August Snapshots

We love evening walks up to the park at the top of our street.

That face! In order to get Juliet to sit patiently through a grocery trip, I usually have to have a good snack planned for her in my bag. I say "good" because if it isn't something she is interested in at that moment, she will throw it over and decide she wants to spend the rest of the trip figuring out how to get herself out of the shopping cart. Since she is buckled in, that usually means she will start screaming and squirming until I get her out and carry her or let her free in the store. So....chocolate dipped granola bar for the win! 

A morning at the splash pad with our friends

The many fun faces of Juliet

surprise face 

the look

kisses

Sitting around the fire with good friends and s'mores makes for a pretty perfect summer evening.

We love this bunch so much!

Christmas gifts (like movie theater gift cards) that you can use months later are the best! A trip to the movies on a rainy summer day with my big girls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0DSXPpddE4

Juliet loves walking her puppy.

So proud of our girl! Abby has been nervous on her bike since the training wheels made it wobbly and has really had no interest at all in riding a two wheeler. We had a talk with her this summer about how it's a skill we think she should have and one we wanted her to learn by the end of summer. Day one and she persevered through her nervousness and frustration until she got it. To her perfectionist self, it felt like forever. But really, we got to the park and she was riding a two wheeler in twenty minutes. Go girl!

Day 2: No more training wheels for Ella! Something about wanting to keep up with your big sister (paired with fearlessness and Ella's "never give up" attitude) makes for some serious goal setting! She did it! Go Ella! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5EBB7DZsRI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPCCSii-_k0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwslYw320Ws

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=768t9dX5J-g

Impromptu afternoon chalk party with our neighbors

Ella turns 5!

To the sweetest little five year old we know,

You spread love and happiness around like confetti everywhere you go! It was no different when you woke up the morning of your birthday. It's always so much fun to see your genuine joy and excitement when you realize it's time for everyone to celebrate you. I think one of the reasons is because you celebrate others so well!

For your birthday breakfast, you asked for pancakes with whipped cream, sprinkles and chocolate chips in the shape of your name. We gathered around you and your pancakes on the morning of your birthday and watched you as you excitedly opened your gifts. :)

Your beauty shines inside and out! Your joy and carefree spirit is contagious. You wear your heart on your sleeve in big ways.

You love playing! We love watching you gather your assorted collections of little people (barbies, little dolls, little figures) to go find a quiet corner to create your own world in. You can sit and play for hours. This was the perfect five year old birthday gift for you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4phc1-Ts0Q

An extra special birthday message from your cousin Johnny! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjEWRKlfJw4

As much as you love that quiet play time, you need equal amounts quality time with people. You thrive in relationships already because you listen to others and ask really good questions to get to know people. You tell us that when you grow up you want to be a baker (and I believe you will make an amazing baker in your amazing sweet shop), but I know whatever you end up doing it will involve people. Your heart for people is so big. 

This fall, you started Kindergarten and soccer. Your personality has shone in these new environments too. Kindergarten has been lots of fun for you. Everyday you come home and tell me what an awesome day it's been. When I ask you why, the reasons are usually because of the ways you became good friends with someone new or a way you were able to help a friend who was sad or scared. In soccer, you have really thrown yourself all in to learn the game and try your hardest. You are doing great and even scored a goal, but when I watch you on the field I see you, my sweet girl, looking and caring about the people running around you more than the ball on the ground. It's you and it makes us smile! 

Favorite toys/activities: dancing, baking, snuggling on the couch with a good book and mommy or daddy, all of your little toys, your American Girls (Kit and Grace), walks with Daddy, teaching Juliet how to play, playing Marissa and Miranda with Abby 

Favorite foods: pancakes, cheeseburgers, macaroni and cheese, pepperoni pizza, chicken paprikas, pickles

Favorite song(s): Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin, The Liv and Maddie soundtrack, all three High School Musical soundtracks 

Favorite tv show: Liv and Maddie

Favorite movies: High School Musical 1, 2, 3

I always want to remember this is what five looks like this! Snow White dress, all the accessories and a rubix cube on our trip to the grocery store.

On the afternoon of your birthday, you had a surprise visit from Grandma and Uncle Cory!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0eWRrh3r1Q

We ate dinner together and celebrated you with ice cream cake!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DAYSZFnhXo

Happy Birthday Ella Margaret! We love you so so much!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfbyDVMFMK0&feature=youtu.be

Lake Bluff 2017

At the end of July, all the kids and grandkids gathered at Grammy and G-Diddy's cottage at Lake Bluff.  As soon as we arrived, Abby, Ella, Lauren and Jack ran off and started catching frogs.  Abby was excited to show off her frog!

Ella was looking adorable in all the gear on as we headed down to the dock.
Hat ✅
Life Vest ✅
Screened Bug Catcher ✅
Smile ✅

High water in the bay and no beach did not stop this girl from jumping right in!

Little Johnny was as cute as ever exploring the dock in his life vest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPGamvTFuPM

Ella kayaking with Uncle Tommy

Aunt Tori and Ella

Juliet and Johnny hanging with Ollie on the back of G-Diddy's boat

Lauren and Abby in the kayak

Daddy taking out the paddleboard

Nana might win the award for Ollie's favorite lap.

He really is the best little buddy.

Watching these guys play together is definitely one of my favorite things!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNf4FMqfH3E

On my first night at the Bluff, this is pretty much a given. No sleep and a restless, sweet, sweaty baby on my chest. Thankfully, I have a sweet husband who lets me sleep a few hours more the next morning because he knows. As much as I wish for sleep in these moments, I know I'll miss these chubby fingers grabbing my neck for comfort and those sweaty curls tickling my chin when she is a teenager sleeping in her own bed.

Ella's 5th Birthday Party

When we were trying to decide how we were going to celebrate Ella's birthday this year, she decided she would like a party that included dancing and face paint! So, I thought fast, called our favorite babysitter and dance teacher, Miss Margaret, and we figured with some teamwork we could make it happen. 

Our excited little five year old was so excited on the morning of her party! 

Abby (my assistant party planner) and I went ahead to pick up balloons, decorate and set up for the party. When she opened her eyes, she was surprised by her special balloon (a birthday tradition) and all the pink!

The spread

Ella had two special song requests:
1. a ballet dance to Diamonds by Hawk Nelson
2. teaching all of her friends the pop dance to Pricetag

"Who needs stretching? I'll just stand right here in the middle of it all!"

My favorite moment of the party was when Ella's little buddy, Brady walked in with a bag of Doritos and chocolate milk. We all thought he was bringing a snack that he wanted to eat to the party, but then he walked it over and put it right on top of the present pile. The story goes: When they were picking out a gift for Ella, his parents talked to Brady and his sister about what they wanted to get. Ellie knew that Ella would like something Shopkins related, so they ordered her gift. Brady and Ella (and their dads) shared many snacks together while they colored pictures at Stewarts while waiting for big sisters to be done at dance. It was their thing and Brady knew how much Ella loved Doritos and chocolate milk! 💙

Miss Margaret: beautiful dancer and master face painter

Present time!

Grammy and G-Diddy came for the day to celebrate!

She had the best time, such a great time that she refused to let it end by boycotting bedtime! :) Happy Birthday my Belly B!