What can I say, my little girl is growing up! Time sure flies. Everyone always tells you to enjoy every minute, which is impossible to do, even with the most well behaved child by the way, and with my "spirited child," forget about it. Some days, I am just counting down the moments until books are read, "head stories" are finished, and lights are out.
Elle has had many milestones recently, aside from turning the big FOUR. I shudder to recall me as an outgoing rambunctious four-year old, but apparently I never whined, had tantrums, and I always shared. I must have been the most amazing child ever! Elle, is a "typical" four-year old, whom to quote her preschool teacher, "is an exuberant, creative and tender-hearted child." She has her moments that are not so fantastic, but she is a ball of fun and creativity!
She continues to LOVE all things art. Coloring, painting, song writing, clothing design (well outfit selection, anyway), interior decorating, you name it. She is a girl of many talents.
here she is working on one of her masterpieceshere are some of her most recent ones
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| this flower is now framed in my bedroom. It simply makes me smile |
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| The sun, flower and clouds (she paints these images a lot) |
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| the art wall in my entry way |
Now, hopefully you are smiling too!
Recently, she got her first salon haircut by my hair stylist, Liz at Salon Blonde
Harlan also got a little one himself
Afterwards, she even sat at her first bar...
NO, not to order a drink, but a slice of peperoni pizza...which btw, after LOVING pepperoni her whole life, she now thinks it is too spicy and prefers sausage and olives. Who knew.
Most recently, as of yesterday, she even got rid of her beloved pacifier. I know, judge all you want. In my defense, and hers, she has had it limited to sleeping since she was 20 months old, and it always stayed under her pillow until bed time. I mean, she wasn't roaming up and down the isle of Target with it or anything, but it was still embarrassing to say that my almost 4-year-old still used a paci!
Well, a few nights ago, Elle decorated and signed a letter to the "pacifier fairy." For those of you who have never heard of, or have had a visited from this mythical character, you simply write her letter with what you wish to get in return of sending your used pacifier (to give to other babies in need) and place it in the mailbox. You also "sprinkle" magic fairy dust in the envelope to alert the fairy that she has a package waiting. The next day, your present appears. Magic!
I have to say, the thing was so chewed up (she has only had one for over a year) that it had no pacifier suction...I think it was just more of a novelty than anything. She went to sleep no problem and hasn't mentioned it today. Hopefully, things will continue to be so easy.
She also started indoor soccer (thanks, Mimi!) and LOVES it. There is something magical about coach Steve, and she can't wait until next week! Once a week, they just kick, run around and do some drills...there are no games, or competition, just play. Just how I like it.
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| go Elle go! |
Aside from those big changes, she continues to amaze me everyday with her vocabulary, creativity and charm. Some of my favorite words and phrases she uses are "apparently I will never go to kindergarten", something she says when she is trying to do something on her own and can't, "cat-a-killer" instead of Caterpillar, etc... I could go on and on, but I won't.
Her love for words leaves not one moment in a day in silence. I recently had the privilege of sleeping with her, and let me tell you, she doesn't even stop talking in her sleep. My friends and family often wonder why I don't listen to music in the car, but sometimes, those are my only moments I can sit in quiet.
She is absolutely obsessed with school, can't wait to go, and is equally obsessed with her best friend Kennedy. Those girls are a force to be reckoned with let me tell you.
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| they were left alone minutes and this is where we found them |
It is quite sweet how much she adores her, and her mom, Molly. She tells her "she wants to keep her around forever."
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| here we all are! One big-extended family |
Beginning next school year, she will be going to preschool 5 days a week in the morning, and without Kennedy. Hopefully her enthusiasm for school, will continue. We will still see them lots though I am sure. Molly and I both joined the preschool board, and will be planning the school biggest fundraising event together, the auction (dun dun dunnnn). We will be seeing LOTS of each other, which we wanted. Next up, PTA...lol. Well, we will see. Never say never.
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On her birthday, I asked these questions, and I intend to ask her the same ones for the next years to come. I guess until she will answer me. I am not very optimistic of the teenage years...
20 Questions on Your
4th Birthday:
I suspect, many of these will change dramatically throughout the years and it will be fun to see the evolution.
Elle is a light in my crazy life. THE light, most of the time. She does not make parenting easy, but she keeps me on my toes, and I know a whole lot about parenting philosophies because of it.
We LOVE you, Elle! Happy Birthday!
I can't wait to see even more of the person you will become.
p.s. Elle had an amazing Pinterest worthy Minnie Mouse themed birthday party that I plan to blog about soon. It was simply too much to combine with this homage to her.
