Growing Vocabulary

New Words for Erin today!

"Really"
"Well"
"Jada" (during a Facetime call!)

Snow Dayzzz

Ya know that term "bouncing off the walls?" It's not just an expression. It's real. Kids literally bounce off the walls when they're going insane. Which is why I took the kids outside for awhile this afternoon when they were done napping. They lasted 60 whole minutes, which shattered Erin's previous record of 15 minutes. It was decently warm out!

Erin, who hates snow, could hardly walk she was so bundled up. So she just kind of stood in the thigh-deep snow until we moved toward the driveway where she could trek through it. Ella loved swinging and going down the slide, she didn't let a little snow get in her way!

"Seriously, what is wrong with you?"

 This is as close as I'll get to the snow!

A Very Hairy Christmas

We've had an interesting Christmas. Christmas Eve, we had a good time attending church and enjoying the night with the Cozarts. At about 10pm, I came down with Erin's stomach bug and was violently ill all night and the following day. The girls opened their presents from Santa and loved them, but I felt completely miserable.  Derek and the girls attended our Gustafson Christmas while I stayed home and watched movies. On the way home, Ella was throwing up. The following morning, Derek was throwing up. Those two are spending the day after Christmas taking it easy, not eating, and resting.

Merry Christmas from our sickies to yours!!

The Week in Review

- Derek returned from his deer hunting trip Sunday night. I know he had a blast, and they brought home a few does, a buck, and a couple coyotes. It sounds like there were many memories made and Derek had a good laugh telling me about the funny moments. They braved very cold temperatures chasing deer, and he slept well his first night home!

-Erin no longer uses her pacifier. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well she did without it, since she was pretty dependent on it and I went with the cold turkey method. It's funny to hear all of these things coming out of her mouth now. This morning, she counted to three!

-Ella, the Question Queen, has spent the last few days asking questions about both Santa and Jesus. She is learning a lot about Christmas! She is especially curious about the logistics of Santa, the identity of Jesus, and who his parents are. She is also very confused about why she doesn't have school for awhile.

-Erin had a brief stomach bug yesterday, she was throwing up a lot. This morning, she seems better but still taking it a little slow. Here's to hoping she's on the mend before our festivities begin!

-Christmas Plans: This morning (Christmas Eve), we all pitched in to clean the house ("for Santa"). This makes me sound like a neurotic mom, doesn't it? Its for the safety of Santa so he doesn't break his leg trying to set out all of the presents!! :) We also made snickerdoodle cookies for Santa. I highly recommend these because Ella had a blast rolling the dough balls in the cinnamon/sugar! And Erin enjoyed squishing the dough. This afternoon, we are going to church, then headed to Gma and Gpa Cozart's house for dinner, gifts, and games! Tomorrow, we will open gifts here and snuggle in our jammies in the morning. Tomorrow afternoon we will enjoy a night of dinner, gifts, and games celebrating with Gma and Gpa Gustafson!

Naughty Deer

"Are they taking the deer to jail?" - Ella, seconds after we almost hit two deer that were in city limits of Waverly and we both noticed the cluster of cop cars nearby. What a zoo!

There are vaccinated children in Africa

This is a funny moment on a really unfunny topic:

Ella and I were watching Home Alone when a commercial came on sharing images of starving children that you could donate money to. As you can expect, all of the images were of children looking very sad, and some were crying. (Instant tear jerkers!)

Ella stated (completely serious): "I bet those kids had to get shots at the doctor's office."

I couldn't help but laugh, and then continued to feel really bad about the truth. But a part of me is thankful that Ella thinks the worst that can possibly happen in life is a shot at the doctor's office. If only that were true.

Potato, Pototo

"Mom, check out my noor dobs!!!"

"You mean door knobs?" (Looking at her artwork)

"No, they're noor dobs!"

Miniature Deer Hunters

This weekend is deer hunting, which means we are spending part of the weekend with our littlest deer hunter, Easton! The girls have had a blast chasing him around and sharing their toys with them. Erin, especially, has been giggling non-stop with him. She just loves having someone here that is her size!!

Erin's Appt

I am thrilled to say that Erin has gone all of December being healthy, and that in itself is all I wanted for Christmas!!! This morning, she had a very quick appointment to check up on her health, get a flu shot booster, and get an immunization. The doctor is treating her like an "at risk" person so she is really determined to keep my little Bear as protected as she can.

Unfortunately, I got mildly lost on the way there. When we arrived, I opened the car door to find Erin had spilled red juice all over her coat and pants. She also removed both boots and both socks, so she was barefoot in 5 degree weather grinning ear to ear with pride. 

Erin did wonderful with her shots. Although she is smart enough now to know when she's about to get one, she was done crying as soon as the bandaids were on. The doctor reported that, flu shots aside, she does not need any more shots until 2016! She is also nearing the 60th percentile in height, which is making me think she might end up taller than we originally thought.

Ella's Christmas program

On Friday, Ella's preschool hosted a Christmas party and concert on their last day before break. It was a great time getting to see Ella with her classmates, and they did so well with their songs. The best part was how proud all of them looked when they finished each song and waited for an applause.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas!

Up until this week, there wasn't a whole lot of "Christmas" happening around here. Most of the shopping was done, and the tree/decorations are up, but it still felt like it wasn't here yet.

This weekend, things started to change! My sisters and I celebrated my mom's birthday with a girls day of dining and pedicures. We had our annual holiday party with several of our closest friends, which included a gift exchange, a full holiday meal, and movies/games. One of my favorite traditions takes place at this party, too: our pajama exchange for the little ones!! Today, my family had our annual "goodie" party where we baked up several treats to disburse amongst our friends, coworkers, families, etc. With a little Kenny G/Aaron Neville blaring in the background. At one point, there were 5 adult women, 3 granddaughters, and 2 dogs in my Mom's kitchen all at once. It was wild, as usual!
After this jam-packed weekend, it's feeling a lot like Christmas time!

This week, Ella will celebrate Christmas at school with a party and a concert. Deer hunting is just around the corner, and wewill also be celebrating Jada's birthday on Friday!

 The whole gang!

The little girls (and me), minus Amelia!

The Season of Giving!

This week, I was expecting a great challenge as Derek is out of town all week. Usually, these weeks are complete chaos and I feel so disorganized. I'm two days in, and honestly, I think this week has been easier than even a normal week in our household! Derek got my car fixed and stocked up on a few essentials before leaving town. My parents offered to serve supper one night, and also agreed to watch the girls while I attend my work holiday dinner on another night! Our wonderful friends also took Erin in their home for awhile after a scheduling conflict with the babysitter.

I am so thankful for all of the help!!

The Only Nice Thing I Have to Say

This is the only nice thing I have to say about winter:

It is undeniably the prettiest thing in Iowa to see hoarfrost....I caught a small patch of it recently and made the family drive around to check it out!!

Christmas Tree

It was always a very controversial subject when Derek and I first started living together, but I gave in after realizing the fun. One of my favorite things about Christmas time is getting a real tree -- a Gustafson tradition!! It's also tradition for Derek to abandon the task of watering it.

As usual, the Santa visit was a flop. That's becoming tradition too. :)

"Ella, how is Santa supposed to know what you want if you never talk to him?"
"You tell him, Mom!"

Erin the Parrot

Erin has been such a little parrot lately, she will mimic anything you try to do! She'll repeat part of Twinkle Twinkle, she can recite "EIEIO," she will reciprocate a big cheesy grin, and the best one is when you whistle at her, she tries to do the same. She looks like a little trumpet player.

SO SO SO SO CUTE!!!

CHEESE!!

Inside a Preschooler's Mind

Last night, we went out to the Pizza Ranch and had a nice supper as a family. This is a perfect place for us, because food is plentiful and readily available. It also has enough traffic going through it that the people dining do not notice the commotion in our booth! Ella made us laugh a few times as we talked throughout the meal.

Me: "What'd you do in school today?"
Ella: "Played."
Me: "Did you go to the library for storytime?"
Ella: "No, we didn't. It was too cold. It was 100 degrees outside."

Ella: "What are you drinking?"
Me: "Pop."
Ella: "Diet Pepsi?" (a pop we've never drank in this house)
Me: "Where did you learn that?"
Ella: "I go to school now!"

Numbers

Me: "Derek, what's our password?"
Ella: "2*9-99*4" (Rattling off Derek's phone number)
Derek: "Where did you learn that?"
Ella: "I go to school now!"

Cleaning Lady

One of Erin's favorite things to do is wipe things down with a baby wipe. She loves to clean and will wipe your face if you let her.

That being said, it's hard to get mad at her for trying to clean my snowglobe which shattered into pieces when she dropped it.

4 Year Old Logic

Ella: "I wanna wear my pajamas to the store!"
Me: "No. Wear whatever you want, make it comfy. Put on some sweat pants."
Ella: "But I'll sweat!!!!!" *throws a fit and storms out*

Erin - 19 months

Some of Erin's favorite things (19 mos old):

• Playing with markers
• Bringing me items she knows she's not suppose to play with (i.e. markers)
• Bringing me wipes and laying on the ground when shes ready for a diaper change
• Jumping up and down in her crib at bedtime
• Carrying Holly around and handing her to people
• Putting Hollys cat food morsels in her water bowl
• Sitting in the middle of the dining room table to watch Ella color
• Yelling "MOO" at every animal in her favorite book
• Standing on chairs, couches, stools, etc.
• Eating independently and messily
• Stealing other people's cups
• Yelling "mama" repeatedly so i reply with "what baby?" approx. 85 times so she can laugh at me
• She only knows about 12+ words, but just today I could hear her mimicking part of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
• She does NOT like to be left out. So when Ella gets a cup with a straw at a restaurant, she demands one too. When Ella gets a sucker, so does she. Etc. We have to be really careful about what she sees because she's done being treated like the baby!

"Mama"
"Dada"
"Ella"
"Holly"
"Guck"
"Baby"
"Ba-ba"
"Bye-bye"
"Tickle"
"Kitty"
"Cup"
"Abby"
"Puppy" or "Pup pup"
"Up" or "Uppy"

Confusion with Football

Ella was extremely confused today when we were watching the Vikings/Packers game. It worked out well that we cheered on the purple team, her favorite color! I told her that is where Daddy was, and she was really excited, thinking she'd see him on tv.  Here were the observations she made:

"I hope Daddy doesn't get hurt!" (thinking he was actually playing football
"I heard Daddy!" (hearing the quarterback calling out a play)
"There he is! I think I saw him!" (looking at literally 5,000 fans)
"Why don't the players wear coats?" (watching them freeze their tails off)
"Do they have popcorn there?" (wondering what Derek had for supper)

Weekend Update

This weekend went so fast! The girls and I spent the time together, as Derek went to the Packers/Vikings game. He was definitely in need of a getaway and what a great opportunity! This trip allowed him to spend time with Brian, Bjorn, and Ben. He has always wanted to see Lambau Field, and he'll never turn down a Vikings game. It turned out to be a great game and they had a blast.

The girls and I enjoyed all the great things about being home in the winter... playing in the snow, hot cocoa, blanket forts, inviting friends over to play, coloring, hanging out in our jammies, books, and enjoying "happy nappies" together. I love it when my kids are healthy and happy!!! I was on cloud 9; I was clobbered in hugs and kisses.

Erin also met her new pediatrician on Saturday. We are really hopeful that this new doctor will keep tabs on Erin and keep her feeling well!! She did great at her appointment and left with a sucker and Elmo sticker. :)

Everything is a Song

With Ella, EVERYTHING is a song. What a great way to teach kids! She comes home singing funny little catch phrases, and it's a game to figure out what she learned that day.

"Dot, dot, not a lot!" = being conservative with glue
"Zip it, lock it, put your key in your pocket" = be quiet
"Around the tree, around the tree, that's the way to make a three" = writing a 3
"Across the sky and down from heaven this is how we make a seven" = 7
"Make an "s" but do not wait go straight back up and make an eight." = 8
"Down, across and down once more this is how we make a four." = 4

Which leads me to my latest google search:  "songs about whining."

Hide and Seek

Ella is great at hide and seek! Well...except that she tells you where she's going to hide. And always copies the same places you hide. And giggles when you're looking for her!

I take back what I said.

Ella is not very good at hide and seek.

I am Thankful For...

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am beyond thankful for the week of good health we have been given. Everyone is back to normal, rested, and happy. Couldn't ask for anything more!!

Healthy Kids = Happy Kids = Happy Parents

Sickies

This week might go down as the worst one of 2013. And the most medicated week of all time.

Last weekend, Erin was sick and on Monday they dianosed it with an ear infection. By Tuesday, it was RSV, as well. She experienced a lot of complications with her symptoms.....sleeping, eating, etc. Derek had a stomach bug for a couple days. I, too, was struggling with a cough and a flu. Fortunately, Ella was completely healthy!

It is Sunday afternoon and I feel a good week coming on, health-wise.

Getting Vertical

Our bathroom recently became operational when my Dad came over and hooked up the stool and sink. SCORE! We are thrilled to have this room on our main level, it is so convenient. The washer and dryer will come up once we put up trim.

Ella was the first one to try it out, and I was thrilled to see she was tall enough to reach the light! DOUBLE SCORE! She is now completely self sufficient going to the restroom. And growing like a weed. :)

Not more than 24 hours later, Erin was casually playing with her toys. Out of the corner of our eye, we noticed her dragging her wooden princess chair to the kitchen. She was grunting and struggling but she got it in there. We weren't concerned, thinking she was going to put a baby on it.......until she came back in the living room with the glass butter holder. The little stinker used it as a stool, she can reach the kitchen counter now!!

Erin - 18 months

Erin had another doctor appointment today as she has not been feeling well. It was very interesting to me that she has not gained a single ounce since August. She's on the move!!!

It was also Erin's lucky day because I refused to give her any shots until I get my healthy Er-Bear back!!

They call it mellow yellow

After several hours of priming and painting our bathroom, the first words out of Ella's mouth were:

"HOLY YELLOW!"

Bow Hunting

I promised Derek I would join him on a trip to the tree stand, and that adventure was this weekend! He always knows how to keep me happy because he got me the warmest camo possible. Once we got up there, I told Derek we needed a code word for an incoming deer, and we decided on "Pizzaboat."

It was fun and soooooo peaceful, and the view of the sunset was outstanding. We saw a little buck, and got to do my fair share of calls and rattling. I also knitted half a scarf while we were up there. Except my yarn ball fell out of the stand so there was 20 feet of yarn dangling from us!

Mmmmm Kisses

I wish I could keep Erin in a bottle right at this age. She is so sweet. My favorite thing she does is say "MMmmmmmmmmm" and run across the house to give you a kiss.

Spelling Champion

(As we are cooking breakfast)

Ella: "MOM! MOM! Look! I spelled turtle!"

Me: "T.....R.....D.....L.......good job babe!"

Overall, Ella is actually doing pretty good sounding out her letters. :)

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Our girls did a lot of celebrating this week, both trick or treating and having Halloween parties at their school and day care.

Owie!

For the last few weeks, Erin has cried "owie" every time we try to come her hair. It is so cute and makes us laugh. Since there isn't much to comb, let alone tangle, we started to suspect she was just copying Ella, who has a LOT of snarls and a lot of troubles with her hair in the morning. Ella is constantly saying "owie!!" when we are trying to get through it so it would make sense!

Last night, I had them in the tub and their hair was lathered up. Erin gently grabbed Ella's hair and started feeling it and petting it. "Owie. Owie!" she said as she played with it. The light bulb came on... she thinks "owie" means hair!!

Happy Halloween!

We had our first celebration of Halloween tonight in Readlyn. It was a blast going on our traditional route. With us, we had two minnie mouses, a cheerleader, a hot dog, and a prisoner (Hank). We then warmed up to soup and watched the kids and dogs play together.

At about 7, Ella grabbed her candy bucket and said: "Mom, my belly really feels like it needs candy. Can I have some?"

She was so sweet and quite persuasive!!

Soldier Down

Fortunately, when Mommy is sick, I can rely on Ella to shape things up around here. Tonight, she can be heard chasing after Erin trying to get markers and other "no-no's" away from her.

"NO1 That is NOT appropriate, Erin!!!"

Bear Hugs

My morning routine is pretty consistent. We wake up at 6, and the girls wake up at 6:30. Erin is usually ready to romp but Ella is more like an 18 year old on her last semester of school. We are all ready to leave the house at 7:20.  I drop Ella off first, since it is not far from home. When we get to the school, Ella and Erin chase each other down the long hallway to her classroom, with me running behind shouting "Slow down! Be careful! Shh!" We make it to her room, where we hang up her book bag and folder and coat and assign hot or cold lunch. We then walk to a different classroom to get Ella settled with her friends and teacher aides and check her in. Erin runs up and gives Ella the biggest bear hug ever, and they sway back and forth smiling and holding on to each other.  I get my goodbye hug and kiss and scoop Erin up and head out. I drop Erin off around 7:35 and she gives me my sloppy goodbyes. She runs off to greet and hug her own little pals and I'm on my way to work!

These are a few of my favorite things

Ella: She asks who the author and illustrator is whenever I read a book.

Erin: I've been trying to get her to say "buck" lately, and anytime she hears that word, she replies "Moo."

All morning long, Ella has been in the recliner with her doll under a blanket. Erin has been climbing up and down and up and down and up and down in that chair. She struggles and grunts and groans getting up every time, and Ella keeps saying "Get your chubby little thighs up here!!"

Photos recreated!

I love recreating photos, and these are from our fall roadtrip last weekend!

Bathroom update

Derek is working hard at insulating our bathroom....getting closer!!

Happy 35th to Everett's Service!!

Peak Season

Our family has made it a tradition to take one last "vacation" day together in the fall to go enjoy the autumn highlights in Iowa! This year was extra special. In addition to the apple orchard and hike at pikes peak, we also made an extended stay in Elkader to visit family and celebrate the 35th open house of Derek's Grandma's shop!

One for the Memory Box

Ella's first real written exam. :) She is LOVING school, it is so crazy seeing how fast they learn. 

Show-and-tell starts this week, and Ella went first. She chose to bring her favorite book, Pinkalicious.

Happy Halloween!

We are getting in to the fall spirit this weekend. We visited several stops out in Amish country. The girls loved seeing the farm kitties and puppies, and we found some pumpkins! They had a blast!

"My sister is really loud in the car!"

 Erin and one of her many "pup pups!"

 Kitties!

 Ella and I set out and painted our pumpkins after our nap!

Fall is in the air

We are ready for fall! Although the shorter nights are making Ella a little stir crazy at night.

Big, Fat Reality Check

Usually, I prepare myself for a reality check on my way home from work. I try to clear my head from work and start planning dinner and things I want to do with my girls. Sometimes they're nothing but smiles when I walk in the door, and sometimes there are a lot of tears and hunger and exhaustion.

Today, I walked in and set down about 8 bags of groceries. I turn around and Ella bursts in the kitchen at about 60 mph from the toy room. I immediately notice the apron she's wearing. She stops abruptly, puts her hands in the air, and shouts, "I NEED A BIG FAT PAN!"

When I'm not Looking

Tonight, i asked for 10 minutes of peace in the kitchen while I cleaned up the madness after supper. The girls and Derek agreed to play on the porch for a bit. Not more than 5 minutes later, I glance out there and this is what I see:

Ella running around.
Derek, laying on the deck, facing the opposite direction looking up at the sky and daydreaming.
Erin, not only crawling on top of the patio table, but was also standing on top of it, unbeknownst to Derek.

.......are you kidding me?

Bathroom Update

Dad and Derek have made a lot of progress with the bathroom this week... first the air conditioning, then the electricity, and now most of the floor is done! Here is a sneak peak:

 

 

Flooring with curtains

Pick-Me-Up

 

Parenthood:

 



 

(Note to artist: this cartoon would be more accurate if the littlest one was rolling out 50 ft of toilet paper)