Castle for a Princess

While in Gulfport this summer, Sara took me to a store called Tuesday Morning.   I guess it's like the equivalent to "Winners" in Canada but more of a bargin and mostly household decor and toys.  I found this fold-up wooden castle complete with wooden furniture.  I couldn't resist as she already had all the Disney princess figurines including Cinderella's carriage, from her third brithday cake.  Needless to say it's been a hit... and she even dresses for the occassion...

Little Reader

Ella loves reading.  Loves, loves it.  Ron takes her to the library at least twice a week when he picks her up after school.  They play on the computers and Ella brings home a stack of books each time.
She loves reading so much that she now opens a book and will 'read' out loud, an entire story of her making and turn the pages like she is really reading the book.  It's awesome!  I ordered 3 of these photos (in B&W) on canvas as a series for my office... I'll post pictures when they arrive...

Pumpkin Patch - Halloween Costume

If you ask Ella what she is going to be for Halloween, she will tell you:

"A fairy-godmother, sparkle ballerina witch. Because witches can be good witches. I'm going to be a good witch, not a bad witch. A fairy-godmother, sparkle ballerina witch."

At the pumpkin patch with her friends last week...

Check out Inspire Me Photography for more Halloween photos from last week.

Park BBQ

We headed over to the neighborhood park for a community BBQ and met the local firefighters....

Pumpkin Patch

Ella and I visited a pumpkin patch this morning... I lvoe the beginning of fall... just wish it came a little quicker in TX.  We're still in the 80's but hopefully in a few weeks :)

For more photos go to Inspire Me Photography

Chalk Artist

Yesterday we played in the driveway. When I asked Ella to smile and look at the camera, she replied: " I'm an artist, I don't want to smile. I'm busy with my art."

Ella Quotes

I've been saving these on Facebook until I could post them here... I have a terrible memory and this blog is going to be such a great thing when I'm old and senile. :)

These are some of my favorite Ella quotes and moments from the past 6 months:

Watching Ella balance on a pile of pillows: 

 "I surfing!  Look at me I a dude!  I surfing Mommy!!"

I ♥ my little island girl.

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In an attempt to tickle me, Ella says:

"I'm a doctor, I need to check your armpit"

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On telling Ella she's a Canadian girl:

"No, I'm a rockstar."

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Ella saw a nun at the grocery store and says:

"Look, Mommy! It's a witch!"

(I think it's about time I teach her discreation when speaking about others)

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Ella keeps her toy phone on her nightstand next to her bed at night.  Every night, when I go in to check on her, I put it back.  I just realized why... it's because that's where Ron keeps his at night :)

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The other night, Ella was calm and quiet, ready for bed.  But then something happened.  She started acting crazy and hyper, laughing and giggling.... a second wind perhaps? No, I found her stool next to the kitchen counter and the pancake syrup ... open.  *sigh*

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Ella got a balloon sword at a birthday party.  She asked Ron to play with her: 
"Say 'ROOOOOOAAAAAAR' Daddy."
Ron: "Who's going to be the princess?"
Ella: "There are no princesses in this house. I'm a soldier girl.  Now say 'ROOOOOOAAAAAAAAR!" (points the sword at him)

Sea World - Labor Day Weekend

** I am not keeping up with this blog as much as I should.  I'm working on my photography business so check out my blog to see what I've been up too.... 

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visit me on Facebook where you'll see my entire portfolio... 

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We went to Sea World on Sunday of labor day weekend.  What a zoo!  I've never seen it so busy, and it was H-O-T.  We went with some friends from Austin, luckily Ella and I have season passes so we didn't have to pay to get in.   We ended up staying for aver 4 hours and only saw one show... Ella and Ariah played in the splash park  to cool off.   I am definately glad Ella and I took advantage of the week days this summer.  Remind me to avoid ALL theme parks anywhere close to holiday weekends....

Introducing Ali

Here she is!  Our 3 month old beagle mix... she's super sweet!!! And did I mention crate-trained AND house broken... yay baby!

So, for all  of you who heard Ella talk about the dog she was going to get when we got back from Canada, but insisted I wasn't a dog person... HA!  She's here and she's soooo cute!

Last Days in Toronto

I've finally caught up on all our vacation photos. The last two days we spent in Toronto, we went to the zoo with Ella's uncles and her Papa:

Half way through the park, Ella was exhausted. Did I mention it rained off and on and the zoo is huge??? Ella took a break and looked totally wiped out...

Of course, nothing like a ride on a carousel with her Uncle Stephen to cheer her up :)

Our last evening in Toronto, after visiting and a swim with Great-Grandpa, we headed to my Uncle Mike's and Aunt Lucy's for a fabulous homemade meal with my cousins. Ella was in love with Natalie and Liane and we had such a good time.