A conversation with Ellery

Ellery: "Mommy, what did you and daddy do on your date?"

Mom: "We ate dinner and talked about how much we loved you and how proud of you we are."

Ellery: "And brother? What else did you talk about? Have I ever been to the place you ate?"

Mom: "Yes, and your brother of course. You two are my favorite. Yes, you've been to the place we ate at tonight. Ruggles. Remember? We also talked about how we want to obey God in everything."

Ellery: "Let me think. Oh yes, I remember eating there with Heidi. You have to obey God just like I have to obey Him."

Mom: "That's right punky."

Ellery: "Jesus lives in our hearts. He helps us when we are sad or scared."

Mom: "He sure does."

Ellery: "Some people do not have Jesus living in their hearts. Why?"

Mom: "You are right. That's why we need to tell everyone about Him."

Ellery: (pausing to think for a bit) "Well, how does Jesus get into their hearts?"

Mom: (impressed with the logical thinking that's going on and trying to come up with the best, most age appropriate answer FAST) "Well, all they have to do is ask. They can say, "Jesus, I believe and I need your help," and He will come live in their hearts."

Ellery: "Oh. They just have to ask. Jesus lives far away. We can't drive there or fly there, right? How do we get there?"

Mom: "You are right. When Jesus calls our name, He will take us to heaven."

Ellery: "Yes, when He calls our name."

Mom: "Do you know who lives in heaven with Jesus? Nanny does."

Ellery: "I miss Nanny."

Mom: "Me too, but we will see her again."

Ellery: "Yes, we will see her and see Jesus."

Future linebacker

I love, love when Price and Ellery start giggling together. Not much makes me happier!

Price had his one-year check-up today. He is now:

26.6 pounds (90th percentile)

31 inches (80th percentile)

and one BIG, handsome boy!

One is silver and the other's gold

When I picked Ellery up from school today, her teacher said she was a little sad. She didn't get to sit by her bestie Madi Kate at some point in the day and this made her cry. She loves her friends. On the car ride home, we had to talk about how exciting it is to meet new friends. I found myself humming the old Brownie song.

Here is a super sweet pic of the girls. Tiffany took both girls to the movies one Monday while Price and I were at therapy and Emery had her first day of Mother's Day Out.

Back to school

Ballerina girl

Today was Ellery's first day of ballet lessons. Her teacher is a beautiful ballerina named Mrs. Phoebe. To say Ellery was excited about dance class today is an understatement - she was ecstatic.
I had to wake her up from her nap to get to class on time which is why she looks a little sleepy in these photos. The minute we got to class, Ellery ran up and hugged Mrs. Phoebe. I watched through a window in the room, and she was loving every minute. They danced with ribbons, made circles, leaped across an "alligator pond", and much more. In fact, when the class was over and other girls were leaving with their moms, I overheard Ellery telling Mrs. Phoebe that her mommy was not here yet, to which Mrs. Phoebe replied she could stay with her. Ellery TOTALLY knew I was staying for the entire class to watch her and so I caught her in a complete lie. I had to laugh though - it was a smart plan that she had devised so that she could dance a little longer. There were tears when we had to leave, but I reassured her we would be there every week. I think ballet might be here to stay for awhile.

On the road

We are on the way to our first football game of the season. My car has been taken over by Longhorn decals and I am pretty sure I will be hearing the fight song anytime now. I am bummed because about 5 minutes before we hit Hruskas on 71, Ellery fell asleep. I love stopping there for a treat. **I called it...Nathan is now humming the fight song and beating the steering wheel.** The kids have been watching Annie and Price loves it! He was laughing out loud. It's going to be a fun weekend!

In other news, Ellery is obsessed with weddings. I told her last weekend that Nathan and I were going to a wedding and she was curious about it, so I gave her some details. The next thing I know I am picking her up from my parents house and she's a wreck not wanting to leave because she is marrying Poppy. My word. Ellery gave me the details of her big, beautiful white dress and how she and Poppy will dance the night away. It was just the sweetest thing and I sure do hope she marries someone as wonderful as her Poppy one day!

I attended Ellery's school orientation last night and we had meet the teacher day this morning. She is excited about her 3 year old class and her new teacher. It's so hard for me to believe that this is our 3rd year at her school. It seems like just yesterday she was in the toddler class napping with her little hiney in the air on her nap mat. I look forward to all she will be learning this year!

Now, Ellery is up and we are going to make a pit stop at somewhere not as cool as Hruskas. I will post pictures from this weekend when we get home. Happy Labor Day!

Price's party details

Price's 1st birthday party was a success! My mom and I might have gone a little bit overboard with all the planning and decorating but it was pure fun for me. We had an airplane theme because somehow it seemed fitting...don't ask me why. I have so many pictures and had a hard time narrowing them down for the blog...so here it goes.

Ellery was very protective of P and his 1st birthday cake. She helped blow out his candle and made sure that everyone knew he could feed it to himself.
Nathan rented a bounce house which might have been the most brilliant idea of the day. The party was at my parent's house so instead of having toddlers running wild in their house, they were running and jumping in the front yard.

Ella, Madi Kate, and Ellery (who is kneeling and not just short) sweaty and smiley

The food: boxed lunches from Jason's Deli. I made little stickers for each box that said "Price is 1!"

The kids table!

Price's yummy cake. He really dug into it too...made me proud!

airplane cake

his cute bib I found on etsy

Celebrate sign I saw somewhere and decided to copy

Party favors: airplane bags filled with lots of fun goodies and chocolate-covered rice krispy treats courtesy of Chocolate Pizazz

An adorable mobile and cute airplane piggy bank that was a gift from my aunt

a string of pictures from Price's 1st year

more 1st year pictures

We also had a pull-string pinata for the kids which they seemed to love. This year with Price has been a little emotional to say the least, and it was so sweet to celebrate his 1st birthday! We are so thankful for our little guy!