18 months

Today Ellena turned 18 months old! Pops made the keen observation that his little girl does NOT like to be told what to do... that does not bode well for us down the road! She has her opinions about EVERYTHING - from what shoes she insists on wearing that day (usually her jellies) to whether or not she lets me do her hair. She continues to adore her big brother and learns things from him, both good and bad. In the last couple weeks, she has started coveting any toy that Evan is playing with by trying to take it away from him and shouting, "MINE! MINE! MINE!"

Here she is drinking from a regular cup. Since Evan drinks from these cups and not a straw cup, she decided she needs to do so as well. Baby girl is definitely growing up.

Faux Hawk = OOC

Evan's faux hawk is getting a little out of control. It's super long on top and won't stand straight up on its own any more. This morning, Poppa was working the gel and I was using the hair dryer, all in an effort to gel up the hawk.

Grandpa Joe & Grandma Madeline

Great Grandparents

We got to spend lots of time with the kids' great grandparents - what a treat! Here we are with Granny.

Evan is pretending to nap with Great Grandpa.

Here we are with Papa.

Turtles

On our last visit to the beach, we had an amazing treat - sea turtles were out!

Check out Ellena's face in the last picture - seen one turtle, seen 'em all... ho hum...

Cousins

We just got back from Hawaii where we got to spend lots of time with family, including Ev & El's cousins from California, Aaron and Kade.

Here's Ellena being a naughty girl - tickling Cousin Aaron as he naps.

The boys enjoying shave ice from Matsumoto's.

Our youngest cousin - Kade - with Aunty Kim.

The Sass Continues

Today Ellena and I went shoe shopping. She found a pair she liked.... really, really liked. To the point where she refused to try on any other shoe. She made a huge stink in the store, "Nooooooo! Noooooooooo! Noooooo!" when I tried to put another shoe on.

Evan's Lyrics

Evan loves to sing along to songs. One of his favorite albums - Lady Gaga's Fame. He celebrates her entire collection (Office Space, anybody?) So as you can see, not the typical kids' music.

Here are some of his more amusing takes on the songs that he sings:

* Jason Derulo "Whatcha Say" actual lyrics:
"I don't want you to leave me, though you caught me cheatin'"

Evan's version:
"I don't want you to leave me, though you caught me cleanin'"

*Flo Rida "Low" actual lyrics:
"Boots with the fur"

Evan's version:
"Boots with the fun"

Ellena Sassitude

Ellena has been giving us a LOT of attitude lately. What happened to my sweet baby girl? Actually, she's still quite sweet, but there have been times that we either just shake our head at the nerve of the girl or crack up laughing. Some examples:

* The other night, Ellena was in our room and as she saw Pops approaching, she mumbled some baby babble, gave him a killer smile and then promptly shut the door in his face!

* Ellena was sitting by the toilet with her toothbrush. I told her that's gross and to get away from the toilet. She started humming, "hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm-hmmmmmmmmm" over and over, swinging her head side to side and again, with that killer smile. As if to say, "I can't hear you! La la la!"

Needless to say, I'm not looking forward to the Terrible Two's, Tantrum Three's or F'in Fours, nor those lovely pre-teen and teen years...