Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Pumpkining

Dear Ella,

Disclaimer:  I don't think "Pumpkining" is an appropriate activity, and I never want to hear that you completed this action later in your life. It was just the only word that came to mind when reflecting on the day.

Your Daddy is AMAZING. He planned an entire family day, in the middle of the week! Daddy took off work and announced that we were going to visit Happy Apple Farm...aka 'pumpkin patch'. Be mindful that we'd planned to do this the past few weekends; but, things "came up". So, he announced it...Family Day Wednesday!

On our way there, we stopped at (insert very trendy coffee joint) and used up a gift certificate that had been burning a hole in my purse. Thank you, Caleb.

You fell asleep, and I read...for fun...for the duration of the drive there. (Large sigh of enjoyment)

We took a hay ride. We saw pumpkins. You sat on pumpkins (yes, more than one). You picked a pumpkin.You sat on pallets. You had pictures taken in the witch's cauldron. You had pictures taken in front of and behind signs. However, hands down, THE best activity was picking raspberries! It was late in the season so the gentleman allowed us to pick and eat as many as we could find. We found a lot, and ate a lot. We even took some home. By the end of the day, you were an all star raspberry picker.

On our way home, we made a few stops that I'd been putting off. Thanks again, Caleb!

A wonderful Family Day Wednesday, indeed.
Hay Ride!

I kinda like this one!

What else would you do with a pumpkin?

This one's ours

Presidential wave

ham

Queen of the patch, on top of ten palates

Daddy and E.

Why am I standing here?

how's this?

Get me away!

Hmmm

We lost her

First raspberry



SO good

awesome

This is funny that we are sticking our heads in this hole, Dad

our loot.


Love, mom






Some 13 to Remember

Dear Ella,

These are 13 things about you that I never want to forget.

1. You love rap and classical music the same...your dance to each is equally as awesome.

2. You have little baby hair on your legs. It stands up when your cold. Adorable.

3. You sing.
4. You love to watch vehicles (trucks, bus, train); and when you hear one, you know exactly which it is.

5. I think you are remembering your dreams. Mostly because you say really random stuff when you wake up.

6. Spontaneous hugs and kisses...ahhhh.
7. You went poop in the potty!....well, finished pooping in the potty:)

8. You pretend food is an airplane.

9. You spotted your shadow for the first time. Now whenever we walk down the sidewalk you point it out.
10. You say, "thank you" without us prompting you to.

11. You pretend to be animals. You literally growl and chase us.
12. When asked what you want to eat, what you ate, or what you are eating, you answer "banana"... every time.

13. When I tell you that you can have "one", you say, "two"... Oh boy.


I love you, and I'll never forget these sweet memories.

Love, Mommy

Saturday, September 15, 2012

We ~ l o v e ~ the zoo!


Dear Ella, 
We went to the zoo again today. Yep, the same ole zoo. You never get sick of it; and, the best part is, neither do we! Here are our highlights...

Giraffes

Tiger

Mommy, Ella, and Tiger

The train...you lasted one lap today. 

Walabys

Ella and Daddy on the Mt. Lion.

Daddy getting giggles

Walking everywhere like a boss

raisins




Love you baby,
Mom


Monday, September 10, 2012

Oatmeal, Almond, Flax, Raisin Cookies (Vegan)


I absolutely ADORE Kashi's Oatmeal-Raisin cookies. You know the big soft ones that taste like the best health food you've ever eaten? The problem is, in our home, the $3.50 box of 8 cookies lasts less than 24 hours. Therefore, I've gallantly 'morphed' other oatmeal-raisin cookie recipes into one that I think is a pretty darn good imitation! Enjoy!



13 cup soy/almond/dairy milk 
2 tbsps flax seeds (ground or milled)
1/2 cup brown sugar (more if you'd like)
13 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
34 cup whole wheat flour (or all purpose)
12 tsp cinnamon
18 tsp ground nutmeg
14 tsp baking soda
14 tsp salt
12 cups quick-cooking oats
12 cup raisins/dried cranberries (mix of any dried fruit),  chopped
1/4 cup almonds, chopped
dark chocolate chips (optional)

1In a large bowl use a fork or wisk to vigorously mix together the  milk and flax seeds. Add in the sugar and oil and mix for about 2 minutes until it reaches a caramel colour. Mix in vanilla extract.
2Sift in flour, spices, baking soda and salt. Fold in oatmeal, chopped dried fruit, and chopped almonds.
3Drop dough in generous tbs onto a paper-lined (or greased) baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Flatten the tops a bit.
4Bake for 9-11 minutes in the preheated oven at 350°F/180°C.
5Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Your Week At-A-Glance!

Dear Ella, 

In case you will ever wonder what kinds of things we did when you were 16 months old, wonder no longer...


We play at the park....a LOT  


We try new foods. Most of which you like:)

We wear our hair in spiky pony tails!

We try on bras (readers, don't judge. It was irresistible)

These are the things I found "stashed" in your wagon today (Daddy's water bottle, Daddy's old phone,  Biscuit book, Grandma's book, a box of Freeze Off, Mom's water bottle, and your sweatshirt). Other things I find in there include your pacifier, my toothbrush, the mail key, and many other important things that randomly go missing.
We put on makeup (see right eyebrow). Yes, you did this all on your own while I was showering.


We camp out in display tents


That's only the beginning of Adventures in Ella's World. Stay tuned for more...

Love, Mommy

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Feeding the Chickens- K Group Style

Dear Ella, 
We love K-Group at the Bolton's (really, we just LOVE K Group!). However, at the Bolton's you get to feed the chickens! You threw seeds a few times; mostly, you tried to pet them. They weren't too fond of the petting. I love that you have little fear of most things in life. You reach for pointy beaked chickens, pick up beetles, run down steep hills, and LOVE swinging high into the air. 




Love, Mommy


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

New (sorta) Toys!

Dear Ella,

Your new obsessions are pull toys and puzzles. You've had these toys for months, and they are finally getting the wear they deserve. These once neglected toys are now getting pulled, tugged, slammed, and smashed until their toy heart is content. You are pretty sure that even your push cart is a pull toy.

I love watching you twist and turn your hand to fit the inset pieces of the puzzle in just right. I don't even know where these things fall on the developmentally appropriate scale, and I kinda like that. I'm just enjoying watching you learn new things without thinking about ages and stages.

Pause for the camera

you were really fast = difficult to get on camera:)

Oops...we lost the rest of the train; aw well