dance class

Dance class is almost over for the school year so Dan took a few hours off work so he could come and watch Ellie dance her little heart out. He wondered if he should just surprise her by showing up, or if he should give her a little warning. I recommended not surprising her for the sake of the teacher...I think she would have been just a little too excited and would drive her teacher crazy!
It was very cute how thrilled she was to have him there watching her. Every chance she had to "dance" by the big observation windows and BEAM, she did. It was cute watching her try to pay attention to the teacher but also look to see if daddy was watching so she could smile at him. She actually did her best job paying attention to the teacher than she has ever done. I'm sure that was partly to show off to daddy and partly to be able to go to McDonald's after dance class!

The class recital is at the end of May and I will be sure to post some pictures of the dancer in her tutu. = )

pictures

Should you be talking on your cell phone while you are riding that horse?? quite the get-up, pink saddle and all!

feeding the ducks for the first time...I think Dan was about to smack that goose with the bread bag.

he would not put his hands down so I could take a picture of his messy face!

getting daddy's boots on all by himself

Cartoons and Cuddling

I've had enough

Just thought I would let you all know what a mean mommy I am...or am going to be. I have been trying to teach Ellie to respect her toys and put them away when she is done playing with them. When she plays in her room she DESTROYS it. Toys are everywhere, chairs are upside down, her little kitchen is piled high with food and dishes and all the cupboard doors are open. I know she can pick things up, on a rare occasion I've seen her do this. Although usually when I ask her to clean it up she either goes into hysterics and whine about it or she will just find her blankie and pout. The other day I asked her to pick her room up before she went outside to play and she literally stayed in her room laying on her bed for 2 hours...just because she didn't want to pick up about 10 little toys off of her floor. Today I asked her and her neighborhood friend to clean up a little bit before they stopped playing. The neighbor girl right away started cleaning up and Ellie just started whining and wouldn't help. So that was the last straw.
I've decided to clean out her room of almost all her toys. I don't want her to get "overwhelmed" with how big of a mess she can make. If she only has a few things in there to play with maybe she can learn to put them away when she is done. If she does well with those few toys for awhile then I will let her have a few more.
Sorry no pictures this time, just my ranting...I feel a little better now.

4 years of Ellie!

Dan has made a tradition of making Ellie a sign on the chalkboard for her birthday. I thought it would be fun to get them all out and see how she has grown. = )

We had a nice little family dinner party to celebrate her birthday. Here are a couple pictures of her with her grandparents...Uncle Nate and Aunt Linda were here too but they don't like their picture taken so I thought they would appreciate if I didn't post it for the world to see. = )

Happy Birthday Ellie!!! We love you!

President's Weekend Getaway

We had a great time on our annual Stedman family President's Weekend trip to McCall. We've been doing this for many years...maybe since I was in Junior High... This year was a small crowd, we missed everyone that couldn't make it! Ellie had the best time. She went skiing and ice skating for the first time and also got to go tubing. Colton enjoyed everything that took place INSIDE. He's not crazy about being cold. = ) We stayed in a beautiful cabin and enjoyed relaxing infront of a HOT fire and beautiful view.

Bowling, tattoos and strange cats

We went bowling with some friends today...it was pretty fun! Wasn't sure how the little ones would do but most of them enjoyed it. I think 10 turns was a little too much though, they all got a little antsy and didn't want to finish the game. We will have to do it again sometime!

Check out that form.

who would want to bowl when you can EAT

who can leave a bowling alley without wanting a tattoo!

(this thing was HUGE...wouldn't fit on her hand, or arm, or cheek...)

who are you and why are you sleeping so peacefully in my house

cheering and curling

I brought my old junior high cheerleader uniform back to Boise with us the last time we were in Lewiston thinking Ellie might have fun playing with it. Sure enough, she did! = )

We also tried out curlers for the first time, just for fun. I should have left them in longer. Her hair wasn't dry when I took them out so it wasn't very curly.