Silly Girl

Hi there. I hope everyone's summer is off to a great start!

Jose and I were talking the other night and laughing at all the silly things Ell does on the daily. She's too cute(well we think so) and says the funniest things. I had to share both the good and not so good moments.

If you follow me on Insta, you probably have already heard this one! Lately, Ell has been resisting naps, which is driving this Mama crazy. Well, when I go in to tuck her in again and rub her back, she says, in the most serious of voices, "Mama, only babies go night night!" Needless to say, most days I swoop her up and we're on with our day.

Just recently she started saying NEVER when ever I ask her to do something. She says it with so much expression(and attitude) it's crazy! This is how it usually goes down…. "Catherine(I call her by her middle name most of the time) you cannot take Madeline's toys home with you in the car. Can I please have them so I can give them back to her?" She proceeds to whip them away from me saying, "NEVER!" I then ask her not to use that word in that tone and she then whispers in the sweetest of voices, "never." I have to hold back the laughter folks. I'm the worst. A battle using ensues and she heads straight in to time out for talking back to Mama.

Speaking of time outs. Lately when she is super over tired, usually due to lack of naps, she has complete meltdowns over the slightest thing. It's SCARY! Well…. as of late she has been saying exactly what I say, even in the same voice as me. It sounds a little like this. "Ella, do NOT throw that in the house again! (she then throws something) Ella, TIME OUT for two minutes. Sit down here please." Then she says……. "No mama, YOU time out. Two minutes. Sit DOOOWWWWN! Yikes. We're in for it. This is where I really work on my Mommy patience. When did she turn into a teenager?

On a lighter note. Here are some of our favorite answers from Ell:

"What's your name?" I

"Noooooo… What's your name?" Ewwa

"What's Mommy's name?" Babe

"What's Daddy's name?" Babe

Last month she started calling people honey. It's so funny. Her Titi says it a lot, so we know she got it from her. I die. It's SO sweet.

She calls all kids her buddies or peoples. "Where's my peoples Mommy?"

Whenever Jose or I have to leave for work she says, "I want to go to work tooooooo!" Makes leaving super hard, but it sounds so sweet.

She's such a love bug. She says she loves us all the time, and gives tons of besitos. Such a sensitive, loving heart. Might have something to do with the fact that I tell her I love her many times throughout the day and I'm always kissing her. I just can't help myself!

If we are going somewhere she says, "Where are going? Don't forget I!" (I would never forget you Be.)

She's still really inquisitive, so every 5 seconds I hear "Happened?" or "Why?"

Every time she's done on the potty she says, "Is Mommy so proud of I?" I sure am love!

I have loved watching Ell's little personality grow as she gets older. It is filled with the sweetest of voices, crazy amounts of expression, a whole lot of sass, a little attitude, some drama, and most of all, the most loving and sweet heart. Although many moments are hard, she brings so much joy in our lives every day.

How can you not love this sweet face?!

Hoping you all have a wonderful weekend. This little nugget is going to be three, one week from today.

Bring on the Mama tears…….

Summer is here

Summer vacation is finally here, and Ell and I could not be happier or more excited! The week leading up to my last day of work(school) was just awful. Ell got another horrible ear infection, so we spent a few days at the doctors trying to get things figured out. Finally we saw her ENT, and were all set to go with some antibiotics, ear drops, and some new ears plugs fitted especially for our tough little Be. Ell did so great, and was a trooper the entire time she had the infection. 

Here she is having a blast at her doctor's office. At least she's happy when she's sick!

On Wednesday afternoon,  Ell, my Mom, and I headed out to Palm Springs to meet up with my Sis and the boys. We always love to go to PS, and it was great spending time with my Mom, Sis, and the boys. My Mom headed off to her home in Coeur D'Alene for the summer, so Ell especially loved having some extra cuddles with her Gigi before she left. 

Here she is with her cousin Garin. She is obsessed with her cousins! This was after a few fun hours swimming in the pool. This girl of ours LOVES the water. 

We headed to the YMCA when her cousins were at Soap City. She had a BLAST!

A little TV time . . . . .

and of course she mimics everything they tell her to do. 

Thanks Gracie for teaching Ella some of your tricks!

Love this pic of my Mom and the boys.

An "ice cream treat" with Gigi.

Since we've been home, we've just been having the best time hanging out together. 

We've had fun mornings getting Starbucks ……. 

Going to the park ………

AND, taking some photos of my cute girl out front …….

I'm loving every minute being home with Ell. 

I also had a chance to go out with Ella's Titi(Cori) for some fun. I think we need to make this a weekly occurrence Cor. It was much needed!

 Today we are officially starting to potty train again. As of right now, it's NO BUENO!! Hoping she gets better as the day progresses. Wish us luck and say some prayers for us. 

To My Husband…..

I always knew you'd be a good dad, but I never could've imagined the endless ways you'd amaze me, the countless things you'd teach me, or the way you'd keep taking being a dad to a whole new level! YOU are the most loving, patient, supporting, selfless, dedicated, and incredible father to our sweet girl. I couldn't imagine being on this journey with any one else.

Thank YOU for always being our rock, for always putting your family first, and for never letting us down. You simply amaze me!

Happy Father's Day love.

We LOVE you,

Hol & Ell  XOXO

And………. here's a look back on our last two years. She just gets cuter and cuter!

Father's Day 2013 / Ella Catherine / 2 years old

Father's Day 2012 / Ella Catherine / 1 years old

We sure do LOVE you Jose. Thank you for being the BEST Dad to our sweet girl. We are so blessed!

Well Hello There

Hi there friends and family! Where have I been you ask? I wish I had something exciting to tell you, but quite honestly, we've just been having too much fun together for me to open up this computer of mine and actually have enough energy to write a post.

A few weeks ago, Jose looked at me and said, "Be, you really need to update the blog!" I was shocked. Then again today while driving to Sea World, he again says, " Babe, really, the blog. You're going to be doing a High School graduation update if you don't get on it." Really Babe? So, here I am.

I figured the best way to catch up to speed is to do an update through pics! Hope you enjoy.

Valentine's Day

Our month was full of LOVE, lots of outfits with hearts, and some fun art with Ell. 

Annual Doheny Camping Trip

We look forward to this camping trip with my family every year. This year we decided to try and tent camp on my Dad and Debs site, and for the most part it went great! We bought a very large tent so that we could fit all of our belongings, a queen size blow up mattress, and Ell's Pack-in-Play inside. The first night she slept like a baby, however the second night was a train wreck. It was a good test run, and we will definitely brave it again next year! 

Beach Days!

Most weekends you'll find us at the beach. It's hard not to enjoy it living in SoCal. We are so lucky. 

Swim Lessons

Ell started swim lessons in March, and she is becoming an amazing swimmer. We're so proud of her. She is FEARLESS, and jumps right in. She is now in a preschool aquatics level two class and is doing great. Her class only has 3 kids in it, and they are a bit older so they follow direction much better than she does. She just wants to jump in and swim. We'll continue to work on the listening part!

Preschool Open House

Ell begins preschool in the fall, and she couldn't be more excited. She had an Open House in March, and I was so proud of her willingness to jump right in and begin learning. I have a feeling she's going to do great. Now we just need to get her potty trained!

SME Carnival

My school puts on a carnival each year, and Ella had a blast. It was the hottest day ever(I almost threw up when we walked home), but we had a blast. Our teachers are rockstars, and I am so lucky to be a part of this amazing school family!

Easter

He has Risen!

Afternoon Visits to the Park with her Favorite Buddy

Megs and I love taking the kids to the park, and they just LOVE each other. It is the sweetest thing. (Emme will be in the pics very soon Megs!)

SeaWater

(Really SeaWorld!)

We have an annual membership so we've been a few times and Ella just loves it! She is constantly asking to go to SeaWater! She sure does love her animals.

This pic warms my heart. This little girl was a complete stranger, and all Ell wanted to do was hold her hand next to the dolphins. She has the sweetest heart! 

Mother's Day

Sadly this is all I have to mark this lovely day. I missed out on taking any pic of us to monument this beautiful day. Ell made this with her Titi and gave it to me for Mother's day. I wish I could have captured the joy Ell had on her face when she gave it to me. It was so sweet. It's on the fridge, and she'll point it out to anyone who visits. It's the cutest thing ever!

We had a beautiful and relaxing Mother's Day weekend, and I got to spend it with Jose's Mom and sister and my Mom. I am so grateful to have so many amazing Moms in my life who have helped shape me into the Mother I am today. Truly blessed. 

It was perfect in every way.

I'm sure I missed a million things, but these are the activities that have been taking up most of our time the past few months. 17 more days and I'm off for almost THREE whole months! I cannot wait. 

AND, in two short months our sweet Be will be THREE. THREE? How on Earth did that happen?

Hoping I will get back into the swing of things once Summer starts. But for now, this is all I've got. Thanks for stopping by.