Grandpa's Legacy

We took a quick trip to my Grandpa's Cabin this weekend and had a great time- SANS KIDS! Even though I totally would have taken then, we decided to just go with another couple friends of ours who also left thier kids home. What a blast! Thanks Alla and Luke! Let's go again.

Mom, Dad, Sofia...Meet Ella

I have noticed a few things changing about our Ella lately. Mainly her sassiness! That girl is getting her own personality and I love seeing her change. I can't blame her for feeling the need to get the spotlight from time to time and make herself known....Sofia after all IS her sister! Here is the sweet thing that we call Ella at a mere 6 weeks (or so). Such a doll.

And here she is as a year old. Some things weve noticed? She knows how to stare you down- especially her Papa!!

She is a great eater and will play keep away ( she holds it above her head) if you try and take it from her. Food to this girl is gold!

She is an excellent cuddler. This is Ella with my Uncle Dave on the 4th of July.So we are getting re-introduced to our youngest these days. Just today I asked her if she wanted her bottle (she shook her head no), ok...what about your juice cup? (again, shook her head no). I went to the yogurt (3rd time was NOT a charm- no to that as well). I went to the cupboard and got out a cracker and asked "Ella, is this what you want?" A grunt (an acceptable yes in our house when youre 12 months old) was given and she was happy.

Can't wait to meet Ella as a 3 year old! But I am willing to let that be some time from now. She is already growing up too fast for me.

Content

So. Last night I went on a date (Yes, a real date. Hand holding, you don't have to pay date!) with a Boy! (who just happened to be the Red Flame). We abandoned the kids and ran to Lagoon for one of our Russian friends birthday parties. Luckily we had got in half off (man that place is expensive!!).

As we held hands (our own hands without kids in between us) and walked through the park, we rode roller coasters (even the rickety, old white one- remember that one?!) including wicked, spider (which I loved!) and Colossus (I know my brothers remember this one!) played video games and just enjoyed each other and talked.

What a night! It was great! At one point as we were waiting in line, we saw a group of teens with one girl in particular that seemed very eager for attention. all 3 girls were in these outfits and after observing them for a moment, Artyom and I looked at each other and gave "the look". You know the one. The one where we BOTH know what we needed to say without saying it. Well luck have it we just said it in Russian. "No way. Never. will our girls be allowed to leave the house looking like that!!" It was a great time and we had a blast feeling young again as we rode the rides. At the end of the night, (which was only about 10:30) I was eager to get home. Tired and content to start all over again tomorrow.

And although the crowd at Lagoon that surrounded us would have proven otherwise, I could not help but wonder....Am I getting too old for this?

Taking the Plunge...

So those of you who know me well, know when I get an "inkling" to do something, I usually cannot sleep until I do it. WELL. I have had this feeling in the back of my mind that we need to expand on our mode of transportation. (no we are not expecting). It has been there for awhile and I have been searching for what it is I did not know I was looking for....is this making sense?!

Anyway, in just a few minutes I will be calling to verify that Yes. we would like to purchase your MINIVAN. Gasp! I know! The thing is, is I am really a bit excited about this! We need the room and we know that our Camry (which we have really loved) is not going to hold another car seat very well.

That being said. I will post pics of the newest addition to our collection soon.

What summers are for...

Jon and Heidi crossed the ocean to come and visit for a bit and while here had an Open House at our house. It was a pretty packed group, but we had a great time. What else are Summers for than food, fun, family and friends?

Spillage

Here is your funny for the day...

Sofia ran downstairs the other night bellowing out "Mama, Mama, Big potty! Big potty!" Translation: she needed to get to the toilet. Our house has handicapped toilets (from the previous owner) and they stand a bit taller than your average crapper. (If are offended by the verbage- you need to read the invention story of the toilet by none other than Thomas Crapper).

Anyhoo! She came bounding down the stairs and as I was getting up to make sure she could get on the bowl (is that better?) as she very intensely said, "Mama hurry! I'm going to spill!"

We did make it, bathroom full of hysterical laughter and all.

My Name is....Sofia's Mom

We got to watch our neighbors kids the other week while they went on a date night. I highly recommend finding someone you know that you can trade nights of babysitting with. They have 4 kids 10 and under and with our 2- it was 6 altogether and to be honest? They were great!

They played so well with our kids and two cheese pizzas, 1 jug of lemonade, 1/2 can of mini ravioli (one of the kids didn't want pizza) and 4 cups of popcorn with a treat on top with a side of a sippy cup later- Aladdin was in the DVD Player and they just watched it.

I have never heard my name so much in one night...and by name I mean "Sofia's Mom" This was a new experience for me and I loved it!! I loved hearing my name knowing it meant I belonged to someone. I love that they know exactly who I am...Sofia's (and Ella's) Mom.

I think she likes it...

As promised, the comment my little Sofia made as she entered our new bathroom for the first time to go on the "big girl potty". She walked in, turned around and gasped, "Momma, it's so magical- I LOVE IT!" I was laughing hysterically the entire time she was using the potty. Gazing (magically) around our new bathroom.

What can I say? The girl appreciates the finer things in life.

Unveiling

SO. I know you have all been waiting on pins and needles to see the before and after of the Bathroom project. There have been a few updates to it since I took these pics, and I am still working on getting some of the wall decorations, up but you get the idea.

THE BEFORE:



I must interject here and give a shout out to IKEA. Man. We got some cute things and was able to re-decorate on a budget. I thought we did pretty good. I even got to use a towel holder that I have had FOREVER (were talking at least 3 moves here...) and it matches GREAT!

THE AFTER:




So...? What do you think?! I am on to out Living Room and Hallway next. No wallpaper on these rooms, just white. Plain White. Can't do it. I need some color. Ill keep you all posted.

Catch and Bait

So here is the thing...

Since I have never owned anything as big as our home before (and the price that comes with our humble abode). I was giddy with excitement to actually be able to to whatever I wanted with it. Dreams of home makeovers danced in my head and this last month I was able to make at least one a reality. I will have pics posted tomorrow (hopefully- as Sare will kill me if I dont) and you can all be a part of the "happiness is..." clause that I call my new bathroom.

Just so you have the catch and bait story to lead up to the excitemet of the "unveiling" before and after shots- here is how it all went down.

The Red Flame is a handyman. A great guy to have around. So I had been bugging him about when we could re-do the bathroom. I mean, come on. How hard could it really be? So much to his chagrin, I got a bit ahead of myself and just 2 weeks before my brother Jon's Open house (at our home mind you) I started to tear the wallpaper down. My thought? I figured I would be able to paint the next day and be done with it. PAH!

Needless to say The Red Flame was NOT a happy Russian when he came home and discovered what I had done. HOWEVER, he is a champ and helped me with the things I did not know how to do and with much hard work and late nights from the both of us, we got it done. He was hanging the mirror and towel holder about 30 minutes before our guests started to arrive for the Open House.

HOWS THAT FOR HANDY?! So get excited for the pics. Ill post the comment our Little One said upon entering it tomorrow as well and we will see if you agree.

Until then...

Sun, Swim suits and H2O

I had to work and Artyom decided to take the girls, head out with some of our friends and go to a sprinkler/fountain park near our house. I was just excited to put sweet Ella in her swimsuit. Thank you Alla for taking the cute pics for me.


Don't you just LOVE the ruffle bum?

This is Sofia with one of her bust play buddies Luke. We use him as a reward as do his parents. When we have a play date planned that is all the two can talk about. They are the same height- Sofia is even be a bit taller, but a year difference between them.

Ok Just so you know. Sofia is in the middle and just short of 3 years old (in October). The 2 boys on either side of her? Brothers 2 years apart! They are the same height- Sofia is even be a bit taller, but a year difference between her and the one on her your left and a year between the one on your right. Crazy!

They had a great time and did not get burned as the sun was just down but it was still hot enough to play. Good times. Good times.