5 Year Old Pictures

This year we opted to take our own birthday pictures and got around to it yesterday.  We went to the park that is across from our neighborhood where there is a nice creek with some good picture spots.  Some of the spots I wanted to take pictures at had gobs of other peoples children there, so we didn't get all the ones I had envisioned in my head.  However, I think the ones we did take (with our high tech iPhones), turned out pretty good!

This sums up their relationship so much.  Harley patient as can be while Elianna tries to make him do something he probably doesn't want to do.

I love the black and white but wish you could see Harley's eyes.

Here is Elianna at 2 weeks and then 5 years with "her brother" Harley!

Happy 5 years old!

5 Years Old

At some point (namely today), this little girl

turned 5!  

When I was praying over her last night at bedtime, it got me all emotional thinking that 5 years ago we had gone to the hospital that night thinking we were going to be having a baby then, only to realize that she wasn't coming until the next day.  That next day was 5 years ago today.  Very hard to believe 5 years has flown right on by!  

Happy birthday Elianna Joele!  You may push my buttons just because, but I love you anyway.   "There is nothing you can do that will make me stop loving you!"  You are funny and so full of life!  I love that you enjoy making things for others even though they may not understand.  Underneath that sometimes rebellious attitude is a very sweet and gentle heart.  I pray that someday you will know God like you wish for others.  Baby girl, I am so glad God gave us you!!

Oops!  How did that get in here?  

This picture makes me feel like she is all grown up.  Oh, just out walking a 100 pound dog.  No big deal.  I'm a big girl!

Kindergarten

I started this post Monday after dropping Elianna off at Kindergarten.  I think the delay in posting is that I had hopes that after a day or so, she wouldn't still cry when we drop her off.  But alas, she has cried (almost) every day when we drop her off and (almost) every night before she falls asleep.  It's been a rough week!

Monday morning we sent Elianna off to Kindergarten (not sure how this all happened - she isn't old enough, right?!)  Chris' schedule allowed him to be able to also come to drop her off on her first day.  I was so thankful.  

Side note:  May I just share how glad I am that we are back into a schedule.  Elianna definitely needs it as do I!  

This year, Elianna's school is down the road, down the next road and around the corner.  Far cry from 30 minutes one way like last year.  It's a good 20 minute walk so we chose to drive to the edge of the neighborhood and walk around the corner.  Took 7 minutes instead.  I think I can handle that!

The other main difference between last year and this year is the size of the school.  The playground was a bit crazy as kids ran around trying to find their teacher, parents ran around after their kids and teachers tried to maintain a bit of order.  While we were standing in line waiting to go inside, another little girl began crying hysterically when her mother tried to leave.  With the sudden knowledge of a new school, new kids, a new teacher and another kid crying, Elianna freaked out a bit and grabbed ahold of me and began crying herself.  It was the toughest thing to untangle myself, turn around and walk out the door knowing my little girl was crying in a room with all new things by herself.  

Of course, when asked about school, she has nary a bad thing to say about it and talks non-stop about her friend Mahathai.  I think it's safe to say she likes school but would prefer to not have to get up and go so early (we stayed in our pjs most summer days until sometimes lunch or dinner - no judging it was the summer!).  I'm sure over time, it will get easier on all of us!

Golden Homesteaders' Days

The day after the ice cream social (you'll notice we still have some face paint going on), Jenn and I with our kids attended the Golden Homesteaders' Days.  Golden CO is one of my very favoritest places.  It has a small town feel and wonderful activities that go on often.  The Homesteaders' Days are no exception.

There were so many activities for the kids to do.  They paned for gold..

"blasted" rocks...

colored a bit...

"dug" for gold (using a chocolate chip cookie)...

made silly faces (Noah)...

tried their hand at roping a "steer"...

listened to a blacksmith...

tried their hand at a sling shot...

pet some animals...

...and the kids all time favorite - attending a one room schoolhouse.  When they were "dismissed" for recess, they begged and begged to go back confident they had heard them ring the bell for the kids to come back to school.  

This kid makes me smile!