Ella's Chinese lessons

Right now, Lyle and Ella are skyping with a Chinese lady in China. She is teaching Ella Chinese! Ella took lessons last spring but we didn't like them too much so we are trying something different. I had to share this picture because they are both beaming! Ella is really enjoying her lesson but it is a little hard to hear at times. Her teacher is making her get objects from around the house for her to learn the words in Chinese. It helps her associate the words better so they stick with her. I think it is pretty neat! She will be doing them twice a week. We will keep you updated on her progress:)If this doesn't work out we are going to try my Chinese friend from work who lives down the street. We'll see!

Luke's Monster Bash

That same Sunday we had Luke's Monster Bash! I asked him awhile back what he wanted to do for his birthday and he said MONSTERS! I thought that was fitting since he acts like a monster most of the time! It was a lot of fun to plan and Luke loved looking at all the monsters around the house. We invited my whole family and his best buddy from school, Landon, to join in on the fun.

We pretended there were monsters hiding all over the house by putting monster prints on the ground leading into different places. It was funny watching Luke follow the prints around the house.

We then had several games set up to keep everyone busy.

We outlined the living room in monsters for everyone to color. Aunt Lauren was a huge help!! She came over a couple nights before and helped me draw these bad boys!

They were a huge hit! Especially with the BIG Monsters at the party!

Luke and his Monster!

  

Find-the-monster was also a big hit. I got a green monster and taped my cell phone to the back of it. Then I hid it and had my brother call me and make monster noises into the phone.  Craig played the part very well!! Here is a pic of them trying to listen for the monster so they could find him. We played this several times!

As party favors, we did Adopt-a-Monster, where my mom and I named monsters and wrote some details about them that matched the personalities of each of the kids at the party!

Cake time! My sister Jennifer made the cutest monster cupcakes!

Last but not least....presents! He got lots of great presents but the hit of the day was this big boy from his cousins Joshua and Landon.

Needless to say, Luke had a great time!! Happy Birthday, my little monster!!

Ella's Theater party

Last Friday night, we had Ella's 6th birthday party with all her friends...25 friends to be exact!!! Yes, I will say it again 25 little 6 yr olds in one house! Take note, when you invite 25 friends be prepared that they may all actually show up!!
We decided to have a dinner and a movie. All the kids came over about 6pm with their PJs on and a sleeping bag. It was BIG fun!

We showed Kung Fu Panda 2...thought that was pretty gender neutral. We also had popcorn, hot dogs and fruit and veggies on a stick. I forgot to get a picture of the cake table with all the hot dogs and skewers. It was devoured very quickly!

Her best buddies were the first to arrive....what would we do without them!!

Then the kids started showing up...in droves!! Good thing I moved out all the furniture because we were running of floor space!

 

They were all so excited to dig into the popcorn and hot dogs! Ella was so thrilled! For about 30 minutes everyone sat still watching the movie and eating....then as expected it was party time!! 25 kids ran all over the house!! Ella was in heaven!!

Then it was time for cake!! I wish I had gotten a better picture....one that showed all 25 kids around Ella at the cake table. I also wish you could have heard them sing her happy birthday! It was so loud! She was beaming!

It was a great party!! Everyone survived with no broken bones....I did get concerned that a couple had wondered out of the house at one point so sent my mom and dad out to scope out the neighborhood making sure everyone was still inside!! Happy Birthday Ella! She woke up Saturday morning asking what we were going to do next year for her party.....one year at a time girl!

Luke's Q and A

I asked the same questions to Luke that I did to Ella. His answers were very funny!
1. What is your favorite food...chicken nuggets and pizza ( Luke just started liking pizza so he's kind of excited about it for some reason)
2. What is your favorite thing to do at school....play on the playground
3. What is your favorite thing to do at home....play doggie w/ sissy.
4. What do you want to be when you grow up....give shots to people like dadda.
5. What is your favorite book....the Incredibles
6. What is your favorite movie...Mickey Mouse
7. If you could go anywhere right now where would you go....to Purple Cow
8. If you could do anything you wanted right now, what would you do...play cars with sissy.
9. What was the best thing that happened to you when you were 2.... I played on the playground.
10. What do you think will be great about being 3....I will be a big boy!

Dear Luke,
You are definitely a big boy...but your still my baby! I really don't want you to get any bigger! You love to cuddle with me and hold my hand. I love how you grab my hand and hold it up to your face. It is so sweet!! You speak really well, can dress yourself ( although you don't want to) and you are so close to having this potty training thing licked! You only have accidents when you are having too much fun! You love your sissy like no one else! You guys are a really good team....meaning she is good at giving directions and you do whatever she says!! You are super smart. You are starting to sound out words now and are getting really good at the workbooks you and dadda do at night.
We love you so so much!!!
Mom

Luke's actual Birthday

The morning of the 13th, we woke Luke up early to open a present from mom and dad before school....at his request because this is what we did for Ella. He was so excited to get his present! His school was closed that day, so he hung out at home with me all day. Surprise!!! He got a big present from Amber and Logan that day! He loved his big dinosaur!!

Luke turned 3!!!

Little Luke had his 3rd birthday on the 13th. I know I'm a week late but two birthday parties and a miserable experience with gum grafting kept me from posting on time. Anyhow, Luke turned 3 just the same! We celebrated his birthday with Lyle the night before by going out to Larry's pizza and then some cake at home! He LOVES chocolate cake! However, he got distracted from finishing his piece when we told him he could FaceTime w/ mims and pa to open up his presents from them. Nothing is better than presents!!
Happy birthday Luke!!!

Happy Birthday to ME

Today is my birthday. I turned 32. I am so blessed to have this wonderful life. Great kids and a great husband.

A few things about Ella and a note from her mom

This year, I wanted to start something new with the kids. I got this idea from a friend of mine who does this with her kids at the end of each school year (Thanks, Christy!). I thought it was a good way of showing how their personalities change over the years.
I came up with a list of questions to ask the kids on their birthdays.
Here are Ella's answers:
1. What is your favorite food.....cake (obviously birthday cake was on her mind when I asked this ?:)
2. What is your favorite subject/thing to do in school....play in the kitchen (Great...glad we are paying for her to play in a kitchen)
3. What is your favorite thing to do at home....color pictures
4. What do you want to be when you grow up......be a horse trainer
5. What is your favorite book....the human body book I got from Santa this year
6. What is your favorite movie....Spirit (a horse movie)
7. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? China..wait no France
8. If you could do anything you wanted right now what would you do... go ride a pony
9. What was the best thing that happened while you were 5.....did gymnastics at school and lost my tooth.
10. What do you think will be great about being 6....I hope I get to take horse lessons

Ella,
I can't tell you how amazing dad and I think you are. You have really become a responsible, caring young girl. Everyday, you help me by being nice to your brother and helping him with things when I ask you.  You are changing so quickly. You have really grown tall and skinny! You are able to read so well....your step 3 books are too easy for you now. You are almost better at the computer than I am and you pick up on things so fast. You amaze me by finding very clever ways to accomplish things you are working on.....I really need to start writing some of them down!
You truly are my best little friend.
Remember dad and I love you sooooo much.
Love,
Mom

Ella's birthday celebration with dad

Unfortunately, Lyle was on call on the first so he wasn't able to be with Ella on her birthday, but he promised her we could go out for her birthday dinner the next night any where she wanted to go! She picked Purple Cow! How could a girl with a purple room resist a purple milk shake:)

The waiter surprised Ella with a candle in her milkshake and then they all sang her Happy Birthday! She really thought that was awesome!

Ella turns 6

Ella turned 6 this year. Wow. She is growing up so fast! We started the day off by surprising her with birthday donuts and then let her open her presents first thing in the morning. This is her favorite part about her birthday. She always ask me the night before if I am going to wake her up with presents!

Can't forget piggy. He turned 6 this year too!

Later that day, my sister and her family came over to share the day with Ella. It really made it special for Ella. She was super happy to see them. Especially later that night when she got to open more presents.

Luke and Maya playing with one of Ella's new toys. Too cute!

Finally it was time for birthday cake!

Happy Birthday, my sweet girl! Your daddy and I are so lucky to have you as our daughter!