Whew.

Wow oh wow. A LOT has happened in the last couple of weeks. For starters, Ella had her FIRST boat ride this weekend. She loved it. Yelled “Here fishy fishy fishy” over the side of the boat. It was a great time until about 30 minutes into it when you realized you could “jump ship.” And… you almost did. Daddy and I had to watch you like a hawk. Finally, mommy (9 months preggo and all) got into the lake and you jumped in with NO hesitation and swam until your heart was content. You LOVED every minute of it, laughing and rolling on your back and on your belly, it was so much fun to watch you in the lake. Since the last time we updated, you can also READ. No, I’m not kidding. You read these site words and it is the most amazing thing in the whole world to watch. Words like play, is, it, of, that, and…. you get them all right and you are so proud of yourself (and we are VERY VERY proud of you as well!). The first time you did the flashcards, you did them all right the first go around and then you looked at me and you said, “Otay mommy, sucker.” Because you knew you did something sooo good you should get a sucker! HA! That’s my smart kid!  Let’s see, what else has happened. This weekend was really busy. Daddy and Auntie Re threw mommy a very special surprise birthday party for my 30th birthday. You did NOT know what to, your friends were running around, my friends were running around and grammy, papa, boppa and grandma were all there along with EA (Olivia) and Re and Rad and Uncle Tin Tin. You were loving life. You were sooo tired though and at the end of the party we were laughing hysterically at you because you were SO excited about the moon. You kept saying, Mommy, Papa, right there, the moon, right there. It was so funny. You talked about it the whole way home until you passed out from exhaustion, and, in the middle of the night, you woke up STILL talking about it. You’re so stinkin cute. Saturday you and I hung all day while Daddy had to work  and then, we went to some friends’ house to have a bonfire. I made you share cookies with another little girl who is your age (2 weeks younger). She was not saying thank you, at least not good enough for you. So after about the 5th cookie you gave her, you said VERY loudly for everyone to hear… “You’re Welcome.” It was hilarious. We were laughing until we cried. Daddy and I wanted to crawl under a rock, but you were so adamant for her to tell you thank you. I’m glad we’ve taught you well my dear  Sunday morning is when we went on the boat and Sunday night we had another birthday party for Dex. It was an Elmo party. Let’s just say that you, ahem, loved to open the gifts and blow out the candles, even though they weren’t yours. You’re crazy kid. You are also totally into singing, the ABC’s, Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, This Little Light of Mine and Happy Birthday To You. I cannot believe this week I’m going to be 30 and you’re going to be 2. I’m so thankful I have a birthday buddy to share my birthday with. I love you with ALL of my heart. I’m a little wistful about the fact that your life is about to change upside down with the impending birth of Briggs. BUT, I know you’ll do great and eventually you’ll forgive me  You certainly aren’t the only kid that’s had to go through it. Just know that Mommy & Daddy cherish your every hug, kiss, laugh, naughty moments, everything we do, is for you sweetheart. We love you.