EVB: 4 Years + 11 Months Old!

The countdown to Ellen's 5th birthday is officially on! Everyday, Ellen asks, "How many days until my birthday?" She is SO excited! In the meantime, she's making the most of her final weeks as a 4-year-old. Here's what she's been up to lately:

• Loving preschool. The Frog Room has proven to be a big hit with Ellen ... she looks forward to each school day, is super excited when I drop her off and is nothing but happy when I pick her up. She seems to feel very comfortable and is enjoying her new teachers and friends.
• Rocking swimming lessons. Ellen has been doing a wonderful job as a Stingray at the YMCA (so I hear ... swimming lessons are a Daddy/Ellen activity). With just one other kid in her class, Ellen has been getting lots of one-on-one instruction and attention from her teacher, Mr. Aaron. So far this session, she's learned the elementary back stroke, jumping into water over her head and treading water.
• Still loving The Muppets. Ellen is still a huge fan of Kermit and pals and recently talked me into to buying "Muppets Most Wanted" on DVD during an outing to Target. Can you guess the theme of her upcoming birthday party?!
• Coloring a little more often. Ellen is starting to show greater interest in coloring and drawing, which is something she/we have struggled with up until no. It's still not her favorite activity, but her attention span for coloring seems to be increasing.
• Being a great big sister. Ellen continues to take excellent care of June and including her when playing. Ellen especially enjoys teaching June all the fun things she learns at preschool.

JEB: 30 Months Old!

June is 30 months (or, in normal-person language, 2-and-a-half years) old! June is stoked about being 2.5 and having an updated response to the question, "How old are you?" ... Mom, on the other hand, is a bit saddened by this milestone and the fact that she is officially halfway to 5 years old. Yikes!

Things are going pretty well in June's world ... She's continuing to work on potty training (she is fully capable of being done with diapers, but her stubborness is keeping her out of big-girl undies for the time being).

June recently started an ECFE class, so it will be fun for her to have her own thing each week and to play with her peers. (It will be good for Mom & June, too, to have some separate time on a regular basis!)

June Bug is also loving puzzles, showing greater interest in coloring and imaginative play and, most importantly, making us all laugh countless times a day.

 Special treat on a recent date with Mom & Dad

 

Ellen's First Day as a Frog Friend

Ellen's second (and final) year of preschool has begun! She was more than excited to start in the Frog Room (having graduated from the Caterpillar Room, which she was in last year) and jump right into her new routine. Ellen's teachers this year are Ms. Barb & Ms. Nicole and it looks like there will be plenty of fun activities taking place in the classroom. Next year, Kindergarten ... Ah!