My Arts Pro-Ject Mommy...

Tess and I love art time, and Ella likes to sit in her Bumbo and watch. This week we made some homemade instruments, Tessa's favorite was her SHAKERS...as she calls them. Simple, toilet paper rolls, some paint, construction paper, rice, rubber bands, and of course a dash of fun!!!

It was tough for Tess to understand that this pro-ject as she call it had to work in stages because of the paint having to dry.

Almost Three + Art time does not = patience!!

We did enjoy making the shakers and she was really excited to show Daddy when he got home from work. Tess loves to dance and her shakers made quite the compliment to her dance moves. Now, if next time if I can keep her from trying to eat the rice we put inside the shakers, silly girl!!

"My Sister Tess is a Riot to watch, she cracks me up!"

Can Ella try that???? No, Mommy.....

Belly Laughs are the Best!

Tess & Ella in their matching dresses from Lorene!

Ella loves the accessories that Tess shares with her! Tess is so humorous! She keeps us laughing and smiling all the time. Since Ella was born we often discuss with Tess that Ella can't do all that she can, at first she thought she was going to be able to play right away. One of her first questions was why Ella can't eat food. This troubled Tess because she enjoys her food so much! I explained to her that Ella was just a baby and she can't eat food yet because "Ella does not have any teeth yet" and that she will eat food as she grows. WELL, our dear Tess has taken this to heart and her answer to any questions about Ella goes back to this reply..."HER NOT HAVE ANY TEETH" or "SHE CAN'T WANT TO, SHE IS JUST A BABY".... "Tess, can Ella play with her toy?" "Should we take Ella for a walk in the stroller?" ..."No she not have any teeth" Someone asked us the other day while we where in the store, "Does your sister like to play with you?...Tess replied..."Not yet her not have any teeth yet" I thought the kind lady was going to fall over as she tried not to laugh. The true joys in life are often so simple, I try to make a certain that I savor each of these treasures on a daily basis...It is such a fun filled journey!

Precious Moments ...

It is always so important to me to take in the special family moments with all of us! I had to take in all the joys of a recent moment....Tess wanted Kevin to rock her, (well yes!) he will savor a Tess moment since she usually wants Mommy when she is tired. So they went into Ella's room to sit in the rocking chair, I held Ella and walked her to sleep in her room as well. All the while, the dog assumed her usual spot under Ella's bed, the bedtime CD played and the four of us plus the dog were peacefully in Ella's room. A perfect way to spend the evening!! I wanted to soak up all the visuals of the moment. Both girls snuggled in and fell asleep and we of course did not put them right in their beds, we enjoyed the peaceful joys of seeing them sleep....The Journey is Awesome....We are so blessed and thankful!!

"Wading" for Spring!

Spring has sprung and there is couldn't be anyone more excited! We are so glad to have the warmer weather and to be able to enjoy the outdoors! We had the joy of spending time this weekend with our dear friends and the kids had a fabulous time putting on their boots and getting in the mud to have a grand time, the big kiddo...Kevin had the most fun!

The kids couldn't decide what was the most fun this weekend... Was it...feeding the fish in the pond, playing in the dirt, walking around our property, or was it watching the frogs??? They could not decide and we really enjoyed seeing the joys on their faces as they were together. They looked too cute in their boots and sweatshirts, Jaden's sweatshirt obviously came from Tessa's Closet...He didn't seem to mind!

The weekend was a tale of City Mouse and Country Mouse....We enjoyed the fun of the country while at our house and then we spent some time at our friends and enjoyed the joys of neighborhood life. Two different worlds and a beautiful thing because our little ones can enjoy both of them anytime!! We are so blessed by our friendship and so glad the little peanuts have so much fun together.

Kevin had a wonderful time in "his element"! He loved sharing his love of the country and being outside with the kids. They sure enjoyed themselves, to the point that they were very tired at the end of the day....AAAHHHH what some fresh air can do!

So, here's to good friends, great kids and special times together, we are so thankful!

Home with the Girls!

Say cheese (with her playdough camera, so creative!!) I see you!!! There is no such thing as too many hugs!

Sister snuggles!

I wanted to just Thank God today for my special time home with my girls! (I thank God often for this)...It is such a special time and I am savoring every moment of our joyous days! Kevin and I adore our girls and this is such a blessing that I can be on an extended maternity leave to enjoy the daily joys of being with them! We have so much fun and we snuggle a lot...and we love it!!!

Glad to be home...

Tess enjoyed marking off the days until we came home on this calendar we made for her! She also enjoyed her daily little gifts from Mommy & Daddy!! Tessa Sandwich! Our Smiley Girl!

Now that we have been home a couple days from Kevin's business trip we feel like we are back in the swing of things! We certainly missed the girls! We did enjoy our time together and the girls enjoyed the time with their Gamma and Pops! Traveling is always interesting and enjoyable...But Dorothy was right..."There is no place like home".

It is funny to hear Tess discuss her time with Gamma and Pops. As we were reading bedtime stories last night she asked why I don't lick my finger then turn the page like Gamma, she also stirred her juice with her spoon at breakfast, tapped it on the side of her cup and said Gamma and Pops do this with their coffee....Tess loves to do this with her Grandparents, she can spot a Jeep a mile a way and say "That's like Pa-Pa's car...Or she can tell you that her Grandma loves to drink "Yummy tea"...Kiddos don't miss a thing! So funny what they pick up. I can remember special things like that from my Grandparents and those are "little" things that make for special memories.

Separation Challenge....

I am joining Kevin on a business trip this week away from home... which being the focus on the positive type of person that I am...this means a bonding time for Kevin and I even though we will be working... However, we both REALLY miss our girls. I even brought a blankey that belongs to the girls so I can get a sniff of our babies! The good news... they are with Gamma and Pops being taken care of, loved, & Tess is probably getting to do some fun things she can't do with Mommy and Daddy. But, regardless, we want to snuggle them and hold them. Kevin and I are enjoying our together time, as we always do, but we are MORE then ready for a "Tessa & Ella Sandwich", as she calls it when we Mommy & Daddy hug her and Ella! We are looking forward to the homecoming. We are glad to hear when we call home that they are all doing well. Grandparents are great! To our girls...Be home soon ....Endless XOXOXOXO to both of you!