No Work and All Play

So, I just finished up my summer course teaching government and I am feeling like a new woman.  I don't teach again until November.  It has been two days of getting caught up and just being with my girls.  Some crazy things have happened in our world the last couple of weeks and once again I have gained so much comfort from just watching and being with Kayt and Ella.  While I hate to have the reminders I am grateful for how much more I love being a mother after each little trial. 

It may get old sooner rather than later but I have just loved taking care of my husband, my girls and my house the last few days and having nothing else to worry about.  I really do find joy in being a stay at home mom.  Scott has had a crazy schedule the last week and I love that I can cook him a good meal and make the house feel nice and welcoming after his long crazy days.  I love that my patience is increased by not stressing about students.  I love that I have to bring my girls with me to mutual.  I am just oozing with happiness right now!  I am so blessed.

I also wanted to jot down a few things about the girls as well.

Kayt:
Kayt can swim!!  I am not just talking keep herself floating but she can full on swim in very deep water and for long distances.  She swim the entire width of the pool!  Her new trick in jumping into the deep and end and swimming back to the side by herself!

The girls have resorted to stuffed dogs.  After many months of convincing me they should have one they finally gave up.  Now Hoewa and Sadie go everywhere.  I keep telling them stuffed dogs are better because they can go more places.  Kayt keep reminding me that she still wants a real one someday.

Ella:
Ella came to Scott the other day while I was sleeping and said, "I'm tired"  Scott "okay go get your Jammies on and I will read you stories."  Ella disappeared for a moment and came back "Daddy can I hold you?"  It melted his heart and mine when I heard the story. 

I came into the room yesterday while Ella was watching Elmo and she was doing the hokey poky with the show.  She has never done that before but she really got into it.  I watched inconspicuously and she put her whole self and shook it all about.

There is more, but it is late and time for bed!! 

Funny E-mail

I recieved the following e-mail today from our relief society president.  While I should be bothered and probably a little paranoid, I am just laughing!!

"I've been asked by a sister in the ward to send out an e-mail informing parents of Primary-age children that her Primary-aged children have lice."

I guess they need to include a sign outside of the primary, not just the nursery, about keeping children with bugs growing on their head home.  No really, honest mistake I am sure but I will be digging out the number two pencil, sharpening it up and combing it through Kayt's hair this week!

You gotta love church!

Funny Girls

The other day I went down stairs to our court yard to pick up a seashell the girls had lost over the balcony.  Not paying attention, I locked myself out.  The girls were sitting up on the balcony watching me retreive their precious seashell so asked them to come downstairs and let me in.  They both jumped up and I thought headed down stairs.  Ten minutes later I could hear them giggling in the living room.  I called to Kayt to come out and tell me what was going on.  She appeared on the porch, now fully dressed (she was in her P.J.'s before), and explained she was trying to help Ella.  I thought she was trying to help her get her shoes on so I responded, "Ella is fine, just come down and let me in.  Another 10 minutes later they finally show up at the door.  I started laughing so hard I nearly wet my pants as Ella came penguin walking down the last stair and to the door.  She had put on a pair of her pajama pants, only both legs were in one leg hole.  It was the funniest thing I had seen.  She tripped several time in the short space to the door.  I don't know how she got down three flights of stairs without killing herself but thank goodness she did. 

I looked at Kayt who was also laughing and said, "no wonder you thought you needed to help Ella!"  They are the silliest little girls ever, who love each other so much. They just melt my heart!

On another note, yesterday was the first day in 4 years and 8 months that I have not changed a diaper!!!!!! (and the crowd goes wild!!!!!!!!).  Yes ladies and gentleman, Ella K. Smith has decided to potty train herself.  All I had to do was buy some Jelly Bellies.  She just decided it was time to start peeing on the potty.  This all started last Friday and the last two days have been nearly accident free, (just 1).  I did not have to pry, bribe, coerce, beat my head against a wall, nothing!!  She just decided to do it.  How did I get so lucky!!!

I keep waiting for her to change her mind but as long as I keep the Jelly Bellies comin' she is game.  My baby grew up on me : )

The best has part has been to see her Kayt interact with it all.  Ella could care less if Scott and I are proud, it is Kayt she is aiming to please.  She wants Kayt to see every time she goes and comes running to her yelling, " I did it."  Kayt has been so sweet to respond with a lot of enthusiasm and praise.  She will go and sit with her and read her stories and go running in after her to encourage her.  It has been so cute to watch. 

Happy 4th of July

For the 4th this year we decided to do the American thing and head into the nation capitol and watch the fireworks. We made the 6 hour (20 mile)round trip journey and joined 1 million others to salute our country. We found a great spot on the lawn of the Lincoln Memorial and had a great time. Getting out of the city was the craziest thing I have ever done but we made it and enjoyed it.

Keeping Up

I can't believe how time flys. It seems I was just on here trying to update and here it has been over a month and I am still behind with more to catch up on. It has just been too busy. I sit and wonder at night if being so busy is keeping me from doing the important things. I get so caught up in the day to day tasks I forget to take a moment and enjoy each moment I have with my beautiful girls and wonderful husband. Learning of the passing of an acquaintance of ours 18 month daughter again reminded me of how precious each day with my family is and how much I want to remember and cherish each moment. So instead of working, I am going to blog my memories.

HOME TO IDAHO
We were able to take our vacation in June and head home to Idaho. I say home because it has always been and will always be where our hearts and thoughts are. I was able to see my two nieces and nephew, Julia, Leah and Emmitt, that have been born since we were last home. We were also able to visit with all of our brothers and sisters (minus Jake, Jeff and Brad :( ) and spend some time with each of our grandparents as well.

Kayt about summed up everyone's feelings as she cried while walking through the security gate at the airport. The promise of phone calls and skype just wasn't enough, it never is. But alas here we are back in Virginia making the most of it.

We started our trip with a great time up in Midway, UT with my family. I am always reminded why I miss being around my whole fam when we get together. WE have so much fun! There is just the right combination of personalities that there is never a dull moment. I didn't want to go to bed each night because I was afraid I would miss something, a moment to enjoy everyone just that much more. The only downside was not having Jared, Cassi and Emmitt there with us but we are planning on them making a roaring appearance at our next family "reunion" we have to call it that now. (BOOOOO) I am so blessed to have the family I do that loves each other and cares about each other and does what it takes to all be in the same place at the same time.

Highlights of the trip were
1-world cup soccer
2-settlers of Cattan way too late at night
3-seeing Emmitt and Julia for the first time
4-hanging out with my mom, emily, sarah and cassi
5-watching Kayt, Ella and Baron march in circles on the bed singing "Fall down, fall down"
6-Baron yelling "To infinity and beyond" and "Komanda" (Kung fo Panda)
7-Singing Jarry Happy Birthday! he never gets embarrassed but this time he was.
8-Watching the lightning storm camping up near Hisee
9-Taking Kayt and Ella camping with my parents
10- The zoo with grandma flamm and grandma erickson. It is a special feeling when you relive memories you had as a child with your own girls.
11- Running early in the morning and watching the sun come up over the Tetons

We also spent a week at Scott's parents house. It was the first time we have all been there together. It was so fun to just hang out with his family. I am very lucky to have such great inlaws. The four little girls were so funny to watch. They could play for hours and not get tired of each other. It makes me excited for the future as they all grow up together.

Highlights with the Smith's
1-Dad's 50th birthday
2-The mouse hunt
3-Kayt learning to ride a bike
4-Riding in the fast car with Grandpa Dye
5-Kayt riding paint all by herself at grandpa smith's farm
6-Seeing a happy and content Scott come home from a long day of fishing
7-Watching Kayt, Ella and Lainy test there courage running further down the road (lead by lainy)
8-Beauty and the Beast with Kayt and Ella on my lap on the front row! It was a little too intense for them
9-having Kayt and Ella wave to Bishop Smith on the stand in church
10-Cassi's softball game, and our running commentary. We are pretty funny!
11-Scaring Sarah my sister with he Gorilla mask
12-Introducing Scott's sisters to the art of toilet papering

My camera broke but I did get these before it went down.

It was a fantastic trip home. We got to see a lot of family and remember why we will always call Rexburg home.

ELLA SLIDE SHOW

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Ella Turns Two

Well, my baby is all grown up.  I can't even believe she is two.  The problem is she is two going on 4 or 5 or 6.  You get the point.  She really is not a baby anymore.  How does it go so fast?

All Ella wanted for here birthday was an Elmo cake.  I think it turned out pretty good in the end and she was pleased as punch.  She still talks about having another birthday with her Elmo cake.  Kayt made some great decorations for the walls and hung them up.  She also wrapped Ella's favorite gift, the Baby Doll.  She just couldn't let go of Kayt's old dirty one (which she is still very possessive of) so we got her her very own.  It was a highlight for both girls.

( This is Ella eating a cup of whole wheat flour, yes it is her favorite)

The menu for the occasion was none other than hot dogs.  Ella's favorite food (although she only gets them on her birthday).  Her most favorite (nix the previous statement) was the singing duck that Aunt Hayley got her.  The duck sings Happy and You Know It while flapping his wings and hopping up and down.  Happy and You Know It has been Ella's favorite song since who knows.  We sing it every night before bed, every time we get in the car whenever she is bored.  That song has had some millage at our house.  Ella almost could not contain herself when a duck was singing her song.  Saying she was giddy is an understatement.  The poor duck was worn out in a day.

Digital scrapbooking design made with Smilebox

So here is my ode to my Ella Girl.  I have never met a happier, more easy going, loving, playful, funny, adventurous little girl.  A lot of kids are cute and funny but Ella at two does things to try and make you laugh and cracks herself up in the process.  She loves to talk and sing and can talk your ear off if you let her.

Ella loves to play and play and play.  She never stops and nothing is too dangerous for this girl.  I have finally stopped looking all the time at the playground.  I wait for her to yell for help.  Otherwise I go crazy trying to be there when I think she might fall.  The girl is a monkey, she never falls and never gets scared.  For example she got stuck on some very skinny ladder stair on the playground.  I watched as she tried to figure out how to turn herself around.  She ended up losing her balance, wrapping around the pole and slide down fireman style.  When she touched ground she said "whoa....that was fun"  I am not kidding, this out of the mouth of a 25 month old.

Ella is a tease.  Poor Kayt takes the brunt, but everything is a game.  She gets this glimmer in her eye and you know the game has begun.  She often runs laughing hysterically in the wrong direction just waiting for you to follow her, when you do she laughs even harder.  She is a bad influence on Kayt at times.  Kayt never hid in the clothes racks at stores, not anymore.

Ella is an outside girl through and through.  She sits out on the porch all day long just playing on her picnic table, finding someway to thrill herself in a dangerous manner.  All she ever wants to do is go play outside with her friends.  There's a little boy in our complex, she possessively calls her boy.  "I want to go play with my boy, where is my boy?"  It is pretty funny.

The only thing Ella likes more than playing outside is going to the pet store to see the puppies and the kitties.  She has no greater joy in life.  She starts screaming as soon as we pull in the parking lot.  I see kitties and puppies, I wish I could record it for you because it is hilarious.  She flies in to the store out of control like and starts exclaiming, "thats and cute puppy!  Oh so cute puppy!"  We are regulars at Petland for better or worse.

Though Ella is getting so big and so smart, she is still my baby.  She loves to read books and snuggle and I love it too.  My favorite is to rock a bye here in the middle of night.  She is such a snuggler, she finds her perfect spot on your shoulder and lets her full weight rest on you.  There is nothing better.  I love watching my strong willed little thrill seeker sleep.  I often watch and think of what the world will have in store for my little Ella girl and I worry and get anxious and then I think, what Ella will have in store for the world and think, get out of her way and watch out!

Happy Birthday Ella, I Love You.