More Beach Pictures

More beach pictures... sorry... (and my sister in law took all of these too!!  I can't take the credit).  Ellie wasn't feeling the best and Faith was a crazy lady, ripped her headband out and started throwing sand everywhere..... so we don't have too many of either of them -- but the ones we got are cute!

Ellie Chillin' (not a happy camper)

Faith (before the sugar set in)

Colton & Delaney 

Delaney, Dylan & Colton 

Boys with cousins, Jack & Nathan

I would love to know the conversation here . . . 

Goofing around . . . 

C & D

There's a smile! 

and another one! 

 

C & D

Happy Birthday Elliana! #3

I. cannot. believe. . . . that Ellie will be 3 tomorrow!   We've known her for 22 months . . . and she's been home with us for only 16 months, but we can all agree -- we forget what life was like without Ellie!  

In the last month is seems like the baby in her has grown up -- all at once.  Her personality is FINALLY bursting through that shy little girl.  She is smart, funny and yeah, a little tricky, but she's our Ellie.  She continues to amaze us and we can't wait to see what God has planned for her.   

Just in the last couple of weeks she has mastered peddling her tricycle, swimming in the pool (yep, she'll now jump off the step and swim by herself), going potty (not 100% yet, but working on it), recognizing letters, singing songs and just so many big girl things!  She also is the first to point her finger at her big brothers and tell them exactly what she thinks... tee hee... boy we have our work cut out for us :)  She loves to pick on her brothers -- and they also like to return the favor... that's what siblings are for, right?  And Ellie and Faith are like peanut better and jelly.  God really knew what He was doing when we gave us double blessings.  I often wonder what either of them would do without each other.  What one doesn't think of.. the other does.   And Ellie likes Faith to be the guinea pig and go first... then it if looks ok, she'll do it too.  (note to self:  DO NOT send these girls to college together!!).  

I am met daily with many non-stop hugs, "I love you mommy's", and sweet serenades of twinkle twinkle little star (how me wonder what you are) -- so stinkin cute!  I honestly wondered at times if this would be possible since she was so withdrawn and shy when she came home to us.  I love watching her blossom and I'm so glad she doesn't feel the need (as often) to test us.  She is finally comfortable with her surroundings, her family and her boundaries.  She is a very happy and confident girl!  I love that about her.  

Here's a few impromptu pictures from her at the beach.  My sister in law took ALL of these.  She has the amazing ability to capture Ellie's true personality.  Thank you Ann Marie!!  

    

Happy Birthday sweet girl. 

Monster Trucks

The girls recently found Dylan's stash of monster trucks (pronounced mon-sir twucks - in case  you were wondering . .  ) and have found them very fascinating.  

I said to Faith the other day, "Faith, do you like Dylan's monster trucks . . . ?"  She looked at the truck with a puzzled look, then looked at me and said, "It's not scary mommy . . !" 

I just chuckled. . . (although The Grave Digger looks pretty scary to me)!  

Who would have thought I'd have 2 princesses that like to play with monsir twucks (that aren't scary!)  

Let's Swim!

I am amazed at the progress Ellie and Faith have made just this year in swimming.

Faith has always loved water.  I think she's part fish.  She is not the least bit afraid -- which isn't always a good thing.  Just in a few weeks, she has gone from sitting on the side, to floating by herself, doing the back float and now she'll jump off the side, go under, swim up to the top and over to the steps (with floaties on, of course).  We literally have to drag her out of the pool when its time to quit.  The boys are now working on teaching her how to do cannon balls -- all at the ripe old age of TWO!

Ellie's not a huge fan of large bodies of water.  When we first welcomed her home, she despised water. Bath time and hair washing was a nightmare.  She would scream like I've never heard any baby scream before! Last year she was content to sit on the side with her containers and fill them with pool water -- and she would sometimes drink the water too... we had to be super careful not to splash her in any way.... But, this year she will allow us to carry her into the water and has even floated around by herself with her floaties on! And, just recently has started holding on to the side and kicking -- and blowing bubbles.  It's a huge breakthough!  It's really cool to see Ellie begin to trust us and know that she's safe when we have her or ask her to do something.  And, having a 'daring-come-on-let's-try-it' sister helps reassure Ellie too. (See, God's plant is always perfect)

We also started swim lessons and Ellie is doing fantastic! Even though you can't tell, she's still terrified inside, but she is oh so proud of herself when she does it by herself.  We are trying to build her confidence and sometimes have to push her just a wee bit to try something new... or she would be content to sit on the side and watch --  but after she does it once and see's that it's ok, she wants to try it again!  Progress!!  Spending a week at the beach and in the pool every day helped out too.  I'm hopeful by the end of summer that she'll be jumping off the side by herself too!

 Here's a few pics of our swimming girls!

Don't worry - he caught her! 

Blowing bubbles -- huge success. 

I did it! 

 

Fishy Face! 

 

A Cheerleader in training!