Ella and Luke are growing up so fast and learning new things every day. Their minds are like sponges–soaking everything up.

They still love to "read" and "write."

And they like to ride their stick horses like wild cowboys/girls.

Ella adores jewelry and shoes. She can't get enough of them. "Accessorize" should be her middle name.

Luke loves anything electronic–like his little laptop. But he prefers the real thing in Daddy's office.

Luke has become my little parrot. I've come to realize the phrases that I overuse. My overused phrases are his new phrases. Here's a sample:

'scuse ooo (translation: excuse you)
Explanation: that's what he says when he burps, I guess because that's what I've said so many times when he burps.

'old jew (translation: hold you)
Explanation: when he wants me to hold him. Again, because that's what I've said for months now when he comes and holds on to my leg, Do you want me to hold you?

daddyzat wuk (translation: daddy's at work)
Explanation: he really got used to Clifton being home (with his bad back) and cried the first few mornings Clifton went back to work. Now, the first thing he says when I get him out of his crib, is not, Hi Mommy, but Daddyzat wuk, because he knows Clifton has already gone to work.

notton yur handz (translation: not on your hands)
Explanation: they love to color, but they always try to color on their hands instead of the paper, so what do I say? Not on your hands. They've probably heard it a thousand times.

its white (translation: that's right)
Explanation: When I tell them "no" they often repeat it back and tell me, "No!" So then I say, "That's right!"

elwa's ka-wy-ing (translation: Ella's crying)
Explanation: none. :)

Ella's got some of her own tricks these days. She's become a whiz at removing her shoes, socks, bows, and hair ties while in the car. So by the time we get where we're going, I have to spend a couple minutes finding where she threw the items in the car and then put her back together. I won't be surprised if one of these days she gets her shirt and pants off too!

She still loves to dance. Anytime she hears music, she starts wiggling. We play the demos on our player piano and she gets down. She's got Luke into it too.

I just taught them how to hold hands and dance together. Luke loves it. He's always chasing Ella to get her hands, mostly so he can pull her around. Sometimes Ella goes with it, and sometimes she wants to do her own thing. It's pretty funny though. They have a good time. I love that they're finally starting to enjoy playing together, instead of just enjoying taking toys from the other one, though they still do that too.

Still no new teeth and Luke's had all his for months!

The best part about January was Luke and Ella got another cousin! Hannah Teleysha Smith was born to my brother, Jason, and his wife, Teleysha. She's a sweetie! Ella will have someone to drag around and dress up in a couple years. And, Mark and his wife announced that they will be having their first boy in June! So, Luke will have another little cousin, along with Royal and Jared, to play cars with soon. I can't believe how much the family is growing. It's such fun to see all the little cousins grow up together!