Closet Redo

After our pile of coats and jackets at the bottom of the stairs multiplied (6 pairs of shoes and as many coats? There are only 3 of us!), I decided that we needed to make our coat closet more functional so we would use it.

We put a shoe rack in the bottom, and bought some coat hook racks to hang our coats on instead of the standard bar and hanger method.

It seems so spacious! We have room on our shelves above! We could put a hanging stuff holder on the back! It is amazing!

Mommy Goes Away (For the Weekend)

In a first, Mommy went away for the weekend. I needed to go to my Grandma's funeral, and it seemed impossible to pull off pregnant with a toddler in tow. The plan was hatched that I would leave early on Friday and come back in the afternoon on Sunday.

I tried to plan lots of fun surprises for Ella and Daddy while I was away. After leaving on an early flight, I was excited to see this cute video on my layover! Nothing makes you miss your toddler more than seeing them being cute and not having them nearby to do something un-cute to spoil the image.

I may have forgotten to do the laundry before I left...  but she picked out the outfit herself. 

One of Ella's favorite surprises was her new "cat house." The day before I left a neighbor posted on the neighborhood facebook page: "I'm leaving tons of toddler/preschool toys on the curb. I want them gone before my kids are home from school. What is left is going to get donated." We brought home bags of things, (Mari Kondo is cringing at the thought of me picking up bags of things on the curb. :P) The winner was definitely the tent/cat house. 

We prepared Ella the best we could for Mom going away. She seemed particularly excited at the thought of seeing the Thinkery! I understand that it was a hit! They also enjoyed the warm weather to visit the park. 

I had a quick, productive trip. It was good to see my family, and it was even good to have a little time away from my full time job.;) It was also good to get back to my happy family. 

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.