Snapshots and Quoteables

Abby woke up from her nap today and called me to come get her from her bed. She called me once and I didn't respond right away. When she called my name the second time, Ella took off and started crawling as fast as she could down the hallway towards Abby's room. I walked ahead and opened Abby's door for her. Ella crawled right up to Abby's bed, pulled herself up and planted a big kiss on Abby's cheek.

Their love for each other melts my heart. There are few things sweeter to me than moments like that!

sometimes babies just need to snuggle with their mommas

matching in their beautiful new sweaters from Nagymama

"Thank you for our cool blue sweaters, Mama!"

My mother-in-law knows my love for candles. For Mother's Day, she gave me a lovely dark chocolate scented candle. Yum! Abby was helping me unpack from our trip, when walked into the room holding the open candle and sniffing it.
A: Mommy, I'm not sure what this smells like, but it makes me want to have a treat. Can I have a treat for cleaning up my toys?

Now, how can I say no to that! Let's bake some brownies. :)

We've got a climber 

playing dollhouse together

Snapshots and Quotables

first wagon ride of the year 

Abby (eating her breakfast and piercing her pineapple with a fork): OUCH! It's okay little friend. 

sister playtime 

Check out the pose. A natural. :) 

Ella-bean

beauty.

Daddy: You are my little girl. 

Abby (clearly frustrated and about to cry): No, Daddy...I'm a not a little girl. I'm a big girl. I'm a grown up.

D: Why do you want to be all grown up already? Being a little girl is great. 

A (with the most genuine serious face): No! I want to be a grown up because I want to be mommy. 

sweet little momma to her babies 

my favorite hairdresser

There was a dead bird in the street right in front of our house. Abby saw it and was instantly concerned. Her  empathetic heart was so sweet and evident. She squatted in our yard fifteen feet from the bird and just watched it. When I went over to ask her what she was thinking, she said: 

A: Where is his family? Do you think his mommy and daddy are going to come looking for him? Mommy, he needs his family. I'm so sad. 

She then walked over to a dandelion, picked it and threw it toward the bird. 

It was time to go. Daddy wasn't ready yet and this is where we found Abby. She kept saying, "Daddy...Daddy,  please hurry up. We are going to be late!"

baby feet in jelly sandals = overwhelming cuteness

Abby's First Day of Soccer

There is just something about being outside in a field on a sunny Spring morning. Add to that the smell of hotdogs coming from the snack tent and cute little kids learning how to play sports and you've got a really great way to spend a Saturday morning as a family. Before Joe and I had kids, if we had nothing to do on a Saturday, we would drive an hour and a half to watch my brother play baseball and soak up the fun atmosphere. This past Saturday, Abby had her very first soccer game! We loved every minute of it. Though I'm still wondering when my little girl became so grown up. Look at her in those shin guards. Watching her as she experiences new things brings us so much joy.

I did not teach this her how to pose! She's a natural. 

ready to go! My baby is so grown up!

Abby is on the same team as her little friend, Makena, which means Joe and I get to sit on the sidelines with two of our good friends (Makena's parents), Heather and Ryan!

excited to be on Makena's team

practicing before the game 

Abby was very shy in the beginning. She got in line and kicked the ball really slowly to the goal as they practiced. When the game started, her excitement grew a bit, but she never really ran after the ball. It was actually cute because she would kind of forget why she was running and often stopped when something distracted her. The one time Abby got control of the ball, someone else kicked it away and she was offended. The concept of stealing the ball from each other was hard for Abby and a few of the little girls. They are so used to sharing and taking turns that they were offended when someone tried to knock them out of the way and take it from them. I thought it was precious to see them grapple with why anyone would want to do that! Halftime was a hit. The little players sat around in the grass recharging on goldfish and capri sun. Abby was excited to get back on the field when it was her turn to go in.  Overall, she really loved it.

serious face

listening to their coach

 

Joe and I couldn't get over how much Abby's coach looks like my cousin Chris. Coach Scott is a good coach, but my cousin Chris would be an awesome little kids' soccer coach!

Daddy and Ella on the sidelines 

huddled up

some celebratory pizza for Abby's first day of soccer

 

Morning Playtime

Peek-a-boo Baby

This sweetness and a little hand clapping. http://youtu.be/NeBLOoTNzOc

Snapshots and Quotables

"Hey! I want in!"

"Oh...hi Mommy!"

Daddy and his littlest girl

checking out the big girl tent 

Ella keeps us busy by crawling over to turn off the television whenever she is feeling mischievous. Her little face says it all. When I tell her "no", she turns around and smiles with the biggest smile on her face. The sweet thing is she usually chooses to stop and drop down on her bottom. Then, she starts clapping for herself! :) 

kisses

Sometimes Abby asks if she can write my grocery list.  I've found that it's usually when she wants to add something to the list herself. See upper right hand corner. 

Big sister gave Ella her first set of wings. 

Abby takes the role of super hero very seriously.

a favorite hangout

helping Mommy with the laundry

While pointing to the picture of a diamond ring...
A: Mommy, I would really LOVE a ring like this someday.
M: Well, one day when you love a man are ready to get married, he will ask you to marry him by giving you a ring like this.
A: Do you have a ring like this?
M: Yes. This is my diamond ring.
A: Your "I'll love you forever" ring that Daddy gave you?
M: Yes!
A: Well, Mommy.....I really just want to marry Daddy. Can I just marry Daddy?
M: You can pretend to marry Daddy everyday until you are all grown up!
A: No, I don't want to pretend. He is the only person I really want to marry. Ok Mommy?
M: Ok! ;)
(Ooooh my precious little girl!)

Go Orange! 

One morning I turned around and found this. Amazed by Abby's three year old writing. 

baking with Mommy in the apron made by Nagymama

enjoying the sunshine  

special lunch date with Mommy (& Annie)

a girlie lunch date in Syracuse visiting some great friends