The girls and I packed a lunch and headed to the indoor park for some much needed playtime. I think we were crazy going the week of spring break since every kid in the area was there too. Even with a packed house we had a blast. Alivia found many friends to play with and Ella tried to hang with some new families. Always an adventure with these two lately.

Ella climbing up the hilland then going down Watching all the kids run around and play

Alivia with her first friend of the afternoon

Ella trying to hang with the big kids

A new group of friends for Alivia. Glad she has no problem making friends these days.

Ella checking herself out in the mirror

Ella thinks she is such a big girl. She is always trying to do what Alivia does these days and it's pretty cute. I am in no way wanting my baby to grow up any faster than she already is. She loves to try to get to places Alivia does, dance when she does and obviously jump on the tramp like she does. Can't wait to see what else Alivia tries to teach her little sister down the road.

My little jumper

The pink chair

This pink chair has been one of the best thing that has come into the Varley household. Alivia got it for her birthday and has been a favorite since. She climbs on it, plays restaurant on it and enjoys her snacks on it as well. Now that Ella is old enough to play on it she has found a new love for it. Ella thinks she is big stuff when sitting in it. Loves when big sister flips it up side down to make it a counter to play on it. Who would have thought such a simple chair would be such a huge part of our playing throughout the day.

The girls enjoying an afternoon snack. Trying to teach Ella to use a bowl and we are doing just okay with it as you can see.
Enjoying some tea together

Playing restaurant, but I think this worker isn't doing her job right now.

Hiding on the job.

Something new everyday

It has been crazy how much Ella is starting to do. It's like she has a new trick up her sleeve everyday. Not only are we talking all the time, but we can stand with no help. She did it a few times over the weekend and now she thinks she is hot stuff when she gets up and does it all the time. I also had to share Ella's obsession with necklaces. She might be my beauty queen some day.

Pretty girl

Party in Iowa

This past weekend was full of celebrating. Friday night we helped great grandpa celebrate his 82nd birthday and Saturday we celebrated Ella and auntie Courtney's birthdays. It was a fun filled weekend. We shopped, played outside, danced inside and climbed some stairs. Both Alivia and Ella had such a fun time visiting all their uncles and auntie. Nothing beats a little grandma and grandpa time too.

A little cake for the little lady

As you can tell Ella was very tired by the end of the day. We ran the girls around all day.
Opening some fun present from grandma, grandpa and auntie.

Ella's very own baby.

Oh yeah we also figured out how to stand up without help from a chair, wall or hand. She gets up on her feet and hands and then just stands up. A big step in maybe walking in the next few weeks. Most likely she will take her time like her sister did though.

Our little family

So bummed..... My camera battery went out right after she starting eating cake. Let me tell you she LOVED it. We only gave a little since she will be eating cake again in a couple weeks. Don't want to spoil the big event. This was practice and it went well.

We had a lot of fun jumping on the trampoline. I think there might one in the Varleys future.

Had to get a picture of Alivia working. She always sits in this spot in the kitchen and colors, cuts and does her stickers. She will do this for hours....

Chairs, chairs, chairs

Ella loves chairs or anything that is like one. If you have been around her lately you know she is a climber and to her a chair the best thing to climb in. The girls auntie Courtney got Alivia this rocking chair for Christmas and Ella just loves it. Ella thinks she is pretty cool when she makes it rock back and forth.

Ella enjoying some time in the rocking chair. Yes sometimes we like to cross our legs too!
Another new thing is to do "oh no" and put our hands on our cheeks. Sometimes Ella will really get into it and tilt her head to the side and do it. She is pretty funny!

They say kids model behavior from home. Is this really how Alivia thinks I shop. I mean heels, underwear and a naked baby. We might have to have a sit down with her:) ha ha ha She is a silly one I will have to say

Books, Necklaces and purses

These days we have really started liking books. She likes to flip through them and point to the pictures on the page. The touch and feel ones are our favorites. Ella also doesn't go a day without wearing a necklace. Not sure where she picked this up, but these beaded necklaces have been part of our outfits for the past few weeks. She will find them in drawers and quickly put it on. She also loves purses and has been dragging around the house one of my old ones that became Alivia's that is now Ella's. Oh and don't mind our hair in these pics. We had spaghetti and it was everywhere which is normal for most meals with Ella.

Pointing out an animal

Doing some quiet reading to herself. Crazy how my kids can play and keep themselves occupied for hours. Oh Ella what are we going to do with you and craziness...

No fear Ella and my little lady that likes to explore.

Everyday is a new day

Ella surprises me everyday with new things she picks up. One day it's new sounds or almost words and the other it's a new place to climb on. She definitely keeps me on my toes and is always on the move. Ella has the best personality already. She is so goofy and silly and with her crazy teeth it only makes her more funny. I can't get enough of her.... Oh and we also have learned the yell or scream when Alivia takes something from her or is bugging her. It's great, but when she is a mood it can get a little much...

Daddy has the girls working on their moves at a young age. Alivia can dribble a ball pretty good for a 2/3 yr old. Ella, we are just happy she can put the ball in the hoop.

I wish I could have gotten what Ella was doing before I got the camera out. I only captured her climbing on the chair, but right before this I caught her climbing all the way onto the table. She has no fear and if there is a way to go to something Ella will figure it out.

Winter fun

Since winter decided to stay for awhile we have had to get pretty creative in our indoor activities. I think we have done every art project out there and played every game. Some fun ones are tag with everyone crawling so Ella can play. We also have our workout hour that Alivia leads. This late winter has played a huge role in our creative minds lately and are SOOOO ready for some nice weather to get outside. You know it's bad when your 2 year old asks to go running outside with me. My girls are ready to get in the stroller and get some fresh air while momma gets a good old run in. Spring please come soon......

Today was our cave day. We made a huge cave or house (Alivia called it both) and played in it all day.
Ella just thought it was fun to crawl under everything like the trampoline, pool table and chairs we used.

We also took naps in it....

Thanks winter for all the fun, but we are going to be so glad when you are gone.

11 months old

Where has the time gone this past year. I can not even believe we are a month away from Ella's 1st birthday. It's been such a fun year with a lot of learning. Ella has learned so much and Alivia has learned a lot as well. She has learned to be patient, how to share and to tune out any loud noises when she is trying to sleep. It's been a lot of fun watching my girls play together and fight (yes we now have little fights). Life is great with these two ladies and can't wait to see what's next for our family. Let the count down begin to the big 1st birthday!!!!

Disney on Ice

Alivia, Presley, my sister and I went to Disney on Ice on Sunday night. I had kept it a secret from Alivia till she woke up from her nap on Sunday afternoon. I knew if she had known about it we would talk about it everyday and all day till it was time to go. We were pretty excited to go and dress up like a little princess our self. This also has been a good way to get Alivia to finally poop in the potty. For the last two weeks she had seen the commercials for Disney on Ice and said she wanted to go. I told her only if we start going #2 in the potty. Well it worked because for the last week and a half we have been going like a big girl. Thanks Disney on Ice!

Presley and Alivia getting ready to go
Waiting to go to our seats and so excited

A little cousin love before we head down to our seats

We took pictures of each princess so here they are starting with Tinkerbell

Snow White and the seven dwarfs

We took some time to re-apply our make-up

Jasmine and her Prince

Bell

Sleeping Beauty

Cinderella

Big ending!



Here is a video of telling Alivia. I don't think she was totally awake yet.

The girls opening up their princess dolls

My crazy baby

Crazy lady

Everyday Alivia surprises me. She will make up the craziest things or tell me the oddest story. Yesterday she kept calling Jenny on her cell phone. I asked her who Jenny was and she said "my friend". So I guess now we have made up friends. Oh well at least we know she has an imagination. We love our Alivia to pieces even when she pushes my buttons because she knows she can. She is growing up so fast and becoming a little girl was to fast. When she wants to cuddle in the morning I cherish it with all my heart.

This is Alivia in a box