The Wheels on the Bus

Elizabeth loves to sing "The Wheels on the Bus".  She really gets into it, and it makes us laugh so hard.  Bert brought out the camera this morning while we were singing it.  Of course, she didn't "perform" quite the same when she knew she was being video taped, but we wanted to document it anyway.  I just wish there was a way to get rid of my voice on it!

Pope vs. Walton

Friday night my school hosted a faculty basketball game against our big rival, Walton.  It's a big fundraiser for cancer research that students and faculty from both schools come together to raise money.  We even have a faculty pep band and faculty cheerleaders to support the faculty basketball players.  And  our students do all the coaching.  You know they just love bossing their teachers around!

The Cheerleaders

My little cheerleader

Elizabeth's favorite cheerleader, Alissa.  Although Elizabeth was more interested in the pom poms than posing for the camera.

After the basketball game, we headed over to the girls soccer game.  One of the coaches gave her this shirt, and she got so excited that she immediately took off the shirt she had on to put her new Pope shirt on.  At least the coach knew she was grateful!

Warming up her game face!

Practicing yelling at the ref!  She must've learned that from her daddy!!

School Days

Elizabeth has been obsessed with her jackets this spring.  She wants to wear one even in the afternoon at 80 degrees!  Monday morning she insisted that she needed her jacket AND hat.  She was not very happy with me when I told her she didn't need either of them.  But I decided this was not a battle I wanted to fight on a Monday morning, and gave her the jacket and hat.  She still didn't look very happy with me, so I didn't even ask her to take out her paci for the picture.  Anyways, this is how our week began...

Thankfully she did brighten up on the way to school!

On Tuesday morning I was chasing her around trying to take her picture because she was in such a sweet mood (not usual for the morning).  She grabbed my other camera off the desk, held it up to her face, and said "smile mommy."  For once, I had my camera ready to capture that moment (minus the big shadow)!

Monkey See Monkey Do

When I picked E up from school on Wednesday she was very proud to show me her braided hair that  Miss Kacy had fixed for her.  I asked Kacy if Elizabeth resisted because she HATES me even brushing her hair.  She usually just wants a bow, no brush or "fixing" of the hair is allowed.  But Kacy said she actually asked her to do it.  E had seen Kacy fixing another girl's hair, and ran up to her with her bow saying "My hair, my hair".  I couldn't believe it.  

By the end of the day it was messy as usual, but still in tact.  I don't know if Elizabeth will ever forgive me for taking it out tonight!

Train Show

On Saturday I went out of town for a shower, so Bert decided to take Elizabeth to a train show.  

This was Saturday morning when I told her bye.  So sad:(

But once she saw all the trains, she forgot all about me!  She is so much like her daddy in so many ways.  He has definitely passed down his love of trains to our little girl.

Completely worn out!

Telling her daddy 'thank you" for taking her to the train show.

More Birthday Presents!

Melissa came over tonight before Elizabeth's bedtime and brought her a birthday gift.  E was so cranky and tired when she got here, but boy did she perk up when she realized the gifts Mel brought were for her!

"Are these all for me?!

Elizabeth loves playing with her kitchen, but she doesn't really have any cookware or much food to go with it.  But she does now!  

Look at all that play food!  Melissa got her cookware too.  This is one loved and spoiled little girl!!

My favorite part was the most adorable personalized chefs hat and apron.  Just perfect for my little girl who LOVES to cook!

Elizabeth's favorite part was definitely the food.  She wanted to try it all out!

"Is this onion ring real?"

"What about this chip?"

I think she tried it all just to make sure.  Needless to say, she loves her new gifts.  

Thank you Aunt Melissa!

Random

Bert has been out of town this week, so it's just me and my girl doing nothing too exciting.  I uploaded some pictures I've taken and realized how random they are.  They don't really tell a story, but they do catch Elizabeth doing things she does on a regular basis.

She brushes her teeth at least twice a day (sometimes three or four).  And she's starting to actually brush them rather than chew on the bristles or suck off the toothpaste.

She has two favorite cartoons: Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends and Jack's Big Music Show.  I caught her in mid song with Miss Spider!  And the reason she doesn't have any clothes on is because we had spaghetti for dinner.  Elizabeth ends up wearing as much as she eats of it, so we don't even bother with bibs or clothes!

She adores her baby dolls.  She even gave this one a name, "Ella".  Not sure where she got it from,  but it's the only one with a name.  All of her other dolls are just "Baby".

Our girl does NOT like to wake up for school in the morning.  She sleeps through the whole getting ready process.  We put her pillow on the changing table just to keep her comfortable.  She might be a little spoiled!!

Here she is five minutes later after being fully dressed, shoes and everything.  Still trying to sleep, although the flash on my camera is making it hard for her!

Since she still wanted to cuddle up on me, she was in no mood for me to take her photo before school.  So I took a picture of the two of us, neither of which are morning people (in case our faces don't give it away)... just ask Bert!

The Park

It was rainy last weekend and cold all week.  But today was beautiful!  So we packed a lunch and headed to the park.  Elizabeth had a blast, then came home and took a great nap giving Bert and I plenty of time to start clearing out the office.  I'm so excited to get it ready for Caroline!  Then we grilled out and played some more outside.  I have to say, it was a pretty good day from start to finish!

I was so proud of her for climbing the "rock wall" all by herself.  But then Bert told me she's been doing it for months.  It still made me very nervous.

This is her favorite swing.  I think she would take her nap in it if we stayed long enough.  She gets really relaxed.  Swinging is definitely her favorite activity at the park.

She spotted an old-fashioned airplane flying pretty low.

She kept waving to it.  I almost wondered if she could see the pilot!

Lunch time.  I don't think she's ever going to want to eat inside again!

The wind kept carrying her ball off and she would chase it laughing as if it were all a game the wind was playing with her.

Time for icecream!

Night Time Habits

Every night before I go to bed I check on Elizabeth through our video monitor.  For the past two nights, this is what I've found.

She is fast asleep holding her baby's hand.  So sweet.

Reading before bedtime is a MUST at our house.  In fact, I feel like Elizabeth starts reading earlier and earlier each night.  Tonight, we were not all done eating when she was, so she asked for some books.  She specifically asked for her new favorite book from Aunt Christy, The Berenstain Bears' New Baby.  How appropriate!  

I love that she loves this book.  She gets so excited when the "baby sissy" arrives in the end.  I hope she has the same enthusiasm when her real baby sister arrives.

We've created somewhat of a monster when it comes to our night time rituals.  Not only do we have to read the books she specifically picks out, she also demands that mommy AND daddy read to her.  If I try to walk out she says, "Mommy SIT" and points to the foot stool.  When I give her a stern look, she quickly adds "please".  Of course,  I can't resist.  I love that time together too (especially since she's sitting on Bert's lap and not my belly)!

Here is another game she likes to play while reading.  She points to each picture and says, "What is that?"  Even if she knows the answer she asks before answering it herself.  I can just hear the future "but why" in my head.  I think we're in for it!

A Rainy Weekend

It was rainy and cold all weekend, so we did a lot of playing inside and only left the house when it was absolutely necessary.

  Saturday morning grocery shopping was a must.  I always take Elizabeth with me because she's a great grocery shopper thanks to this driving cart she gets to sit in.  And I knew it would be the only tine she would get out of the house that day.  She is also very much like her momma in that she does not like to stay cooped up inside for too long.

She and her daddy played a lot in her toy room.  The look of concentration on both of their faces makes me laugh.

Me and my girl before church on Sunday.  I can't remember the last time she let me hold her for a picture.  I didn't even care if it was good or not.  I was just happy that she stayed still in my arms!  

A Quick Trip to Nashville

Last weekend Elizabeth and I took an overnight trip to Nashville to visit with some special friends.  

First we met up with Brycen, James Henry, Eli, and Gaines at Monkey Joes.  Elizabeth is still not too sure about the big jumpers, but I think she had fun with all these boys!



Then we went to lunch at Pie in the Sky.  Elizabeth loved playing with her new train from Gaines!




Gaines and Elizabeth at the Park.




This pretty much sums up how Gaines feels about Elizabeth:))  I think it's because E is constantly invading his personal space.   This might all classify as flirting!




They did play with the train together well.  There might be a spark after all!




But this is where the love is!  Will and Elizabeth hit it off big time!!




I think they could've entertained each other for hours.  It gives me hope that Elizabeth might really enjoy having a baby sister around.




Group shots are near impossible, especially when you add their mommas.  But I love this one.  I think it shows each of our kids' personalities well.