A Girl's Best Friend

It is really Callie-dog that Esme connects with and dresses up, climbs on, pets and coddles.  But, that does not mean she ignores Phoebe.  She gets very concerned when Phoebe ("She-bee" to Esme), does not eat, or is not covered up, or is left outside too long.  Let me explain the dogs' eating habits.  Her fave, Callie, is an "eat the entire bowl of food when it is put down" dog, and Phoebe is a grazer and especially does not like to eat from her bowl. She has to remove mouth fulls and then eat piece by piece.  Esme decided this was not acceptable and yelled for "Shee-bee" until she came over to eat.

 I love how Esme knows that Phoebe will not eat more than one piece at a time.

And so it went on and on...until the bowl was empty.

Then there is Callie.  I just don't think she cares anymore.

 Seriously, she maybe sat looking out the window for squirrels for about 10 minutes. She didn't even try to remove the silly headband.   Hilarious, right?

Stella could not let the photo opportunity pass.

A Puppet Show

The girls have this felt monster puppet kit.  It is so cute and keeps them occupied for a while.  Honestly, I love it because it is not messy but, Stella considers it a "project."  This last weekend, Stella decided to put on a puppet show for us.  She sang Christmas songs.  Esme clapped after each song and smiled the entire time.

LOVE-ly Day!

Stella and Esme made Valentines on Valentines Day.  Stella named who they were for but said they were to stay on her fridge and were not be mailed.  (???)  Esme is continuing to follow her sister and demands to do everything Stella does.  Monkey see, monkey do.  If Stella comes home from dance/tumble class and shows me her new twirl on her toes and a somersault....the 18 mo old also twirls on her toes and attempts to do a somersault.  They brush their teeth together, they climb and jump together, they dress up together and they even cry together.  Things are not always perfect between them.  Stella was so mad at Esme yesterday, for not helping her pick up the mess they made, that through real tears she declares, "Esme! You are such (huff, huff, tear) a STINKY BUTT (sniff, sniff, tear)!!"  On V-day, Esme did NOT want Stella touching her new toy (a big gumball machine with about 12 balls).  Stella even tried to trade toys, and at one point tried to convince Esme that they could play together.  Esme decides it was worth not actually playing with the toy, in order to hold it and walk around the house with it to keep Stella from playing with it.  Later that night...she brings Stella her blanky and milk and hugs and kisses her.  Last night, we were working on a puzzle and Stella says to me, "I love Esme so much." 
Oh...sisterhood.

Hanging out and Superbowl Fun

 Her new thing (besides shoes).  Sunglasses. 

She will wear them all day, or at least until I can hide them during nap time.

 Looks like we need a hair cut soon.

 The girls had so much fun hangin with the Wittmers for the Superbowl.  So much fun, that they both cried on the way home. Stella was begging to stay the night.  Too cute.

 They were ready to eat.

Esme was back and forth all night between the "big girls" and a baby girl closer to her own age. 

It May Be a Little While

...until I have a post with pictures again.  I may have dropped the computer and it may be injured.  Maybe.

Tears.

Stella is really into Christmas this year.  She is amazed by Santa and his capabilities.  Her favorite movie right now is Disney's Prep and Landing.  She and Esme have sat together with a cookie and milk for the last four nights to watch this 30 minute made for TV special.  Esme lasts through about halfway. I love watching them snuggle together taking in Christmas, both with cookie on their face wearing footy jammies.

Ben and I have definitely been using "Santa" in our benefit as well.  Stella is picking up her toys, washing her hands, sharing with Esme. Although...sometimes I wish she would stand up for herself more against her one year old sister.  We stressed so much in the beginning to "be gentle with Esme."  "Do not HIT, BITE, or PUSH the baby!"  "Come tell Mama or Daddy if the baby does something you don't like!"
How do you tell your three year old NOW, it is ok to do these things in defense but NOT tell her to?  She came to me several times to "tell" me what Esme did.  I would respond by telling her to "go get it back," "don't let her hit you," "stop her before she tries to scratch you."  Hidden in that language is me really saying, "HIT her back, Yank it back, PUSH her away!!"
Yesterday, after Esme had attacked her (granted, Stella was not sharing the little table chairs), I heard Stella yell, through tears, "ESME, NO THANK YOU! YOU ARE BEING NAUGHTY AND SANTA IS NOT GOING TO BRING YOU ANYTHING!!!!"

The Christmas Program

When we enrolled Stella in an introductory dance class through the city we had no idea that there was going to be a Christmas Program at the community center (yea!).  It was possibly one of the cutest things we have seen her do.  I laughed so hard I was crying.

 Stella waiting for her group to be gathered.  They supply the little skirt and hat - so cute!

 Esme waiting patiently for her sister to perform.  OK, so patiently after we gave her a back up reinforcement - aka sucker.

 Stella is the very last one...in mid dance. 

 Keep this in mind...she is the very last one...you will need to know who to watch during the video!

 Stella cuddling with Daddy, asking to go see Santa.  After last year, we said we would skip the whole Santa thing going forward. However, this Santa was free AND, there was a short line!

 We asked her what she told Santa she wanted...a guitar. She also told me a Toy Story 3 skate board with Lots-O-Huggin-Bear on it.  This is the same girl who's favorite color is pink and loves having her nails painted.

 No, Santa, I really do not think she is going to take her eyes off of you...

 We thought she did great! Stella is the youngest one in the class - only made it in by a few weeks.  Those poor little girls had no idea what was going on. This is the first time they have experienced any audience (parents aren't allowed in the practice room to watch).  Ben and I have watched the video three times since last night and probably will some more before the day is over. Not sure why the video is so grainy on blogger - we may move it to YouTube and then post it on here later!

Tiny Dancer

Sometime, recently, our little baby girl has turned into a little girl; no more baby.  I can see it especially when she gets ready for her dance class.  She loves dance class.  It is an introductory to dance/tumble through the city for 3-4 year olds.  The parents are not allowed in the room where the girls dance, but we all huddle around this little square window in the door trying to get glimpses of our child. Every once in a while, a girl will spot her parent in the glass, get distracted, and the teacher shoots a dirty look. But it is soooo worth it.  Although, we have seen the teacher embarrass a grown man, so Ben and I are careful.

 Man, I wish this photo was in better focus.