Ice Cream

So I like ice cream.

I really, really, really like ice cream.

A lot. 

I get my love of ice cream from my Mom.

Who also really, really, really loves ice cream.

Last summer, I couldn't have any.

Ella's little tummy couldn't handle even the tiniest drop of anything dairy until she was 7/8ish months old.

We are making up for that this summer.

And my little one, who I was worried would never be able to indulge in an ice cream at the ice cream place, shares our love.

It all started when Ella was sitting on my Mom's lap at What's the Scoop...

 She stole her ice cream cone.  

Silly Mommy had gotten her a bowl of ice cream.

 She was very proud of herself.

And then there is Karson.  Who is obsessed with Blue Moon ice cream. (yuck!)  Then we discovered Candy Playdough icecream...blue moon ice cream with colored cookie dough pieces.  He loves it!  (ewwww)

So the next time, we got Ellary her own cone.

She was in Baby Heaven.

 We get ice cream...a lot.

My kids are ice cream pros.

It is just plain fun to go out for ice cream.

It makes for very happy kiddos!

{and a very happy Mama too}

Many times now, people have comment on ho well the kids do with an ice cream cone.

There is a reason for that.

They have lots of experience with ice cream cones!

 

{ And now I want ice cream.}

Ellary's 1st Birthday {April 9th}

Waaaay back on April 9th, my sweet girl turned 1. 

Ellary's birthday started out like birthdays always start out around here. 

 With chocolate chip pancakes.

She was eating very little food still, but chocolate chip pancakes definitely were a hit. :)

Daddy either takes a half day, or takes the whole day off on the kids' birthdays.  The whole day is about celebrating them, and I love it.  Daddy came home not long after breakfast (a half day for Daddy is at 10:00 because he goes in so early!).  DJ carried on the tradition of giving Ellary 1 rose for her 1st Birthday, just like my Dad did with me.

We went out for lunch at Hudsonville Grille.  They have really good french fries.  One thing we knew Ellary liked was french fries, so Hudsonville Grille it was.  Birthdays are about celebrating...not nutrition after all. :)

Next stop was Fredrick Meijer Gardens to see the butterflies.

It was a cold rainy day, so we had to come up with something fun and special to do inside.

Karson walked around with the guide and called it his "map" the whole time, trying to match butterflies.  

Too cute!

After dinner, we opened presents.

 

Karson was very excited for Birthday cake.

Some kids smash their cake.  Some do not.  Mine do not. Although, they do pick at the frosting.  

A few days later, we had her Princess Party.

 

Opening Gifts.

We made two cakes for her party.  

I was worried that if she smashed one, no one would have any cake to eat.  

This is how she reacted to being sung to, poor girl tried to hide. 

Big brother took care of blowing out her candle.

And again, she wasn't too thrilled about smashing her cake.  We had lots of cake left over!

 Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!