I HATE SNAKES

I HATE snakes. I hate the way they move. I hate the way their tongues flick around. I just hate them. I cannot see why we need them. We have coyotes, cats, and other small predators to keep other animals in check, so why even have the icky, creepy crawlies (besides to scare people)?
Unfortunately I am the only one in my family that feels that way. Fortunately I am the mom, so I set the house rules, one of which is "NO SNAKES." Poor Eric. I thought he must not be too sad about it though, because he doesn't ever complain, but then I saw his reaction when we went to California. Big Ethan, as we call him, was driving through and we got to spend about an hour with him. He had been down south snake hunting and the kids and Eric were so excited to see the spoils of his trip.
It may look like I got close to the creepy crawlies, but that's what zoom on the camera is for.
Ella thought it was great, and little Ethan even touched some. Great. 3 against 1. Fortunately my mom vote counts for 5.

A Dream is a Wish....

Some people may think we are weird, that every time we are in town we go to Disneyland. I can't truly explain it to someone who is not as totally enchanted with Disney, like I am, but there is something about walking into the park, where there is happy music, yummy smells, and thousands of memories that make it seem like part of home. I know it is oober expensive, a long drive, and a pain for my mother who has to help with the kids, but I LOVE IT, and more importantly so do the kids.
This last trip I was watching Ella's face as we got on the first ride, Dumbo. She was riding with my mom in the elephant ahead of us, and she turned to the left to look at the ride center, and I saw it, the reason why parents spend hundreds of dollars on anything their kids ask for. The reason there is an entire generation of entitled 20 somethings. It is the look every parent loves seeing on their kids faces. A look of pure joy.
It's funny, seeing that beautiful emotion on her little face. It didn't make me want to run out and buy her a pony, or give into her temper tantrums like I think some parents do. It made me want to give limits more, to NOT buy every little thing she asked for. I didn't want to ruin her ability to experience that pure joy. I don't want her to get immune. I want to see that every once in a while, because it was one of the best things I've seen in a long time.

Ella started posing "like a princess" in all her pictures now. It seemed truly fitting in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle (her favorite princess).

It was also a trip of firsts. My kids both went on Matterhorn for the first time, Ethan went on Indiana Jones, and Ella went on Splash Mountain. It was so neat to see Ethan trying these new things. He has just turned into a brave little man in the last couple weeks. He may have closed his eyes for most of the rides, but he did it, and couldn't stop talking about it afterwords. He was so proud of himself, and I was so proud of him too.

I had to add this picture, because it's the only one of me, in a long time, that looks half way decent. We had dinner at LaBrea bakery the night before, and did some souvenir shopping so we didn't have to waist time on the big day.

In the Lego store there were some amazing creations. This is a life size Darth Vader made of Legos. There was a giant girafee right behind us. I just liked feeling petite.

Nature's Beauty and My Little Beasts

Ethan just couldn't let me have this great shot. He just couldn't.

One of the best parts of the hike down from Scottsbluff Monument is this awesome sandstone tunnel we go through.
Probably shouldn't let my kids climb on the state monument, but there is no sign, and what a cool place to climb.

It's All Eric's Fault (He Said to Write That)

Here is Ethan batting and running bases at his T-Ball game. Eric pointed out he should have taught Ethan more about baseball before his first game, so this is all Eric's fault.
Ethan actually had a great time, and although we unfortunately had to miss the rest of the season for our vacations. He said he can't wait for next time, so we will have to plan better next year. It's the first sport he has actually seemed to like, YEAH!!!!

Kid Sister and Me

Ella had her end of the year program at preschool on. There was tons of cute singing, and seeing all their projects was so neat. This was my favorite, a life sized picture of Ella. They worked on them for weeks, outlining them, adding hair and eyes of the right color, putting on clothes that match actual clothes they wore. Right now the "other Ella" is on her wall, not only is it cute, but she is so proud of her hard work.

Baby Blankie Bunny Binkie Belly

Adorable. Need I say more. I submit to you that I do not.
Taken on May 18, 2009

4 going on 14

If ever there was a little girl born to be a princess, I think it is Ella. She is the funniest, girly-est, princessas I have ever met. Below is her reaction to a princess card. Yep, card. While shopping with my parents in Utah (after this birthday) she was in the stroller, being pushed by my dad, and they came upon Claire's, a jewelry store. She threw out her arms and exclaimed "I LOVE accessories." Yes, accessories. Well, the little princess is now 4, and one of the funniest, most loveing people I have ever met.

Among the spoils were a playmobil pony ranch, roller skates, tinker bell toys, books, clothes, and some bath time dolls she can dress up and "accessorize."

Her cake. It had to be pink, a castle, and have Aurora on it. She also had to dress up to match.

We had the Bagleys over for cake, since they are our family here. Maddi picked out Fancy Nancy's dog "Frenchie" for Ella, so Ella ran to get her doll "Marribelle" for the picture. (if you haven't read Fancy Nancy, pick it up next time you go to a book store or library. It doen't matter
your age, it's a funny, cute set of books)