Memories in the making

A few things of late that I wanted to record:

• Did I ever blog about the time a few months ago when Mommy hacked her legs shaving? There was quite a bit of blood and when I put my legs on the chair, Elena gasped. She quickly disappeared to emerge with a dripping wet wash cloth. I was none too happy and hurried Elena to the table where she could deposit it. She did immediately, but started crying in the most pathetic and apologetic way.... "MOMMY, I just wanted to wipe your legs!!!!!!!" I ate so much crow in those few seconds and don't remember a time when I've felt so guilty, sorry and still proud. I hugged her quickly, apologized and she wiped my legs eventually. What a good heart that kid has and what a lesson Mommy learned that day.


• Two nights ago, Elena opened her door at about 11:00 p.m. and closed it again. I went in to check on her and she was out again, curled in a little ball. Missing though, were her blankets. I looked everywhere in the dark and no blankets could be found so puzzled, I grabbed another and covered her. By that time, Ryan had joined me and he found the blankets piled on her little kitchen, covering her new blue night light (recently purchased to keep away the 'big girl bed monsters'). Oh, that was just so sweet and again, a little pathetic. Mommy's heart ached for her little girl who was so brave to handle the annoying light on her own.


• Elena just got her second haircut to 'even' it out. I hated doing it, but it was crucial. She was very good and got a celebratory ice cream cone following this great accomplishment.

Elena is pictured here during said haircut, modeling a few new outfits and finally, making cake for Gramma's birthday.

City slickers

We return from camping a little dirtier and a little wiser. Fun? I think so. The kids loved it, the husbands loved it and the girls, well, we tried. We really wanted to be rugged. But what we lack in outdoor-si-ness, we make up for in sarcasm and laughter. We weren't short on the laughs.

It's weird. I camped a ton as a kid and camped in my Jackson Hole days, but I've since opted for very little tent sleeping. We'll go again I know, a little more prepared and in a place that has potties for Mommy and Lala. It's good for us to get out into nature, but for now I'm pretty happy to be home and free from sap-covered feet.

I guess I'm whatcha call, a bona fide city girl (SATC, circa 2004). Let's hope Elena can boast a little more of Daddy's ruggedness in this department.

(Here are a couple shots of Elena and Emily gettin their camp on.)

Home on the range

Elena is enjoying the last couple of weeks with Daddy being at home, as he starts back to work on September 2. She gets to help him with his work and spend a lot more time with some of her neighborhood peeps, like Sophia and Haley. They enjoy the girl time and chat about life, popsicles, baby dolls and fashion (or lack thereof).

Bring on the big girl

Elena spent her first night in a "Big Girl" bed last night (aka crib with front rail off = daybed). We decided to move her into this one first and on her third birthday, we'll move her into the full sized bed (complete with the most beautiful bedding Mommy couldn't resist).

Though there were some moments of trepidation, where Elena wanted me to sleep next to her, she was mostly very excited about the experience and slept all night until 6:30 this morning. When I opened my eyes this morning, I saw Elena pull open and shut her door. I nudged Ryan and we both laughed because Elena came out again, grabbed us from bed and showed us that she, "Slept aaaalll night in her big girl bed, climbed out, opened her shutters and her door. AAAALL by herself."

It was so sweet, so sad and such a silly moment of pride. Our little girl.... also shown here gazing at the jewelery box from Isabel. She's a little fascinated by the ballerina these days and spends quite awhile just looking at her dance. :)

Dancing Queen

After a heavenly vacation in Bend, OR with Grandma and Grandpa, Elena is well rested and ready to groove. She is SO her mother's daughter... dancing for no reason and looking a little silly in the process (See the evidence from a recent grown up night out at the Wonderbread 5 Concert--- ridiculous dancing runs in the gene pool).

We're looking forward to uploading some vacation photos when Grandma Yvette sends them along. We forgot our camera, but there are some good ones a'brewin. Elena tried her first s'more (or as she says, "s'nore") and we spent a lot of time relaxing in the amazing house on river.

Until next time... Groove is in the Heart.