So Elly...

The other night we were sitting around the table finishing up dinner. Brooke and Ethan left the table, and Brad and I were commenting on how different each of our kids are. With Elly still at the table we were telling her how unique she was and how we wouldn't have as much fun without her in our family. Her response, very seriously, with no smile, "that's because I'm the only cute one in this family."

Elly's 6th Birthday...

Just like any other parent, I can't believe that she is already 6.  She is such a great little person to have around...life around here would be a lot less exciting without her!

We started the celebration at Kangaroo Zoo...

And finished off with cake and gifts at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  

Just one reason I was never in a beauty pageant...

The Mom Survey

I saw this on Brooklyn's blog and thought it was a great idea.  Thanks Brooklyn!

Elly:  (5 years old)

1. What is something mom always says to you? clean up 

2. What makes mom happy? be nice

3. What makes mom sad? be mean

4. How does your mom make you laugh? tickling and do funny stuff

5. What was your mom like as a child?  me

6. How old is your mom?  21    Ethan's answer: 4

7. How tall is your mom?  big...really big   Ethan's answer: big

8. What is her favorite thing to do?  play

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?  do laundry

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?  a movie star

11. What is your mom really good at?  helping

12. What is you mom  not very good at?  Elly shrugged her shoulders and then said, "yelling." 

13. What does your mom do for her job?  staying home

14. What is your mom's favorite food?  salad and fruit  Ethan's answer: eat noodles

15. What makes you proud of your mom?  making food

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?  Charlie Brown's little sister (Sally)

17. What do you and your mom do together?  play games

18. How are you and your mom the same?  we both have bodies

19. How are you and your mom different?  cause you're taller and I'm smaller

20. How do you know your mom loves you?  because you love me

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?  he's mostly funny

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?  Grandma's house and New York

Brooke:  (8 years old)

1. What is something mom always says to you?  be quiet

2. What makes mom happy?  obeying you 

3. What makes mom sad?  when I don't obey you

4. How does your mom make you laugh?  like when she does something funny with Ethan

5. What was your mom like as a child?  like you were always happy

6. How old is your mom?  31 or 32

7. How tall is your mom?  tall

8. What is her favorite thing to do?  make cookies with me and Elly

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?  go shopping for groceries

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?  playing the piano (???)

11. What is your mom really good at?  helping me with my homework

12. What is you mom  not very good at?  playing the violin...it was squeaky (so true)

13. What does your mom do for her job? clean the house, which I should pay for (love that)

14. What is your mom's favorite food?  lasagne

15. What makes you proud of your mom?  you're very sweet and kind

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?  Velma-the one with the glasses (the unattractive one)

17. What do you and your mom do together?  sometimes shop

18. How are you and your mom the same?  we both like to cook, and we have brown eyes

19. How are you and your mom different?  you don't go to school, and I go to school

20. How do you know your mom loves you?  because she gives me hugs & kisses and says I love you all the time

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?  he's funny

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?  Italy

Eight Favorites

1.  My sister-in-law introduced me to Hummus on whole grain crackers this week and I'm in love.  

2.  Our new Apple computer.  No more waiting for pages to open, or updates to download.  Ahhhhhh.

3.  I love that Elly says "keep it in your head"  if she wants me to remember something.

4.  Brooke is concerned about "polluination."  Can you blame her?  

5.  A good panini. If only I could duplicate what I had in New York.

6.  Friends, new and old.

7.  Old movies.  Philadelphia Story, Roman Holiday, Topper, and the like.

8.  Watching my daughters with my dad:

This is exactly what my sisters and I would do to his longer 80's hair when we were little.