Joy to you!

Chairein!!! I started the Beth Moore bible study on James: Mercy Triumphs and learned that the Greek word chairein means "joy to you"... which means greetings, or hello! So, JOY TO YOU.

The last few weeks have been so fun and busy. I promise I will get on the ball and keep updated more often than this, or at least I will try. :) We've had everything from a head injury, my nephew Weston's 3rd birthday party, first Chuck E Cheese visit and potty training this month. Whew, I'm tired! Right now, the girls favorite thing to do when we leave the house is RUN to their Barbie jeep and sit in it. We haven't hooked up the battery yet so they have no idea that at some point they can ride! This picture is one of the rare occasions that Ella let Alyssa sit in the driver seat.... usually, Ella is the driver and there is no debate about that!

Weston's 3rd Birthday party was Toy Story themed... and you will see how much Ella liked that idea next month. :) I completely forgot to take my camera on the trip and since my phone was inside this picture is from my sister! I thought it was a great picture though because it showed Ella and Alyssa's favorite toy Weston received (the blow up deer) and Weston's favorite toy he received (the play gun)! We always have so much fun hanging out with the Pickard's and Weston's birthday was a blast. PS- this picture was taken after the party so you can see the girls hair was a mess!

Ella got her first "big" injury that involved questioning if we needed to get stitches. We're still not quiet sure how it happened... all we know is that she was playing with her kitchen play set and hit herself in the head possible with the play tea pot. That evening was interesting (before this picture) trying to clean it and get medicine on it. The next morning it looked 100 times better though!

The girls were able to experience their first Chuck E Cheese trip on the way back from Weston's 3rd Birthday party weekend. They had so much fun and loved riding all the rides there, they didn't care much about the tickets. Alyssa's favorite ride was the "horses" and Ella's favorite ride was the school bus. As you can see they were about to fall asleep on the school bus! I think they must have put at least 15 tokens in that bus to ride!

Well, the last fun activity for January 2012 was beginning potty training! I know this is everyone's favorite activity with their 2 year old. On Jan 20th both Ella AND Alyssa pee peed in the potty for the first time. Yes, actually Alyssa did it before Ella did! Alyssa woke up dry from nap on day so I put her on the potty and she went. Don't worry though, she hasn't done that since. However, I can say we are having better luck with Ella. She is not a pro yet, but she has been asking to go at school and home. There is light at the end of the tunnel and maybe she will be potty trained before she's 3! Maybe. :) On a side note, Alyssa has decided she wants to be a doctor when she grows up... or a nurse? The girls received a medical kit for Christmas and you will find Alyssa ALWAYS has the stethoscope on! She likes to pair it with a necklace too though, can't forget about fashion. The girls are just growing together more and more everyday. It is so fun to watch their relationship develop and they truly are best friends. Ella loves to take care of Alyssa and make sure she has everything she needs and since "Ella" was Alyssa's first word, I think she appreciates her sister!