EVB: 5 Years Old!

Ellen is 5! ... Halfway to 10! ... Starting Kindergarten within the year! ... 5! I can't believe it! This seemed like a big-deal birthday for our big girl (and for Mom & Dad). Ellen had been counting down the days to this milestone and, thankfully, I think it was everything she hoped it would be.

Ellen celebrated with her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins during her party, which we had the day before her actual birthday. It was Muppets all around and Ellen was SO excited to wear her favorite Muppets shirt. She had so much fun playing her cousins (it was a warm enough for the kids to run around outside!) and, of course, opening presents. Ellen did a great job opening the card first and thanking her guests. I think her self-consciousness got the best of her because Ellen was very stoic while unwrapping her gifts even though I know she was bursting with excitement inside. (One dead giveaway was when she'd frantically tap her little feet on the ground when she opened gifts that had been on her wish list!) Ellen received so many nice presents and it was a great day to celebrate our little lady with her most important people.

On Ellen's actual birthday, she was excited to wake up to find five streamers hanging from her bedroom door and loved having a special breakfast (cinnamon rolls per her request). Dad took the day off from work, which was extra special since it meant he could come to Ellen's school with Mom & June to help hand out treat bags to her friends. Ellen's teachers made Ellen a nifty crown, she got to be the "Frog of the Day" and her friends serenaded her with "Happy Birthday" and "May the Dear Lord Bless You."

For dinner, Ellen picked macaroni and cheese from Noodles & Company for her special meal. We all enjoyed some birthday cake that was leftover from her party and then finished the day with presents from Dad, Mom & June. SO MUCH FUN!

We can't wait to see what this next year has in store for Miss EVB! (Also, not sure if we'll stick with monthly updates now that Ellen is 5. Her major milestones seem to be spaced much farther apart at this age, so maybe I'll think about doing bigger updates at the half-year and year marks and/or on an as-needed basis. I think I'll continue with the monthly chair pictures, though, because it's fun to see the physical transformations throughout the year!)

F-I-V-E!

Hehe ...

Ellen-o-saurus

Big helper at the pumpkin patch

 

How is this little nugget already 5?!

 xoxo

JEB: 31 Months Old!

Miss June had another pretty great month! Here's what our goofy girl has been up to lately:

• Enjoying her weekly ECFE class. June especially likes painting at the easel and playing with playdough. She also loves when her class gets to go to the "motor room" to run, jump, swing and slide.
• Being fascinated by shadows. June loves to spot shadows and talk about how big or little they are and what is making them.
• Putting her hands on her hips. I think it's a subconscious habit, but June's hands usually can be found on her little hips whenever she has something to tell you. It's pretty adorable.
• Being a typical 2-year-old. It's June's way or the highway most days ... Things must be done precisely how she sees them playing out in her head; otherwise, look out! We're dealing with lots of screaming, foot stomping and needing to repeat tasks (e.g., getting into/out of the car, going up the stairs, brushing teeth, etc.) if something is amiss (according to June) on the first attempt.
• Giggling. June has always been a bit of a ham, but more than ever before she's super quick to laugh or burst into a fit of giggles.

Truck painting at ECFE

Like mother, like daughter, apparently

Little Ham!