F-O-U-R!!!!

The number FOUR!  The long awaited number FOUR!!!  Eliana has been waiting to turn four years old ever since her third birthday.  She has actually had a few dozen tantrums over the fact that she was not yet four, leading up to this day.  So, we are all so glad that May 29th, Eliana's birthday, has arrived!!!  She starts the day by fulfilling her dream of having her first piece of bubble gum.  As per her instructions, the gum is waiting for her on my night table, so that I can reach over and give it to her while we are all still in bed.   After she chews her gum, we all head downstairs so that Eliana can see her new sandbox before Daddy leaves for work.  The sandbox is a hit, and the girls can't wait to play!  We eat breakfast (special treat: Nutella!), and get Leah ready for school.  Then, Mommy and Eliana can spend some special (rare!) time alone together while Leah is at school.

 

We start off at the library, where Eliana finds a copy of "All of a Kind Family" to replace our missing one.  (This book owes some of it's popularity to the fact that Big Cousin was reading it at our house.)  After the librarians all make a fuss over my cutie, and she plays her computer games, Eliana's next birthday wish is fulfilled.  She wants cheese balls.   Yes, those flourescent orange, salty, crunchy balls that dissolve on your tongue.  Hmmmm.  Who does this remind me of.  Someone who used to eat cheese balls for dinner on a regular basis in his bachelor-hood.  Hmmm.  I can't seem to think of who it might be!!!   Eliana also picks out strawberries and watermelon, so perhaps my genetic influence is hidden in there somewhere . . . .

As we approach lunch time, we head over to Jules Pizza, one of our favorite lunch destinations.  Perhaps it is the excitement of her birthday, or more likely the cheese balls, but Eliana is not that interested in her pizza.  She is more interested in blowing bubbles in her water (a trick learned from Peppa Pig), and greeting each customer that walks in.  Wouldn't you like to be greeted by that face?

We pick Leah up from school, and after some rest time attempt to use the sand box.  The new sand toys have arrived in the mail, and the kids are ready.  But, thanks to the 90 degree day the sand is burning hot and impossible for play.  Looks like we need to find a shadier spot for Mr. Turtle.  So, we take the sand toys into a nice cool bath tub.

Finally it is time to meet Daddy at Friendly's for a birthday dinner, and of course dessert.  Eliana is serenaded by the Friendly's staff, before eating her monstrous DIY Sundae. 

 
Little Sister thinks the ice cream is so good she is attacking it with two spoons.

Next, the fun continues at Happy Tymes.  Leah is old enough to be the helper ice cream lady, while Eliana drives the ice cream truck.  Eliana plays her first Skee Ball (she's good!), Basketball, and Stomp the Spiders. 

And, now that she is four, she is brave and ready to face the Frogger with new found confidence.  She holds on tight, and even manages to smile while she's bouncing up and down on the wild ride. 

Happy Birthday my sweet Eliana!   I have had the most amazing four years being your Mommy.  You constantly surprise and amaze me.  You have convinced me that I had no idea what parenthood was about before you were born, and you are nothing like what I expected you might be like.  It is thrilling to watch you grow, to hear about all of your strong opinions, to experience your imagination, to help you navigate through life's challenges. Your name means, "The Lord Answers," because Mommy prayed a special prayer for you, and He answered my prayer!  It is your birthday, but you are my gift.  I love you!!

Leah's First Night in her Big Girl Bed

We decided it was time for Leah to graduate to a toddler bed.  Leah refused to sleep in the crib at around three months old.  Since then she had been falling asleep in one of her parents arms each night, and then placed in a nest of blankets in the den.  When Pete and I went up to bed, we carried her up there with us.   There were about 100 reasons why this was no longer working, so we decided a big girl bed was the logical next step, even though she's still pretty young.  So now, the two girls are theoretically sleeping in their own beds, in their own room.  Through a grueling week of trial and error, we realized that staggering bed times works best.  After pajamas, Bible and prayer, the appointed parent takes Leah up to bed, while the other parent stays downstairs reading with Eliana.  Once Leah is asleep, it is Eliana's turn to go upstairs.  They both require extensive back patting, singing/humming, and occasional threats, before they are actually asleep.  Yes, bed time is still a work in progress, but I believe we may be moving in the right direction!

Trying out the new bed, and loving the "Melmo" pillow and blankets.

Demonstrating her knowledge of closing her eyes to go to sleep.

Watching Big Sister to learn how it is done.

Okay Mommy & Daddy, I think I'm ready!!!

P.S.  Truth be told, Leah has yet to spend the entire night in her own bed.  Sometime around midnight she wakes up and runs at full speed into our room, spending the rest of the night in our bed.  (Pete and I both find it absolutely hilarious to see her little head bobbing towards our bed as she runs in.)  Then, around 2 AM, Eliana wanders in and joins us.  So, we wake up four in a bed to greet the day.  Like I said, it is a work in progress!!

Leah's First Play Dough

Eliana made the play dough while Leah was asleep, with a little help from Mom.

Leah woke up ready to give it a try.

"This is fun Mommy!"

NOT IN YOUR MOUTH LEAH!!!!

How we Spent the Winter

Eliana made a lot of  "grown up" stews with REAL ingredients.

Leah on Christmas Eve at Gran's

Eliana's Gingerbread House

Singing at Church with Big Cousin

Final Nights of Sleep with Binky

First Day at New Life Nursery School

This was the most snow we saw! (Kids were disappointed, but not me!!!)

Finally smiling again after a nasty bout of Hand & Foot & Mouth Disease!

Snuggly Girls Loving Each Other

Sisterly Love

When Leah was first born, and was basically a cute little blob, Eliana would often ask when she would be able to do various things with her little sister.  (When can she play with me, when can she ride a bike with me, when can we watch the Wonder Pets together.)  My pat answer would be, probably when she is one-year-old.  It was hard for me to even believe myself at the time, but the predictions have come true!  The girls are learning new ways to play together every day.  They often involve Leah sitting on Eliana, and Leah poking Eliana in the belly button.

The girls really love sitting in front of the computer watching Sesame Street clips. Eliana appreciates her new privilege of being able to touch the computer, and new skill of manipulating the mouse.  And Leah loves the music and wiggles around in the chair to the beat of each song.

Eliana’s favorite: Change the World
Leah’s favorite:  Elmo's Got the Moves
Pete's favorite:   Patti Labelle sings the Alphabet

This works out well until Leah starts touching the keyboard and messes things up, but it usually buys me a good fifteen minutes to finish cleaning the kitchen or cooking dinner!

The girls now take baths together, play in laundry baskets together, and sit together at the dinner table.  Spaghetti dinner has never been quite so messy! 

 

 Leah has started going to Eliana’s preschool in the “playcare” room, and while they don’t see each other much while at school, the common experience seems to have bonded them.  At pickup time I go to Eli’s room first, and then we walk together to Leah’s room.  Leah is now in the habit of running over to Eliana first, and patting her back or hugging her as soon as we walk in the room.  Then she notices me. 

Picture Day!

It was picture day at school today!  And since I really don't have time to write much, but could not resist sharing these cute pictures, it is picture day here too!

Pajama Party at the Library

Artist at Work

Reading Corner

              The child that won't go in a playpen or crib happily spends the afternoon in an empty bin

Giving Kisses

 

Smiling 'cuz she can sit on bench like a big girl

Smiling for a Lollipop (Yes, I resorted to bribery)

Riding a bike like a REALLY big girl!

Little Leah Turns One Year Old

       HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEAH!!  (Well, Happy Belated Birthday!!!)

Our little Leah has turned One Year Old!   She had her first taste of “Happy Cake,” which was a delicious strawberry shortcake picked out by Big Sister.  We kept it low key, mostly because my neck is still recuperating, but boy do we love our sweet little Leah!!!

Here are some of Leah’s new developments: 

Graduated to the big bathtub and starts hyperventilating with excitement when she hears the water running.

Learned to fold her hands when we pray at meals and bedtime. 

Plays peek-a-boo.  Gives high-fives.  Tries to eat belly-buttons.

Says MaMa, Nana and banana (the last two sound eerily similar).  Tries to imitate other words and sounds.

Eats lots of people food and very little baby food.  Loves eggs, crackers, banana bread, apples, cheese, cheerios.  Swats you away when you try to feed her anything on a spoon.

Has five teeth, with at least five more on the way.

Loves music and has a wide range of dance moves.  Much to my dismay, she has expressed a strong preference to the music of the Fresh Beat Band.

                                             ELIANA

Eliana is also growing and developing wonderfully!

She is back in school and enjoying every moment of it.

Her favorite book at the moment is Jumanji.

She is recognizing more and more letters and the sounds that they make.

She loves cooking.  Her specialties are cracking eggs and peeling garlic cloves.

Eli is definitely the comedian of the family, and her long standing act is pretending that she is a baby.  She does a fabulous impression when she climbs into the exersaucer and says “Ma-Ma, Da-da, Ma-Ma, Da-Da,” Cracks us up every time.  And then there is the Poopy Face which cracks Pete up every time – don’t ask!

Eliana is also a big fan of music and dancing.  She often makes up songs, and at times can be heard singing about leaving her wallet in El Segundo.

And in the past year our little Eliana has really grown into her role as a big sister.  She may torture her little sister, but she also looks out for her, protects her, makes her laugh, and truly loves her.