Life with E.

Tonight as we were driving home E. started singing a song...
"the itsy ditsy spider" I think she is the blond relative of the itsy bitsy spider :) and may be somehow connected with another of E's favorite characters - Dora the Displorer (distant relative of Dora the explorer) but I'm not for sure.

Wordless Wednesday

First Day of Jr. Kindergarten

Where does the time go?

A Weekend at the Sand Dunes

A couple weeks ago E. and I made the drive to Alamosa to visit the Sand Dunes with our dear friends. We had a great time climbing the massive amount of sand in the middle of the mountains....it is really kind of surreal.
It was so nice to be with another family with kiddos. E. loved playing with the girls!
Here is a  photo summary of the weekend.

At the end of the day....watching Ice Age on the ipad in the hotel...happy girls

A New "Do"

About six months ago E. took a turn at cutting her own hair....without permission, of course :) we had a long tearful discussion about who should be cutting E's hair and she promised me she would never do it again....HA! Famous last words.....a few weeks ago she came upstairs and had given herself a "mullet"! Oh my....I was mad. I know, it's just hair, but it's the second time she has done  this.....
Anyhow, the lovely and talented Julie fixed the mullet yesterday. Here's the new pixie cut :) on the pixie at the pool...

E. Funny....

Tonight we were having a tickle fight and I pretended to take E's ear off her head....she of course thought that was hysterical and joined right in the fun trying to get it back from me. Here is the conversation that ensued...
E. "give it back"
M: " you have to pay me with three hugs and kisses"
E. looks puzzled...."no, give it back"
M: "as soon as you pay me with three hugs and kisses"
more tickling and finally 3 hugs and one kiss...
a restored ear.
E. says she is taking my nose and my ear...she is not as gentle as I am in the removing of body parts :)
M: "give me my nose and my ear back....I need them"
E: "no"
more tickling
M: "what can I give you so that you will give me my nose and my ear"
E: completely straightfaced and hand out...."eight dollars"
No hugs and kisses will do...cold hard cash.....too funny!

Oh, those Summer Nights

Getting outside in the evening after work is such fun. E. loves to get wet in her turtle pool, with the sprinklers, in a puddle, you name it, if it's water she's ready to get wet.

Wordless Wednesday

Fairy Tea Party

E. and I went to a Fairy Tea Party with Becky back in February - all the little girls got to dress up in their princess outfits, wear some pretty fairy wings, have their faces painted and have a lovely tea party. It was so much fun and a great way to spend a winter afternoon. E. loved it.

Lounging....

Courageous

In a word, that is E., courageous! Today we went swimming with friends outside and E. says she wants to jump off the diving board...and she meant it. I have to admit I was nervous...it's over 8 feet deep in the deep end - ok maybe only 6....but still, she's not even three feet and the girl hasn't even had one swimming lesson yet! But my dear friend Seana, who is also a swim teacher was confident for her - if she wants to do it she'll do it. "I can do it, mom!" she tells me confidently. OK...off they went. E. waited in line with Seana and Syd and watched as other kids flipped off the thing and swam to the side. She climbed the few steps walked out to the end.....deep breath (from mommy not her) and she jumped. No hesitation, no turning back she jumped! She came up, no panic, she started paddling for the side - it took her longer than most kids, but she made it. And she was thrilled. "I did it!, she squealed and she was ready to go again.
Oh how I wish I had my camera.
Courageous....as I reflect on her little life that word truly describes her. And I just know it will serve her well throughout life.

Sleepover with Syd

Recently we have had a few sleepovers at our house...most times Syd and E. like to setup the mattress in Syd's old room and sleep together there....but on this occasion E. decided to sleep with me and Syd decided she didn't want to sleep alone...so all the girls (including Cleo) slept in my room. This was the view from my bed the next am.....what cuties.

Fun with Pull-Ups

I suppose someday E. will not be thrilled by this post....but it is so classic E. - she has such a silliness about her - she is a poser at heart - loves to be goofy and loves to have her picture taken. What a difference two years make - the very first time we met I could barely get her to look at the camera now she is always wanting to take pictures :)
I love this girl!

The View from the Backseat

My little photographer thinks it is too much fun to take pictures from her carseat...here are some of her creations.

Crackers and processed cheese...yum! :)

Love those piggies!

Wordless Wednesday

Budding Photographer?

One of E's favorite things to do with my iPhone, besides watching Masha, is taking pictures...sometimes I find the most interesting photos in my camera roll - I love it!

Sweet Cleo is one of her favorite subjects :)

Horsey...

Through the screen on the sliding glass door....artsy ;)

Hunting "wabbits"

Last week of pre-school...part two

E's actual last day of pre-school was this past Thursday and we went on a field trip to the Urban Farm. What fun - it was a beautiful, but windy day. E. loves animals and loves to be outside so it was the perfect combination. Here are some photos of the fun.

Feeding the sheep.

I know you can't see her that well, but her expression is so sweet

Look over here guys....

E. and the baby goat...

Last week of pre-school...

E. had such a wonderful experience in pre-school this year. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 8am-1pm at Summit Elementary School. It was a small class with nine kiddos and three lovely teachers. Talk about a great ratio! She really loved it. She learned lots and grew in her ability to sit, listen and focus during circle time.

E.'s first school :)

Her Cubby

Her favorite teacher Miss Lorie

E.'s favorite hill to run on after each class.

June? How did that happen?

Sweet E ~Mommy is so sorry that I haven't kept up this memory album for you....I feel so sad that I have gotten so behind...I am determined to catch up! So this will be a month of daily posts to catch up for the last six months. You have grown so much....two years together....another birthday. How can you be five already? I don't want to blink or I will miss it. I am determined to breathe deeply, move slowly and take in every moment of your incredibly sweet life. You are a delight. Truly, the joy of my life. I love to listen to you giggle, watch you try new things, watch you with babies - you are so sweet and kind with them, watch you play, see your tricks on the trampoline - although sometimes you make me bite my nails. You  are my precious girl and life is so sweet with you. Love, Mommy

Two Years Ago...

I am so very sad that I have let 3 months pass with no update....but I could not let today pass without stopping to say that two years ago today I boarded a plane bound for Moscow to bring home my precious daughter. Little did I know how my life would change for the better. I cannot imagine life without her now. I cannot even remember what it was like or what I did with all that free time! I only know that my life is infinitely sweeter...fuller....brighter...with her in it.
E. you are the most amazing person I know...you are full of life and light. You are strong and brave and resilient and I can't believe I get to be your mommy. I love watching your life unfold before my eyes. I love anticipating all that you will become. I don't want to miss out on a single second of your sweet life.
I love you....no matter what!