Learning Italian...well sort of

Another post that really needs video...While riding in the car with Grandma (Mike's mother) Drew was acting a little strange. I was perched between Ella and Drew and observed him smiling and waving his hands all around. He had a flat hand stretched toward the window and was pumping it up and down. Then he would bunch his fingers, point them up, and again pump his arm up and down. Finally I realized what was going on. Drew had a perfect view of Grandma who was in the front seat telling a "heated" story in a way only an Italian can. As her hands flung around passionately, Drew was trying to mimic her every move!!

Weekly List # 7

How they made me Laugh this Week
1. Drew sitting like a soldier for his haircut while Ella looked on screaming for him
2. Painting each others arms at Art in the Park
3. Ella going head first down a big covered slide
4. Drew getting mad when the squirrels disappear and looking at me as if I can make them return just because he asks for "Mooha"
5. Drew saying "Yeahhh!" to almost any question: Is Ella crazy? Do you love Mama?
6. Ella playing peek-a-boo with her plate
7. Ella getting my attention and then just laughing
8. Giving each other raspberries
9. Looking for each other's belly buttons
10. Drew holding Ella by her diaper while she tries to crawl away
11. Ella discovering the big difference between her and Drew...use your imagination!

Ella speaks her mind

Ella has discovered the power of communication. Her favorite words are "up" and "Bye-Bye." She has realized that these words bring action, especially when shrieked in a restaurant. She uses "bye-bye" to signal to a new face to back off, to let us know that she doesn't want to be in a store or house, and she tortures Mike by following him around the house "asking" to go outside. "Up" is used when she wants out of the highchair or stroller, to be picked up, and also to be put down. It echoes in my head when I lay down at night. "uuup!! Uuuupp!! UUUUUUUUPPPPPP!!!""