Ready to Be Potty Trained?

I think Elise might be ready to get potty trained soon. In addition to showing other signs that she's ready, yesterday she pooped, then gathered up a clean diaper and wipes from the diaper bag, lay on the floor, and said "change you." I think she understands the process.

Now if I can only get the nerve to commit to potty training her, I think she'll catch on pretty fast.

To Grandma and Grandpa's We Go

We went to see Grandma and Grandpa (Matt's parents) in California last weekend. Matt took off Friday and Monday, and we made it a little vacation. It's so nice to have family living so close (just about 5 hours away, including a bathroom stop).

Elise finally napping in the car on the way there

Their dog, Hazel, is Elise's favorite. The feelings aren't necessarily mutual.

so happy to see Grandma

marching with Grandma

After this, Elise wanted to march around everywhere for several days.

Grandma was trying to wear Elise out.

Elise's second favorite animal friend, Magic

Magic kept rubbing up against Elise, trying to get petted, and Elise would say "oops" every time, like they had accidentally bumped into each other.

sharing toys with Hazel

trying to play fetch with Hazel, who wasn't really interested

hanging out with Grandpa

Matt and I even got to go out on a date one night! Without Elise! We went to P.F. Chang's to celebrate our 3rd anniversary, which was May 1st. So much fun, and such good food! Thanks again, Craig and Patti!

playing the piano with Daddy

I was so excited to get this picture of Elise looking pretty normal...

...because this is what most pictures of her turn out looking like.

It's always a fun time with Aunt Ann! (Ann is Patti's sister.)

Grandma didn't want her picture taken (that's her in the background, ducking her head).

smelling the flowers with Grandpa

Did I mention Elise won't sit still for a picture to save her life?

saying goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa

Thanks for letting us come visit!

Elise fell asleep after less than ten minutes of being in the car headed home.

The trip home was pretty uneventful, unless you count me getting caught really needing to pee in the middle of nowhere and having to stop at the most ghetto gas station imaginable, complete with laundry facilities and Tokyo Massage center. This baby has been seriously affecting my bladder control lately, I swear.

On a happier note, I always love to see these wind turbines. I'm not sure why I think they're so cool. Maybe it's just that they're gigantic. This picture doesn't even begin to show how big they are.

And thus ended another successful trip to Grandma and Grandpa's! Maybe next time we see them, there will be another baby girl in the family!

Matt's Birthday

Matt celebrated his 27th birthday almost two weeks ago. He's getting so old! (just kidding)

goofball

reading his card from me

with his armload of birthday presents

This girl loves her daddy!

She loved this card too.

Seriously. It had pictures of Daddy, Mama, and herself on it. She especially loves pictures of Daddy.

Matt requested lasagna for his birthday dinner. I was a little nervous to try making it for the first time, but Matt said it turned out fine. (I didn't taste it since it wasn't gluten free.)

garlic bread (which Elise now calls "yummy bread")

salad with Matt's favorite dressing, thousand island

enjoying his lasagna

Elise seemed to like it too

My favorite part was the Godiva chocolate cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. It was gluten free.

Happy birthday, Matt! You're amazing!

Children's Museum of Phoenix

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the Children's Museum of Phoenix for the first time. We had such a good time. Elise loved it, and we hope to bring her again sometime soon.

Our library offers passes to local attractions, mostly museums, called Culture Passes. You have to get to the library before it opens and wait in line to get the good ones, but you get two free admissions. That's what we did to get into this museum (or it would have been a little pricey).

When you walk in, there is an enormous structure for kids to climb on. It is made from and decorated with everyday objects. I think this may have been Elise's favorite part of the whole museum. She is such a climber. One employee even commented on how fearless she was on this thing. I couldn't get the entire structure in one picture, but it is really high! She enjoyed it so much.

You can put colored scarves in these air chutes and watch them travel through and fly out.

Notice the ping pong ball floating midair. You can reposition the pipes.

Matt really liked playing with this station.

trike "car wash"

sand on a lighted, colored table

lots of fun textures

scooping ice cream

There were tons of play areas for kids to pretend, including a full blown grocery store.

racing cars

Matt really liked this station too. He's a kid at heart.

riding a motorcycle

riding in a pickle car

playing a xylophone made from wrenches

I was surprised by how musical it sounded.

painting a stone slab with water

(which quickly turned into splashing in the water dish)

fun with dry legumes

This station was another favorite of Elise's. Just push the metal washers up, then watch them come down. Again, Matt loved this one too. Maybe she'll end up being physics-minded like her daddy.

Afterwards, we ate at Chick-fil-A and got ice cream.

Notice we've lost the bow by this point. I think the only reason it stayed on as long as it did was because Elise was so enthralled at the museum.

I'd say that's a Saturday well spent!