EMILY'S FAVORITES

Emily had fun riding some milder rides. She also likes posing & looking cute. She still really likes Soarin at Epcot a lot, but will plug her ears because of the fireworks at the end. This was when we were waiting in line. This was one of our longest waits. They told us it should take 10-15 minutes from start to finish. So Mom kept Ella, while everyone else rode. We took the backpack/diaperbag with us, since it was so short. Well, we ended up waiting 40 minutes before even getting on the ride. I was worried the whole time, but when we got off, I was happy to find that there had been no diaper explosions.

Emily rode Expedition Everest 2 times. She did not want to the 2nd time, but we made her. This picture was the first time she rode. After this she didn't want to ride any other roller coasters. I think it scared her, since it goes backwards.

At O'hana Emily enjoyed the coconut race & the limbo the best. She didn't care about the food that much. Just the fun every 15 minutes. Emily's hangin out in front of the toy store, before heading home.

ELLA'S FAVORITES

This was Ella's first trip to Disney. She seemed to really enjoy it and I'm sure she will like it more with each trip. She was able to ride the most at Magic Kingdom. She liked Small World, Winnie the Pooh's ride, the Tea Cups & Mickey's Philharmagic 4-d show. At Animal Kingdom, she liked the Safari, but her favorite was dancing at the parade. She worked up a sweat. At Hollywood Studios she loved the Playhouse Disney show. She sang along with the characters and danced all over the place. She danced so much she kept creeping closer & closer to a family in front of her. When we moved her back she didn't like it, since

we were interrupting her moves. She ate lots of ice cream & popsicles too. We rented a double stroller, so that Alex & Emily could take turns riding. That was a mistake. We started off letting Miss Ella ride alone, therefore she thought that was ALL hers. This picture above, is one of the few time someone rode with her, without tears. When Emily tried to ride, Ella would scream & pull her hair. So Emily would relent & get out crying. With Alex she would just scream or pinch him, he would laugh, she'd get louder & the adults made him get out because we couldn't take it. Ella (not even 2) beats up on her 6 & 7 year old siblings.




Ella also enjoyed the character meal. Only as long as the characters stayed 2 feet away. She would smile, wave & say hi. Then start crying saying no, no, if they stood beside her, or touched her. As soon as they stepped away, she'd start smiling again. Except for Goliath, the lion. He was the last character, and she had enough by then. He is a little scary. I think it's all the fur. Even though you can't see her face, she is smiling at JoJo the clown.

To the right Ella is saying don't get me, please.

She didn't really say that, but I'm sure that's what she thinks.

One more for Ella

When Ella rode rides, she had a problem staying seated. So as you can see below, she likes to stand up. This is why she rode with Jody on most rides.Overall, I think she had a good time. She slept great at the hotel, in the crib. In the morning she'd wake up & climb out to start her day. She would come to my side of the bed whispering Hi Mommy. I'd say Hi Ella, Where's Daddy? Then she'd go to Jody, he'd get up & I got to sleep 30 more minutes.

Thursday 13

I realized I haven't updated the blog lately. So here I am, with a list of 13 random statements.

1. The kids are wrapping up the 5th week of school.


2. Emily is starting Hip Hop again tomorrow. She did 9 weeks in the spring, then they had a recital. But guess what. I missed it:(


3. Ella has gained 4#'s in 3 months. Is that alot?


4. Jody got a mountain bike in July. He goes riding at Blankets Creek, when I let him.


5. Alex enjoys riding his bike with Jody on the trails.


6. My niece Lindsey, turned 11 yesterday. Happy Birthday Lindsey!!!


7. Ella started going to Mother's Morning Out last week. She goes 2 days & loves it.


8. Jody & I went to dinner one night & for dessert one night. All in the same week. WOW!


9. My friend Heather is in her last weeks of her pregnancy.


10. I'm looking forward to going to the fair in 3 weeks.


11. Alex, Emily & I rode on the bus, to the race Saturday.


12. My parents kept Ella & Jody worked (last Sat of the month & Labor Day weekend)


13. Our guy won the race!! It was awesome!!

I thought when school started back, things were going to calm down. And I'd have more time to do things like update the blog. But instead we've been busy with homework, homework & more homework. Then there's dinner & showers etc. But I will try to update more often since there are sooo many people reading this. I'll try update again soon.

Ella the monkey

School is back in full swing & Ella is so bored without the kids home. The first week of school, Ella learned to open the refrigerator. Every time I turned around she was in the fridge eating cheese, hot dogs. She put the sour cream in the freezer & some other crazy things. She is also opening the kitchen drawers, getting things out & with her level of activity, you can see why I look forward to nap time. Ella sleeps for 2 hours, while I get to relax, read watch tv, sit in the office on the computer... Oh but there are 2 other kids, a 1st & 2nd grader, and they have homework. Yippee! So our new schedule during Ella's nap consists of a snack for the kids & homework. This usually takes 30-45 minutes, but last week we were spending 1 hour to 1&1/2 hours with Alex alone. So you see the importance of her nap. Well last week guess what else she learned. To climb out of the crib. She climbed out 3 times in a row, then I rocked her & layed her in her crib asleep. While she slept, I considered my options. 1. leave her in the crib 2. move her to a toddler bed or 3. get a crib tent. #1 I didn't want to risk, since Heather's daughter broke her arm after climbing out of her crib. #2 would work since her crib converts to a toddler bed, but then I'd have to deal with a new sleep routine & her climbing on furniture, all while trying to do homework too. So I decided on #3 the crib tent. Put her in the crib enclosed be a tent, and zip her in. Seems easy enough, but I was worried she may be scared.
After dinner that night, my mom & I went to Babies R Us to get the tent (they rip you off when you're desperate). Jody & I put it on (30 minutes) and then we put her to bed. She loved it. She never cried or anything. I hope she continues to like it, at least till the kids have a break from school or maybe even till next summer. I always like to do transition things like taking away a paci or moving to a bed when they have a break from school/preschool. I took Alex's paci away on a trip to Disney, Emily's was taken at Christmas break & she was potty trained at the same time. Alex was potty trained during spring break, and Emily was moved to a bed during the summer. When we took Alex's pacifier that was the end of naps for him & the beginning of bedtime battles. When Emily moved to a bed, she started sleeping with us. So with Ella being the 3rd, (you live & learn) I decided she could have a paci & sleep in a crib till she was 5 if that keeps her happy. We'll see what happens.

No pictures

I've lost my camera!! I've been holding out on a blog, hoping to find the camera first. It's been almost 2 weeks and I'm about to give up the search. One of the 3 children may be to blame, but we haven't succeeded at beating it out of them. Just kidding.

The last time I used it, I put it back in my purse, where I keep it. Several days later, I wanted to download pictures, since the memory card was Full. Yes it was full. All those memories are now lost with the camera. So I'm trying to wait it out & decide when to give in & buy a new one. I'll have to get one in the next 3 weeks. We are heading to Disney World & have to have one. I'll keep you posted.

Back 2 School

Today we started our new school year. Alex is in 2nd grade, while Emily is in 1st grade. We met the teachers Friday, and we love them both. Emily's best friend from last year is in her class again, along with 2 boys that she liked. One of the boy's mother, was room mom last year & said she is room mom again this year. She loves Emily & seems to be tight with the teacher already. So I know Emily is in good hands.

Alex's teacher was hand picked by his Sp Ed teacher from last year. The 2 teachers could be sisters. they look & sound alike. She seemed very nice. In some of her about me papers, she said her goal is to ensure each child feels cared for & safe in her class & then they can learn. She wants to get to know the child & appreciate them for who they are. Sounds like the perfect choice for us. I'm looking forward to getting back in the swing of things, but not the homework, so much. The kids were anxious but excited last night. Alex was more worried about there being an emergency at home, while he is at school, & he can't take care of it. He said that I had to be responsible for the house & Ella while he's gone. OR I'd have to go to the school & say "I need Alex Jarrett for check out". So I told him I thought I could handle it, for the short time he is gone. He is a sweet Big brother. Emily is just going to miss spending time with me & Ella.