Guitar Lessons?

Ellia Unplugged

Ellia Update

Ellia continues to help me co-parent Claira. She is such a special help, not only when she literally helps me like an adult would. But also, just her presence
is a help because of how interested Claira is in whatever Ellia is doing. My favorite thing to see is: Ellia suddenly decides she has something to do and leaves the room to get started with whatever just occured to her. In "5-4-3-2-1" Claira notices Ellia's gone and so she stops whatever she's doing and waddles in the direction Ellia went.

Daddy got energized and creative so we all ended up with new wheels! I got a new bike (love it) and so did he. And the little ones got their own "tent" to ride in.
As long as they have a baggie of Cherrios in there they are lovin' the ride!
Thanks Daddy!


Jackson's little bro, Griffin, turned 1! His parents threw an awesome Pirate Treasure Hunt party in their backyard! Ellia spent most of the time in the sand box doing a "dinosaur dig" but once the treasure hunt was underway she was all in - eye patch and all! Now, when I take them out to our grass area in our neighborhood she tries to dig for gold coins!

Goofin' around with goof-ball Alan!

Easter 2010

I may only have a typical point & click camera that I scream at for pausing when I'm trying to capture a moment & then cuss at once I missed the moment.
But wow am I proud of that above picture it took.

Doin' the kimchi squat.

Egg dying with cousin Lauryn. They looked sooo much older at this Easter than last year...and it wasn't as "new" to them as it was last year.

The sissies standing proud with their egg hunt booty.

Claira Updates

This is the Official Security Blanket. And of course, the paci. Often times she self-medicates by wandering the house, whining & then pops a found paci in her mouth.

Meet Baby Kayla! Claira feel in love with this stroller in March. Then Grandma decided to kick the cuteness factor up a notch by dropping this forgotten "Baby Alive" doll into the stroller. Well, that inspired a renewed interest in Ellia for the doll. She named her Kayla. She moves her arms & legs and performs 3 emotions: babbling, laughing & crying. The second Ellia heard the Crying she literally dove for Kayla and craddled her arms about her, patted her head and said "It's ok, it's ok, Mama's here, Mama's here!" Now, when Claira hears Kayla cry she pats her head and then looks at me and smiles.

Anyone who hangs out with her long enough knows of her need to climb. I had to capture this latest climb by Claira. Especially since I hadn't captured her climb onto the dining table earlier...the girl needs a helmet 24/7.

Even though she's still not quite to the stage to sit in my lap and read, Claira loves to grab a book and go find a spot of her own to "read".

Good-bye Baby Swingin'

The days of photos of Ellia in the baby swing are numbered...getting a bit too big. Some of them hurt her legs. She's practicing the leg moves for the 'Big Girl Swing'. She's getting very good on the Big Girl Swing, but the Baby Swing is still the swing that will allow her to go super-high and super-fast!

Claira's New Smile

Claira smiles so hard that in some photos she looks like she's crying! Her mouth is smiling as wide as those cheeks will allow. Her nose crinkles up. And her eyes squint & gleam. It's a split second of pure happiness personified.

Smiles & Snow

Snow Trip! It was such a beautiful day-perfect weather, perfect snow spots. This was their very first time playing in the snow so it made it extra special. I bundled Claira up with so many clothes that she was irritated at how immoble she was. But eventually she adjusted. She even gave in to the gloves, finally.

A friend brought his daughter, Alissa (age 7) and Ellia glommed onto her very fast. Everything was "Lissa! Lissa! Look at that! Lissa! Come over here!"

Our friend's daughter turned 4 & hosted a party at a really cool indoor play gym Under The Sea. It had tons of stuff for Claira to climb up, slide down (always head first), drive & bounce.

Ellia was enthralled with a real Mermaid! She watched the mermaid's every move, barely moving as she sat there..curious, focused, with an amused smile creeping across her face. It's times like those where I really wonder what she's thinking!