Blueberry Picking

On one of Mama's last mornings with us, the weather was perfect (breezy and sunny) and we decided to go blueberry picking. Some of my best memories as a child are fruit picking with my grandparents. We went every season (peaches, cherries, apples), so it seemed only fitting to take Mama berry picking with us. It was also Ella's first outing. In preparation for our morning at the farm, Abby and I had been reading a classic.

As a result, Abby was very excited to go blueberry picking. She wanted her own bucket just like Sal. As we were picking, Abby also informed me that she wanted to lose me in the bushes and wondered why there wasn't a big bear there to help her pick berries. She ate more berries than she picked just like Sal too!

Ella rode with Daddy

working hard

I love this girl.

Mama filled her quart in no time.

<3

family!

Family filled week! Nagymama was here for five days. Our visits always go way too quickly. We're never really ready for her to leave. Uncle Brad & Alex came for a visit AND Grammy & G-Diddy even stopped by on their way through town. We all enjoyed a homemade Hungarian meal and celebrated Alex's birthday together! Blessed by all of our family. 

Ella meets her Nagymama

Meeting Aunt Alex!

So sweet.

Loving Uncle Bradley

fun in the pool with Uncle Brad

family love.

special moments with Mama

the best lap EVER!

loving the vanity Nagymama gave her

first bath

big sister helper

my girls

story time with mommy.

priceless.

relaxing!

Come back soon Mama!

Call Me Maybe

The first time Abby heard the original Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" she loved it and kept asking me to play it again. She rocked out in the backseat. The truth is the song is super fun and catchy. I don't know about you, but it makes me want to roll down my windows, have a dance party in the front seat of my car and sing into an imaginary hairbrush.

While it's a "fun" song that Abby and I enjoyed having dance parties to, the song's message isn't one that we wanted Abby to learn.  It didn't take long for Abby to learn the song and sing all the words. Until then, I hadn't really noticed what the song was saying, but there was something about hearing our two year sing phrases like "I'd trade my soul for a wish, Pennies and dimes for a kiss I wasn't looking for this, But now you're in my way Your stare was holdin', Ripped jeans, skin was showin' Hot night, wind was blowin' Where you think you're going, baby?" along with the rest of the lyrics that helped us come to the decision to not play the song in our car anymore. 

Everyday we become more and more aware of how Abby is absorbing the world around her. She doesn't miss a beat. With that we've become more aware of our responsibility as her parents to help shape those views. Until she is old enough to talk about the words she is singing and we can help her process the meaning, we decided it was a good idea to eliminate it from her playlist. These decisions aren't black and white. There is lots of gray area, but as we continue to seek God with each situation, we trust that He will show us His desires for our family and the ways He wants us to follow Him. Oh, how being a parent has already drawn me closer to the Lord and increased my dependence on Him (and I'm only two and a half years in)! 

Abby was disappointed the first few times she asked for the song when we got in the car, but after two days she didn't even mention it. You can imagine my excitement, when this video was released on Youtube just a couple of weeks later. Just as fun. Same catchy upbeat tune. Age appropriate words and one of Abby's favorite Sesame Street characters. Perfect! Thank you Cookie Monster!

 "Share it Maybe"

Week 2

I posed Ella on the bed for a few pictures and Abby immediately climbed right up and imitated her poses! I love my girls.

my sweet little helper

Some favorite Abby phrases right now:
"My baby sister loves me."
Leaning over her baby sister, "Hi Sweetheart! Good to meetcha. I'm glad you're here!"
When Ella is crying, "It's ok baby. Don't worry you're Mommy is coming to take care of you."
"Mommy, Ella says she _____________." (is cold, wants to watch a show with me, loves me...)

It's really precious watching Abby nurture and enjoy her sister and to see Ella respond to her voice in a very real way.