Meeting Ella Leona

Yesterday we took the kids up to Jacksonville to meet our newest family member- Ella Leona- my brother’s newest baby. 

 

 

Sammie loved holding her.  Elle even wore the zebra print outfit Sammie got her for Christmas! 

We thought their outfits coordinated nicely.

I don’t think Ella trusts Tyler.  She makes the funniest facial expressions!

I think my sister in law got a better picture than this of all of the grandkids with grandpa Burnett, but this is the best one I got. 

Darrin, Alexis, and Ella.  I think Parker was running around from the sugar high I gave him from our valentines craft. 

We did this activity.  Except I didn’t bother with the homemade marshmallows- maybe some day, but I doubt it.  Store bought marshmallows are still pretty good in this recipe.  If you even call it that.  It’s just semi sweet chocolate chips microwaved until melted with 1/2 tbsp. shortening to even it out a bit.  Put marshmallows on a coffee straw and dip in chocolate, then dip in sprinkles.   I swear it tastes just like Russell Stover's marshmallow hearts.  YUM!

The kids had a great time and it was perfect for a toddler to do too.  Spencer did one or two with help, but I didn’t get my camera out in time.  They take a while to harden up and would do better in the fridge for that part, but waiting isn’t in a toddler’s vocabulary so they just ate them wet.  Still really yummy!

 

Every year after valentines day my mother bought stuffed animals for the kids on clearance- valentine themed. They all have a huge collection of heart themed animals in their rooms.

This year when I was up in the present corner in my parents house at Christmas I found valentines dogs. Such a bitter sweet moment to realize this is probably the last time they’ll get a gift chosen with love from their grandma. She was so thoughtful about all of the holidays and really knew how to make it all fun for the kids. I hope to help carry on that tradition for the kids who won’t remember my mother.

 

Valentines Dogs- from left to right- named:  Leona (my mom’s name and Sammie’s dog), Fireball Crash (Tyler’s) and Puppy (Spencer’s).  He’s always chosen literal names for his animals.