Sending you a kiss....

Mommy's makeup is so much fun. She actually did a good job on the placement of the lipstick I was impressed! There is always fun going on at our house. Ella was so proud of herself, she just wanted "mirror Mommy, peese". Then she was certain that I needed to take a picture, which I would have never passed up the opportunity! Loving our little girls!!

"I Just Want to a Sheep ...Baa Baa Baa..."

The Girls had a bouncing good time at The Flock Carnival. It has really been a special time each week on Wednesdays for the girls. There was a carnival celebration for the last Flock for the school year. The theme this year was "I want to be a sheep" and the girls love the theme song! Tessa has really grown from her experiences. We love to hear her say "The Lord's Prayer" she is so proud of herself. From a parent perspective it is always interesting to watch both the girls interact with other kiddos their age.

It was an enjoyable evening. Tessa's was really hoping Daddy could join us. He surprised her and came home early so he could go with us. "I am glad Daddy came home, I wanted him to go and I was concerned that he wouldn't be able to", ahhh the words she comes up with some times :) Ella was just glad for the evening out, she loves getting all decked out with accessories and all! We are glad we flocked to the carnival, and even more pleased that we have such a welcoming church that provide so much to our little ones!

Visit to School

Tessa was BEYOND excited to go to an open house at her future pre-school. We are equally excited for her....she is growing up, and will be a whole handful this May! It was a special evening. Tessa had a huge grin on the entire evening.

Ella on the other hand has mixed thoughts about it all. On the way home Tessa asked who Ella would play with on the days that she is at school. I told her that Ella would be having special time at Lorene's and that Tessa would still be there on the other days. Ella turned up her bottom lip and broke into crocodile tears just hearing the conversation! Tessa sweetly consoled her, and held her hand the rest of the way home......Tessa will LOVE school, and Ella will be missing her big sister!! It will be an adjustment for all.

Drive my cart!?!?

We grocery shopped....until they dropped! They are such troopers. I couldn't resist the picture of them driving the cart. They used to fit in there so much better....it is getting a bit snug.

I have to admit, it makes me sad when they grow out of things. There is of course, thankfulness, for two happy & growing girls! At the same time, it happens so quickly. I had to capture the moment! Then, they fell asleep, so peacefully on an early spring day. They both stayed asleep and had great naps, it was a good day!, the simple things in life!

"Every Stage!"

Who? Said that the 2 Years are terrible? I never did!, and I never will..... life is good when you've got joy like this running around the house. The girls are so much fun! I have come to the conclusion, with both girls, that although each stage of our little ones is different, I find so much that I love about all the stages...even with the challenges that some of the stages have, at the end of the day...."IT IS ALL GOOD!", I love being a mother and learning along the way. A dear person once told me, "There is no way to be a perfect Mom, but there are a million ways to be a really good one"...so true...(Thank you Bobbie). I love every stage of the girls and I don't want to miss a bit of it!

"Wide and Deep"

The girls really look forward to Wednesday nights...."It is Flock Night" and they love to go the children's church program. There favorite part is clearly the singing time! They dance it up and sing it out! Songs from flock can often be heard in the car, at bath time, .... Our girls love music. Kevin is a big part of this and the presence of music in our house. I play it through the house by pushing a button, but Kevin and the girls make their own music....it is so enjoyable. Their favorite song to sing is "Wide and Deep" and they girls belt it out, Ella will just start singing while she is busy playing. Tessa likes to sing in the car and open the windows for a "Singing Cruise" ....although, we are waiting for more spring like days so we can have more cruises!

Bottoms Up!

What a sight!.... a little visitor came to visit her parents and then fell back asleep! She had no problem snuggling down for some more sleep. I had to take a photo of our "no so itty bitty baby". Time is always marching so quickly that is it important to soak up all the little things as much as possible!

"Enjoy the Little Things in life,

for one day you'll look back and realize that they were Big things." -D. Brant

Money 101

Tessa had been saving up some of her money to buy something special. We have been working with her on dividing her money in three ways....save, spend, charity.... She been eyeing her money lately in a sincere effort to make the best choice with her little stash of cash in her envelope. We set out to get some things at the story and Tessa asked to spend some of her money. We were proud parents as we watched her weigh her options. She put some serious thought into it and wanted to be sure she was able to buy some thing she liked as well as some thing that she could share with Ella. We were proud of her for this because sharing it tough on both of lately! On the way to the store she asked about my store card and asked if she could use it like I do (a store savings card that they swipe) she wanted to keep it in her purse. It was a certain priority for her to have her own shopping basket to carry, it was a sight, her with her purse & shopping basket....she looked so grown up, so much older than four. She chose carefully and ended up with a princess doll that came with different outfits and some special drinks for her and Ella to share. She walked up to the check out like a pro, she had $8 and spent $7.61, put the change in purse and smiled all the while! We are hoping that her little money mini lessons will make a lasting impression!

Date Night ...

It was a special Saturday night for our family. It was date night... but this time it was not Kevin and Kim....Tessa had a Daddy Date and Ella had a Mommy date. Tessa was SO excited for her big evening. It was no surprise when her first question was "what am I going to wear?" Then, she was curious where she was going to go with Daddy..."Can I have some hints? Will we be outside or inside? Do we need a ticket where we are going?" The excitement was building all day!

Ella and I gave them hugs and kisses and they were on their way to the hockey game. Ella was NOT happy when they left from Grandma's house. It took her a while to be convinced that she was going to have fun with special Mommy time. Although she kept asking for Tessa we had fun shopping for her "big girl room bedding". After we shopped, I enjoyed a coffee and she had her very own "special cup" of warm milk from the Starbucks, she thought she was big time!

Tessa and Daddy came home after curfew... it was a late night. She couldn't wait to come and tell me all about the hockey game and show me her goodies....of course they went to the gift shop! I would have loved to see just the two of them sharing the evening....special times. Tessa was sure to get Ella a matching shirt! Her recap of the evening included ice cream, hockey stories, and a realization that hockey is fun to watch but she wants to learn to play tennis (I am relieved of that one!)

It was a special date night for all and look forward to having one again! But coming home to be together is the best conclusion to the day! We love our girls! Kevin is such an amazing hubby and Daddy to his girls!

Sisters for sure!

It doesn't matter if we are out and about, or with friends and family....we get this comment a lot! Your girls look so much alike! Tessa smiles ear to ear when she hears this, she is so proud to be a big sister and she LOVES to having matching outfits with Ella! "Sisters Forever!" Tess said out of the blue the other day....so true. To put it in perspective, our siblings are the individuals that sharing in the most years of our lives..... Parents of girls...many joys!

Special Tessa Time

After a relaxing nap time...

Tessa had a great time enjoying that Ella stayed asleep and she got some Mommy time...."Uninterrupted" as she called it today! We played some board games and then we painted! It is always special to be with both the girls, but our conversations are a little different when Ella is napping. "Mommy, I like living where we do. At our house? Yes, but in our town. Do you think I will live here? You mean in our town? Yes, when I grow up. Yes, you can live here, but you might choose to live somewhere else. I hope you live close to us. I hope I do live by you and Daddy because I really love you and I love being by you all the time!" I loved this conversation, in fact I can remember having a similar conversation with my parents.

We really enjoyed our hour of Tessa and Mommy time. As we were painting we heard "Mommy....Tess...." Ella was up and we continued to enjoy our afternoon of painting and being together. It is wonderful having two little girls, the time together with both of them is always special! The times when it is just Tessa or Ella is special in its own way as well.....many joys of motherhood! Savoring every moment.

Twinkle Twinkle....

Ella has been practicing her piano playing and singing. She put on a show for us recently when we were at Grandma Sherry's house! It was clear that she wanted us all to hear her! Check out her little feet hanging as she belts it out! We're proud of our little peanut!

Socks and Binky

Ella laughed so hard that she spit her binky right out of her mouth. Both the girls are easy to get laughing. It is music to the ears when they both are belly laughing! The outfit just adds to the setting of this relaxing Sunday afternoon photo! No, they are not leg warmers, they are Daddy's boot socks and she loves to wear them, especially when Tessa picks her outfit, ....often she does! Giggles are contagious and we love them!