- Spaghetti (or anything noodle based that she can suck in) - she enjoyed some Lo Mein today at the Chinese buffet we went to.
- Food in general - this girl can eat!
- Being very busy...her favorite activities include picking up rocks from one side of our backyard and throwing them on the other side. She takes this job very seriously and does it for several minutes at a time. Back and forth...back and forth...back and forth.
- When she falls down or hurts herself and I hold her to comfort her she always pats my back. She's very loving and I just love how she picked up this habit.
- She loves to talk on her cell phone - last night she probably talked with the phone on her shoulder for 10 minutes.
- Being active - this girl is on the go all the time! She has scratches up and down her legs...and some ouchies on her knee from all her antics. When we got home last night my dad asked her where her ouchie was and she pointed to her knees that are skinned up covered by band-aids and then proceeded to 'tell' us all about it.
- Talking - she doesn't really say much but boy can she chatter on. I would love to be inside her brain for one minute to know what she's been telling us.
- Singing - current favorite is the Itsy Bitsy Spider, but she'll sing along with just about anything I sing to her. She just started to do the motions to the Itsy Bitsy Spider. It's really not the motions, but she is trying.
- Dancing - holy cow can Elli dance. She shakes her hips, shoulders, booty - you name it! Elli started stomping her feet really quickly lately in a new kind of dance. I think she and Greg have a lot of dance parties throughout the day when I am at work. It's amazing to me that anytime Elli hears any type of music she moves. Today at church she started dancing when we walked into the sanctuary and some worship music was playing. I didn't even really hear the music until I realized that she was getting her groove on in my arms.
- She really has enjoyed the zoo, too. We went with mom and dad last weekend and it was just really fun.
- French Fries - she doesn't get these nearly as often as she would like, but she loves them for sure. I've tried not to start her on condiments so they are without ketchup and she just inhales them whenever we give them to her.
- Praise Baby DVDs - we've rediscovered these worship music videos that we got Elli for Christmas. It's a great way to calm down at the end of the day...well, I calm down and Elli likes to talk to the people/kids/animals on the screen. These DVDs were something I found from my sister-in-law and I love them!
- Fair food - Elli took her annual trip back to Greentown for the Howard County 4-H Fair. It was a pretty cool evening but between Grandpa Kevin and Grandma Lee Ann there to spoil...I mean, help with...Elli and all of the fair food we ate we have a fun time. Elli's food sampling for the night included mashed potatoes, noodles, green beans, applesauce, an elephant ear, a fried pie with ice cream, milkshake, cookie, and lots of blue cotton candy thanks to Grandpa Kevin.
- Taking a bow - this is our latest and greatest...just learned today! We taught Elli to take a bow and she is GREAT at it! :)
We went to dinner a couple of weeks ago and had a little bit of time before Elli's nap time so we found some random playground at an apartment complex in Castleton. It was a lot of fun and a perfect evening to spend playing! Elli loves slides! She and Greg are a bit too brave for my taste!
We've taken a couple of bike rides with Elli in her trailer. She does pretty good with it, but I think she would prefer to be riding her own bike. We are lucky that we have a really nice park within driving distance, so we've made a trip or two to it. It's a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
A Veggie Delight 6 inch Subway sandwich. I'm not kidding about her eating skills!
Gary and Sally had a get together at their pool a while back. Above and below are some pictures of the fun we had while there. Elli was in heaven - four grandparents in one area! It's fun to see Elli play with Addie. They are so sweet together!! Addie is just about the cutest little thing ever! She is super duper smart (and I promise I'm not biased!)!
I made blueberry pancakes last Friday morning and she LOVED them!
At the zoo...Dippin Dots has been a tradition so far! :)
Elli and the Elli-phants! It never gets old for me! :)
This is one of my very favorite pictures ever. This is usually Elli's face around her grandparents...full of smiles, laughs and lots of fun!
The butterflies were WAY cooler than any of us expected. Elli was completely enthralled with the butterflies and the scenery.
So, maybe Elli attacked the above butterfly. Maybe...
There is a butterfly on Greg's back. It happened about 90 seconds after we walked into the exhibit and Elli's reaction was so funny!
At the park...Elli is trying to figure out bubbles. Greg said this was good for her cognitive skills. I am so glad I am married to a teacher!!! Greg and I spent a few days in St. Louis to celebrate our 7 year anniversary. We had a great time enjoying some of the area's restaurants, a Coldplay concert and just overall enjoying the scenery. We were literally across the street from the arch...very cool. Here are some of our favorite pictures from the weekend.
My parents watched Elli while we were gone and I can't decide if they had more fun or if Elli did. Needless to say, there was a lot of fun to be had overall. I'm grateful that Greg and I have such a great family that a) they are willing to watch Elli (my parents even suggested that they spend the entire time at our house so Elli would be more comfortable and we wouldn't have to pack her and the dogs up..which I am SO grateful for!) and b) we trust them completely with our pride and joy! After time with my parents she is now whistling and loves to point out the turkey in her animal book for us. Apparently Elli loves my mom's turkey gobble! :)
I truly can't get enough of Elli right now! She is such a blessing. I think God every day for the amazing husband and daughter I am blessed with!!!!
