We have been to Hope Park a few times recently with friends, and it is quickly becoming one of my kids' favorite places. So when I asked them last Saturday what they wanted to do, they both said Hope Park! Eric was working, so I headed out early with the kids to beat the crowd, and we stayed and played for about an hour and a half or so before it got really busy. I actually remembered my camera this time, too!
They love these bucket swings!
She looks like she is holding on for dear life!
There are so many cool play structures at this park, and this roll-through thingy is one of their favorites.
This must've been made just for my kiddos. A blonde and a redhead!!
Making music together
More fun on another cool swing.
Love.
Getting dizzy.
I see lots more visits to this great park in the future for us!
I mentioned in the post I did about Ella at 2 years that she loves to play Simon Says. Recently, she has started asking to be Simon. It's amazing to me at just barely 2 years of age, that she comprehends games like this and can actually participate!!
Here is a funny video of the kids playing together.
We took the kids to Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch last weekend with Nana and Grandad. We all had a great time and I wanted to share some cell phone pics.
Ella petting a baby capybara.
If you're like me and have no clue what that is, get excited because it's the world's largest RODENT. Ewww. Just imagine the adults!
Petting zoo
Pot belly pig... Ella looks a little unsure!
A little insecure, needed hugs from Grandad! She eventually got very comfortable with all the animals really close to her, and was walking around like she owned the place before we left.
Eric got stuck with the cup of feed because neither of the kids were willing to have the animals eat out of their hand, and neither was I. HA! He and that baby camel became friends.
On the safari ride
It was pretty amazing how close you actually were to these animals. There were buckets attached to the tram, and the driver would come and fill them with feed at each stop, so the animals would come right up next to you! This was at the end of the ride when we saw the camels. But we also saw and fed Clydesdale horses (you know Ella was in heaven with that!), zebras, deer, reindeer, mini donkeys, and even a zorse (yes, a zebra mixed with a horse) and a zedonk (zebra/donkey)!
There was much more to see that I don't have pictures of, including a black bear exhibit, lemurs, sloths, monkeys, and my favorite, the kangaroo and wallaby exhibit. Definitely lots to see, and it made for a great afternoon outing! And just for fun, to see pictures from the first time we visited Sharkarosa 2 years ago, click here and scroll down about halfway. :)
Ella had her 2 year check up recently, and it went great! She weighs 24lb 10oz (40%) and her height is 33in (21%). Looks like she is shaping up to be about 5'5"-5'6" as an adult. The doctor was very impressed with her verbal skills.... she talked her head off! She was really cooperative for her physical exam, and she was very brave for her shot. Both the kids also got their flu mists, so hopefully we'll be good to go this flu season. Ella continues to grow and develop wonderfully, and we are endlessly grateful for that!
Ok everyone, don't look so excited to be at the doctor's office!!
Some things to remember about Ella at 2 years of age.
Favorite shows are Bubble Guppies and Dora. Favorite movies are Despicable Me and Bee Movie.
Favorite foods are pancakes, edamame, cheese, and applesauce. Favorite snack is graham crackers.
Favorite things to play with are baby dolls or princess dolls, tea party stuff, the play kitchen, and play food, and she loves reading books.
She loves to play Hide and Seek and Simon Says with Carter.
She consistently counts to 5 correctly, but gets a little mixed up after that. :)
She seems to recognize most colors pretty well, but occasionally confuses similar colors.
She is doing so much better in the church nursery and in her MOPS classroom. She now goes right in, and only really cries when I come pick her up. I think she is just so overcome with happiness and relief that I've come back for her, that is just comes out in tears! So sweet.
She is absolutely LOVING her gymnastics class. I'm so glad I decided to do it with her. She looks forward to it each week, and so do I!
She is my little hugger. I'll be minding my own business doing housework or something random, and she'll just come up and attach herself to my leg and give me kisses. I love it!
She plays pretty good with Carter, although they are really starting to fight like brother and sister now. Some days they get along great and laugh and laugh together, and then other days I'm refereeing situations left and right. She is definitely his little shadow. She does and says anything he does, and they both think it's hilarious. She loves him so much though. She does enjoy her playtime alone, but she ALWAYS looks forward to picking him up from school!
Her hair is really thickening up, and getting so long! I actually straightened a few nights ago, just for fun, and couldn't believe how long it was! I gave her her first braid, too!
She says a prayer before bed every night. It usually goes something like this (no lie). "Dear God, thank you for Mommy and Daddy, and Carter and Stormie, and help Carter make good choices. Amen." It's seriously the sweetest and cutest thing ever. Sometimes she throws in a "thank you for pizza/cupcakes/gymnastics" or a "thank you for Grandma and Grandpa and Nana and Grandad." But she's very consistent in praying for good behavior from her big brother. Love it!! :) You and me both, baby girl!
Here are some recent cell phone pics and videos of our girl.
Looking cute on our way to church one day.
She's loved playing with Dylan a lot lately.
Getting into trouble on the couch.
Love my girl.
A favorite past time: movie night!
Sleepy head
Balancing a bean bag on her head at gymnastics.
Straight hair!
First braid.... she loved shaking her head back and forth and feeling it move behind her!
Silly girl.
Too cute for words.
Momma's shoes. :)
Picking out what they want from Santa.
Sweet dreams angel.
We went to story time on Halloween..... here she was waiting and watching for Dylan from the windows upstairs.
Enjoying Hope Park
Pony ride
Fairies like to swing too!
Silly faces for the camera.
Practicing her flips at home
Giggle box
Lady Gaga dance party in the back seat.
And singing along to one of her favorite songs.
She 's still in love with horses, and enjoyed this pony ride at Hope Park!
Fun on the shakey bridge!
Carter's laugh =)
Counting to 5
And perfecting her pageant wave
Ella, you're such a joy at 2! You make us laugh more than anything else, and we enjoy every day with you! Keep being cute and funny, little girl!!
Carter's class had a PJ Boo Party, so Ella and us joined them yesterday afternoon to celebrate!
Here they are getting ready to do their pumpkin walk.
And they got to make a special spooky spider snack.
Of course, Ella got in on the action, too.
Carter's whole class with their wonderful teachers!
Later on, we got the kids dressed up in their costumes and ready for trick or treating!
The cutest Michelangelo and Minnie Mouse I've ever seen. :)
His favorite part... the shell.
Getting ready to head out!
Ella wasn't shy at all, she knew just what to do!
Our neighbors down the street set up a candy chute, and the "candy chef" (complete with a French accent) was sending candy down from an upstairs bedroom! Quite the attraction.... all the kids loved it!
I'm a wife to Eric, and a Mommy to Carter, Ella & Cole, the most precious gifts we have ever received. I use this blog mainly as a digital scrapbook to keep track of our family happenings and the kids' milestones, but also to keep you in the loop! Enjoy!!
