Flight of the Ellabee

So I'm pretty sure this is Ella's sixth trip to Austin, TX to visit my sister's family. No, it's her 7th cuz she went with my parents. This is probably her last free flight because she'll be turning 2 next month. Believe me, I'd try to milk the fact that she's itty bitty and lie and get another free flight but with my sister coming for a month in July, there's really no need to go back for awhile. Grandpa was working and met us right after we got through security - great timing, thanks for your help ;). He is always proud to carry his little granddaughter through the airport and show her off to his pals.

Here's one of his better-looking pals, Steve, who my sister happens to have a huge crush on. So we took this pic (notice my finger) and I texted it to her. If Steve was going to choose a sister, he would choose me because he loves Ella, plus I'm younger.

The flight was PACKED with only like 5 open seats. Well with my dad's help we were able to get a whole 3 person row to ourselves in the back of the plane. And we got free snacks for the baby (which I totally ate! I did give her the raisins cuz who the heck likes raisins?). Ella was a rock star as usual and watched Bambi for almost the whole flight. She did grace me with a poop, really a shart, that I had to change during the flight but I forgave her.

So we survived the flight but almost died on the way home cuz my sister was reading a text message!!! Now I have to call her Barbie-ass out cuz she is an Oprah fan and Oprah has warned the crap out of us about how dangerous that is. Add to that the fact that she has MS and her balance isn't the best, plus she's easily distracted and you have a recipe for disaster!

Upon landing around 6, we had to drop off our bags and head to Dripping Springs Founder's Day - a festival/carnival/cook-off type thing and didn't leave there till after 11. This poor kid had no nap but she survived till around 10 after stuffing herself with barbecued ribs.

Blizzard of 2/2/11

I know, how ridiculous that I would blog about this storm a full two months after the fact but in ten years when Ella is reading this blog book, that won't matter so much. According to Wikipedia, Chicago saw between 1 and 2 feet of snow and 60 mph winds. And that my friends, is all I have to say about that blizzard.

Uh-oh, somebody face-planted!

Sensory Exploration or Torturing a Toddler

So what does one do with an active toddler in January when it's cold as shit out? Play dates, park districts, libraries, lunches, Woodfield...but that's all during the day. Finger painting seemed like a nice before-bath evening activity.

"Hmm, what's this stuff?" "Oh my God, it won't come off my hands!"

"This is the worst day of my life!"

But with a little patience and guidance...

She learned to love it.

And maybe one day...

She'll be the next Picasso...but with both ears and no mental anguish.

These Boots Weren't Made for Walking

Gymnastics School Dropout

So these pics date back to early January but since this blog is mainly for Ella's scrapbook, suck it up...
Since I work at the Pet Clinic almost every Saturday we thought it would be fun for Buzz to take Ella to gymnastics at the park district on Saturday mornings. Sounds fun, right? Not so much. I was able to attend the first class with them.

Now I always tell you what a great dad Buzz is but it seems he hasn't had much experience having to direct young Ella outside of the home. This is a class after all and sometimes you have to sit, sometimes you have to stand and sometimes you have to wait your turn. I've had my share of baby classes with Ella where she has cried and ran and tried to do what she wanted. But that's what class is for, to guide these young minds, right?
Buzz is a man who likes control and order. He doesn't like to be embarrassed and Ella had other ideas. She wasn't going to sit and she wasn't going to wait in line. Buzz actually started to sweat and made me take over.

It's too bad because as you can see from these pictures, she had a great time. In Buzz's defense, the other children seemed to be much older and the Kindness twins took a gymnastics class that same day and ended up dropping out as well. Sorry, Ella. We tried ;) At least he takes you to Grandma's house every Saturday.

The Kindness Kids

I know, I know, my ass has sucked at blogging. I've been in hibernation. I loathe this time of year. After the high of Christmas everything seems to go downhill...But, daylight savings is coming Saturday and I AM PUMPED! So back to blogging...

The joy of having digital photos is that you can pull out an oldie like this at a moment's notice. Here's the first time Ella met Amy's kids. Let me remind you that although she looks like a baby giant, Ella was in fact a small baby. But these twins were Extra small.
Here's one taken from last month. See, kids always even out.

Amy asked me to take some photos of her kids for a Valentine's Day card she was sending out and here are some of my faves. Her daughter, Addison, makes the funniest faces.