December happenings

December seems to be filled with lots of events, including Christmas, but that will be it's own post.  December included the "special day with mom" and then after that St. Nick comes and fills the kids shoes with treats and small gifts.  This year they got some candy and sticker book and Eli got a batman and fruit pouch.  St. Nick wasn't fooling Eli, he was all about his sisters candy!

The girls and I decided we needed to make some Christmas treats.  We made some sugar cookies (and other goodies) and iced them and the girls were pros at decorating.  They didn't need my help at all.  We then bagged up our treats and the girls delivered them to their neighbor friends.  I think their favorite part was delivering them :)  And of course, we ate some as well!

Also, I was given some free zoo tickets for the month of December and I wasn't sure I would use them with it being December.  Who goes to a zoo when it's cold outside?  Well an unusual 60 degree Sunday in December meant we got to go to the zoo.  It was great because the zoo was pretty much just us!  No lines, hardly anyone there and it was warm!  Everyone enjoyed it.  After, we tried to get pictures with Santa at Bass Pro, but the line was WAY to long so we just did the crafts and window shopped and then left. 

December means the John Deere Christmas party as well.  I typically look forward to this event.  It's nice to get all gussied up once a year and party.  Dinner, dancing and fun people how fun! Except this year, I came down with the flu and was not feeling good most of the night and ended up going home relatively early. :( The rest of the weekend was spent in bed.

Although sick, I was also lucky and was the lucky winner of this kids ride on tractor.  This was the grand prize and I know 3 kids that will sure enjoy this.

December is the girls birthdays.  They turned 5, and although we don't celebrate with gifts and a party we don't let the day go by completely unnoticed.  We went out to eat and the girls chose Applebee's for their birthday dinner.  Their favorite part was the desert they received and their least favorite was the singing they did to them. :)

After, the neighbor boys came down and had cake and ice cream and that was the extent of their birthday.  They also took cupcakes in for school treats, Josie took frozen and Ella took paw patrol.  I must say, this year they were totally confused about their birthday and not getting presents.  I told them their birthday PARTY and presents will be when they turn 5.5years old.  They were confused, but they haven't questioned much since they opened a TON of Christmas presents shortly after.  Quite a few friends who have December birthdays think celebrating on their half birthday is better than so close to Christmas so I will continue to do it that way.  Summer birthday parties are WAY better anyway.

Preschool Christmas program happened and the girls did soooo good.  They sang and did the motions and I could hear them!  I was so happy how good they did.  Here is Josie doing her little part out front

And here is Ella doing her little part during "Away in a Manager"  Dad and mom both got to go and I know that means a lot to both of them to have us both there.

So pretty

We finally caught Santa and snagged a wonderful photo of the 3 kids.  This was WAY better than expected.  Santa was at JD and they had crafts, cookies, activities and Santa.  The kids thoroughly enjoyed it.

Josie said she wasn't sitting on Santa's lap and Ella followed Josie's lead, but eventually Ella warmed up to the idea of sitting on his lap.  I don't know if it was because Eli did it and didn't cry or what, but she definitely wanted her picture taken.

And we got our first snow.  Roughly a half hour of getting all their winter gear on and they were ready to go.  Eli LOVED it, but I think he just likes being outside.  And Ella wanted to make a snowman and here is what was made-Crystal, and she's still standing.

And then of course, Christmas!  Coming soon!

Happy 5th Brithday, Josie

And just like that we have two 5 year olds!  As I reflect on the last year from 4-5 I realize I have really enjoyed it.  They were more independent and I can even trust them in their independence more.  I am not sure if that's really true or if Eli's behavior was just overshadowing them or not :)  I hope 5 is just as good!

Josie at 5 is big hearted, thoughtful, kind and still takes the lead.  She is an excellent big sister and really watches out for Eli.  She is very proud of her accomplishments and likes to show us all she can do.  She doesn't like to try new things and lets her sister take the lead on lead that.  She has JUST started to back talk and I hope (please Lord) it doesn't get any worse! She often times thinks about her sister and brother for things when they are not around.  She has a big heart with big emotions!  She gets mad easy, but gets over it easier.  She is quick to have her feelings hurt and quick to shed a tear.  She is my Care bear.  Josie's memory is pretty sharp these days.  She is able to talk about things that happened months ago and generally notices more these days. 

Josie at 5 wears a 5T  and is 42lbs.  She is also, in gymnastics and wants to play basketball again.  She is still my good eater.  She also loves to play with Micah (the neighbor boy) and asks me daily to play with him.  Josie I love your big heart and big smile!  I am grateful to have shared the 5 years of growing up you've done and can't wait to see many more.  We love you! 

High five, we're 5!

She's 5!

Happy 5th Birthday, Ella

Today, the girls turn 5!  I just really can't believe it!  The days are long and the years are short and I truly understand that phrase now.  This time of year I get so many reminders of that another year has gone by, I look at old Christmas cards and previous Santa pictures and how little they were and it's hard not to be tad sad that they are 5.  Although, they are still pretty innocent and we have plenty more milestones to still hit.  They have lost their preschool looks, but still have their baby teeth.  They can write lots of words and starting basic math, but they still believe in all the magic of the holidays and birthdays so I can hold on to those things a little while longer. 

And now here is to Ella at 5

She is our smart, funny, outgoing girl.  She is ornery and likes to tease!  I do believe she is taking on more of her mothers personality.  She loves Spiderman and Donut and Eli and art projects!  I can usually count on Ella to be willing to try something new and then Josie will do it.  Although, I wouldn't call her the leader of the two.  She has had her seat moved at school for talking and goofing off.  She is really good at teasing her sister, but really good with playing with her brother.  She loves to play with her best friend Micah and I'm asked almost everyday if she can play with Micah. 

She wears size 4T clothes and weighs a whopping 38.5lbs. She eats like a bird, unless it's sweet and treats then she can eat like a horse.  She is in gymnastics and wants to play basketball again.  She seems to enjoy preschool and learns quite a bit. 

It seems like yesterday we were sitting in the NICU with waiting to take you home.  Our teenie tiny little 3lb Ella has sure been a blast to watch grow.  Keep on doing you, because we love YOU!!

On their birthday

She's 5 today!

November Happenings

November seem to fly by at our house as you can tell by my late blogging!  However, I do blame some of it on me accidently leaving my computer in Ohio at Thanksgiving!  

In the beginning of November, Grandma and Grandpa came out to visit.  They babysat while Joey and I went to the Ohio State VS Iowa game in Iowa City.  It was nice to get away overnight although, the outcome of the game was awful.  We also got to watch the OSU VS MSU game, which my cousin/mom's nephew plays for MSU! 

I also had my 4 wisdom teeth taken out.  The first 4-5 days were alright and then I don't know what happened but I turned into a giant baby.  It friggin hurt!

We set up our Christmas tree the weekend before Thanksgiving because we travel for both holiday and it's fun to enjoy while we are home and not in the holiday madness just yet.

We traveled to Ohio for Thanksgiving and we met up with some hometown friends who's identical twin boys happen to be turning 1.  We enjoyed visiting with them and watching them open their gifts and obviously got a twins picture :)

Eli played with his baby cousin JJ.  I think he ready for him to be walking so he can keep up better! 

Eli hammed it up during thanksgiving and the Eckert side! 

What a cutie!

Ella and I had a day of unexpected twinning!

And at thanksgiving I happened to take a picture.  I noticed  something different from a picture a year ago.  Quite a little difference has been made in a year, wouldn't you say?! 

Special Day with Mom

About every 6 months, I get to have a one on one time with Ella.  It is when she has her appointment in Iowa City for her clubfoot.  I enjoy the time because it is rare I get time with only 1 kid.  It is typically her appointment and then lunch and then home.  Well, this time it was all that plus Christmas shopping.  I had told Ella that we would shop until she drops so she better be ready!  And somehow this in her mind this turned into her "special day with mom."  Which is really nice except she was rubbing it in her sisters face!

Everything is fine with her feet and we are continuing the bracing as long as she keeps letting us put them on.

We went out to lunch and then after we went to the mall for shopping.  At the mall they have a giant carousel and she finally wanted to ride it.  I have been trying to get her to ride it for a while now and she was too scared.

She loved it!

She picked the Elephant for Ella!

After some more shopping she was ready for ice cream.  I was too!

And then more shopping.  What would have taken about 2 hours took about 4 because I had to do some shopping and then something to entertain Ella.  She even played on the play ground inside the mall.  As you can see, I made her drop.  She was asleep with in 5 minutes of being in the car!

When we came back she just couldn't wait to tell her sister (rub it in) about everything she did.  Josie ended up crying because Ella made her feel so bad.  Luckily, I still had a little shopping I could do in Ottumwa and told Josie she would be able to go with me.

We had planned to go that Friday and on Thursday, Ella and I came home with the stomach flu. It hit me harder than it hit Ella but Josie was VERY concerned and crying that we weren't going to be able to go.  Thank goodness it didn't last long and were able to go. 

Of course she wanted to go out to eat and have ice cream and Christmas shop, just like her sister.  So we went to Applebees and did some shopping.

At the mall they were having horse drawn buggy rides and of course we rode!

They also had Santa and Elsa to get your picture with.  Josie enjoyed seeing them from afar but would not get up close to get pictures taken.  And then she saw this 'carousel' ride and HAD to ride it because Ella did.  If only she know how AWESOME Ella's was and how lame this one was.  We ended the night with ice cream and then we came home.  She was very happy she got to have a special day with mom, too!

While each were out with me, it gave them an opportunity to buy each other a Christmas present too.  So now I have been teasing that I'm going to tell what each one got!  They tell me NO! 

Trick or Treat 2017

We had few Trick or Treat events and a few costume changes as well.  Here is the run down of Trick or Treat events that happened this year.

Trunk or Treat at John Deere.  It was sooo windy and cold the hats/piglet mask didn't make it long--only for pictures.  Eli got SUPER excited when he realized he was getting candy!  He squealed, it was funny!

After, we went to the country club for their Halloween bash.  They had games and food and trunk or treat to follow.  I didn't get many pictures because the kids were running around like loons

Josie enjoying her self!

At school they could wear a costume and had a small party.  Josie still a witch and Ella now a ladybug (you can't see her wings)

Eli's daycare had a party as well and he went as Winnie the Pooh again.

I like that he is in the same building with me because I can see and participate in their special events like this.  

Then it was the real trick or treating!  We went over to a friends neighborhood, had dinner and went around there.  It was really really cold so we had to layer up.

Stinker Ella wouldn't let me get a good picture of her.  

And Eli's much warmer dog costume.  He's so cute, he could wear anything and pull it off!

It didn't take Eli long to figure out what do!  Look at his cute little tail!

Action shot-look at his glowing eyes bag :)

And here is their LOOT! I'd say they did pretty well and we will have candy until Christmas.  Josie picked out that GIANT sucker.  It SPINS and it's HUGE!  This will be messy and just the sucker will be around until Christmas!!  LOL!

And here is how my beer stein holding training is going!!  I am definitely going to win at next years Octoberfest!!!  HAHAHA!!!