Santa Update

Wheee! I got to sit on Santa's lap the other night. I saw him from across the room and ran all the way and jumped right onto his lap. He said "Ho! Ho! Ho!" a lot! I was a little shy and didn't ask about my letter or anything, but was real excited.

Now, Kai, on the other hand, clung to Daddy's shoulder and wouldn't even look at Santa. His newest sentiments towards Chris Cringle are that he will SHOUT at him if he sees him. He says he's going to say "Santa! Go Away! We Not Want You!". We all kind of giggle at his seriousness about the matter. I bet he might change his mind on Christmas morning. Luv, Elena

Movie Moments

I love movies. Especially princess movies. I call all the princess movies by the name of the princess...even if that's not the real title--like "Belle" is "Beauty & the Beast".


Here are some of my favorite moments:

Giselle ("Enchanted"): When the motorcycles (bikes) ran over the prince!



Cinderella: When the fairy Godmother turned into the coach.
Aurora ("Sleeping Beauty"): I like when, um, she was singing and walking with her friends the rabbits and the birds and the owl.
Ariel ("The Little Mermaid"): When Ursula was singing the song when Ariel was there (Poor Unfortunate Fools). I like that song because there was rainbow stuff and pink on there and I like that color.
Snow White: I like when I saw the pretty cottage.
Belle ("Beauty & the Beast"): I like when Belle and Beast were playing in the snow.
Mulan: When all the ladies dressed up her.
Pocahantas: I like Pocahauntas when her Grandmother Willow and her was talking.
Anastasia: When they danced around the hall. And I like when she had her princess dress on---the one with the sash and sparkles.
Jamine ("Aladdin"): When Aladdin was hiding Dieago...It's on Aladdin II (Return of Jafar).

Dear Santa,

I'm writing a letter to you and I'm wanting to tell you what I'm wanting to get. And, um, I'll give you a card so you'll know what I'm doing and what I'm wanting to do. And I was wondering if you could make some My Little Pony stuff in your toy shop?

And I was wanting some My Little Pony movies. And I want the Barbie the Island Princess movie. And I want a dolly crib. And a My Little Pony book & dress up clothes and Rarity the Unicorn.

And I was wondering if I could get a My Little Pony puzzle and TeaPot Palace. And I was wondering if you had a fifty dollar so I could buy Baby Alive? And I want a My Little Pony baby.

Are you feeling good? Santa, where do you get the stuff to make toys? Santa, we have lots and lots of ornaments on our tree.

Love, Elena

(I drew a rainbow on the front of Santa's card and then we put it in "Santa's Magic Mailbox" that he gave to Mom and Dad. By magic it was gone to the North Pole this morning!)

Dear Santa,
No! I don't like Santa. I not doing it. --Kai (He put his in the Magic Mailbox too...but his had a Halloween sticker and some scribbles on the front. I don't know if Santa will like it.)

Halloween Week

We did lots of fun stuff the week or so around Halloween!

This is us at library storytime with a bunch of other kiddos...that day I dressed as a ballerina princess, Kai was superman (in jeans & a cape).

Here's our trick-or-treating crew! 7 kids, all boys except for me...and I was the FASTEST trick-or-treater of them all...me and Isaac were the oldest too! (I was Cinderella this night)


Here is Kai (aka Robin Hood) with Rock and Jet the lions...how cute is that?

Can you tell Daddy was excited about his "Daddy Candy Tax"?

We also all went to the Como/StarWars family's party again this year! Robin Hood was checking out some of the creepy stuff.

I was the beautimus Maid Marian (Robin Hood's love).

Oh yes, don't forget about Mommy and Daddy...Miss Bianca insists on costumes...and of course, Mom and Dad love to dress up anyway. Daddy was the "more cowbell guy" from the SNL skit and Mommy was a Japanese Geisha.

One of the games was eating a donut on a string...WITHOUT your hands Kai!!

We went to the pumpkin patch and each picked out a pumpkin to paint. I did mine with a rainbow of colors. My rainbow turned out grey, but I loved it! Maybe next year we'll delve into the realm of carving pumpkins.

Bangs! Bangs!

Look who can see again! It's me!

After we posted the ladybug apron pictures, Mommy realized that my hair was ALWAYS in my face...no matter how many clips or ponies or braids we tried. Daddy was fine with it so snip, snip, snip! I'm a brand new gal! Luv, Elena

Snicker Snack

Mom makes us "snicker snacks" now, after Miss Molly gave her the idea...peanuts, chocolate chips, marshmallows and raisins...YUM! This afternoon, Kai told Mom "I not want raisins in my bowl. I don't want peanuts either. I just like mershmellows an' chockit chips!" My brother is one smart cookie!

Birthday Bonanza!

In our family, the main birthday seasons are February & March, then the last part of September & first of October!
First we celebrated with Zaritha at her Under the Sea 2nd Birthday! She is so funny shy around lots of people that we didn't hear her say a single word all evening until she opened up her remote control Hummer and Jeep! THEN she got excited. I think she didn't really appreciate the beauty of all the girly princess gifts she got...I'll have to help her learn to love that stuff!







Next was Stella's First Birthday! I think she's saying "Really, you're all singing for me? Awww, you shouldn't have!"










She really liked her books and presents. Me and Naomi and Kai were helping her open.












Kai practiced his photography skills...he actually got some good shots!


















This was Stella's fun cake that Mommy made.













Here are all of us cousins. Me, Kai, Stella, Naomi, and baby Annalise.












This isn't at the party, but it's the same weekend... that's Daddy holding Annalise. She's so cute...we really love her.











Finally, our friend Rock turned 3! I guess he's not technically family, but pretty close. That's out friend Harrison (L) next to Rock (R).

Sewing 101

Mommy and I have been planning to make me a ladybug apron for quite a while. This week we finally got it done! It was really fun to learn what goes into a sewing project. We started with fabric that was left over from decorating my room (my curtains and a throw pillow match):

First I got to cut out the pieces using my new school scissors. I do pretty well cutting from one point to another...just don't draw me a line or I'll spaz out when it's not perfect!

We didn't use a pattern, just measured the pieces on me as we went along.

It was hard work sitting on Mom's lap and being in charge of the pins and backstitch button. I thought we needed to stop and make some funny faces for the camera while we were working.


I looked through Mommy's big box of buttons and picked out the four that I liked the best. We sewed two on each pocket!

I'm very proud of my first sewing project!

If I Knew You Were Coming...

I'da Baked A Cake!

It's been a month FULL of visitors here at our house...I think we are all in shock at the quiet tonight since it's just the four of us again. We took lots o'pictures--enjoy! Luv, Elena


Okay, this is me and Naomi mixing up some yummy dessert called Chocolate Eclair. Mmmm, mmmm!



Since Naomi, Stella & Aunt Jodi were here all this week, we spent a little bit of time watching some shows. Kai and I usually sit on the cozy couch, but Naomi had the great idea of spreading out a blankie so we could all sit close together! Fun!

One day, Isaac & Sammy came over for the day. They are moving this weekend so Miss Molly was packing while they stayed here.

Kai really loved playing with Stella. She is crawling all over the place now and we had to make sure she didn't go to the stairs. She doesn't usually have a binkie, but found one of my dolly's and liked to chew on it!

Grandma Cheri and Papa Chuck came over one Sunday for the afternoon. Mommy & I had picked a bouquet from my garden and I wanted a picture of us with it.

This is baby Annalise. She is soooo sweet. Aunt Pud and Uncle Brad stayed overnight with her after their baby shower in Topeka. Her hair does that all by itself! You can see more pictures of their family here.

I LOVE my great-aunt Cle and she loves me! We didn't think she'd be here to visit this summer, so what a special treat that she got to stay for four whole days! She lives in Florida and we don't get to see her much...she spoils us something fierce!

While the Hart's were here we had Lisa, Leslie and Alex (Mom's aunt & cousins) come by for dessert. Aunt Lisa just moved back from Pennsylvania so we hope to see more of them now!

This is four of us girlies (well, just half of me) right before they went home today. We took lots of snaps before they left and Aunt Jodi was so silly...she kept closing her eyes! This is just before Naomi got really upset that she was leaving. We will miss them until we meet again!

Baby Lily

We have another new girl cousin! Lily May was born this Wednesday and we got to go visit her at the hospital. Aunt Pud didn't have her baby like we hoped this week, so we're still waiting on that one...but here's me holding Lily:
She slept the whole time we held her. Her fingers were so tiny! Kai seemed especially proud, as he is around all new babies. He had Mommy sing her his lullabies..."Momma, sing "Pishin' in the Dark" to baby Li-lllly", okay "Mom, now sing her "Jesus"!" She thought that was just too sweet. (Oh, those songs are Fishin' In the Dark by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Be Near Me Lord Jesus).

Uncle Travis and Auntie Kim were tired but happy and we just wish we could have seen Zaritha with her baby sister. We will lots when we go on vacation next month!

Kai and Uncle Travis' outfits matched so we took this picture...Uncle Travis was really hoping not to get peed on since we had a pull-up emergency and Kai was just in plain ol' swimtrunks! He's really doing a good job potty-training! He gets to have a marshmallow every time he goes...so I get one too and I really like that!

We may be rabbits, but...

We sure love corn! Corn on-the-cob especially! In our flower garden we have 3 stalkes that are starting to get big...then we'll get to eat our very own home-grown sweet ears. Mmmm, mmmm, good!

Ready, Set, Summer!

It's been a busy start to summer this month! Here are some pictures of what we've been up to:

First I spent two weeks taking Red-Cross swim lessions at Longview CC. I passed with flying colors--I can put my face in the water, jump off the side and even the diving board if I have a life jacket on. Last year I wouldn't even get in the big pool...hardly even the little one so I am really growing up! Oh, and it helped that Mom & Dad said I could pick somewhere special to go if I did everything the teacher told me to do...I'm going to go to the farm zoo, the train restaurant or the mall.


Kai loves to fish. He talks about going fishing with Grandma everyday. Mom lets him fish in our new alligator wading pool with his bobber. He spends a lot of time out there!


Last night we caught fireflies for the first time! It was awesome fun! I caught, like, 10! I didn't want to let them go OR go in to bed...that's why I look like I do in this picture. It's funny.

Sweet Prayers & a Momentus Feat

Tonight Mommy prayed with Kai before bed and this is the prayer that came from his sweet head:

Mommy: Dear God, we thank you for Kai Alexander...
Kai: Elena & Daddy
Mommy: We pray he sleeps well tonight and thank you for Elena and Daddy. We also thank you for Kai's friends.
Kai (in exaggerated whispers): Gracie! Maddie! Big Maddie! Little Maddie! Mommy!
Mommy: Yes, thank you Lord for such good friends.
Kai: And my swingset.
Mommy: Oh, yes, thank you that we have such a fun swingset and that Kai is learning to play like such a big boy on it.
Kai: And my dump truck and digger. And my Nemo pictures.
Mommy: Yes, thank you for all those things, and most of all for Jesus. Please help Kai remember that Jesus is always in his heart. In His Name, Amen.
Kai: Night, Mommy.


I also did something special today...dunt da da dah...I learned to pump on the swing! Wheeeeee! Mommy has been waiting for this day for a looonnng time! I haven't been practicing at all, but I did learn to ride on our rope swing this week, so Mom thought maybe it was time to try pumping again. She was out pushing us and said, "Why don't you try pushing your legs out and then back so you can stay "super high" all by yourself?" And guess what? It worked! I swang my heart out for quite a while, then got all put out because I couldn't get started again myself. I don't think I will EVER be able to do THAT! So then Mom said "That's it! Time for bath!" and I had to go in. I'm still so excited that I'm going to tell all my friends about it.

Good Night! Luv, Elena

Our New Cousin!

Aunt Pud is going to have our newest baby girl cousin sometime in June. We are really excited. Actually, Auntie Kim will probably have our other new cousin even sooner...it will be a fun month of babies. I always say I can't wait till they pop out!

Kai is checking out the new baby in Aunt Mackenzie's tummy in this picture.

As only a two-year old can, he asked "did you swallow de baby?". She laughed and said no. So then he patted her tummy and said "baby in here?", then he reached, ahem, UP, and asked "baby in here?". More laughing, more no's!

More Kai Words

We thought of a few more of Kai's funnies:

Crockagator- n. any toy, picture or actual alligator or crocodile (We think this is pretty darn creative)!

Becktest- n. toast with jelly or cinnamon sugar served in the morning "More becktest pleeeze!"

My Fip Fops- n. Elena's blue flip flops with pretty butterfly decorations

Puzzle Queen

Did I ever mention that I LOVE puzzles?

When I was 18 months old, I could do my 15 piece wooden one with the little knobs in less than a minute. Then when I was three, I got bored with all the 24 piece numbers, so Mom got me a few 63 piece ones at garage sales...yahoo! Those were fun, and I figured out how to put them together one row at a time...always starting at the bottom and finding each consecutive piece to add at time. Dad and Mom would try to help and start on another section...no way...I wouldn't be ready for that piece. Now that I am four (and I remind everyone that fact daily) I'm doing 100 piece puzzles of Cinderella and Care Bears and Kitties. We have a Curious George one that I haven't tried yet. They are really hard and I usually have help...but yesterday I did the Cinderella one ALL BY MYSELF!!!! I was so excited! Since then I've done it 3 more times alone. I think Mommy is sometimes scared about what she's getting into with homeschooling me in a year or so.

Kai's Dictionary

Kai's a funny little guy...here are some of his spoken thoughts:

Aaaahhh! Mommy, put my dragon helmet back on! (After his "dragon" towel hood falls off).

Eeed Jew! Eeed Jew! (Hold You (Me)! Hold You (Me)!)

Hi Dad! (Yup, just "Hi Dad!" Like he's 5 or something)

I seepy dood last night! (I slept good last night! He hollers this every morning and after each nap)

I shoot da birdies, chew, chew, chew! (Must be from Uncle Bo training)

Hmmm...we're sure there are others...maybe we'll add to this later. Luv, Elena

Party Time!

We celebrated my birthday with just our family...it was lots of fun. These are my new roller skates! I want to learn to ice skate, so these are "inline" trainer skates. I've already done it all the way up and down our block...good thing Grandma also got me a new helmet and knee and elbow pads!



Kai likes sitting on the bike Daddy & Mommy got me. It even has a bell and a baby seat!



By the time I was ready for my cake at Applebee's, I was starting not to feel so good. Mom and Dad thought it was just from a long day, but unfortunately, I got real sick during my vacation at Grandma Cheri and Papa Chuck's.



The day I came back from Grandma's, I was feeling better and my cousin Charity got to come play at my house for a bit. We got our hair curled and nails painted at Grandma's beauty salon before coming home. This is Grandma reading all of us a book in my room.



I sure like being four--and am already talking about turning five! I had another birthday interview, just like last year...here are all my answers:

1. Favorite Color: White, pink, blue, yellow, orange, purple...every color...all of them! The sparkle ones are my very favorite.

2. Favorite Movie: Wizard of Oz

3. Best Friend: Big Maddie and Little Maddie

4. Fav thing to do outside: When we go on a walk, I like to push my dollies in my dolly stroller.

5. What I want to be when I grow up: I'm wanting to get some bigger dress-up clothes for me, so that's what I'm wanting to do! For a job? I'm wanting to have some snacktimes!

6. Favorite toy: I'd like to have a jack-in-the-box. Go get my cake now, Mommy. Oh, favorite toy? I like all the presents that I got from my birstday! And painting stuffs.

7. What I like to wear: I like all my fancy, colorful dresses, skirts.

8. Favorite book: Well, I wish I had a Wizard of Oz book. Ones I have? Well, all of mine, Kai's, all of them. Red Riding Hood, Pinnocio.

9. Favorite food: Blueberries

10. Favorite Song: That's the Princess Song...(and then she sings this to the tune of "Are You Sleeping"):

I love princesses, I love princesses
Yes I do, Yes I do
I want to see a princess
I want to see a princess
At Disney World, At Disney World

Did you make that one up?...Yeah.

11. Favorite Place to Go: Going to Aunt Jodi's house

12. Fav thing to do with Daddy: Actually, when you and Kai go and run errands while it's movie day, I like to watch movies with him.

13. Fav thing to do with Mommy: I like to play some games and do some school stuff.

14. What I am scared of: Grandma Cheri, when I was at her house, she said when I took a bath when I was a baby there was a fan in there that scared me. Now? A tiger.

15. What place I'd like to go: It's to McDonald's.