EVB: 4 Years + 9 Months Old!

Ellen is inching closer and closer to the big 5-year mark and she definitely looks like such a big kid these days. (Since she still has one more year of preschool, I have a feeling she's going to look SO grown-up when it's time for her to start kindergarten next year!) As a lover of all things outdoors, Ellen has been making the most of her summer days, which sadly are dwindling ... Here's what our little turkey has been up to lately:

• Bending it like Benscoter: Ellen played soccer in July and did a fantastic job! It seemed to be a better fit for her than T-ball since she was able to run around the whole time.
• Building on her biking skills: Ellen is increasingly more comfortable on her bike and even requested to try biking without her training wheels recently. EVB quickly figured out that she wasn't quite ready for a two-wheeler, but it was good for her to test it out. Maybe we'll try again before biking season is officially over.
• Whistling: Ellen has finally figured out how to (sort of) whistle and, oh boy, is she thrilled about this accomplishment!
• Continuing to show increased confidence in social settings ... We recently caught a kid-friendly performance at a local park and Ellen was all about participating and even went up stage (all on her own) to dance with other kids.
• Solo swimming: Ellen has been getting lots of practice swimming without her floaty in the shallow end of Omma & Boppa's pool and it has been so fun to watch her improve her skills. She's super proud of herself and we're very proud of her, too.

Ellen and a few soccer buddies

First attempt sans training wheels

EVB on stage (third from the right)

Little Fish!

JEB: 28 Months Old!

Little June isn't so little anymore (age-wise, at least--physically, she's still a tiny peanut!). She's suddenly capable of just about everything and I'm constantly reminding myself that she can do more than you'd expect from looking at her. She's petite, but by no means delicate ... a sprite, but with a personality of someone three times her size. Basically, she's a tiny ball of never-ending entertainment. Here's what our little lady has been up to lately:

• Coppin' a 'tude: June has been Miss Sassy pants lately and prefers to talk whilst shaking a finger or placing her hands firmly on her hips. There's also been a lot of "No, I don't want to" and "Hmpf. That's not fair." It's so hard to keep as straight face!
• Dominating playground equipment: June has mastered everything but the rock wall and Jacob's ladder on our swing set and she showed me how she can scale the mountain/rock-like structure at the local playground with ease. She also runs at warp speed across suspended bridges and has yet to meet a slide too big or too scary.
• Perfecting her pedaling. Recently, something finally clicked and June can now pedal her tricycle like a pro! We're feeling pride in our hearts and relief in our backs now that we no longer have to bend over and push her on her trike down the sidewalk. Woo hoo!
• Socializing. Like Ellen, June as grown leaps and bounds this summer in terms of social confidence and conversation skills. She's hardly ever shy around neighbors and will willing approach them to say hi (or to ask if she can pet their dog).
• Sharing secrets. Instead of cupping her hand at the side of her mouth, June covers her entire mouth with her hand (fingers spread wide) to tell us private messages.
• Stalling. June is a professional sidetracker lately, which means the bedtime routine (brushing teeth, reading books and singing songs) now takes about 7 hours and includes new steps, such as putting on and removing slippers multiple times, requesting a drink of milk, discussing (in great detail) every part of every picture in every book ...
• Refusing to wear a swimsuit. June seems to enjoy water, but she insists on being either fully clothed or completely naked (aka "naker buns") when she's around it. I've been trying for weeks to get June to don her swimsuit (or at least a swim diaper), but so far, no success. Hopefully we can figure this out before the summer is over. :)