Elise has moved from baby to full fledged toddler. I've had food poisoning and been locked in the basement for fear that it's the flu and when I returned two days later, I swear she aged a year. She's now willingly trying to repeat words and has quite the little attitude. It's funny most days though we try hard not to indulge it. She's just SO definite in her opinions. We're working through not hitting—typical daycare kid)—but other than that, she's very sweet and gentle. Ryan and her love chasing each other and playing tickle. Ryan recently has begun to realize kindergarten is on the horizon, so there's a bit of apprehension there, but generally he's very excited for it (he's a planner:) He's over being cooped up in the negative windchill, but has spent many hours building, be it his thomas trains, legos, magna tiles or snap sticks. He combines them all together and builds amazing things. He's still a sweet little guy though...he's attached to his stuffed animals more than most (his beloved baby polar bear is currently having an oxi-clean tubby in order to undo the last three years of grime) and still needs his blanket to sleep.
Max has been uber busy with school work, Master's classes on the weekends, the new head coaching position and the transition to the new fitness center...ready next week knock on wood. I'm doing just fine and am on the mend after a month of illness (pink eye, sinus infection and now the stomach bug.) Spring cannot come fast enough.
All of this good stuff aside, we want to ask everyone to keep our friends, the Bustrum's in your very active prayers. Their 5-year old son has been a friend to Ryan since they were born. Today was Brady's first day of chemo for a very rare type of brain tumor. Our hearts are broken for them and we're trying to support them in every way we can. They are warriors in EVERY sense of the word...even before this challenge. We know that with support, prayer and love, that Brady can make it through.
Count your blessings and kiss your babies tonight,
Love Court, Max, Ryan + Elise
Elise's signature look: tutu. leggings and a t-shirt.
She loved getting messy in our painting project.
She's almost too big for the jumper, but she just loves to twirl.
Our little Valentine.
Lately, Elise and Ryan chase each other through the first floor, pushing the (very loud) WOW trucks. They have the most fun and those trucks just cannot break down!
Ryan's taken to lifting Elise places. It's hilarious to hear him ask her if it's ok to lift her. She agrees and then he slings her across the sofa. She is 24lbs and he's pretty strong at 55.
One minute he thinks he's a man (Iron Man) the next he's playing with toy trains.
Here's the attitude.
Elise loves wearing her winter hat everywhere.
We've had some good and not so good haircuts in the last month...
Elise doing down dog.
And again with the attitude. She's not all sunshine and light...
Ok, maybe she's sunshine and light. Note: she swings fast. These were taken 20 minutes apart. Damn molars!
Shock and awe: Her very favorite thing to do is dance to the video "What Does the Fox Say." In this pic, she's very excited as the fox walks onto the screen.
Fast asleep (baby Polar bear with his polar bear family closely behind.)
Bath time has become one of her favorite times.
We finally got Elise out doors for the first time this winter...and she then got to try hot chocolate too...out of a mug. Big day in her book.
Sweet button nose.
The snow bunnies.
So much snow. So far it's the second snowiest winter ever recorded and it's far from over.
The snow is over the top of the Acadia it's stacked so high!
I told Elise to get ready for school and this is what I found. Both puppies, packed up with her hat on. Adorable.
Thinking hard in the big bed.
Ryan got to see Jason Aldean last week as his very first concert (Christmas gift from Nami and Papa). He was so excited. He made it until 10:20. One week and three bands later, he's still talking about it...we can barely scrape off his Jason Aldean tour shirt!
He also loved his ear protection so much that he wore it all through dinner. (Side note: if you really want to feel old, try taking your son to dinner in a bar you formerly spent many tipsy nights in 15 years prior...back then I never saw this night coming :)
