Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Pictures in my mind!
We just got back in town from a wonderful week in FL with Grandpa & Grandma (Doug & Sally.) Honestly, one of the most fun vacations that we've had as a family. We really had the right balance between just pool time and park time (we were in Orlando.) I may have told you before, but I am so lucky to have married into a 'Disney' family. We went to Magic Kingdom on Tuesday and the kids loved it. Ella was honestly star-struck at meeting Ariel (the Little Mermaid) and Belle (Beauty & the Beast) which brought tears to my eyes. Henry loved the splash/sprinkler areas and every ride was so fun. We rode the Teacups, Peter Pan, Small World, Dumbo (continuing the Barney Smoker tradition,) the Carousel (twice!) and many more. It was so fun. We had really great time! We finished the day at Epcot with fireworks. Lots of oohs and aahs, Henry clapped, Ella covered her ears!
We also spent lots of time at the pool. Both kids are fish! Ella can now swim with only arm floaties and will jump off the side (with no one to catch her!) This is a huge improvement from the death-grip around my neck! She's loving swimming by herself and feeling like such a big girl. Henry is fearless. He went down the smaller slide maybe a thousand times and even went down the big twisty slide (Ella won't go near it!) 4 times... face first, on his tummy. I'm not going to lie - he did drink a good portion of the pool, but he had a blast. He runs right up to a sprinkler and gets sprayed directly in the face, he stands under the waterfall... for a long time... that kid is hilarious!
On our last day in Orlando, we unfortunately realized that we left our camera on an afternoon outing! UGH! So we lost hundreds (yes, I'm a crazy photo mom) of really terrific pictures. I hope that Sally or Alex were able to catch a few good ones from the pool the last night and possibly Disney. I've been heart-broken and just sick about it but I'm moving on and trying not to think about it a second more! So when/if I get some pictures, I'll post them ASAP. We had a great time with Grandpa & Grandma and Aunt Alex & Uncle Tim (they spent SO much time with us.) Thank you Aunt Alex for all that you did for us at Sea World - the Elmo breakfast was great fun and the private meet-n-greet was so special. Henry even said 'Elmo' and 'Abby' (for Abby Cadabby) for the first time. He's become quite the chatter box - more on that later!
Included on the camera were pictures from GrandDad's visit the weekend before our trip. We went to the circus, swam in the pool, played at the playground for-EVER! We had so much fun with GrandDad and really enjoyed his visit. He is so special even though he is so far away and the kids adore him! Thanks for coming for a couple of really terrific days and some great memories.
Lastly, just an update on the kids:
Ella is spending this week in Vacation Bible School at Pre-School. She LOVES it. I tell you what, that girl loves to sing/dance/tell stories, ESPECIALLY religious stories. She still loves to read and do puzzles. She is quite the little show-girl always putting on a show with a song and dance. She is very specific on HOW things should be done (where did that come from?) and my Dad says it's like deja-vu watching her and how she behaves. She is still a great big sister loving all over Henry and she includes him in so much... entertains him and plays with him. Sometimes they just giggle and laugh from the other room - about as hard as they laugh when you tickle them - it's the BEST sound in the whole world.
Henry has really started to chatter lately. He's all over 'animal sounds' but is saying so many words. In fact, each day, I can tell which new word he's learned that day. Today, it's 'Mahalo' (thank you very much Backyardigans Hawaiian luau episode) - which is crazy! He also said 'Bye Dad' the other night...some new simple sentences! Wow... when did he grow up!?!? Plus, we're getting closer to saying bye to the binky... minimizes the quantity in his crib and he napped at school on Monday without it - must've just been exhausted! He's getting some new teeth at the moment, so in the next few weeks, I'm hoping to start to transition away from it. I have to prepare myself for some crying bouts which are just so painful and heart wrenching! Lastly, each night before his bath, we put him on his potty to try and get him to pee (because he inevitably pees within minutes) and he's started to go on the potty! We don't do it all day long, but he knows what to do and at that point, where to do it. Of course, at the end of the bath tonight, he stood up and just peed on the ground... so proud he was. We've got a ways to go, but we're headed in the right direction.
Happy evening everyone. Enjoy the beautiful summer weather (where-ever you are!)
We also spent lots of time at the pool. Both kids are fish! Ella can now swim with only arm floaties and will jump off the side (with no one to catch her!) This is a huge improvement from the death-grip around my neck! She's loving swimming by herself and feeling like such a big girl. Henry is fearless. He went down the smaller slide maybe a thousand times and even went down the big twisty slide (Ella won't go near it!) 4 times... face first, on his tummy. I'm not going to lie - he did drink a good portion of the pool, but he had a blast. He runs right up to a sprinkler and gets sprayed directly in the face, he stands under the waterfall... for a long time... that kid is hilarious!
On our last day in Orlando, we unfortunately realized that we left our camera on an afternoon outing! UGH! So we lost hundreds (yes, I'm a crazy photo mom) of really terrific pictures. I hope that Sally or Alex were able to catch a few good ones from the pool the last night and possibly Disney. I've been heart-broken and just sick about it but I'm moving on and trying not to think about it a second more! So when/if I get some pictures, I'll post them ASAP. We had a great time with Grandpa & Grandma and Aunt Alex & Uncle Tim (they spent SO much time with us.) Thank you Aunt Alex for all that you did for us at Sea World - the Elmo breakfast was great fun and the private meet-n-greet was so special. Henry even said 'Elmo' and 'Abby' (for Abby Cadabby) for the first time. He's become quite the chatter box - more on that later!
Included on the camera were pictures from GrandDad's visit the weekend before our trip. We went to the circus, swam in the pool, played at the playground for-EVER! We had so much fun with GrandDad and really enjoyed his visit. He is so special even though he is so far away and the kids adore him! Thanks for coming for a couple of really terrific days and some great memories.
Lastly, just an update on the kids:
Ella is spending this week in Vacation Bible School at Pre-School. She LOVES it. I tell you what, that girl loves to sing/dance/tell stories, ESPECIALLY religious stories. She still loves to read and do puzzles. She is quite the little show-girl always putting on a show with a song and dance. She is very specific on HOW things should be done (where did that come from?) and my Dad says it's like deja-vu watching her and how she behaves. She is still a great big sister loving all over Henry and she includes him in so much... entertains him and plays with him. Sometimes they just giggle and laugh from the other room - about as hard as they laugh when you tickle them - it's the BEST sound in the whole world.
Henry has really started to chatter lately. He's all over 'animal sounds' but is saying so many words. In fact, each day, I can tell which new word he's learned that day. Today, it's 'Mahalo' (thank you very much Backyardigans Hawaiian luau episode) - which is crazy! He also said 'Bye Dad' the other night...some new simple sentences! Wow... when did he grow up!?!? Plus, we're getting closer to saying bye to the binky... minimizes the quantity in his crib and he napped at school on Monday without it - must've just been exhausted! He's getting some new teeth at the moment, so in the next few weeks, I'm hoping to start to transition away from it. I have to prepare myself for some crying bouts which are just so painful and heart wrenching! Lastly, each night before his bath, we put him on his potty to try and get him to pee (because he inevitably pees within minutes) and he's started to go on the potty! We don't do it all day long, but he knows what to do and at that point, where to do it. Of course, at the end of the bath tonight, he stood up and just peed on the ground... so proud he was. We've got a ways to go, but we're headed in the right direction.
Happy evening everyone. Enjoy the beautiful summer weather (where-ever you are!)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
GCC Child Dedication 2009
Over the weekend, we participated in our church's (GCC) child dedication. Basically, what that that means is that we publicly declared that we promise to raise Henry in a Christian home, teaching and guiding and praying for him... that he learns about the Bible and Jesus. It's similar to a baptism except at GCC, an individually is baptized when he/she decides to follow Christ... this is OUR pledge (as parents) to raise him in a Christian home. (sorry for the long winded explanation...)
Anyway, we were so proud and joyful on Saturday. We were able to really celebrate with Grandma D, Grandma Sally & Grandpa Doug, Great Grandma Donnie and lots of extended family (on the Smoker side.) We feel so blessed to have so many good christian influences in our lives and were so happy to share in our dedication with them. Thank you everyone! The dedication was on Saturday afternoon and then we had everyone over to our home for a celebration meal... very fun!
Also, we had to post a picture of our best buds - Sean and Violet Kinnucan. Violet is less than a year and Sean is almost 2 1/2! We have so much fun playing together!
Mother's Day festivities:
Ella's school had a Mother's Day luncheon where they get up on stage and do a little 'show' for everyone.
Ella and her friend Kendra were partners for the Cinco de Mayo dance. They also did a little alphabet call-out for the Moms and then made the moms get on stage for the "Too-Dee-Ta" song. I'll film Ella doing it and post it soon, but in the mean time, I've included an action shot of the two of us 'performing.'
J is for Jen
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Who needs toys?
Three videos demonstrating the fun you can have with kids around your home/in a hotel room:
1. Do not be alarmed, no children were harmed in the making of this video.
2. Tickling Daddy's feet while he sleeps (wink wink!)
3. A bear hug will bring her down!
1. Do not be alarmed, no children were harmed in the making of this video.
2. Tickling Daddy's feet while he sleeps (wink wink!)
3. A bear hug will bring her down!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
It's all about the Grandmas and Grandpas
Some where in the last few weeks, we took a trip to Chicago with Grandma & Grandpa for the weekend, went to Sedona, AZ for GrandDad's 60th birthday and Easter (celebrating with uncle Elliot and Uncle Chris & Aunt Candice & Granny of course!), and had Grandma D and G. Grandma Julie in town. In between there were LOTS of trips to playgrounds, an Easter bunny brunch and a field trip with school to the fairgrounds for farm days. We've had snow, rain and sun but most of all (and as usual) lots of fun. I've posted a slide show with lots of fun pictures, click here to view or it's on the right side of the screen (takes a while to load.)
Here are a few highlights:
Easter Bunny Brunch - petting a LIVE bunny, mega-egg hunt, Ella got new white gloves from G. Grandma Donnie
Chicago Trip - went to Navy Pier to the Children's Museum, saw Mary Poppins (LIVE as Ella calls it/on broadway) and went to the Lincoln Park Zoo/Playground
Sedona Trip - GrandDad turned 60 and we had lots of family time and told lots of stories, beautiful plateau and red rocks, amazing views, rough time with the time change but lots of time in the pool/hot tub.
Grandma D visit - fun around our house/local playgrounds, playing with Katie and G. Grandma Julie (feel better soon by the way!)
Henry is really starting to play with and tease Ella. He loves to 'love on her' and hug her tight, pull her down, take her toy and run the other way and giggle, giggle, giggle. He's really talking and each day you can see and hear him learning new words. I feel like he's really growing and changing each day. He's very determined like his sister and man o man, that boy can eat!
Ella has really been a great helper. She looks after her brother and loves to 'read' to him. She tells great stories and her imagination is amazing. She is also quite opinionated and when she doesn't get her way, she's started to fold her arms, give a big 'Hufm' and she stomps away. Can't wait until she's 13! Yikes! But all in all, she's lots of fun and it's great because you can really have a conversation with her and it's fun to spend the day together doing fun things. Today we even went to a 'girls' lunch (happy birthday laura) and it wasn't super stressful to keep her entertained! She's getting so big!
Here are a few highlights:
Easter Bunny Brunch - petting a LIVE bunny, mega-egg hunt, Ella got new white gloves from G. Grandma Donnie
Chicago Trip - went to Navy Pier to the Children's Museum, saw Mary Poppins (LIVE as Ella calls it/on broadway) and went to the Lincoln Park Zoo/Playground
Sedona Trip - GrandDad turned 60 and we had lots of family time and told lots of stories, beautiful plateau and red rocks, amazing views, rough time with the time change but lots of time in the pool/hot tub.
Grandma D visit - fun around our house/local playgrounds, playing with Katie and G. Grandma Julie (feel better soon by the way!)
Henry is really starting to play with and tease Ella. He loves to 'love on her' and hug her tight, pull her down, take her toy and run the other way and giggle, giggle, giggle. He's really talking and each day you can see and hear him learning new words. I feel like he's really growing and changing each day. He's very determined like his sister and man o man, that boy can eat!
Ella has really been a great helper. She looks after her brother and loves to 'read' to him. She tells great stories and her imagination is amazing. She is also quite opinionated and when she doesn't get her way, she's started to fold her arms, give a big 'Hufm' and she stomps away. Can't wait until she's 13! Yikes! But all in all, she's lots of fun and it's great because you can really have a conversation with her and it's fun to spend the day together doing fun things. Today we even went to a 'girls' lunch (happy birthday laura) and it wasn't super stressful to keep her entertained! She's getting so big!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Silly-ness
We've had a lot of fun over the past few weeks. Lots of fun things going on as we get ready for spring. I thought I'd just post a bunch of silly pictures of the kids causing mischief, playing around, having fun and just being themselves. They make us laugh daily! Love these kids.
Successful Coloring Adventure
After St. Patrick's Parade & Dying River Green
Ella's Class making silly faces!
Lots of Bubbles!
Say Cheese!
Everyone went Roller Skating!
Loving Little Brother!
Fun at the Davis Mercantile in Shipshewana!
Ella's first birthday party - she picked this all out by herself (about a week after Valentine's Day!)
Henry - Hungry as always!
Oops! and Loving his Monkey (aka Monk)
Successful Coloring Adventure
After St. Patrick's Parade & Dying River Green
Ella's Class making silly faces!
Lots of Bubbles!
Say Cheese!
Everyone went Roller Skating!
Loving Little Brother!
Fun at the Davis Mercantile in Shipshewana!
Ella's first birthday party - she picked this all out by herself (about a week after Valentine's Day!)
Henry - Hungry as always!
Oops! and Loving his Monkey (aka Monk)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
3 Nights & Counting!
We are so proud of Ella! She's worn big girl underpants to bed for the past 3 nights and hasn't had any accidents all night long! She's been potty trained for a long time now, but she's still been wearing a pull up to bed at night. We wake her up to go potty when we go to bed around 11 and she's been dry in the morning even with pull-ups. Of course sometimes she'll have an occasional accident in the past 2 months, but so far so good. She is getting so big and I'm just so proud of how she's matured and really grown in the last couple of months. She's obsessed with brightly colored dresses (not jumpers with a shirt underneath) just bright and colorful (preferably with flowers and the more ruffles the better) to make her beautiful. I think we're in trouble as she grows. Anyway, for now, we'll celebrate her success and lover her so much!
Henry on a side note has had some eye infection thing going on. It doesn't seem to stop him or affect his mood - he's still just playing up a storm and going, going, going constantly. His eyes were a little yucky but we got some eyedrops from the doctor and he's on the mend. Love that cute little guy, even with puffy, red eyes, he's the cutest little guy I know. He's talking more and more by the way, saying quite a few words: ball, bye-bye, boat, apple, nana (for banana,) duck, MOOO (his all time fav), BAAAA, he can hoot like and owl and stick his tongue in and out like a lizard. He attemps to say Ella but it kind of comes out like "EH-AH" but he's not far. He'll be out chattering his sister in no time (if that's possible!)
Henry on a side note has had some eye infection thing going on. It doesn't seem to stop him or affect his mood - he's still just playing up a storm and going, going, going constantly. His eyes were a little yucky but we got some eyedrops from the doctor and he's on the mend. Love that cute little guy, even with puffy, red eyes, he's the cutest little guy I know. He's talking more and more by the way, saying quite a few words: ball, bye-bye, boat, apple, nana (for banana,) duck, MOOO (his all time fav), BAAAA, he can hoot like and owl and stick his tongue in and out like a lizard. He attemps to say Ella but it kind of comes out like "EH-AH" but he's not far. He'll be out chattering his sister in no time (if that's possible!)
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