It's Official ~

Ella is 1!! Her actual birthday was last Wednesday, October 22nd. We've been having so much birthday fun, I'm just now getting a chance to post it! I can't believe 1 whole year has come and gone! I know I'm always talking about what a handful Ms El is, but along with the tantrums, stubbornness and attitude, also comes sweet kisses, an infectious laugh, and a smile that can turn the worst day into the best! I wouldn't want Ella to be any other way! Happy Birthday Ella Reid!!!

Birthday FestivELLA ~

Although Ella doesn't officially turn 1 until Wednesday, we had a little Halloween birthday festival Sunday afternoon! Ella and her friends (all dressed in their Halloween best) had a blast playing games and eating goldfish and cheerios! We had a "ducks on the pond" game (which turned into a "splashing in the pond" game), "dig for treasure" (which instead of digging through the rice krispies to find the candy, they just ate their way through them), and Emma's fishing pond (they all needed a little help with that one)! Everyone took a turn riding in El's new wagon, which they all loved! I think they all had a great time, I know Emma and Ella did! We attempted to get a "group picture" since they all looked so cute in their costumes. Surprisingly, I got one where they were all looking in the general vicinity of the camera so that one turned out pretty good. We didn't bother with presents and birthday cake (she'll get enough of that from her Mimi and Nana, I'm sure). It was a lot less stressful not having to worry with all of that. We were able to just hang out and have fun with the kids on a beautiful Sunday afternoon! I think we'll make this birthday festivElla an annual event!!

Waiting on a flu shot!

They both did great! Emma didn't cry at all! Ella did for a second but then Emma started doing her "silly dance" and all was right with the world once again!

Fresh Air ~

We LOVE playing outside. Ella seems to be amazed by everything and scared of NOTHING. I've had to stop her from eating a bug on more than one occasion! Like the park, she loves playing in the mulch and seems to be amazed by the sound dead leaves make when she crushes them! But the best part about being outside is that she can ride her yellow bus without running into anything (well....most of the time). When sister is pushing her it's even better! However, you have to push the button on the front so the music will play or else she'll put her feet down so you can't push! I have no idea where that stubborn streak comes from!

Time for lunch ~

She looks so big sitting at the table eating her lunch! She actually did better than she normally does when we use the tray. She ate ALL of her grilled cheese sandwich and managed to only drop a few on the floor!

Dressed for Halloween ~

Nana made Ella these cute Halloween overalls and a shimmering tutu to wear over them. It's definitely not an outfit one would wear everyday.....but very cute for the season! Since Emma was doing her "silly dance" for Ella (which El thinks is just hysterical), I was able to get the whole outfit on her and even take a decent picture. Then she looked down and saw the tutu and it was all over from there! She had a brief meltdown until I took it off.....after that she was fine!

Sister's too funny!

"Wait.....what in the world is this!?"

"Get it off NOW!"

"Finally.....that was a close one!"

When Daddy's in charge......

....we get to do fun stuff, like stand on the kitchen table!

Well....

........as we were all rushing out of the house this morning, headed to work, school, daycare, etc., I noticed my driver's side door was open and the interior light was not on. Of course, I immediately turned to Jeb to ask why he left my door open last night (he had been getting some of his things out of my car) and to let him know that we were now all going to be late because since I was parked behind him and it was obvious that the battery was dead (since the interior light wasn't on) He wasn't going to be able to leave either! But.........I got in and it cranked right up.....a miracle! Not thinking another thing about it, we all went about our day as usual. So this evening, as I'm rushing out again (that's typically how it goes these days), I get in my car and ask Jeb for his GPS so I can put in the address of my destination and he says "what do you mean, it's in your car?".....and then it all hits at once. That's right.....someone stole the GPS out of my car last night, while it was sitting in our driveway! For all of you screaming at me through the screen, NO, I DID NOT HAVE THE DOORS LOCKED. I realize I probably should have, seeing as how the last time they bypassed the car and just knocked on the door. However, I do not feel, in any way, responsible! Personally, I don't think I should have to lock my doors. It's MY car, in MY driveway, with MY things inside! What gives ANYONE the right to take MY stuff? Honestly, I could care less about the GPS....it's the fact that someone saw something they wanted in my car and just helped themselves. At the risk of sounding VERY NAIVE, I just don't see how some people have no conscience, whatsoever. I hate the fact that we've lived here for 5 years now, in what has always been a pretty low key, family oriented neighborhood, and then a couple of college "hoods" move in and bring their "hood" friends and think they can just take over. I hate the fact that for the first time, EVER, I'm questioning whether or not I still want to live in Auburn. I hate the fact that I actually checked to make sure Ella's "little people school bus" was brought in because you never know when someone might decide they want it! I realize that stuff like this happens everywhere, everyday, no matter where you live. I LOVE Auburn and always will. It holds a huge part of my heart. But I have also realized that, no matter how much we want it to be, it's just not the place for us.

Hickory Dickory Day ~

We spent the afternoon at Hickory Dickory Park playing with Ms. Lena and Truitt! The girls had a great time! When she wasn't running through the "castle", Emma was entertaining Truitt. Ella was a little more preoccupied by the wood chips on the ground. By the time we were ready to leave, she was covered in dirt! If the weather stays like it has been, I think this will become our Sunday afternoon ritual! Of course, I have lots more pictures......there will be a slide show soon to follow!

Look who's walking!

It's official......we have a walker! She looks like she's doing the chicken dance when she walks because she keeps her arms pulled into her sides. She had been taking a few "baby" steps for about a month, but now I think she's got it. We had some friends over for the game a couple of weekends ago and when El saw her friend Bella walking around everywhere she wasn't about to be outdone! Since then she's been non-stop. I only thought she was into everything before! I don't think anything is safe now!!

Little Helper ~

Emma has always been (and still is) our big helper around the house.....now we have little helper too! For some reason, Ella is amazed by the vacuum cleaner! Every time one of us start to vacuum, it's like she goes into a trance. She follows it throughout the entire house, crawling/walking behind whoever is vacuuming! It's hilarious!! She's not the least bit scared by it, in fact, she thinks it's so funny whenever we vacuum around her while she's sitting in the floor. I'm sure her Mimi is shedding tears of joy as she reads this........she's amazed by the vacuum, too!!