Not so Babies

Stella and Axl will forever be my babies, they are referred to as the "babies" way more than "the twins".  Stella is "Stella Mella", "Sissy", "Little Sis", "Sister" and Axl is mainly "Brother".  Lately I've been fighting the urge to have another "baby" and it's definately because they are not cooperating with acting like babies!  Still they listen so well, usually aim to please their mommy, and love to give kisses and hugs. 

So often when I'm having an extremely difficult moment with Ellie, you know the moment that 3 1/2 year olds are so good at, screaming "NO", running away, not doing what you ask, refusing to nap, sometimes I just wish Stella and Axl could stay babies forever.  I'm really not prepared for two 3 1/2 year olds at once.  I worry that I might not be patient or kind enough to get through those troublesome years.  My mom says that at 5 they turn into little angels again and want to please you and behave, so at least I have that to look forward to....but then they are teenagers and that thought scares me so much that I contemplate moving to the country and homeschooling them and sheltering them from the outside world! But I have time to make a plan before that comes!

Our good family friends Bob and Marie Jensen are strong in their Mormon faith and have the most awesome family with beautiful grand kids.  We have been so lucky to spend intimate moments at their house with all their grand kids.  I love the strong sense of family and how close they all are.  When we are invited to a family dinner at their home it reminds me of so many of the dinners I spent with my cousins at my grand parents house when I was young.  My Grandparents were strong Southern Baptist's and I can't help but think that religion plays a huge role in the network and longevity of a family.  Scott and I are not religious, we are content in our naturalist beliefs, however, we both can see the positive role that all religion plays in the family structure.  Bob and Marie gave us some ideas to bring our family closer and to teach our kids how to behave and to be kind, and to love each other.  The Jensen's have always had one night a week that they sit among each other and discuss a teaching from their workbook, and we are looking forward to starting this in our own individual way, and teaching our children lessons in acceptance and ethics, and positive behavior.  I can only hope that one day our family will be grown and stay close knit just like Bob and Marie's because that is very important to me. 
Here are some pictures of us recently....they are mostly from my phone so sorry about the quality:

 Omi and Ellie riding the train at the Fountians, a favorite pastime

 Ellie getting her nails painted by Sandy my new girl

 Stella saying Hi, she started saying 2 word sentences a couple weeks ago. like..."Mo snack" and "Big Pancake" and "Pink Bobbie"

 This is a picture I texted to Scott that he says describes our kids' personalities "perfectly"! UhOh, I'm in for even more trouble with Stella!!!! ACK!

 This one is from our Anniversary trip to the Ritz Carlton in Northstar, absolutly fabulous! Does this intimate photo make you uncomfy? ha

The kids being still for one mili-second!

A picture I texted to Scott that he said I look just like Ellie in  : ) 

Ellie at a birthday party yesterday at Wacky Tacky in Roseville, unbelievable good time for her! She is showing me the purple Tangled frosting on her tongue!

1-2-3-Jump!  Ellie's 2nd day of swim lessons, she earned a "jump off the diving board" She learned soooo much!