Truman Trip

Last year we took Elle to Columbia for a Mizzou basketball game right before Oliver was born.  We had so much fun we decided to (hopefully) make this an annual trip. 

We left on Saturday afternoon, arrived and checked into our hotel.  Elle was so excited to pack her Frozen suitcase she got from my mom and dad for Christmas.  How adorable is this girl with her suitcase, purse and lovey. 

I am such an OCD germ freak...it killed me to watch Oliver crawl on the floor. I mean it was a nice, very clean hotel...but still.  I also always pack a ziplock baggie for the TV remote.  I once read those are the most germ infested items in a hotel room. 

After we checked in, dropped off our bags we went for a quick dinner at Steak N Shake then headed to the basketball game.  Before the game I raced Elle court-side so she could see Truman.  As she was hugging him and taking her picture they started the announcements for Senior Night so we made it just in time to tell him hello.  I later joked with Eric that we basically go on this trip for that 1 minute Elle is able to hug Truman and tell him hi. :)

Ollie's first Mizzou game. I picture these two at many many more games in the future. 

Eric wasn't too happy about Ollie's binkie for the game (thanks Aunt Mary!!). He was even heckled by an extremely over zealous fan. I mean this lady was screaming at the top of her lungs to the players how worthless they are. #classy It was much better that he was sitting in Eric's lap and not mine because I only caught on after the fact. I may not be my father or sister but we share the same blood...and Oliver is my baby so....Mama wouldn't have been as nice. :)

Cheering on her team.

At one point during the game Elle and I ventured out to find Dippin' Dots.  Elle ordered cotton candy (holy sweet!!) and Ollie and I shared banana split. I loooove Dippin Dots, by far my favorite ice cream. This was Oliver's first time trying it and he loved it just as much as I do. 

She ran into the grocery store with Eric after the game and came out with this necklace shot glass/whistle. 

All ready to hit the pool!  They had about 45 minutes of pool time before it closed for the night. 

Eric and Elle went to the pool while I stayed in the room and put Oliver to bed. 

The next morning Elle and I went to the pool while Eric stayed back in the room with Oliver.  I wanted Oliver to swim but Eric convinced me the water was way too cold for him.  After going to the pool I realized Eric just wanted to lay in bed and watch ESPN because the water was perfectly fine!

Once Elle and I got back to the room we were packing up and getting ready to head to breakfast.  She wanted privacy while changing in the bathroom so I stepped out and not 1 minute later I heard the worst scream ever.  I had left my straightening iron plugged in and she reached up and touched it.  As soon as I heard her scream I knew what I happened.  It burnt her thumb but thankfully her hand must have just brushed it because it could have been so so so much worse. I knowingly left the bathroom with the thing still on which was stupid.  She has been around it at home and I always talk about how hot it is but still my fault for leaving her alone in a bathroom with it on. 

After I held her hand under water and she finally settled down I started crying because I felt like the worst person in the world.  I kept apologizing to her and her only concern was making sure I wasn't sad anymore.  She is just the sweetest little thing. 

After the burn incident we finally headed out the door to breakfast, Elle didn't feel like eating and I still felt so terrible that I didn't push anything on her. She could eat, not eat, order 100 chocolate milks. Everything was fair game. 

Oliver on the other hand stuffed himself silly.  We ordered 2 plates from the kids menu, he ate almost all of both plus all my eggs and some of my hash brown casserole. 

We had a birthday party to stop at as soon as we were back in town.  Elle had fun with the mustache theme.

All the kids with the birthday boy.

 And that was this years fun Columbia weekend!  Another great trip...minus the burn...totally could have done without that part. 

Elle's First Haircut

We made it three years before Elle's first haircut.  Honestly she didn't even truly need one yet, the back was a little uneven but she seemed excited when I mentioned it so away we went one Monday morning.  Eric happened to be off work so he stayed home with Ollie so we could have a girls day. 

When we got there she immediately started playing with the train table and then we walked to the back where she picked out her shampoo flavor (strawberry).  She was the most timid about lying on the table to have her hair washed.  She hates having water poured over her head and she was sure it would get in her eyes.  After some convincing she lyed down and did great.  She was a bit stiff and nervous but did great!

Next she was able to pick out the car she wanted to sit in while they cut her hair and then they asked what she wanted to watch on TV, Peppa Pig of course!

Elle listened to everything the hair stylist asked her to do (look up, look down, etc.).  I decided on a length with her, short enough to even out the back and they cut away.

At the end Elle picked 2 red butterfly clips to go in her hair. She was loving the braid they gave her!

The place did such a great job making Elle feel comfortable and since it was her first haircut I got a certificate with the date, a picture of her new haircut and locks of her hair as part of their 1st haircut package...I also shopped the bow section before checking out. :)

Look at my beautiful girl!!

We continued our girls day with some lunch at Jersey Mike's and then a trip to the grocery store.  I love one  on one time with Elle and I know she does too.  She absolutely loves having my undivided attention. I'm hopeful that one on one dates with each of my kids is the norm for them growing up. Ollie's first haircut date won't be a few years, I'm hanging on tight to those blonde little curls that hang over his ears!

Life Lately

Life Lately has been fun, Spring is so so close and we are so ready to spend more time outside.  Elle is on the lookout for the trees to start turning green again. 

Playing at MawMaw & PawPaw's house!

Some morning cartoons and Ollie's bottle...2 of his favorite things.

A little lunchtime picnic. 

Valentine's Day!  We usually celebrate as a family (we have since Elle's 1st Valentine's Day!). This year Eric picked up some takeout, we all opened presents and we all played. 

This is her "I'm super excited and a little embarrassed/shy" facial expression. 

My Valentine's :)

She skipped her nap one afternoon, wasn't in the mood to even try her dinner and when I started doing the dishes I noticed she had fallen asleep in her chair.

Peek-a-boo it's a doodle doo.

This little ball of sweetness is learning to shake is head "yes" or "no"

He also gives kisses and loves watching Toy Story or Minions.  He gets so excited if he hears either of those movies come on. 

My mom is going to kill me but I love this picture!  When I drop Elle and Ollie off in the morning he immediately goes to her and lays his head on her like he has missed her so much!

Ollie rocking some hand me down St. Patrick's day pj's...

that were originally worn by a 4 month old baby Hen! So a 1 year old Ollie and 4 moth old Henny are the same size. Crazy!!

Helping daddy brew some beer. 

He has taken his first steps but no actual walking has taken place.  He loves walking behind a toy, walking around the coffee table but always falls and crawls when we try to get him to walk. 

These two and their little couches. Every morning they sit here with the milk and watch cartoons. 

A stomach bug and double ear infection hit our house a couple weeks ago.  Ollie woke up at 4am Thursday night getting sick so I took Friday off to stay home with him.  I knew I needed my laptop to wrap up some work stuff so Elle went to the office with me while Ollie stayed home and napped with Eric.  On my drive to my office she started screaming and crying that her ears were popping. She was in so much pain.  So we went to her pediatrician and sure enough she had a double ear infection.

While passing the time for her prescription to be filled she enjoyed an ice cream and watched a movie on my phone. My poor girl. 

Two sick little babies.  That means a slumber party in my bed!

Notice Elle's lovey in the picture.  She is back to wanting her lovey.  Definitely at night but even when we are going somewhere.  The lovey is back in action!  

My Lord does this boy love the dishwasher. Every time I open it he crawls over and starts grabbing anything he can get his hands on. 

Some time at the park and some fresh air had these two feeling better!

PJ's are a huge thing in Elle's world right now. She is super picky about which ones she wears. She prefers short sleeves and cozy pants.  My OCD prefers that they match but I don't always win that battle. :) She got in a habit of wanting to change from her clothes into pj's as soon as we would get home.  Her excuse was always that Boke or Jesus slobbered on her clothes. So odd!!

If we are running an errand she begs me to let her pack her Frozen suitcase with a pair of pj's just in case we are out and it gets dark.  I always let her and Eric thinks I'm crazy. 

Ollie 1st Schnucks cookie all to himself. At our grocery store kids 10 and under get a free cookie.  Have I mentioned Schnucks is Elle's favorite store?

Elle is such a good big sister.  She likes to give Ollie bites of her food just like I do.

And off topic but my children are obsessed with spaghetti & pizza.  They would eat it every single meal if I let them!

How cute are these three!??! I guess the Voss boys are craving Christmas time. 

Picnic in the park!  Eric was off so he met us (after a stop at Sugar Fire). When we were eating Elle noticed someone left their sunglasses behind.  I was so proud of her, she went to 2 different girls on the playground and asked if they dropped them.  When she couldn't find the owner she put them back where she found them.

Elle is usually really shy but it starting to talk to other kids more and more.  She is really excited to go to school and make some friends. 

Practicing riding her big girl bike.  She looooves this bike...still doesn't quite have the hang of pedaling down but I think she will have it down this summer.

She is Buzz, the stick is her laser and that van has no idea it's being lasered by Buzz Lightyear. 

I'm going to end with two of my favorite Elle quotes from recently. 

One night we were talking about the tooth fairy and she said this,

"Tooth fairy doesn't leave Unc any money because he was so rude to your dolls."

She cannot get over Will cutting my dolls hair when we were little. 

One night she was watching the iPad with her headphones Will & Paige got her for Christmas.  She turned to me and said,

"Mommy do you want pink headphones like mine?"

I said yes and assumed she would offer to buy me some which is something she does frequently but instead she said,

"OK, when Christmas comes again they'll be at MawMaw & PawPaw's house and I'll help you open them!"

:)