Eleanor is 3!!!

Ella celebrated her birthday all week this year. She was excited to open presents for her birthday on Christmas, excited to tell us it was her birthday every minute of the 27th, and then supremely thrilled to have her birthday on the 2nd. Ella wanted a beach themed party and the bounce house to be put up. Luckily the weather cooperated and our friends needed some way to entertain their kids on the last Monday before school started again. In between birthday celebrations, the girls and I spent another (looong) week together. We visited Sea World and the Zoo. We had lunch out and at home. We snuggled a lot and Grandma Sue came down with Gramps to babysit one afternoon so I could get some work done. Most amazingly, the girls entertained themselves while I had a 6 hour meeting at the house on Wednesday. I can't believe how big they are getting!
Eleanor had her 3 year checkup in the first week of January. She is officially 37 inches tall and weighs 34.5 pounds. She has definitely slowed down in the height category. Ella is stubborn, funny, and has a ridiculous amount of personality. She dances everywhere and has begun posing with her hand on her hip. Ella is very clear about what she wants and very loud when she doesn't get what she asks for. She loves candy, cookies, and cake . . . . mom is a bit concerned about that for the future! Eleanor still hates going to bed, but is great once she is down. She is happiest watching tv with a snack or being Elsa and a superhero at the same time. Matt has begun Ella on the best movies of our childhood - so far she likes Ferris Bueller and Willy Wonka. It's amazing how much this kiddo inspires feelings of love and irritation at the same time!

Madi and Ella are obsessed with the tower at Sea World

Checking out the giraffes. Madi gifted this outfit to Ella for her birthday.

Pretending to sleep before Moana started.

Madi locked Jameson in the bathroom - then gave Matt lots of directions to get the bathroom back open. This was a hard morning.

Mom and daughters New Years at the Johnson house.

Seriously cute!

Dad did new Years with Darin and Brian at a show.

Beach Ball cupcakes

San toys in January

Madi getting her hair done by Ella

Christmas 2016!

The week before Christmas was a lovely week for me at home with the girls. We went on walks, I did some work, the kids played, and we ate a ton. On Wednesday, the girls, Grandma T and I went to the Nutcracker Ballet. They did a toddler production that was the perfect length, but had way too many kids in attendance, haha.
Christmas was great this year. The girls and I visited the Harlows in the morning while Matt finished prep for brunch. Abu, Grandma T, and Grandma Sue spoiled the girls in an uncontrollable fashion! After opening all of her Christmas gifts, Ella needed a break before she could start on her birthday presents. Poor thing.
The girls did a great job helping clean out and organize their playroom after the holiday spectacular, which means everything actually fits somewhere in the house. Hopefully next year, Christmas will not include a giant pink horse or a new music item (I'm talking to you Grandmas!)

 

December Festivities

We kicked off December with the annual Santa Brunch at Shadowridge. This is the first year both girls smiled in a picture with Santa! The girls wrote Christmas lists to bring to Santa and Madeline was totally comfortable talking to him about what she wanted for the holiday.

We met up with the Kellys and Johnsons for our annual Christmas Light walk. The kids are getting so big and so adorable. I think we went a bit early in the season, based on how calm the street was this year.

It's always a miracle when Eleanor is appropriately dressed for the weather!

Julia, Jackson, Madi, and Ella

The annual trip to Zoo Nights ended up being a total flop. There had been rain earlier in the day, so the elves didn't bounce, the restaurants were all closed, and we moms were not feeling the joy. Alyson conquered her fear of the skyfari and we did see a parade - so that helped redeem the trip this year.

The girls are loving the couch cuddling that cold weather brings.

Mom was awful and scheduled the girls for both flu shots and the dentist in one morning. Dad made up for it with a trip to frozen yogurt.

This season had the gift of Madi getting an awrd at school for being a risk taker! Wow! Even better, her bestie Lily also got an award, so they were able to go on stage together. One risk at a time!

The Franklin Holiday Show was awesome. We had pizza and cookies for dinner before the show. The classes perfomed in pairs. I was sure Madi wouldn't even make it on stage, but she killed it dead center front with both Rudolph and Jingle Bell Rock!!

Ella chose not to sing during her show. But she and Allee killed the jingle bell ringing!