Celebrating 5

This post has been a long time coming. Shortly before Eli's birthday I knew I would have to be sending my camera back to Nikon for the supposed "fix" they did last time. Sunday after he was in bed and his birthday was over, I downloaded photos and video and prepared my camera to be packed up to head to UPS. 

In that time Anthony has been working nights which makes things really weird around here, been out of town, and I have spent my extra time emailing Nikon. My camera returns today thankfully. Supposedly it is fixed. We will see. This week I finally had time to put this together. Once again, excuse the videoing. I am learning. These ones are a little better so that is good. I will keep practicing. Eli really has enjoyed watching while I make it. He keeps asking me to play it. Enjoy...........

5 year Photos

I am a bit late on getting Eli's photos posted for 5 years! I can't he is 5! This is the hardest birthday yet. 

Here are his interview questions from years past....

Three Years Old

1. What is your favorite color?  Red 
2. What is your favorite toy? Smart Cycle

3. What is your favorite fruit? apples
4. What is your favorite tv show? Mickey Mouse 
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Peanut and Jelly Sandwhich
6. What is your favorite outfit? Dinousaur Pajamas
7. What is your favorite game? Farm Bingo
8. What is your favorite snack? Applesauce
9. What is your favorite animal? Pig
10. What is your favorite song? Jesus Loves Me
11. What is your favorite book? George and The Dump Truck
12. Who is your best friend? Hayden
13. What is your favorite cereal? Raisin Bran
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Tractor 
15. What is your favorite drink? milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? His Birthday
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Blue Blanket
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Oatmeal

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pancakes
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A conductor

4 Years Old

1. What is your favorite color?  blue
2. What is your favorite toy? firetruck

3. What is your favorite fruit? grapes
4. What is your favorite tv show? Little Einsteins 
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Peanut and Jelly Sandwhich
6. What is your favorite outfit? Spiderman
7. What is your favorite game? Marbles
8. What is your favorite snack? Watermelon
9. What is your favorite animal? Elephant
10. What is your favorite song? Veggie Tales Theme Song
11. What is your favorite book? Train
12. Who is your best friend? Colin
13. What is your favorite cereal? Raisin Bran
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Sandbox
15. What is your favorite drink? lemonade
16. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Blue Blanket
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pancakes
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Dog

5 Years Old

1. What is your favorite color?  blue
2. What is your favorite toy? play-doh

3. What is your favorite fruit? blueberries & grapes
4. What is your favorite tv show? Sid the Science Kid 
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Peanut and Jelly Sandwhich
6. What is your favorite outfit? Robot Shirt and Jeans
7. What is your favorite game? Hungry Hungry Hippos
8. What is your favorite snack? yogurt
9. What is your favorite animal? Elephant &Dinosaurs
10. What is your favorite song? Veggie Tales Theme Song
11. What is your favorite book? Dinosaur Book 
12. Who is your best friend? Hayden
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cinnamon Chex
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Sandbox and Play in the Snow
15. What is your favorite drink? Almond Milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Blue Blanket, Dinosaur, Dog
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Homemade Gluten Free Blueberry Pancakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Construction Worker




My Dear Eli,

You are 5!! You are excited about being five. It is cute. You make sure we know you are big now and not little You can't wait to be big. I think that is a normal kid thing when you realize big means you can do more. I am sure like every parent I wish you would realize how fun just being little is. It is so much more care free and easier. Regardless, now you are "bigger."

As I took the time to look through your birth photos again to pull a couple for this post it was hard. I forgot how much emotion was still in those for me. The biggest part is I can't remember half of what happened or how you looked when first born due to all the medicine I was on.  I just remember daddy telling me all sorts of things. I had such a difficult time even looking at you because I could barely move. I am so thankful I have the few pictures that I do so I can see.  I do remember one thing. You had LONG eyelashes. That has never changed. You were born with them too. Your brother and sister have long eyelashes, but not when they were born. They took a while to grow in. You were blessed with them from birth. You were also so tiny. I remember that. You nursed a lot too. That is about all I remember. Looking at these pictures though, you were cute as could be with your squishy lips and button nose.

Now you have grown it a handsome young boy. I am so proud of you. You are the best big brother. You take care of your siblings so well and love them so much even when they frustrate you. Even when you love to antagonize everybody you are still cute. That is your favorite thing to do even to your poor mom. Daddy and I have just realized it is you. Thankfully you are getting better about knowing when to stop. We couldn't be proud of you and are so grateful we have had 5 years with you. Happy Birthday Sweet Boy! 

Love, 

Mom 

Letter to My Children-February

Dear  Children,

This month has been a month of being bitter sweet for me. I am sad you are all getting so big, but happy to see you grow and develop your personalities more. We have been a little cooped up with winter weather and had a bit of cabin fever. Some days your craziness has brought me to near insanity. I then remember you are only little for so long. I stand in the kitchen for a moment praying nobody comes in yelling for something or crying from being hurt. Then I realize one day I will be standing there wishing little footsteps would come pounding in crying or yelling my name. Everybody always says it goes too quickly, and it really does.


Eli, I am so proud of how well you are doing in school. You are spelling!! I can't believe how quickly you have picked it up. In two days you will be five. This has to be the hardest birthday for me yet. I have no idea why 5 is that number, but it is. Thanks for being my wonderful helper and responsible boy.

Lilliana, 

You have hit 3! I know I should worry as 3 was so hard with your brother. Thankfully at this point I don't. You have been so helpful and love doing your chores since we started chore charts I don't need to worry. I think your favorite thing to do is brush your hair on your chore chart. Today, I caught you with a cup of water and comb. You were getting your hair wet to bring your curls back. You then were very upset when I brushed them out. I love that you have fallen in love with your curls. They are your beautiful gift. I hope you always enjoy them. Thank you for being so helpful and caring. 

Oh Ari, 

My little Lion. Your name has served you well. Thankfully you are sleeping a little better. You still have your nights, but have had some good sleeping through the nights so I can't complain too much. As I watched you tonight when we went to Jumpin Jax, I realized you are the most determined child I have seen. I think more so than your brother. It is your strength and sometimes your weakness. You get an idea in your head and you will not stop until you have completed it. I pray that we can work with you and direct that for positive. I am grateful for it and I know it will be a huge blessing to you. At this point we have to work on it because resulting screaming and crying is not going to help in the long run. Regardless we love you no matter what. You are that kid that is happy excited or mad/sad there is no in between. I laugh because it is like a faucet you just turn on. The result ends up with pictures like this..... 

18 month photos and being determined. After you cried for me to take your picture this is what happened when I went to do it. It is you and for that I will always laugh. One day you will hear how you cried and screamed so much even your brother and sister told you to put a sock in it. 

I love all your little personalities and quirky spirits. I am proud and thankful to call you mine. I love you. 

Mom

3rd Birthday Celebration

As I did with Eli I started the favorite questions with Lilliana this year. 

Three Years Old

1. What is your favorite color?  Pink
2. What is your favorite toy? Hedgehog Stuffed Animal

3. What is your favorite fruit? Pears
4. What is your favorite tv show? Super Why 
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Peanut and Jelly Sandwhich
6. What is your favorite outfit? Blue Corduroy Dress with Snowmen on the Bottom
7. What is your favorite game? Hungry Hungry Hippos
8. What is your favorite snack? Fruit Salad
9. What is your favorite animal? Cat
10. What is your favorite song? Jesus Loves Me
11. What is your favorite book? The Very Hungry Caterpillar
12. Who is your best friend? Daddy
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cheerios with Honey from the local beekeeper
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play in the Sandbox
15. What is your favorite drink? almond milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Easter
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Eli's blanket that Aunt Di made....she has basically claimed it. 
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Blueberry Pancakes

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? This was funny..... She said a goose. We told her no something like what people do a mom, teacher, astronaut, etc. She said to play with her hedgehog. We explained it again and this time it was an Astronaut. Then she changed her mind to a Teacher. 


I did something a little different with the photos from the day. I am working on videoing things a little more. So, I made a video of everything. I need to practice more so forgive some of the blurry video footage, but for now it works.

                 

     

Happy 3rd Birthday Sweet Girl

My Dear Sweet, Smart, Beautiful Girl, 

Today you are 3! I can't believe it. You are growing into such a beautiful, smart, little girl. We have been so blessed with you and your sweet spirit. You are easy beyond belief and just a joy to have. I laugh because of how silly you are everyday.

I can't say I am ready for you to be 3! It has come way too quickly. I can't wait to see how much you change even this year. You are not that same chubby little girl we brought home from the birth center. 

You have grown into the rolls and chubby cheeks. You have kept your beautiful blue eyes for another year and the curls that I so wanted in a little girl. 

 I couldn't be more proud of you and how loving and caring you are. You love to bake, help me clean, play dress up, and of course dance your "ballet." It is fun watching your personality come alive. Your fierce love for your brothers is wonderful to see. They are lucky to have you as mom and dad are lucky to have you.  I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!! 

Happy Birthday my SWEET Girl! You are LOVED!!