Happy 4th Birthday Ella!

4 years ago today, at 10:57am, Ella Charlotte Dietrich was born.  What a joy she is!  I am so excited to see what this new year brings for her.  I'm having trouble finding the right words at the moment.  I think there are just too many!  Ella is smart and creative, funny and kind, daring and curious, energenic and loving.  She has a big heart and tries to protect her brother...or beat him up, depending on her mood.  Happy Birthday my sweet Ella.  I love you so much!

A bit of a lengthy slideshow of Ella's life up until now.  I posted this last year, but I added some pictures from this past year.  Hope you enjoy it!

Ella's Big Birthday Weekend

Ella turns 4 on September 22nd, so we celebrated this past weekend.  This was the first year that we threw a "friend" party for her.  So on Saturday, at 9:00am (I know, early, but WAY CHEAPER!) twelve children, ranging in ages between 3 and 5 years old, joined us at Pump It Up.  It was very organized and all the kids seemed to enjoy themselves.  They bounced and played for an hour, and then moved into the party room for cake and presents.  Ella did a great job with thanking everyone and using her manners.  I was very proud of her.

 The fun continued on Sunday with Ella's family birthday party.  I tried my hand at making her cake this year, and I think it came out pretty well.  I just used cupcakes and reused the Princess figurines from the store-made cake.

A funny conversation took place between Ella and my mom (Gigi):

Ella: What did YOU get me today?

Gigi: Well, remember, we got you that trampoline as an early birthday present.

Ella:  No, I mean, what did you get me TODAY?

Gigi:  Well, we gave you money to put towards your college fund.  I know you don't know what that means right now.

Ella: But I didn't want THAT!

Someday she will appreciate her college education, partially funded by her Gigi and Papa!

We managed to get a group shot of the cousins, plus Ella and Nathan's sorta-cousin, Jackson, as Ella calls him.

We were so happy that "Uncle" Paul and Jackson made the trip, even though Auntie April just had baby Jaelyn on the 14th!  Nate was happy to play with his buddy!

And finally, Joe and I snuck away this afternoon to go and meet baby Jaelyn.  She is the most precious little peanut.  So tiny and cute.  I got my baby fix for a while, but I'll need to hold her again soon, that's for sure!  I am so happy for Paul, April and Jackson!

"I had a blast!"

That's what Ella told me after our fun-filled day at Blue Harbor Resort this past Sunday.  My parents treated us to a two-day, one-night stay in a 2-bedroom condo that we shared with them.  We played at the water park all day on Sunday before we could check into our room, and then played again for most of the day after check-out on Monday.  It was the perfect amount of time for the kids.  I don't know if they could've done much more...they were exhausted!

Ella went down the big body slides all by herself.  I think she would've done it all day long!  She is definitely my dare-devil.

Ella was also thrilled to be able to sleep on the top bunk of the bunk-beds!  Nathan spent his first night in a "big boy" bed; the bottom bunk...but with the extra railing and high sides, it probably seemed like his crib.  I'm grateful that we have the space to keep them in separate bedrooms at home...I don't think anyone would get any sleep if they had to share a room!

I think one of my favorite moments of the entire trip was seeing my parents go down the tube slide together, and hearing my mom scream the entire way.  They're awesome!

And finally, I'd like to congratulate our wonderful friends, Paul and April, on the birth of their baby girl this morning at 12:00am!  They named her Jaelyn Kathryn, and she has a very proud big brother Jackson.  I've been posting over on April's blog while she's been in the hospital, if you'd like to read any more or see any other pictures.  I can't wait to hold her!

Updates Galore!

I thought I was going to be better about blogging, but turns out, I'm not.  I'm trying my best though.  I wanted to post a few pictures and give a little update on what's been going on with us over the past few weeks. 

As we speak, Nathan is fighting his nap.  He fights going down for a nap and going to bed at night.  He's going to be 2 years old in a month...I really thought his sleeping habits were going to be so much better by now.  Silly me!  He did get his haircut today and looks like a handsome little man.

We went to the Appleton area twice to visit our friends Paul and April, and our Godson Jackson.  Once just to visit, and the second time for an early birthday party for Jackson.  Jackson turns 2 right after Nathan, but...Jackson is going to be a big brother any day now, and his mommy wanted his birthday party to be all about him, not all about his new baby sister.  Good plan!

We then headed over to Green Bay to visit Joe's sister Julia, her husband Greg, and our nephew Harry, who will be 2 this February.  The cousins had a blast playing together!  We took the kids to Bay Beach, an old-time amusement park with tons of kiddie rides.  What fun!

Some college friends (who happen to be responsible for Joe and I meeting) came to visit and brought their 1 year old daughter Natalia, or Talia for short.  Our other college friends joined us as well, and we managed to get some great pictures!

Ella started 3K at Blessed Savior Lutheran Preschool, which is right up the road from our house.  She was so excited to wear her backpack, and even picked out her outfit that day.  We would like her to start Kindergarten next year, but she wont be 5 by September 1st, which is the rule for our school district.  (She'll turn five 20 days later!)  We do have the option of getting her tested, and if she passes all of the tests, she could start early.  Otherwise, she will go to Blessed Savior next year for 4K and start Kindergarten when she is 5, almost 6 years old.  I'm fine with either...I just think she'll be ready.  I guess we'll let the professionals decide!

1st day of 3K...strike a pose!

What did you do on Labor Day this year???  We went BOWLING!!!  Ella and Nathan both seemed to have a good time and even did a good job waiting their turn.

Nathan is beginning to put 2 and 3 words together and repeats almost everything we say.  My favorite word that he says lately is, "Delicious."  He says it at appropriate times and it is just too cute!  He knows is colors and most of his shapes.  I'm pretty sure his sister might have something to do with that!

As for me, I will be teaching Sunday School again this year, which starts up in the next few weeks.  I am also Vice-President of Suburban West Newcomers (see picture in the left-hand column above, with link) and co-chair of Kidsclub, which is a part of Newcomers. 

Needless to say, I have my hands full.  I like it though.

My Heart Goes Out

My heart goes out to my sister-in-law, Liz, and her husband Brian.  Brian's mother passed away this morning after a long fight with many challenging illnesses.  My nephews have lost their Grandmother and are probably confused, sad, overwhelmed...Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Expectations

I'm just going to start this by saying that it's a bit random.  It's not about Ella or Nathan, or what funny or exciting things they've been doing lately.  It's not about what we've been up to the past few months.  Nope.  This is about expectations.  My expectations.  I'm beginning to wonder if I my expectations of people are too high.  Sounds sad, doesn't it?  There have been a few things that have happened recently that have really made me think about how people treat other people, and how I would want to be treated.  I know, it sounds like the old cliche.  But it's so true.  I went to a funeral last night.  The father of one of my college roommates passed away earlier this week from cancer.  I lived with 7 girls in college.  I was the only one that showed up.  I'm not looking for a medal or a cookie or anything.  Believe me, I didn't want to be there. Of course there were certain circumstances that prevented some from attending, like living across the country, but out of everyone, I'm the only one that was there.  And I didn't even think twice about going.  Not going wasn't even an option.  Joe had a previously scheduled meeting and my parents were unavailable to babysit, so luckily my sister-in-law was able to come over with her boys and babysit for a few hours.  We made arrangements and figured it out.  So I went alone.  And it was sad.  Really sad.  They had the visitation for a few hours right at the church before the funeral service, so I went straight from work.  I stood in line and waited to see my friend and her mom, gave them both hugs, all the while trying my best to keep it together...they were, so should I, right?  Then I sat in my car and cried.  I cried for my friend.  I cried for my friend's mom.  I just felt so sad at that moment, and I was all alone.  So I went shopping for an hour and then came back for the funeral.  It was a nice service.  Isn't that what everyone says about a funeral?  I mean, what else can you really say?  Then I sat in my car and cried some more.  I stopped for some french fries on the way home (which is becoming a whole other issue...stayed tuned for dieting woes.)  At 30 years old, and didn't think I'd have to lower my expectations of people.  I don't, do I?

Under Construction...until further notice