Hard at Work

Precision and Patience.

Yesterday, we went to see Kaylee hard at work at school.

"Work" is the term used in Montessori -From an evolutionary perspective, the long period of childhood exists so children can learn and experiment in a relatively pressure-free environment. Most social scientists refer to this pressure-free experimentation as “play,” although Montessori prefers to call this activity the “work” of childhood. Children are serious when engaged in the kind of play that meets developmental needs. Given freedom and time, they choose purposeful activities over frivolous ones.

She has been doing some of this work since she was 12 months old. But now she does it with such precision and patience. She used to build the tower and knock it down. Not skipping one beat, she unrolls the mat, moves the blocks smallest to largest to the mat, builds it from largest to smallest, breaks it down smallest to largest, puts it back where it belongs largest to smallest, rolls the mat, puts the mat where it belongs. Good job!

Currently, her favorite work is the Flower Puzzle. Each petal is slightly different, so it is a rather challenging puzzle. Very proud of our Big Girl!

Sisters!

Oh, Kaylee and Maddie. Big Sister, Little Sister. Obsessed, Smothering, Loving...this is how I would describe Kaylee with her little sister. She absolutely loves Madison more than anything. She gives kisses non-stop, non-stop. She consistently is on top of her making out. I tell her to stop smashing her, but she gets mad and yells "I'm LOVING my sister!" Whatever, I can't stop the sister love. At times, she makes me call her Big Sis and Maddie Lil Sis. When I pick K up from school, all I hear for the next hour is "My sister, so beautiful. Ohh. Cutie Pie. Little toes. Chubby Cheeks. Ahh." I have no idea where she gets this behavior. ;) Guess I'm the one to blamed for this lovefest.

Love at First Sight

Proud Big Sister

Kaylee and Maddie

Sleeping Beauties

Maddie and Kaylee's Baby Ashley

Madison May Ernst

We welcomed little Maddie into the world on snowy Texas day February 4, 2011 at 4:31PM. She weighed 8 pounds and 12 ounces...wow! And was 21 inches long. She is beautiful. Of course she is perfect, but she really does have a perfect round head...really per the Doctor and Nurses. ;)

She is a good little baby....good eater and sleeper. Very chill kiddo. The Doctor even made a comment, "She doesn't give you much trouble, does she?" Nope, she doesn't. The three year old on the other hand...lol.

Little Maddie

Big Girl

First Day

Kind of a Family Pic

Going Home

Why should I start blogging again....

1. Mini-Vacay from working 80 hours a week

2. Kids say the darnest thing

3. Kaylee's imaginary friends

4. I'm bad at Baby Books

5. Keep record of Eric's Homebrews

and.....

6. Maddie May!

Daddy's Birthday!

20 Days after having one the most special gifts....it is now time to celebrate Daddy's Birthday! Eric and I have been getting in a habit of just picking out and buying our own gifts, but with Kaylee around we need presents, cakes, the whole deal! So lucky Eric has been keeping a list of Homebrew equipment he has been wanting, so I stole and took the girls to the store. Please note, this was the first outing with both girls....to the Austin Homebrew Store, may regret that in 20 years. It was easy as pie, hand the list to the guys and they get the stuff. K and I hid the presents in her room, but one day prior Eric found them! K came running in the kitchen upset..."Daddy saw the presents, suppose to be a surprise!" Eric was right behind her dying laughing. He didn't see them, so that help calm the kiddo down. Eric went for a run the morning of his birthday, so we grabbed the presents that K wrapped (seriously) and homemade cards. Kaylee was so proud. The funny thing is her homemade card randomly had 3 E's, which Eric's initials are Triple E. Couldn't had been more perfect! Birthdays are changing though...it is more of Daddy/Mommy's Birthdays oppose to Eric/Kristen.

K loves her Daddy (Post Run, not the best pic)

Happy Birthday Triple E aka Daddy!

Proud lil Girl!

We heart Daddy!

Eric's "Hobby"...more of a lifestyle now

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Eric and I had a very romantic dinner at our favorite sushi spot. By very romantic, I mean with a sleeping 10 day newborn and a 3 three year old chatterbox. Yes, Eric and I cozy up in a both to sit across a little girl that wouldn't stop talking or eating all the edamame. Finished the night off with a glass of wine and some yummy cookies. Never thought this is how I would spend a V-Day, but it was wonderful.

Sister Love..you will see the trend

Yummy Cookies...Kaylee helped decorated and said "Mommy, this is fun."

We thought this was cute presentation, but Kaylee kept playing with it. Wasabi, not so fun.

Our Sushi Valentine

Happy Turkey Day!

This Thanksgiving we celebrated in Austin with the Honeck Side (Kristen's Mom's Side). As usual, Eric fried a bird and spent the morning cooking. It was great seeing all my cousins, aunts & uncles, and grandparents. It is a growing family! We had a great Thanksgiving dinner followed my the exciting UT & A&M game!

Happy 2nd Birthday Kaylee!

Kaylee had a great 2nd Birthday this year! Eric & I took her to her 1st UT Game! It was 11am Game vs. Central Florida, so perfect introduction game. She enjoyed the band, Bevo, and the cheering. She lasted to the Half Time and we couldn't have asked for anything else. Although she perked right up after walking pass the Turtle Pond on Campus on the way back to the car. We set her Birthday Party the day after at Zilker Park, but of Texas weather surprised us with a storm. We had to cancel, because we were having an Open House that day. :( NO rain was going to stop the celebration. Our family in town all headed to Dave and Busters, where Kaylee experience her first arcade! She got her cake and had a great time! She knows thinks it is her birthday everyday and does not understand that other people can have birthdays.

Halloween (in December)

So it may have taken me a couple of months to blog, but here we go....

This Halloween Kaylee was a Bumble Bee! After wearing the itchy TinkerBell costume last year, I was determined to find comfy easy costume. She chose the Bee over the Lady Bug! Kaylee was definitely understanding more of the Halloween Traditions this year. The first couple of houses she would quietly say "Trick or Treat", but then she started to cut to the chase by yelling "More Candy, Please". It was hilarious. We got back home with a sleepy bee and after a small sugar rush she was out. It was successful Halloween!

Pumpkin Fun

This past weekend, we headed to Sweetberry Farms in Marble Falls for their Harvest Festival. Hayrides, Pumpkins, Goats, Pumpkin Ice Cream, and yes, the Texas Corn Maze! It was fun and Kaylee is starting to have more fun at all these events we drag her to!

First Hayride!

Picture in the Hay!

Pumpkin Patch

I thought this picture was funny, because is trying soo hard to reach her hands in the hole.

Mac Daddy Pumpkin

Ernst Girls

Kaylee lost in the Maze

Kristen in the Maze

Texas Corn Maze!

Took about 40 minutes, but we completed it! Got our free Soda!

(It takes 40 - 90 Minutes, so we did it fast!)

Fall Fun

I can't believe it has been almost a month, since my LAST blog! We haven't had much time at home, with the house showings and open houses. We often find ourselves kicked out! We've had lots of traffic, but still no offers. We are optimistic though....it is still early! I just finished an End of the Quarter at work and Eric is working on his, so lots of long hours. Kaylee started her new school and is really thriving. We are still in disbelief on how fast that smart witty little girl is maturing everyday.

Our Cutie Pie.

Yes, her shirt is wet. She was playing with her new waterbottle!

Acting as the Ref!

All Smiles for the Door Front Pumpkin Picture.

Taking Daddy Shopping.

Jelly Donut.

Another day kicked out of the House, what to do?!

Eric's Pumpkin Ale.

Where's Kaylee?

Peek-a-Boo!

On the Market

On Monday night, we drove home to find a "For Sale" sign in our front yard. Yes, it is official we are on the market. We are excited, nervous, happy.....you know everything that goes with selling a house. After meeting with our realtor in January, we decided to wait, but not that the market has picked up in our area and the deadline for the new homeowners incentive is coming near, there is no better time than now. So we need to sell this house and find a new house. Send all the good vibes are way! :)

For some reason, when Kaylee saw the sign in the yard she started saying "Chhheeeessseeee" like she does for a picture. Have I really brainwashed the kid that much? So this picture is not for me, not for Eric, but for Kaylee who forced me take a picture of her cute smiling face. :)