Gnome at Home

Having a two-year-old is just like using a blender without a top.  Add nailpolish to that and its a disaster.  So, after failing at a few attempts to paint cute little Easter eggs on Tay's toes, we moved on to something less challenging. 

We created a real life gnome out of an old sock.

Little Prayers, Big Heart

Taylor Rose insists on a routine at night before she goes to sleep, otherwise it can be a very long battle.  First, we have to sing her ABC's, then spell her name (in a song), then count (again, in a song), then say her prayers.  Her prayers are so sweet and she never forgets to mention the little things, which range from snacks to shoes. 

I captured a few of her prayers on video:

My very happy and very thankful girl... If she only knew how thankful I am to have her.

This Tent is Your Tent, This Box is Our Box

I ordered a camping/beach pop-up tent to take with us on our travels.  I think it will be perfect for naps or just a place to get some shade.  (I should've done this years ago)  It cleverly twists and folds up into a tiny pouch about the size of a large frisbee.  Amazon clearly hasn't gotten the memo on going green, so they sent our new tent in a box big enough to hold both of my kids.

 

Christian and Taylor Rose also felt the calling of Spring a little bit too soon.

The water was freeeezing, so they really just splashed around.  Tay still insisted on her floaty, just like CK really needed his goggles.

Why Can't Birthdays Stop at 21?

I celebrated the 10th anniversary of my 21st birthday not long ago. 

I woke up to a massive sign and a million balloons covering the kitchen. 

Sitting on the counter was a note with instructions. 

The rest of the morning was spent tearing through my house to find gifts hidden in inconspicuous spots.  Each gift had a clue as to where to find the next gift.  The gifts started off pretty bad -  a pink plastic trash can, a stank nasty bottle of knock off perfume from the Dollar Tree, some weird sandpaper contraption that rubs hair off (I tried it on my arm just to see and it actually works!), among a few other equally odd surprises.  I zoomed through until the very last clue - "shiny white California tree."  The shiny part really through me off.  I ended up having to text Ryan for a better clue.  As soon as I did, my brain returned to full function and I solved the riddle - my car.  In my car was a really cool messenger bag and the ugliest shoes I have ever seen. 

Vibram FiveFingers Komodosport LS - in pink and black

I tried them on and then told him that I just couldn't do it, but thank you for the gift.  I have heard so many good things about these shoes, but just didn't think I could get past the weird feeling between my toes.  After giving them a try for a day, I decided that I really do love the fit.  Its crazy how they make my whole body line up perfectly.  So, I now own these hideous, but super awesome things... only in yellow instead of pink.   

Ryan also bought me the most comfortable pillow I have ever laid my big head upon.  I have heard of this pillow, but couldn't understand what all the hype was about.  Even as I opened it out of its packaging, I couldn't see any significant different.  After sleeping on it a few nights while heavily pregnant, I now see the light.  Wow!

Taylor Rose Turns Two!

We had let Tay open her presents from Mommy, Daddy, and Christian on her actual birthday.  Her Dad surprised her (and me) and bought her an adorable dress from our favorite boutique. 

 He also got her this teddy bear, which is in a bunny costume.  She loooooves it!  She loves anything soft and cute.  She saw the stuffed animal first, so the dress stayed in the gift bag.

 Chel and I got her a Kindle Fire tablet, already loaded with LOTS of toddler-friendly games and Barney videos.

 Taylor Rose loves it!! (So does her brother.)

 Christian picked out a gift for his sister...

 A Lego zoo set!  They both play with Legos A LOT.

 I got her some super cute espadrilles that she refuses to wear.  She says they're for the "tiny baby".  I also got her some bright colored summer dresses.

 That weekend, we had her bubbles and balloons party.  We had all kinds of fun activities planned for the outdoors, but it POURED.  So, we moved it to the garage.  The kids all still had a really, really good time.  Silly string, candy, popcorn, lemonade, bubbles, and balloons... the perfect concoction for a bunch of hyper kids. 

Taylor Rose took it upon herself to get ready for her party and got into my lipstick.  She actually did a pretty good job!

 Check out that beautiful bright pink smile!

Christian and his sisters

 Tay and Brai

 The huge bubble maker!

 Awwww... look at the newest addition to the Elsner family laying on her mama.

 Brailyn and Kelli

 Brailyn in the huge bubble.

 Another huge one!

 Tay was so excited about this!

 Look at that crowd!  (And there were more kids in the garage)

 

 Happy Birthday, Taylor Rose!  And many, many moooooore.

Valentine's Day 2012

Taylor Rose and I got ourselves ready for Valentines Day with a little toe spirit.

Christian made out all of his Valentines Day cards.  He worked so hard on them.

Christian made his dad a Pinterest gift... this t-shirt.  (I helped with the outline)

Christian made it very colorful.

Ryan loves his gift.  When he comes home from work, he puts this t-shirt on and CK plays cars on his back.  Ryan has always been a sucker for back scratches.

We went to the Gaylord to my favorite Italian restaurant for Valentine's Day. 

Taylor Rose stretched and chewed on some yummy calamari.

Christian drank his lemonade from a real glass.  He was very insistant that he wanted a wine glass, not a baby cup.

The girls

The boys

Christian wanted to take a picture of us. 

After dinner, the kids took a walk around.

.... And stopped to watch the train.

As gifts, we took the kids to Target and let them each pick out a gift for everyone.  Christian got me a saw (that I really needed) and Tay got her daddy the Bruno Mars cd.  The kids each got each other a toy and Ryan got me a whole bunch of Dove chocolate and a cd.  We do our part to keep the c.d. industry in business... we're probably the only ones that still buy them.

It was a GREAT Valentines Day.

Field Trip to Fort Worth

My sister and I ventured with the kiddos to Fort Worth. I picked Kelli up at 10:15 and didn't drop her off until 5:30, so it was a VERY long day. Taylor Rose was counting sheep before downtown was even out of sight. They were both soooo good, though, regardless of being exhausted. Its amazing how easily curious kids can be entertained with stimulating activities. 

First, we visited the stockyards at the rodeo.  Both of my kids are animal fanatics, to say the least.

I have such a thing for flat-faced animals!  I love this cute little profile!

CK rode the bumper cars.

Tay rode the carousel.  Of course Kelli picked the zebra!

Tay kissed every goat in the petting zoo.

Another kiss for another goat

Both kids went on a pony ride.

Then we went to the museum.  They both had so much fun!

CK in the tornado machine

Hula hooping mama!