Marrrr!

This is the way Ellie says "more" now. It is very well articulated. I am trying to figure out what accent she has. Ellie most often says "more" when we get in the car to see Christmas lights... which for Ellie, is every time we get in the car at night. She notices the few on our street and immediately begins her chorus of "marrr!"

Out of hibernation

I have been taking some classes since June, and it they have consumed every ounce of spare time that I didn't even know I had! Yesterday was the exam that ended this little season of back-to-school, so I thought I would celebrate by doing something on the computer other than an assignment! I am sooooo excited to have these few weeks of less pressure before Baby comes... just 6 weeks left!

Ahhhh!

Or, "Hiiii!" Our Ellie has turned into quite the socialite. She eagerly and repeatedly greets others, and it never gets old to me! Ellie is very enthusiastic and cheerful as she waves frantically. If she doesn't sense a response, she gets closer and puts her hand right in front of her target's eyes... just to make sure she is seen! Recently, we were wandering around Target, and Ellie was saying good-bye to her good friends Cookie Monster and Elmo. She especially has a think for Elmo; I think it is because she can kind of say his name.

So. What did you do today?

This is a conversation Joshua and I have frequently these days. It is so sweet to see his awareness of others and watch his mind grasp new social skills. Joshua has recently realized that I wake up before him. As we sit down to breakfast, he asks me about everything I have done so far. The conversation usually ends with a few rounds of: "And what ELSE did you do? And what ELSE?" I think Joshua's favorite part is the end of the story when I say, "... and then, I got my Joshua out of bed!"

Buckets and Baths

It seems almost laughable to me to post anything these days for a number of reasons, but here goes! We were pretty disciplined bathers-of-our-children for a long time. We bathed both Joshua and Ellie on a daily basis for a long time; the only time we skipped it were those winter nights with no power and no hot water in Lebanon! Now, however, we are such seasoned parents, (read: lazy, busy, slightly more relaxed, or a lot more tired,) that we bathe the kids every other day. (Usually...) Anyway, even though we get a bit weary on bath nights, it is actually pretty fun these days. I guess it has always been fun, but now it is an easier fun. Our kids have so much fun in the tub, and they recently came up with a new game that entertains them both for as long as we allow them to play. I am pretty sure Joshua started it, and Ellie quickly decided she should imitate him. Here's how the game goes: get some buckets and some cups, and then pour water from one into the other. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Yep, that's it. It's that simple. The really cool part is that when they pour, both kids can usually keep the water in the bathtub. We can throw away all of the other bath toys!

Bumper cars

Well, folks, I am trying to get back in the habit of posting. However, we are leaving on Friday for about a week, so it isn't going to happen soon!

We find ourselves in a very new season all of a sudden. Each morning, I get the kids up. It is straight to the potty for Joshua (!), and straight to the changing table for Ellie. They both promptly go to their respective vehicles, and then they go nuts until I get breakfast on the table. People who aren't around during these times have said, "Well, that sounds good; they are entertaining themselves!" Yes. Yes. Well, for a moment... that is, until one is going to fast in the game of chase or the other gets stuck between a car and a wall or one runs over the other one's toes... you get the idea! It is fun to hear their delighted shrieks and watch them become friends as they grow.

In case anyone out there hasn't heard, we will welcome Baby Balch #3 in January. We are so excited, and it is fun to be able to talk about the baby with Joshua.

Coffee Parties

Ellie's Great-Grandmommy brought her a tea set when she visited recently. I wasn't sure she would enjoy it immediately, but it was an instant hit! We have coffee parties regularly. Nope, no tea drinkers in this house! David orders a caramel macchiato from Joshua who is dressed in his Starbucks apron, and Joshua returns with David's guacamole and cream. Really, that is how he says it every time. :) Just a whole lot of consonants from some other language, right? Ellie likes to stir hers and take sips, but she especially loves to carry around the coffee pot.