Busy Bee

It is such a cliche to state the obvious but time really does fly by so fast, especially in the summer. Despite the record heat we have been having in Charlotte, that hasn't slowed us down at all. Between our twice a week swim lessons, fun lunch dates with friends or Daddy, lots of birthday parties and multiple playground/ swing set trips with our best buddies, this July has just flown by. And it also helps that we have had lots of fun visitors to keep us busy as well. Mike's sister, Kelly and her husband Ben came down from Pennsylvania last weekend. Ben had a soccer training session to attend near Raleigh so we only got to see him for one night but "Aunt Kelly" got to stay and play all weekend and Ella was in heaven!
Ella is lucky to have a couple friends in the neighborhood with fun swing sets to play on and some of our best buddies, Addie and Wesley just got a new one and this little girl loves to swing on the big girl swing now. Especially when Aunt Kelly is pushing her!!

On Saturday, it was HOT HOT HOT, so we decided to beat the heat and head to our favorite museum. Ella wanted to cook us a special meal in her "deluxe kitchen."

Sampling some of her delicious creation!

After working hard in the kitchen, it was time for a cow ride. In this picture, she is saying "moo" for a cow. We also played in the gym, aquarium, airplane, fire truck, bank and the list goes on and on. We love that museum and Ella never gets bored.

After playing so hard, we all worked up an appetite and headed out for some lunch and then we had to cool down with some ice cream. When turned turned one, she devoured her birthday cake but since then hasn't been a huge fan of sweets. She likes a couple m&ms or jelly beans here or there but lately, she has been loving all things sweet. She loves popsicles, italian ice, candy and of course ice cream.

Especially when it is topped with sprinkles and m&ms and so many other yummy things. She tries to get as much in her mouth as she can and then she makes this funny face like she forgets every time that it is cold! I think we definitely have a sweet tooth on our hands.

It doesn't just have to be the big girl swing, she will pretty much be happy in any swing these days. When we say, "How high do you want to go?", she responds with a "So high!" Plus swinging is more fun in your bikini after you have just taken a dip in the baby pool!

All that playing, eating and swinging is exhausting work so these 3 decided to cuddle under the blanket an watch a movie. (Note: this lasted about 60 seconds before they ran off the play again but how cute when they do all sit still!)

We love all things Minnie Mouse these days and especially the Minnie Mouse pajamas. She asks to wear them every night and doesn't like to take them off in the morning. But how can you have a bad morning when you wake up to this sweet face repeating "minnie shirt minnie shirt" over and over again.

Finally, DeeDee came up to visit this week just for a night because she was missing her Ella and her Ella was missing her also. Ella had to show DeeDee her new favorite movie, Toy Story.

She told DeeDee all about Woody and Buzz!

So, as you can see this see, this little lady is a busy bee and loving every minute of it. The heat doesn't slow her down (although she doesn't love Mommy coating on all the sunscreen!). And I know August will be even crazier with her birthday party and hopefully a week long trip to Seabrook (right Papa??).