Elliott had a great 3rd birthday party!! She celebrated with a Scooby Doo cake, made for her by Grandma Diane, and birthday party ice cream. She alternated between a kitty and a puppy for most of the party, but ended it by being a King - no, not "The King" - just a regular old king.

She enjoyed her party with the true exuberance of a three year old. She had to try on all of her new clothes as she opened them, and was so thrilled that she got money from Great Grandma Floris - or as she corrected me, not money but dollars!! She was adorable as she immediately stuffed one "dollar" into each pocket of her new jeans.

It was a wonderful time, and we truly appreciate everyone coming to celebrate with us. And thank you to Grandma Diane - Scooby was delicious :)

I have about two minutes for a brief post. We've been busy getting ready for Elliott's birthday. She even got an early birthday present from Carol - sugar cookies - E's & W's and 3's. She loved them!!! I think that we may have convinced her that she is going to be three. She was pretty darn cute the other night after dinner. She put on my high heeled boots, had Daddy zip them up, and proceeded to strut around singing - these boots are made for walkin... That's my girl!!!

Olivia was explaining to me this morning that she was going to take an extra pair of socks to school because sometimes hers get wet while she's playing at recess. She said that she sometimes forgets to put her snowpants over her boots, and she gets snow in her boots when she's playing animals with Savannah. I asked who else played with them and she gave me a good synopsis of their game. Olivia is a kangaroo, Savannah is a blind Chihauah, Maddi is a pitbull, and Alyssa is a pound puppy. It sounds like a truly spectacular game, and I can certainly understand how it might warrant a dry pair of socks!!

Have a great Wednesday!!!

Winter is finally here. I think the delay made us soft. The bitter cold is just not fair!! Okay - it's Iowa, and it's January - but we were accustomed to temps in the 40's. Doesn't that count for something? Okay - stop laughing at me. I have found my big mittens, and Elliott has even given in to wearing a hat. I guess we'll get by. The thing that scares me is I keep remembering that Elliott was born on one of the coldest days of the year - January 29th, and after we brought her home and all of the grandmas and papas left - it snowed, and snowed and snowed. I hope that pattern doesn't repeat this year.

Not much new to report at the Waller house. We've been having daily discussions with Elliott regarding who the bosses of our family are. Oddly enough, her name doesn't come up. I think that she's getting it - she performs pretty well when quizzed. Who are the bosses of the family? Mommy. And who else? Daddy. And who makes the rules? Mommy. And who else? Daddy. Do you tell Mommy and Daddy what to do? No. We may be wasting our time though because I'm sure that she will turn three at the end of the month and all of our challenging times will be behind us. Okay - quit laughing again!!!

Work has been continuing at a crazy busy pace. I love it - but it could slow down just a tad. At least I'm not working outside, or in a minimally heated house. Poor Chris.

I have made headway on my NY resolution. I finished my third book over the weekend. The Kite Runner, which was a very enjoyable read and Don't Kiss Them Goodbye (*thanks to the reader that corrected the title - good to know someone's out there to keep me honest!), which was written by Allison DuBois, the woman that the show Medium is based on. I've started a new Nora Roberts that Diane shared with me. Should be a good candy read :)

Stay warm!!

We had another fast-flying weekend. Friday night was family movie night - Olivia requested Madagascar, so we checked it out from the library and popped some popcorn and enjoyed the movie.

Olivia was invited to her friend Morgan's house to play on Saturday. They had a very good time, but the first question out of her mouth when she returned home after being gone all day was "Can I go to Savannah's house?". Geez kid - at least pretend like you enjoy living here a little bit!!

Chris and Elliott were the best of buds on Saturday. They walked to the post office and the library. Two separate trips, and Elliott actually willingly wore her mittens for the second trip. Anyone who knows her knows that it must have been truly chilly. She's my "no hat, no mittens, no way" girl. I'm not sure where she gets that from - I'm always happy to put my mittens on when I have the forethought to have them with me!

Then they started working to build shelves for me in the basement. Elliott was very pleased to get her hammer and be able to help Daddy. Later in the day she came upstairs to help me make dinner so she wouldn't get the vocabulary lesson that comes with when Daddy's working.

Chris and Brian went squirrel hunting on Sunday morning. The girls and I were most amazed by what we saw next door while he was gone. The dog was on the landing, looking out with a most keen interest. I looked up into the tree and there were four squirrels frolicking in the tree. I looked down, and there were another four on the ground. I called for the girls, so they could witness the squirrel party. The dog just quivered and moaned with anticipation - she desperately wanted to go out and give those squirrels what-for. We all had a good laugh when Chris got home and reported that he and Brian had not seen a single squirrel!!!

Have a fabulous week!!

We had a great Christmas weekend with the Pothoff family in Dubuque. After thirteen people (five of them 7 and under) in a three bedroom house, our house seems particularly quiet!! It was great to visit and watch the cousins play together. How they interact changes each time we visit.

Breezie treated the big girls to a pedicure and a manicure. We went for our caramel lattes before, and just had the most enjoyable time. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the pedicure, but I LOVED it. It was so relaxing!

The kids had a great time with Grandma and Papa, and due to the unseasonable weather, they were able to spend time on the four wheeler and the little jeep at the farm.

Elliott regaled us with tales of when she was younger. Little Will decided that Cousin Lori was his new girlfriend, and that her husband was his new Papa. I'm not sure how Bill felt about suddenly being classified as a Papa, and giving up his best girl - but he was a good sport. Heck, it was New Year's Eve when they visited, so we were all pretty good sports :)

Morgan had Breezie cut her hair. She wanted the exact same haircut as Breezie had. How's that for high flattery? She looked just plain adorable with her shoulder length swingy hair!

O got a hand held math game from Grandma and Papa and she was in heaven, walking around beeping and bopping.

Matty is perhaps the cutest little boy ever. Blond curls and blue eyes and a smile that could warm the North Pole. He is such a happy boy, and willing to cuddle with all. Even Chris - and yes, Chris eats it up!!

Now it's back to work and school today. It was hard to get up and going, but I know that Olivia is really looking forward to showing off her short hair at school, and seeing her friends again. Elliott starts preschool today - I think that she is looking forward to being with her friend Ethan again, but also worried about how many kids are in the three year old room. It will be different for her, a lot more structured. I hope it goes well!!

And - I finished book number one towards my New Year's Resolution. I started number two - Kite Runner. I LOVE it!! My friend Carol recommended it. It's something that I never would have chosen based on the description - but it's wonderful!!!