Auntie Tracy's Gizmo

This is Auntie Tracy and Uncle Brandon's new puppy and his name is Gizmo. He is part Boston Terrier, part Chihuahua. Elena loves to watch videos of Gizmo and look at his pictures. She can't wait for him to visit her!
Today she was Gizmo obsessed. Daddy printed out these pictures (Elena wanted to take a picture of Gizmo to sharing at school on Thursday) and Elena wouldn't let them out of her sight all morning. She showed the pictures to Warrick and all her ponies.

And she made up a song that went something like "Auntie Tracy's puppy, Auntie Tracy's puppy, Auntie Tracy's puppy is Gizmo and he's a little cute" and that went on forever and had a dance too.

For a while, she misplaced the photos and that was very distressing! But we found them and she'd show the pictures around telling whoever that his name is Gizmo and he's a little cute. If someone said back, "Yes, he's very cute," Elena would respond with, "No, he's a little cute." Silliness.

Artwork by Elena

Elena got to play at her friend Sophia's house on Sunday. She and Sophia are in the same preschool class and go to ballet together. Elena drew these pictures of her and Sophia playing with their ponies (Sophia has blonde hair). Both of the girls love ponies, dolls, and dresses. Elena colored this puppy picture and then embellished it with jewels by gluing them on. Pretty fancy!
Lisa, Elena's friend at Auntie's library, gave her a giant Tinkerbell coloring book! Elena was so excited to color all the fairies and hang them on her wall. This is one of the best she's finished so far. Thanks Lisa!
Another art medium Elena has picked up is animal arranging, similar to flower arranging. She'll take her time arranging some stuffed animals and then ask for a picture to be taken. Then it's right back to playing with them and throwing them around the room! This is Pinkie (in the purple dress), Whiffles, and the unicorn babies.

Lil' Sleeper

We needed some pictures of Elena sleeping at night since the last ones were taken when she was a baby! So peaceful (and a little bit of drool)...
She's started falling asleep coloring at night now. At least she's pretty neat about it and we get some nice artwork.
She still loves the pony bedding from Nana. Thanks Nana!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

And everyone else who has a February birthday! We had a BBQ party at Grandma's house that included an Easter Egg hunt. Elena likes to fill the eggs, hide them, then have someone go find them. Or she'll let someone else hide them for her. It was a beautiful day and Grandpa has lots of secret hiding places in his garden! Elena loves being sneaky and hiding them in the plants and rocks...
We were hiding 18, but only 16 came in the house. Did you find the missing 2 Grandma?

A fire with Daddy

I love a fire with Daddy! I'm a big help putting sticks from the deck into the fire.
I help Daddy blow too. It makes the fire get bigger.
Love, Elena

Puzzle Guru

Elena used to need help with this puzzle, but now she can do it all by herself!We're all so proud (including her - she's done it 4 times now!)

It's not just Valentine's day...

It's also Grandpa's birthday! Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Love, Elena (and Jim & Kristina)

It's Valentine's Day!

I'm sending out Tinkerbell Valentines! Look how well I can write my name. Mommy didn't even have to dot it!
We're having a Valentine's party at school today with cookies and strawberries! I am wearing my new poodle dress. Do you like it, Auntie?
Happy Valentine's Day!

Love,

Elena

Another ballet session begins!

Elena was so excited to go back to Miss Sara's dance class! She really likes Miss Sara, but was a bit overwhelmed with the large group of girls (10) and numerous adults enjoying the first class. She outgrew all her blue leotards, so we bought a couple of new black ones, luckily her ballet shoes still fit (for now). This session of classes will end with a dance recital with fancy costumes the girls can keep - can't wait to see that show!


Here's Elena practicing leaping over the bean bag.

Poor Elena is sick

Elena tried to go to Grandma's house yesterday for a sleepover (something she was asking to do all week), but came home early with a fever and cough. She camped out in the red couch room on the floor in her pony sleeping bag and got a special visitor. It was so nice of Warrick to lay with her and help her feel better. Elena woke up this morning feeling better and acting her old self, but around noon the fever came back and she started feeling poorly again. Now she is taking a nap - hopefully a lengthy one... Get well soon, E.