"I'm 3 now.."

I heard that statement many times today....me being told that she wasn't going to wear diapers at night any more because "I'm 3 now" (which she is in one tonight, I convinced her to take baby steps....let's go for a dry diaper in the morning before making that move) or trying to take her temperature by herself with a digital ear thermometer because "I'm 3 now". Miss Ella Bella is really growing up. Three years old, and I just can't believe it. Daily I see her little personality just blooming, and I'm loving every second.

Today we also had her first non exclusively-family party. So her friends got to come celebrate with us, and Ella had so much fun. Here is a little run down:

Even though we are at Paradise Pond (a great playground in our church), my child still finds a way to take her clothes off!

It takes a strong GG and Noni to practically tackle her to get her shirt back on!

Her sweet friends who celebrated with her.

Now to cut loose a bit....

Ella, slightly hesitant, but eating up the attention of everyone singing Happy Birthday to her!

I think this might be our first family picture since having Hadley....how sad is that!

This was the view on the way home...

yet, still holding on to the important things!!

Happy Birthday my sweet Ella!!!

Party, Party, Party

Ok, so last Saturday we had Hadley's Birthday party with our families. It was a lot of fun. Hadley loved it. We found out she has a LOVE for icing. It was really cute to watch her smear the icing all over her face. On the too much information side, she had a nice pink surprise for us the next day too!ha! She now is walking around pretty well, and its pretty weird seeing the top of her little head bobbling around as she cruises. She also is now participating in the "big girl" play. She really does hang out with the girls in the play room. The other day she really talked to Matt on the phone....she would say hi, babble then laugh, babble then laugh again, and then say bye bye. It was so funny. Matt really got a kick out of that. I just can't believe she is getting so big!

Can't believe this was just a year ago.

Grandma Collins makes everyone feel good!

Pops telling some wild story I'm sure.

Landon came to the party and check out this big boy. He is so cute and full of smiles! I do have to note, he is a BIG boy.....25 lbs and just 6 months!

Last week I actually managed to get my camera to the game to capture a little of the craziness!

These next two are classic: Maylee and Chloe playing in the dirt, oblivious that there is a game going on....hence the batter batting, and then running the bases, right past them, and they never looked up!

This is the best part of the game for them, they get their ticket after the game to exchange for a snack at the concession stand. Oh the joy!

A little Bop lov'en ...the two red heads....just about the exact same color.

GG over loaded....a common sight.

Ella, happy to get a snack too.

Happy Birthday Hadley!!!

Sweet Hadley turned one on Tuesday. I can't believe it has been a year. Hadley is such a sweet baby. She has been a true blessing to our family. We all adore her. We are having her party on Saturday, with family coming into town. But Tuesday we had a little cake for her. She ate every bit of her piece, sucking every bit off her fingers! Her favorite present was the Spiderman phone (I tried to get one that looked the most like mine....so Spiderman it was!). We will be celebrating all week, so I'm sure more pictures are to come!!

Go Purple Pixies!!

Saturday was the first official game of the Purple Pixies!!! It is a girls softball team....and guess who is the coach....Matt!! He was so funny, he thought that the coach's shirt might be purple and he was refusing to wear it. He did finally admit he would wear it if Maylee really wanted him to....turns out it wasn't purple after all, all that worry for nothing!

The game was so funny. Maylee's best friend Chloe is on the team, and they had a blast playing in the dirt (kind of reminds me of soccer!). They actually pitch to them first, and then if they don't get a hit, they get to use the tee. Maylee hit from the pitch not one but TWO times!!! Then she took off running to third! Then would run around the bases. Too cute. We got home and used diapers for bases, and practiced stomping on the base. We will see if that helps.

Here are a few pics in her uniform....maybe next week the camera will actually make it to the game!

First day...take two

Hadley had her first day of Mother's Day Out yesterday. She did really well, her teachers had some cute stories of her day. I thought I was going to have so much time to do so many things, but the day flew by. I'm sure that is how every Thursday will be!

School Daze

School finally started this Tuesday.....WooWhoo!!!! The girls were really excited. Hadley is just going on Thursday, so tomorrow is her big day. Here are a few pics from the first day.......you may be asking yourselves "how many pictures did you take", but lets not even go there....I always tend to take a lot. I love Hadley looking out the door, so badly wanting to be included!!

The girls had so much fun at school, but they are worn out. It is going to take a while to get back into this school thing....until it really starts for Maylee next year....that is really going to be a shock to OUR systems!!

Our little sweetie pie!!!

I can't believe at the end of this week, Hadley will be 11 months! Just one month away from one....she can finally face forward, yeah! She is such a joy, and such a good baby. These days she is really a daddy's girl. She watches Matt like a hawk. She loves LOVES her big sisters too, and the feeling is mutual. Here are a few cute pics of our sweet baby...