the mcdonalds

November 5, 2008

Hi Mema and Papa Lenny

Cupcake from Gabby just because she loves me

What'cha doin'? I'm just hanging out at home today with Mommy. We went to the park today and then to Gymboree, but we have been home ever since. Mommy and I played A LOT! We put together my favorite puzzle (the Big Red Barn one with 12 pieces), made Play-Doh Cookies and cupcakes for Daddy, threw the ball for Jaxie, and I even helped make dinner. Our neighbor Peter brought over some yummy green apples off of his apple tree and mommy let me eat one all by myself. I'm such a big girl now.

Did I tell you about my new books? I checked out some new books at the library and they are really great. Mommy reads to me in her rocking chair (this is our special place) and let's me cover up with her favorite yellow blanket. My favorite book of all the ones I have right now is called "No, David!" David keeps getting into trouble and his mommy keeps telling him "No!" but at the end she hugs him and tells him she loves him. Mommy says she loves me even when I get into mischief too. What a relief!

Well, I should go now. Mommy works tomorrow so we have to get up early. Goodnight, I love you!

Love, Ellie Marie

October 31, 2008

Trick or Treat!

(This is actually my favorite picture from today)

Happy Halloween! We had a great holiday! We met up with Andre, Mary and Olivia at Microsoft's Halloween celebration. Ellie got the hang of trick-or-treating very quickly, thanks to her big cousin Olivia. Olivia was so cute and kept telling everyone, "This is my cousin. Her name is Ellie." After a bite to eat, we left and joined up with Nana and Papa at their house. Ellie got to do some more trick-or-treating, this time door to door and she LOVED it. She was not shy at all and just looked too cute in her little outfit. Afterward, she handed out candy for Nana and Papa for a bit and then it was back home and right to bed (in her Halloween PJ's of course :) ).

October 29, 2008

Leaves, Leaves, Leaves

It seems like Ellie always wants to play with things that she shouldn't. I feel like The-Grinch-Who-Stole-Her-Childhood because I often find myself saying, "Ellie, Honey, let's play with this not that" or "That is not for you. Try this instead." So you can imagine my delight today when Ellie asked if she could play in and jump on a huge pile of maple leaves in our neighbors' yard and I was able to say, "Go for it!" It was so fun to watch her satisfy her curiosity and I even jumped in with her when no one was watching! :O

Later, we went to Tara's house for Dinner and Dan and Ellie entertained us all:

(This picture is actually upside down but it is so much funnier this way!)

October 27, 2008

A Little Fancy Goes a Long Way

This weekend, we brought Ellie to two major Halloween "Costume Required" events. The plan was that she would be Cinderella...we have a Cinderella dress, a Cinderella crown, a Cinderella ring, glass slippers... you get the idea. For a month now, she has asked me daily, "I get to be Cinderella today, k?" so you can imagine my surprise (not really) when last minute (I mean, literally, the last minute before we had to leave) she changed her mind. Suddenly it was imperative that she be Fancy Nancy (her favorite literary character who loves all things fancy). Fortunately for her (and me), Ellie received all the Fancy Nancy dress up essentials for her birthday. I quickly put her in her revised costume and off we went, with matching Fancy Nancy doll in tow. Miraculously, Little Miss Fancy had a great time being fancy all evening, never again changed her mind about her costume, and most importantly, we all survived. :)

Here are some pictures of the afternoon/evening. According to Ellie, her favorite part was "walking on the squares," which we might all know as a "cake walk." The first time around, the MC called Ellie's number and she won the prize. It was like she just won a lifetime supply of fruit snacks. She was elated.

Mommy and Ellie Marie

Hmm...these arts and crafts are tricky! :)

Ellie and friend Gabriella at Gymboree Harvest Party

Little Miss Fancy

Look Mommy, I won a prize!

October 19, 2008

Making the Most of the Season

Sometime between leaving for college and getting married, I realized that holidays just weren't as much fun as they used to be. At that time, neither I nor my siblings had any kids and so the holiday celebrations seemed to be wanting. Today, I was looking at my photos from the weekend and realized that I do more to celebrate the season in a weekend than I ever did post childhood/pre-Ellie. Everything is more fun with Ellie! She is such a joy. On Saturday, I took Ellie to a preschool workshop where she made four different Halloween crafts (a picture frame, a windsock, etc) and then attended a special Halloween themed day/birthday party at the zoo. Today after mass, we took Ellie to a pumpkin patch in Olympia (I swear, that was the last one!). Papa Jerry went with us and Ellie had a great time riding the old fashioned carousel and a pony named Reggie, sliding down the big slide with Dan, and tasting her first Elephant Ear. I really don't know who is having more fun. :)