This is what happens...

 ...when you try to go by yourself.  

"Mommy!  Help!"

 Sorry, Ellie for taking a picture before helping you. 

Potty trained in a day!!

 

 I have been dreading potty training Ellie.  Dreading.  For months I have asked Ellie to potty on the potty chair.  "No, Mommy, I don't want to potty on the potty chair anymore."  (She says "anymore" whenever she tells us she doesn't want to do something.)  So I would drop it.  I don't want to force potty training, I just hope it comes naturally.  Hope and hope.  I mean the girl is going to be three next week.

During the week of VBS, I didn't even ask.  It wasn't the time.  This week though, our calendar was clear.  It seemed like the right time.  Timing is everything.  Apparently, Ellie felt like it was a good time for her, too.  When she woke up (thankfully in a good mood), I put princess underwear on her and told her she was going to have to go in the potty chair. She willingly sat!  After a few stories and songs, she went!  Oh happy day!  After all the screaming and celebrating died down, Jellybeans were distributed and we repeated the cycle an hour later.  By the end of the day she was telling me she had to go (even number 2)!

I am so proud of my big girl.  For the first time in over five years, I am free of diapers (except for Pull Ups at night and out and about)!!!!  For now at least...

 Abby was by her side all day.

 "I'll just help myself to another story."

VBS Program

Each day during VBS, the children would visit with a missionary family from Italy.  Abby said that was her favorite part. 

Ellie does know the motions, too.  She sings the songs while she plays, except sometimes she changes the words.  For instance, instead of singing, "He is alive!" she says, "She is alive!" 

Instead of "Agency D3: Discover, Decide, Defend!"

"Agency D free! Dover, Duway..."

Day 4

VBS: Day 4

 Crafts

 Snacks

 Bible Story

After VBS, the girls and I went to Wendy's for lunch then to the library for story time.  We are involved with the summer reading program and each girl already earned two free books!

Instead of joining Ellie and me in our usual class, Abby went on her own with the home school group that meets at the same time. 

 The theme this summer is fairy tales.  Ellie enjoyed listening to The Three Little Pigs, but she would have rather done it alone.  "Mommy, you go out the door."  I guess VBS has made her very independent. 

 Abby's class

 Abbs made a new friend, Mary.  "We decided to be friends since we look alike."

VBS Days 1-3

Day 1:  This is Ellie's first year doing VBS.  She was a little unsure of the whole thing at first.  However, she had an amazing time in her little class!  "Mommy, I play with friends and eat crackers!"  Really what more do you want?  She actually does Bible stories, plays outside, makes super cute crafts that she is extremely proud of and loves her teachers. They say they can't get enough of her either. 

I am a helper in Abby's class, so I can get a few shots of her here and there doing her activities.  Sometimes I sneak a shot or two of Ellie when we walk by her class on our way to snacks.

 Day 2: They're so excited to start another day at Bible School!

 "Mom!  The sun is in our eyes!"

 Listening to Peter retell the story of Jesus calming the sea.

Day 3: Special Agents

Father's Day

On Saturday Adam took the girls to Conner Prairie while I prepared for Father's Day and went to a VBS meeting.  I was so proud of him for taking pictures!

 Abby fired a potato gun

 Nature Walk

 Some Father/Daughter shots. 
I'm also available to take senior pictures.

 We celebrated Father's Day Saturday night with my family.  Unfortunately, this is the best picture I have. 

I truly LOVE the men in my life.