Oh...and

 Sweet Ellie stories:
 "Look mommy!  I got a sticker!"

"What for?"

"Cuz I cleaned up the toys on the floor at school!"

"Did Ms. Melissa ask you to clean."

"No. I wanted to be nice and I'm a good cleaner."



Ellie asks daily if it's her birthday.  She is DYING to be 4.  We've told her that her birthday will come after the leaves fall from the trees.  Today on the way to school she asked:
"Are the leaves changing colors because they want it to be my birthday?"

"Yes, baby.  Just for you"




On a sad note :(  I took Josie for her well visit today, which meant shots.  This was the first time that she clearly remembered, knew what was coming, and was not happy about it.  18 lbs, 9 oz;  31 inches tall.  10th percentile weight; 85th percentile height. To end on a good note:  Ellie can say the days of the week :)  Smart girl.  

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Little Josie was so sick this weekend.  She spent Saturday and Sunday just like this.  Turns she had Roseola.

 Feeling better!

 Lucy - not her most ladylike moment.

 Too much??  Ha!  Little cupcake.

 "Seth!?  Is everything okay?"

Life's tough.

 I have to admit that I cried a little when I spied this the morning of my birthday: the first time she wrote "mom."

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Sister Love

 Ellie and Max.  A little later Ellie fell out of the gator and Max ran over her leg.  Memories.

 Ava and Ellie

 Things got a little too quiet.  I found these two gals rummaging through Mrs. Mindy's jewelry box.

 Playing with Unkie Brett and Auntie Heather

 Tinsley Park

 Here comes flu and cold season...

CHS Homecoming parade.  Ellie kept calling it the hip hip parade...so cute.  Both Maddie and Abby were on the court.

 We were THRILLED to learn that the local museum was having a "blue and gray" themed benefit.  It was black tie or period attire...

 No one was available to take our picture before we left so we decided to let Ellie have a try.  Not too bad!

 Later that night we learned that Abby won Queen.  This is our 12:30am celebration party.

 The next morning we were alllllll dragging.

 Blurring, but too sweet not to post.

 Love these three heads.

 Much needed afternoon pass out.

No Work and All Play

 Ellie and her buddy, Brooklynn

 Coolidge Park Fountain with the Earharts

 Ellie and LillyGrace

 LillyGrace, Ellie, Landon, Jaxson

 Jaxson and Landon's 5th Birthday Party at the Gymnastics Center...they were adamant that Josie we on their invitation list!  Ha! One of my favorite moments ever occurred at this party.  Seth set up a slide at the side of the foam pit that allowed Josie to slide, free fall for 3 feet or so, and fall into the pit.  She loved it - laughed and squealed.  Meanwhile, her sister was running around the edge of the pit picking up stray foam cubes that kids had tossed out and putting them back in the pit where they belong.  Typical Ellie and Josie.

 This one is blurry, but is too hysterical not to include.

Do these pictures look familiar?....

This might be why:  Ellie, at 18 months old...one of my all time favorite pictures

 "Mommy!  Watch!  She's gonna kick my bottom!"