Fun Times

Etta has been LOVING books lately. It's the very first thing she asks for in the morning...after breakfast...before and after naps...before bed... and carries various books throughout the house all day long. She knows the sign for book and also says, "Boo?" It is pretty adorable.

Getting close and personal with the book on the kitchen floor.



Here I come to get you mommy!!! Rrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

OCD or Girl?

Lead in story...

While staying at the cabin in Missoula for the marathon Etta spent a good chunk of time (a couple of times) lining up all of the little boys' shoes (none of the adults mind you) on the window sill. She would methodically crawl to the shoes, get two, stand up next to the wall, walk the shoes to the window sill and put them in a row. She did this on a couple of different occasions. One time she switched them all from one window sill to the other. It was pretty cute.

Now that we've been home she has been doing the same thing with her shape blocks. A couple of different times. Is she OCD or is this a "neatness" girl thing? Either way it doesn't bother me, I actually really like it. Pretty funny!

Get the block



Transport the block



Put the block in the bucket.



[She put the blocks on the sill herself before taking them down.]

Shopping!!

As much as I try to not have a girlie girl Etta seems to push back to be that much more girlie. The other day when Bob was hanging out with her she decided to do some "shopping". I believe that she bought some socks!

Off to find what I need!



What's in this department?



[Check out how her shoes match her bag.]

15th Month Annibirthery

15 months! Etta has expanded her signing vocabulary to include (among other things): cheese, swim, thank you and book. It is getting to be really interesting to "talk" to her. Verbally she has a new favorite word, "NO"! She uses this for any question that you ask. Even if the answer is "yes".

Mommy: Do you want to put on your shoes?

Etta: NO! (Right before she heads off to her room, gets a pair of shoes, brings it back and plops down and proceeds to attempt to put her own shoes on...)

But all in all things are very exciting. She is officially walking on her own. Can stand up without anything to pull up on, makes good turns, squats down to pick things up. People barely believe me that she has only been walking completely independent of my little finger for only about 10 days.

Here we go again...



The penguin laughs to music if you push him around. Etta was dancing to the tunes.



Finally, legs straight and both subjects facing forward!

Painting

Bob has been painting. The garage and the carport needed it after being reroofed last spring. He decided to get a bit creative with the garage. I like it!



Bonus Etta picture: Just chillin' with daddy.



[Have I mentioned how I am dreading the start of school?]

Tea Party

A bit overdue. On July 3rd Etta and I had a tea party with the wonderful tea set that Aunt Molly gave her for her birthday. It was a lot of fun!

Etta likes it straight out of the pot.



Notice her necklace...



Mommy getting ready to pour the tea

Coloring

We had tried coloring a month or two ago. At that time Etta was only interested in eating the crayons...While cleaning out the music room in June I found a bunch of copied music that we didn't need anymore. I punched holes in it and stuck it in a binder. Now when we want to color I just grab the binder, the crayons and go! The binder works as a "table" and scratch paper is at hand. If something is worth keeping then I can pop it out to save it - OR - I can pop it out and throw it away. We had fun coloring. She didn't even need me to do an example this time.

This paper right here?



Which crayon should I use?




Right hand...



Or left.

Macy's Model

Etta received this dress from Dan and Russanne Rudolph for her birthday. We took a few minutes today to do a photo shoot. Very nice, eh?

Pose 1: Coy look to the side.



Open arms



Toe out, glance at the camera



Picking flowers...this is what the back looks like



Over the shoulder



Heading to the prom. No joke. Check back in 15 years, I'll have this as a comparison photo. Although it probably won't be Bob's hand that she is holding...

Sno-cones + Grandpa =

True love.

The best part of the whole experience is that Etta was basically a boomerang. She would take a bit, spin off, walk a circle around the room and come in for a landing. I mean, another bite!

What's this?



Tasting...processing...new flavor...



More! More! More! Please.



[The other super cute part? Her arm hanging over Steve's leg!]

Big girl, big chairs

I can not believe how much Etta is growing and changing. Every once in a while it just takes my breath away.

Driving



Playing before church



Enjoying a snack in her green chair built by Grandpa Steve



Chillin' at the park with Gray

Bathing beauty

On Thursday we were blessed enough to take a dip in Dan and Russanne's pool. Etta is lovin' the water.

Chillin' and having a sip before the big dip.



Click on the picture to check out the crazy pool hair.



Still needing a little assistance.



Trying out the lounger. She really wanted to get on it - but then kept trying to crawl off!



Drying off after a brisk time.

Fun with Cousins

This week Bob's sister Amy came to visit. Of course she brought along her two girls Kellie and Payton. They really like that Etta is bigger and can interact more, but I think that they are still a little disappointed that she can't do more with them. As they all grow it will get better. I am looking forward to Molly and Jim's Big Party and seeing them in their flower girl dresses walking down the aisle altogether!

All riding together



Okay Kellie, I'll drive. Let's see how fast we can go!



Giving attention to the kitty, Licorice. (Or as Payton was saying, "Ricorice".)



Big horse



Little horse



Giddyup horsey



Etta Grace - Horse Whisperer



Head 'em up, move 'em out, Rawhide!



Fun with boxes

Playtime

Etta had multiple opportunities to play in a variety of settings over the fun weekend.

Daddy's suitcase...



Waiting for the boys to ride the carousel...(It was WAY to fast for mommy)



The big marimba at Dragon's Hollow...



Bridge sitting...



The Grizzly Express...



The Learning Store...no fear of snakes here!



Bonner Park



The wobbly bridge...although Bob figures that Etta really likes it since she is so wobbly to start with!



Steering the big wheel...