She Danced.

This weekend Ella had her annual dance concert. One show kicked off the weekend on Friday night, followed by two shows on Saturday!

Chris and I got to sit back, relax and be apart of the audience during the Saturday afternoon performance.

And again, just like last year, we sat there with the biggest corniest, proudest smiles plastered across our faces and happy tears welling up in our eyes.

She came out on stage - this year a little more aware and a little more confident. She danced and spun and skipped around. She kept beat and 'did her thing'. Her costumes sparkled, as did her eyes and she nibbled on her lips as she smiled nervously.

Her little eyes constantly scanning the audience for Mummy and Daddy. And a little thumbs up our way when she did!

From Funky Town to Ballerina to Woody's Cowgirl and then Gangnam Style, she seamlessly took on each role and danced her little heart out.

My heart felt full. To see her doing what she loves. What I love.

All the hard work, the many rehearsals and weekend classes, the money spent, the discipline needed - it was all worth it. It always is!

Through dance; she has special friends and respect for her dance teachers and a hobby she adores. What more could we ask for?!

We love you Ella......our little dancing girl.

Easter....and My Big Girl.

I know Easter was last weekend, and thank you for bearing with me, whilst I am slow at the moment! Morning sickness is still lingering.....but I think {well....hope} that it maybe slowly creeping it's way out of my system! The last 2 days I've felt slightly (only slightly......but better than nothing) better!

It's Friday afternoon, I've been at work all day. For the last 3 months, I've come home from work & crashed on the couch with a spew bucket & some snacks :( But today.....I got home & wanted to (absolutely craved) uploading some Easter photos & blogging!!! YAY.....hopefully this is a sign of morning sickness LEAVING ME ALONE :) 

So.....How was your Easter?

Ours....perfecto! The 5 day weekend was BLISS! Oh my, how I wish every weekend could be 5 days long...if only! LOL! We had lazy days, busy days, choc-filled days, lunch with friends, lunch with family, early morning egg hunts & art n craft sessions :) It was nice! 

Mornings have still been my yuckiest time with the sickness.....so our little Miss has filled the time with lots of independent play & art n craft :)

{Finding goodies from the Easter Bunny early Sunday morning} {And Ella was super excited that the Easter Bunny had eaten the carrot she left him & taken her drawing!!}

{The first egg of the day!! YUMMY!}

The best thing about Easter is.... Chocolate for Breakfast :) 

I'm so proud of my little girl! My girl who somewhere over the last few months has gone from a 'toddler' to a 'kid'. A real 'kid'. She's now 3 & 3 months and I am LOVING this age! She's always been witty & smart.....but lately, she has me gobsmacked on a daily basis with her wisdom & spark! Her newest word which she uses in every sentence possible is: CERTAINLY. I smile everytime :) Me: What would you like for morning tea today Ella?" Ella: "Oh Mummy, I'd certainly most like a strawberry yoghurt, please. But certainly NOT a banana one, coz they're certainly gross" Haaa....the girl can justify with expression :)

She's had a growth spurt & her scrumptious chubby thighs & cheeks have slimmed down. I think it was this change to her little body that made me realise I have a kid! Not a baby or even a toddler.....but a KID! 

She's loving 'Peppa Pig' on her iPad at the moment.....I think we've watched every episode....several times now!

And her drawings.......they are starting to make sense! She's been drawing 'people' for a year or so now, but now they have bodies (not just legs stemming from their faces) and she draws whales & mice & pigs & flowers....that actually look like those things :) 

She insists on dressing herself each day. If it's not a dress or skirt, she doesn't want to know about it. She's more independent these days....and more stubborn.....so we often leave the house with her undies on back to front & inside out.....or 2 different leg warmers....because that's how she rolls....and no-one can tell her otherwise :) 

She's super excited about "HER BABY" that it's Mummy's tummy. She talks to my tummy & tells everyone that we're having a baby. I think she's going to make the perfect big sister!!!

It's funny how these changes in our children can stem so many emotions! I'm full of pride.....so much pride, that my girl is growing & learning & grasping the world around her & wanting to know more & taking it all in. But also sad.....sad that my baby is no more.....that she's a......KID!

As they say...time flies when you're having fun :) 

Oh Miss Ella....how I love thee! 

HAPPY WEEKENDING ALL!

P.S The 12 week Baby Scan was AMAZING! I will post pics of Bub & my massively growing belly next week! Until then, fingers crossed my sickness IS on the way out!!!

A Day of Firsts......

Today was special! My little Miss Ella experienced two major firsts!

We were 2 girls on a mission today....we literally shopped til we dropped! 5 hours of cruising the shops, buying some last minute bits n pieces, checking out {again} all the Christmas Goodies & stocking up on supplies :) We lunched, we bumped into so many people we knew & we waited in far too many queues! But it was nice!

BUT.....my little Miss 2 showed that she truly is 'growing up' & gaining confidence! This is Ella's 3rd Christmas...and every year, I've dressed her nicely & headed into the local shopping centre to get her photo taken with Santa! Its always been a disaster & a photo has never been taken! She was always too scared & too upset! However, today was another story! She walked up to him with a massive smile on her face! She said hello & gave him a present which she spent A LONG time choosing for him a couple of weeks ago, she told him her name & her age & where she lives & what she wants for Christmas! She then bravely & contently climbed into his lap for a snuggle & a photo!! One proud Mumma here :)

{Excuse the quality....an iPhone photo of a photo!!}

We then continued our shopping trip! Ella then exclaimed that she wanted a hair cut!! YEP.....her FIRST haircut....EVER!!! So, off we went to our local favourite hairdresser & she sat there confidently & still, while the hairdresser sprayed & trimmed & measured! So so so sweet!

{Mummy holding hands with the BIG girl getting her 1st hair cut!}

{Gosh, I love her! I'm so proud of the girl she's growing into!}

A lovely day of firsts here!! What have been up to this Monday?

Your Highlight......

{image from here}

What has been the HIGHLIGHT of your week?

I've had a shocking head-cold all week :( But....my highlight {and it's a simple one....but special to me} was the way my 2yr old, Ella looked after me on Monday afternoon when the cold'n'flu tablets had warn off & I wasn't feeling very crash hot! I blogged about it here! She was so sweet! A proud Mummy moment for me!