Week in Review

My friend, Kelly, and her 3 month old daughter, Natalie, came to visit us on Wednesday. Ella helped me make shortcakes to have with our strawberries for dessert. She loved helping to put out blankets, get diapers and wipes, and bring toys for Natalie. This was also the first time Ella asked if she could hold a baby (actually she told me, "I carry baby Natalie over her car seat," as she started to reach for Natatlie...she had to settle for holding Natalie in her lap instead). Kelly and I enjoyed catching up and spending time together.

adding baking soda to the measuring cup

Ella carefully holding Natalie (Natalie looks scared)


helping to feed Natalie


Kelly and Natalie

We also headed in to visit Rob at his office later in the evening. We got to see his new cubicle, which is much larger and has a great view of the city (he is such a hard worker and a smart engineer--he really deserves this nice space). Ella enjoyed checking out all of Rob's pencils and pens, working on her own special drawings, and looking at pictures of herself that are all over Rob's desk.

Rob working hard and Ella examining her pictures


Ella showing Rob how to print some drawings


Check out that view.....


...and this one! (people were eating dinner at a restaurant on the balcony)

Other interesting tibits from the week included:

Ella has been doing a lot of climbing and is trying braver things every day ("I do it myself")! When I was making breakfast, I called into her to find out what she was doing in the living room. She said, "Hi, Momma. I looking at pictures Daddy and Mommy get married" (she loves to look at our wedding album on the table). She usually opens it on the table or pulls it onto the floor. But, yesterday, here's what I walked into:

looking at our wedding album in the "sofa arm seat"

Ella loves our neighbors, Lenny and Nancy (they were the first non-family members' names that she could pronounce--it used to be "Yenny" and "Nance-nee"). She always wants to go over to see them and show them things. Yesterday when Lenny was washing his car, Ella went right over and asked if she could help him. She said, "Hi Lenny. Ella help you wash car. I use the hose and big brush?" He let her use the wash cloth with soap and the hose. She loved it! She even wanted to help him take the bucket and brush back when he was all done.

Ella spraying off the soap


taking her spray job very seriously


making time to use her water table (making soup for Daddy)