tickled before you get some Otis time.

That's right Otis Fanortner, most dogs enjoy their golden years but yours are spent sharing the spotlight with a couple of bitches.

You've been forced to act pathetic to strangers in the hopes of squeezing them for an extra treat or two.

Well at least she hasn't taken away your birthday treat. Not yet anyway.

Easter 2011

Ella wasn't much into coloring eggs so I had to do most of the work! She colored them earlier that day with Jeanie so maybe she was just egged out.
Don't ask why she has Xmas pj's on in this picture. Just don't ask.

My little nerd was too busy reading her new potty book to care about unloading the rest of her basket. Maybe because the Easter Bunny didn't put any candy inside!

The little bird is at that, "don't take my pucking (credit to Kerry for this) picture stage!" I like to call this one, Death by polka dots.

Lemon cupcakes that took over 4 hours to make. Why do I even try?

I made like 28 and totally ran out of frosting! Now I know for next time not to eat so much during the process.

Here's Ella and her BFF, Colton. They were BFF's till the Easter egg hunt began and then it was all blood and tears.

I know, I know, her hair is wild. I am just not skilled in this area.

The Mistrettas (my mom's sister's family)

The Kanes (my dad's brother's family)

The Kubistals (my mom's brother's family)

So Jen and I split the Easter eggs for the hunt. Most of hers were filled with candy and all of mine were filled with toys. Not to be preachy but I just read an article (thanks Jude) about sugar being almost as bad as booze and smokes. I want Ella to be able to enjoy booze and smokes like her relatives so I'm cutting out her sugar ;) What else are mom's for?

My mom with my godparents, Bobby and Sue

Ella received many nice gifts for Easter including lots of clothes from her two Grandmas. What to do with all those clothes??? Ella figured it out.

Escape from Alcatraz - or at least her crib

Boy does time fly. About a month ago, I opened Ella's bedroom door after a nap to find her standing there on the other side. I said, "oh my gosh, you got out of your crib?" She said, "oh."
I thought it was a fluke but she kept getting out over and over again. Her crib turns into a toddler bed, but of course the piece was missing so until the part comes in, she's got a mattress on the floor. She actually loves it.
When Joey was painting the tree on her bedroom wall, he signed the wall behind her crib - where you couldn't see. Not anymore!

During nap time, I check on her periodically and sometimes find her across the room reading a book. When she sees me she always covers her face and crawls back to her bed. She must think she becomes invisible or something?