Surprises for Ella

January came with lots of fun surprises for Ella! Better than Christmas? Maybe.
When Grandma and Grandpa came and visited they brought a fun kid sized table. Ella enjoys playing with it and tells us that "Grandpa  made this table. Grandpa worked hard."

Grandma left her shoes after visiting. Ella promptly claimed these princess shoes for her own. Sorry Grandma.

Ella also got new boots from our friend Joanie. Ella said "They are perfect! I'll wear them everyday." Joanie also gave us a fun toy stroller and our very own pink pony.

Ella's Resolutions

Zilker Adventures

We had a fun adventure with Grandma and Grandpa to Zilker park downtown.

We started in the science and nature center. Ella loved digging in the Dino bone sandbox. She also liked seeing the rescued bobcat.

After that, we went to the Zilker playscape and played. There were lots of new things at this park! We ended up staying and playing longer while we waited to ride the little train!

Christmas 2015

Ella's reaction for Christmas could probably be summed up like this.

And here is the aftermath of Ella's Christmas. She enjoyed all her gifts so much that after she opened each one she didn't want to stop playing in order to open another one. I know that this is something that won't last forever, but for now it made me feel good that she genuinely liked everything we got her.

Ella also got Mom and Dad each a dollar store present to put under the tree. I got bows to put on presents. Daniel got a blue, squishy, light up ball thing. Hopefully her picking skills will improve in the future.

Daniel and I also had a good Christmas and enjoyed our gifts and watching Ella enjoy her gifts as well.

Ella Sings Songs

Ella has started to sing us little songs on occasions. She is still figuring it out, but it is super cute! Sometimes it is a song she already knows, and sometimes it is something that she makes up.

This made up song thing shouldn't surprise us because she expects us to improv songs several times a week, and then remember them for a random time in the future when she requests it. Recent request: tractor song, sleepy tractor song, white kittens, penguin song, Tabby Cat song, Ella Song, mommy song.

I Love to See The Temple

As a family, we decided to take a long weekend to San Antonio so that we could have fun and go see the temple!

First we stopped on our drive down to see the Cabela's aquarium! Ella made us walk through five or so times. Then we drove down and played at the children's museum. They had a fun room for little people -- a whole town that was toddler sized! Ella got to fly a plane, delivered the mail, go grocery shopping and practice her veterinary skills We played at the hotel pool before dinner and took no pictures. In the morning, we all got dressed and went to visit the temple! It was a fun little trip.

Princess Ella

Ella loves to play pretend. Lots of times she will pretend to be a cat, but lately she has also enjoyed being a princess.
What I have learned:
Princesses love a good tutu (regular or tutu dresses).
Princesses often bring along a cute cat.
Princesses love to dance
Princesses love pink and purple clothes
Princesses love a good cape.
A princess is not above being a fireman. (They have great headwear)
Nothing makes a girl a princess faster than a "crown" on their head.