We have enjoyed a couple nice days outside with warm weather and are eagerly awaiting spring and summer!!
We even went to the beach a couple of weekends ago! Ella prefers to sit on the blanket and play with her toys in the sand from there. Less mess that way!
It still amazes me Ella won't be 3 until the end of August. She seems so grown-up! She has been potty-trained for well over a month. She only wears pull-ups at nap and night time. Honestly, it was a lot easier than I expected. Once I decided to be consistent it was pretty smooth! We enjoy the saving on $! Also, she has been in her toddler bed for over a month as well. Such a big girl!
Many people don't get to experience Ella at her fullest, because she is reserved around new people and large groups (nothing like I was thank goodness)! She carries on full conversations and I am amazed daily at her vocabulary. Although she has known her ABC's forever she has finally mastered identifying each letter and telling you words that start with that letter (thanks grandma). She LOVES to read books, play with her kitchen, play with letters, color, take care of her babies and build puzzles to name a few of her likes. I call her the puzzle master-she does several a day and can now do 48-piece ones by herself! When daddy gets home it is always wild play time with running, jumping, and screaming!
Our weeks are pretty busy. We attend Gymboree 2-3x a week. If we can we go to the play & learn class on Mondays. It involves, motor skills, singing songs, listening to a story, imaginative play and playing with the parachute! Also, Ella is in a Sport Skills class now on Tuesdays where it is just the kids and the teacher (no mommy!). It is for 3-5 year olds, but Ella does well for her age. There are some rowdy 4 yr old boys that Ella stares at like they are from a different planet lol! In this class they do a lot with gross motor skills, jumping, climbing, monkey bars, dancing etc. They also, work with numbers, colors and do an Art project each class. My favorite part to see is Hide and Seek with Teacher Diana. Ella has progressed from closing her eyes for her hiding spot, to actually hiding (in the same spot every time)!
We are in Art 2 on Thursdays and we both love this class for many reasons. First, the teacher :) Which we have had since Ella started around 9 months. Second, the group of kids and moms. We have all been there for a long time and have really bonded. Ella always starts class with free Art in which she either paints or draws on a huge piece of hanging paper. She then gets a turn to tell the class what she drew. As shy as she can be she is getting better at this part. Then we always do 2 art projects with some sort of theme. We have been doing seasons. There is always discussion of colors, mixing colors, textures and counting. After our first project the kids get a snack and teacher reads a story before the 2nd art activity. Class ends with rainbow rope which is Ella's favorite. Each artist grabs their favorite color and gets to shake the rope while each kid gets a chance to dance in the middle and then they all dance together.
We usually have a play date at least one day a week with my friend Melissa (Charlie is almost 3 and Neil is 1.5). We either do storytime, the zoo, the Childrens Museum or each others house. I know as it gets warmer we will see each other even more. Recently a whole group of us took the kids to Potts & Paints to let the kids paint their own pottery.
I love spending time with Melissa and the boys It is a great time to catch up with a great friend and get mommy tips on raising boys... Which brings me to our baby news.....
IT'S A BOY!!! Now that I am over the shock I am looking forward to meeting little William Tanquary Swimley IV! He is due on BT's b'day September 3rd! Ella loves to kiss and hug baby Will (my belly). I know she will be a great big sister!!
Easter is going to be my next post and I promise it won't be forever this time...
