a little bit of everything

Here's about a million pictures of the last week. 

Lauren was here so we had lots of fun.  

It was Nick's birthday this weekend so we went out for dinner.   Sweet Elise picked to sit right between her great-grandparents. 

Since it was a birthday weekend we went out with my family on Saturday.  Elise is SO great in restaurants - especially with Auntie (cousin) Erika who loves her. 

For Easter we went to church where Elise went into the three-year-old Sunday school for the first time.   She's only been in nursery and today they did a little craft and even had a cookie.  She had fun.  

We headed back to my Mom & Dad's where she was spoiled with a fun little Easter basket, more candy than any one child should ever have, and an egg hunt with their neighbors Ava & Vivian.  

 Checking out her Easter basket from Mommy & Daddy before church. 

"thank you Grandma & Grandpa!"

When she saw the Reese's PB Cups she said "these could be little cupcakes!"

"I see a easter egg!"

It's really nice to have friends on an easter egg hunt. 

Otherwise it's just 6 people following Elise around like baby ducks.

Elise and Vivian are only a few weeks apart in age.

The best picture I got.   Hilarious.  

Elise is afraid of the Mini Cooper my parents have for her so we got Ava to show her how it's done.  She's still not that interested.  

Much more interested in what's inside those eggs.  

She just loves her Auntie Lauren.  

She topped off the afternoon with a little play-doh with Papa. 

 

So it took about a million pictures to say we've been doing pretty good lately!  

Happy Easter everyone!

an early easter

We had an early Easter lunch with Nick's side today. They are going to be on a cruise next week (lucky!) so we got together a little early.   Elise was spoiled with goodies again. 

 (Are you surprised?) 

Grandma has the play-doh ready when we come over.  

She also had an easter basket & eggs hidden all over for Elise to find.

She was in heaven.  Now we just have to get this snow to melt so we can play in the sand!

Great Grandma always brings Elise cookies. 

Reading books with Papa...

She has mastered the art of unwrapping chocolate eggs. 

She was loving her Auntie Sarah today.  Sarah was getting lots of "tickle tickle!" and "bibbity bobbity boo - kitty!"  (or princess, or horsie...or whatever she decides to turn you into at that moment)

Such pretty smiles. 

She also referred to her Uncle Adam (in blue shirt) as "that blue thing".  

I laugh out out loud whenever I think of it.  So funny.  
(Sorry Adam.  We'll work on that...)

Thanks for a fun Easter Gootes!

spring project

Nick came home from Lowes last weekend with a little project for Elise.   He bought some vegetable seeds so they could plant them and watch them grow!  Elise was so excited to help scoop dirt.  

Since it's STILL SNOWING here they're hiding out inside until May when we can put them in pots on the deck.   Unless it's still snowing then.  You never know. 

Lately...

I've officially joined the world of smart phones.   And all the pictures I took this week are from my phone - since I'm kind of obsessed with Instagram.   It makes ordinary things look super cute. 

Like Elise playing with the iPad while I get ready...

Her new umbrella from Grandma...

Painting with Daddy...

This is the spot she chose to watch her show.   Little weirdo. 

She loves the pony at Meijer.  

"pease mommy I need a penny."

My cousin Matt is famous - he was in the Calvin Spark!

Sweetheart was so sick last night.   I had a craft night with my MOPS group and Nick called and said I'd better come home.   We went through all our sheets, blankets, and jammies.   The washing machine is working overtime today.   

She was much better this morning. 

elise's date with the gootes

Last Friday the Gootes picked Elise up for an entire day of fun.   

They took her to the children's museum, McDonalds, and back to their house where I hear they did a lot of hide and seek and play-doh.  We met up with them for dinner and and to get our kid back.  She had SO much fun and wanted to stay with them!  
 And they sent me all these fun pictures!

And while Elise was gone I was able to shop the Gap Outlet in peace, get a latte, and browse fabric for an entire afternoon while not listening to Barney or talking to anyone.    It was heaven.    Although I really did miss my little buddy.  

Thanks so much Grandma & Grandpa!

what that could be, mom?

This post is a random combination of some happenings around here lately. Mostly the hilarious things that come out of Elise's mouth. 



At my mom's one afternoon - rubbing Pacey-the-tiny-dog's tummy.  Pacey is uh...pretty well-endowed for such a tiny dog.  
E:  [pointing at Pacey's uh...you know] What that could be Mom?
Me:  Um...that's how Pacey goes potty.
This was accepted and she went about her business.   

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E:  Not need my potty seat anymore.  My buns soooooooo big. 

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E:  Hurts so much.
Me:   What hurts Elise?
E:   My tummy and my forehead.

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Randomly in kitchen:
E:  I have little boobies!

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E:  Mommy help me build this road.  You are super strong.

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While going potty:
E:  I go-ning potty.  You hear potty coming out.  I so fart.  
(fart = smart)
 
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She is napping about every other day now.  She could easily go without but I love me some naptime.  We try almost everyday.  I usually leave her in there 45 minutes or so - she's not crying or anything just talking to herself.   Today I sat outside her room for a few minutes and caught this:

you have sweatshirt on!
that could be my size?
Rrrrrroar....lions waking up.
Horsies eat hay and apples.
(fake laughing)  hahaha I laughing.   
reach and pull, reach and pull.  I put my toes underwater.
Somebody get me out my bed.  Go downstairs mom!
I have baby hair.  Big hair?  Little hair! 
I'm so little just like a baby!  I'm so big! Little! BIG!  (more fake laughing)
Sings 'ring around the rosie' complete with jumping and falling.
No no no no nooooooo....
Not me sleepy anymooooore!
I need panties on!  Panties downstairs please!

So finally I go in. 
I'm so happy now.  Take tiiiiiny nap. 

******************

She makes me laugh all day.   She also makes me go into every public restroom in the greater Grand Rapids area.  You don't argue with a 2 year old who says she has to go potty.  The one time I don't I know I'll regret it.   It's exhausting.  Mostly she just sits there and says "try again pretty soon" and then we have to wash our hands "all by myself!". 
  

 Um - and look at how smart my kid is.   She did this totally by herself.  E-L-I-S...  I told her to make another E but she said "here's a circle for you Mom". 

lots of butta-fies

Elise was super excited to see the butterflies.  And Lauren happened to be here on opening day so we headed out to FMG for the morning. 

Elise and her ticket.  She thinks she is fancy.

Best one out of several attempts.  This is what we get when you tell her to smile. 

Butterflies!

They had rooms full of plants and little caterpillars - that will turn into butterflies!

You can watch the butterflies coming out of their cocoons...

She didn't want to touch it.  (Actually we were kind of breaking a rule by touching it...)

Such a fun day!  We'll be back for sure - the butterflies are here until the end of April!

My mom got her this butterfly towel a little while ago - she LOVES it and flies around after every bath.   It's hilarious to watch her little naked self running and flapping her wings like a butterfly.   

Elise is already missing Auntie WoWo.  Yesterday she hopped in the shower with her and insisted she put her to bed every night.  An hour after bedtime she woke up and yelled "One more kiss Auntie WoWo!!!"

Lauren is so lucky - take this conversation from in the car:
Elise:  Here you go, WoWo.
Lauren:  Oooh what do you have for me Elise?
Elise:  A boogie.  
Lauren:  Oh okay thanks buddy.
(she took the boogie.  now that's love.)