One of my favorite pics of my sister and I when were growing up is the both of sitting on the piano bench "playing" the piano. At the time of the picture she actually knew how to play but I was still a baby so I am sure I did some banging of my own :)
We happily bought a piano from the previous home owners and the kids have loved playing it. There is lots of banging but I have shown Ella a few basic songs that she tries to play. Once life calms down a bit I am going to look into piano lessons for her. It is in her genes. Laney loves dancing to any music I play (my fingers only remember 2 songs so it is the same songs over and over again). I am even thinking about taking lessons again. Kelly, I wish you were here to teach us both!! ;)
Although I have resisted getting rid of my Zach Morris phone for years (I loved how small it was), I joined the 21st century and got a smart phone. I absolutely love it but am still learning how to work it :) I took the picture below when we were at my parents' house for dinner (J was out of town). We decided to have sloppy Joe's and Matthew was all.over.that! We stripped him down and let him go at it.
Everytime we shoot videos Ella has less and less clothes on. I am a little worried about her future :) And yes, Matthew is wearing a fairy skirt. Oh this poor boy!
While the weather was cool last week, we decided to head to a nearby park called Red Bird Hollow. I remember walking with my dad for hours on end at this park (of course it was probably 15 minutes but to a kid, that is forever). It is all shady and the paths are so beautiful. I was excited to take the kids there and although we only had an hour before a friend's birthday party, we were excited to go throw some rocks :)
Once we got over the small stream, Ella was off.
I was shocked how much she was into the trails.
While Ella was off and running, Laney stopped to take pictures of everything.
Here is a beautiful house right when you walk into the park.
She had her walking stick
Matthew is ready now too
After about 15 minutes of walking, we headed back to the beginning which had the best spot for rock throwing.
I can't recall exactly what Laney was asking me but I have a feeling she is asking something related to her camera :)
Ella thanked me no less than 10 times for coming to this park. She kept saying how much fun she was having and how she can't wait to come back. It was a great feeling (as usually activities I pick out brings out many tears and screaming...and that is just from me!)
At the end of our street, we have the best place for a lemonade stand. There are only 3 entrances in Terrace Park and this is one of them. Ella & Jill asked to have a Lemonade Stand and for whatever reason, Susan (Jill's mom) and I agreed. Must have been a week moment :) We figured we could handle this "together."
We made over $8 in an hour but in true kid form, we probably drank at least $5 of that. It was a great day and other than the boys wanting to jump into the creek behind us, it was a success. Since it was a Friday afternoon around 4 pm, next time we should try some wine or beer---drinking and driving anyone?
How can anybody resist this?
Jill enjoying a beverage on a hot day
I love in the background you see Donnie working the sign :)
Then he chose break time.....too cute!
The girls drove back to our house to get more lemonade.
It was a big success!
No children were injured while taking this picture but pretty sure there is something unsafe about this :)
One night when we snuck into Matthew's room to turn off the night, we saw that he had about 5 Barbies in bed with him and not only were they in his bed but they were naked and in the funniest positions. See how many you can count :)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Last week, Ella did VBS at St Thomas (the church all of our kids were baptized in, we got married in, my parents got married in and the church my parents still attend). Ella had a rough drop off at her last VBS (but warmed up quickly) but still, I hated seeing her cry when we dropped her off. So at this VBS, my mom volunteered at registration on Monday so Ella could see a familiar face when she walked into the church. It certainly helped and Ella loved seeing her Nana check her in (thanks, Mom!).
The VBS was a week long and Monday-Thursday they practiced for the performance on Friday. The musical was entitled "The Old Testament in 10 Minutes...or 20 or 30 minutes". It was really cute. The older kids did most of the acting & singing, but the younger grades did a few great numbers and Ella portrayed a lion in such a fabulous way--her roar was spectacular (spoken like a proud mama).
Ella's cheering section (Laney was at her own camp this week)
Warming up to the audience
Our favorite little lion
Roaring away!
Little man enjoying the show
They made a scroll of different stories from the Old Testament.
The brick outside of the church.
Ella liked stepping on our names :)
Thanks for coming Nana and Pappy!
Way to go Ella!
Glad you had fun this week and I am so proud of you for meeting some of your new first grade classmates :)
I mean really, isn't she a great lion?
I thought it was so cute that when she walked in, she was so focused and wouldn't even look at us. Such a rule follower :)
