Sweet Sister Prayer

On Diane's blog, she shared how Aaron is learning so much about the Bible and God.  I absolutely love how beautiful our children are.  Although mine challenge me daily, they also bring a tremendous amount of joy to my heart.  I'm proud to call them mine.

Except, when Cora does this banshee squeal/scream... then she's not mine.

Speaking of, we were driving home from the grocery store a few days ago when Cora was pretending to be this awful spirit of death.  All of a sudden, I realize Elayna's praying.  I wasn't able to hear all of her prayer, for obvious reasons, but I caught the tail end of it: "And thank you God for Sister. Amen."  During all of that ugliness, Elayna was thankful for Cora.  Yall, it made my heart melt!

Okay, God.  Thank you for giving me a gorgeous girl with a wonderfully beautiful heart, who has reminded me once again to enjoy the things I should and not worry about the things I shouldn't.

whack a sister

I let the girls bust out their birthday books/dvds.  Then when Cora started whacking Elayna in the head with a movie... and wouldn't stop, I almost fell over laughing.  She loved it.  Ah, sisterly love.  Let the games begin!

Dino Birthdays

This was the girls' dinosaur birthday cake.  Another fun year with family and friends.  The girls received WAY too many gifts.  I'm thinking we may find a charity to contribute towards next year.

Mama E.

Elayna decided we should document Cora's play with the waiting room toy. I'm happy with the photos she caught.

Today was Cora's 1 year checkup. Everything was great until it was time for vaccinations. I hate them. I hate restraining my child. I hate the screams of sheer pain. And I think it's unfair how Ryan doesn't have to be there because of work. More shots in three months. Boy oh boy.

Sorry, Mati.

In my attempt to get some packing done, I let Elayna play with her birthday toys without a lot of supervision. This is what I find. Elayna & Mati are playing with the tape measurer. Mati's a ballerina-- just in case you didn't catch it.

"Spinning, twirling everywhere when the music fills the air."

Cora's favorite birthday present, from her Aunt Rhonda, cousin DeAnn, Uncle Bruce, Aunt Christy, and cousin Bryce.  Thanks!

More no more floppy head

The Dreaded Car Seat Floppy Head

My fix: rolled blanket tucked on each side-- no more floppy head.

Melber, here we come!

Birthdays are coming up, so we're heading home to party this weekend.  Elayna will be three on the 19th.  Ryan'll be thirty-one on the 20th.  And Cora will be a whopping one on the 21st.  I'm absolutely beside myself with excitement.  Not only will we be home, but there are several friends and family coming to our house to help celebrate.  I can't wait.  We haven't seen many of these people in years and it's just going to be so nice to catch up and hang out.  !!!!!!!!!!!

I'll try to post pictures as soon as we're back in Georgia.

Can you guess?

A balloon! It's not like I'm biased or anything. But my kid is amazing.

Goodnight Girls

Mati's waiting at the end of the hall while I put Elayna in bed.  Cora's already there and Mati knows when I give her a sign to be quiet that she has to wait at the other end of the house so her jingling collar tags don't wake a girl.  I love my dog.

"I made a smiley face!!!"

OH. MY. GOODNESS. Ryan & I are both absolutely amazed. We might have to trade in the tutu for an art smock. Holy cow.

"I'm a Ballerina!"

Yes. Yes you are. From another planet.

First Pigtails

And she's loving her hair brushed. (It could also be the craisin sugar high.)

EV's Alligator