FIrst Day of Skiing

So now that we own a Subaru and are official Coloradans (is that a word?), it was time to take Ella for her first ski lesson. As particular as our Ella is about her clothes, her temperature, her environment, and her surroundings, she was surprisingly easy-going and excited to get bundled up, head to the mountains, and pizza and french fry down the slopes. She is taking lessons with her buddy Kieran, the son of one of Ryan's co-workers, and Ryan was able to ski with Kieran's dad, Chad. She absolutely loved it. They had a great first day of skiing- beautiful weather and perfect ski conditions. Ella said she was hot, so the cold definitely did not slow her down. They moved her up from level one to two, and she was sure to make sure we knew that. When she got home she asked me, " Mommy, do I own anything expensive? I want to sell something so that I can buy my own skis." The next day, Ryan and Ella spent the day surfing the internet for posters of skiers. I think we are off to a good start.

A Day For Kate and Mama

Mondays are my day off, and I usually am like a whirling dervish on these days. I usually am getting the house clean, doing as much laundry done as possible, trying to get my swim in, and get the grocery shopping done. Well this Monday was special. Martha, Kate's caretaker, welcomed a granddaughter, so I had Kate for the day. I finally felt well enough to play with her, so play we did. First, we headed to the mall to "jump on the food." She, like all toddlers ( and too many school-age kids- READ THE SIGNS PARENTS), loves the mall play center. She can climb on the strawberries, waffles, eggs, bananas, and slide on the bacon and sausage, and quickly get sanitized after her fun. I was there with all the stay-at-home Moms- it's fun to live like the other side sometimes. Then, we rode on the elevator a few times, and it was off to the pool. I love that Denver has nice indoor pools, and ours is great. A nice big slide, fountains, little slide, and as I discovered, only 3 kids on Monday vs the 50 on Saturdays. We had a few "big unders" which is Kate sticking one ear under the water and headed home. We took a nice nap together before I picked up Ella from school. I love that this was forced upon me, as I could not do my chores, and I was forced to relax and play. Sometimes I need this, and I just loved it. I think I will make it part of my routine now, taking some days off just to be with Kate. Thanks for a great day, Kate

My Kate is just so sweet. WIth her third birthday quickly approaching, many things relate to being three. I hope she is not disappointed. During our after nap Dora, she just told me, "Mommy, I love Dora...Maybe when I am three, I can go help her on the boat. I can bring my lollipop and some of my things." It's been a day of TV, home with her sick Mama while Daddy and Ella are at Ella's first day of ski school. Earlier, while watching Veggie Tales, a veggie was upset and Kate said, "Maybe when I am three, I can go in the TV and make him feel better." This is her mantra, always consoling whichever of her buddies is in timeout, though she sometimes has to do this in secret.

She has a wonderful way of making me feel better. I picked her up from the ground to carry her downstairs and she says, "Mommy, you are like a helicopter...picking me up and that's really fun." Thanks Kate, I feel nothing like a helicopter, but it's really only their perception that matters, so I'll take it

Yo Yo Yo

Ella is a girl who has gone through many phases. When she was 3, she started dressing as similar as possible to the closest adult. I think we all remember this and witnessed and experienced the outrageous amount of clothing she would go through in 1 day. Last year in California was the year of singing. Most of you were the proud recipients of free tickets to Hannah Montana concerts, whether you wanted them or not. Well, since we have moved to Denver and started Ella in dance classes, dancing is her latest obsession. I must say, this is my favorite obsession. Hip hop is the dance of choice, and this month she started breakdancing class. She loves to bust it to Black Eyed Peas, and even Kate now walks around singing "Boom Boom Boom." The girl knows her style- I can't even get her to tie her shoelaces.

Finally getting started

So I have wanted so much to create a way to document and remember the small silly things that happen in our lives- most of those being the words and actions of Ella and Kate. Life gets in the way of life, and so now with Ella 6 1/2 and Kate almost 3, I am finally getting around to it. Today I am home sick with strep throat, so I finally have time to start this blog. I think that pretty much sums up the pace of our lives. I hope to add frequent posts of the silly, ridiculous, and amazing things that my girls say and do...so here's to blogging.