Del Mar St.

I've mentioned before about our Saturday afternoons. Jon stays home while sweet Gwen naps and Elle and I head out on the town. This is our special time together. I always ask her where she wants to go and it is ALWAYS the same answer. "Mama", she says, "take me to Del Mar St." Close to our house and down by the beach. A favorite place of mine too. So surreal to now live where I vacationed every summer of my life as a child. I love that the same sounds and smells of my childhood are now hers.

We have our little routine...

First to Billy's for lunch and we have to sit by the fountain so that she can endlessly throw pennies in. I asked her what one of her wishes was today and she said, "if I tell you, it won't come true but I will say it has to do with a diamond castle". Cute. We then head to the little chocololate shop. The ladies know her in there and are so sweet to her. She always gets one solid milk chocolate heart. Always. I get the dark chocolate caramel and then we sit and eat them on the chairs in front of the store. Only then, am I allowed to browse my favorite boutiques with her. I know Del Mar St. will always have special memories for her but more than anything I hope what she remembers most is how much I LOVE spending time with her.

Happy Father's Day

We had a wonderful Father's Day. Jon had breakfast served to him in bed compliments of Elle and Gwen and was also given his gifts. Elle gave him his favorite candy (Reeses Pieces) tied up in a bag with a big ribbon around it and Gwen presented him with a picture of herself in a frame she painted. How grateful I am to be married to a man that honors his role as a father. He is amazing with our girls and they light up the minute they hear the garage door open at the end of the day. That sound means one thing...daddy's home! I think the first photo speaks volumes for the love they have for eachother.

These men are three of the most treasured people in my life. My own dad, my Jon and his dad. How lucky we were to spend father's day together at our home for dinner. I feel truly blessed that my little girls have a daddy and 2 grandpas as such amazing examples of loving, kind men in their lives.

Two Piggies

Gwen wants to do everything Elle does. She mimics her every move. I was doing Elle's hair yesterday in the style we refer to as "two piggies". Gwen then brought me two rubberbands and said, "my two piggies". She wanted her hair just like her big sister. So here is Gwen's "two piggies" debut. Barely enough hair to make it into the rubber bands but we made it work and she felt beautiful. Elle was sweet and made a big deal about it for her too. They both looked adorable.

Tummy Time

I am now 33 weeks pregnant. Elle and Gwen are fascinated with my growing belly. Gwen just pokes at it and laughs. Elle asks endless questions about what is really going on in there. Yesterday afternoon Jon blew up balloons for them and they were cruising the house with them in their shirts while giggling non-stop. It really was pretty funny. Elle and I saw an advertisement on TV the other day for a show entitled, "I didn't know I was Pregnant". We were dying. What?! So that is our new joke. Periodically throughout the day I will show Elle my tummy and say, "I don't know Elle, what do you think....do you think I am pregnant? Hmm, not too sure, maybe just too much for dinner"? We think we're pretty funny.

Preschool Graduation

I can't believe it. My little Ellers is done with preschool. We had a little class party and presentation this afternoon. As we were driving to the party Elle said, "Mom, are you going to cry because I am growing up too fast"? Well, I didn't cry but I must say somedays I sure feel like it. She really is growing up so quickly right before my eyes. She has loved every minute of Miss Marie's class. I am so grateful to her teacher for giving her an amazing start to her school years. These little girls have been together for the past 2 years and have really solidified their friendships. I am excited to see them all enter Kindergarten next year together. Kindergarten...here we come!

Tubby Time

At our house, bath time is called tubby time. After dinner tonight we headed upstairs for the ritual. Elle was in charge of the bubbles and completely took advantage of her job. They had bubbles coming out of their ears (literally). So many things they do these days remind me of my own childhood. I have a picture just like this with two of my sisters in the tub. We would play a game called "carwash". My dad would get us all in the tub and then he would put his hand out and we would pretend to pay him 50 cents. He then would do the fastest wash job you have ever seen. Super fun and now as a parent I am aware of how efficient it was. We were out of there in no time flat and had fun at the same time. So, tonight I was the car wash attendant and they each paid me 50 cents. Quite a bargain if I do say so myself.

Princess Leia

Elle went to a Star Wars themed birthday party today. The invitation said to come dressed as a character. Elle has actually never seen Star Wars (we are going to have to change that) so we looked it up on our computer for her and she chose to be Princess Leia (of course). Jon and I got creative and we used things she had in her closet. Her belt is one of my necklaces and her very favorite part was her hair...the two buns. She thought that was pretty darn fancy. Ellers was soo excited and she looked adorable.

The Cookie Monster

What do you do with a (VERY) grouchy two year old at 4:30 in the afternoon? Why, make cookies of course! It worked like a charm.