Great Party!!

We had a great celebration for this little 5 yr old.  She told me she loved her party and got everything she was hoping for.  That's what you hope to hear when you plan a party for weeks.  hehe

 I am not much of a friend party fan so I decided to combine and invite a few close friends and their families along with all of the actual family.  It worked out pretty good!

 She specifically asked for a pinata and a Rapunzel tower cake so I did my best.  My mom got the pinata and it was a great success except for the piles of confetti.  haha It did clean up easily.  But note for future party don't put confetti in a pinata.  I was hoping for good weather but it was snowing so we all just squished in the house.

The tower cake was so easy once I thought of how to do it.  It was really fun to watch her and I'm glad she had fun. I can't believe I have a 5 year old.  She went to kindergarten registration and passed off everything.  Except her eye exam and that is a no brainer!! So in a few months we get to start that fun adventure.  I sure hope I am a better bus mom with her than I have been with Ellis.  Geez it gives me anxiety!!

FYI

Big & Little

Part of parenting wouldn't be complete if your kids didn't embarrass you a little right?  So I have a great story for you!!!

Ellis has been going to pre-school and he likes to repeat things that he learns at home and other places.  We were at church and I was kind of zoning out not really paying attention to what Ellis was saying.  All the sudden he was pointing to things and saying something rather loud so I zoned back in.  

Two sisters were sitting in front of us and one is pretty small and petite and the other is well quite large.  (Someone Daniel would call in code a "Delores") haha So cute and nice but really just large.

I looked at Ellis and he is pointing back and forth saying "Big, little, big, little"  ahhhhh It finally struck me what he was doing so I slapped by hand across his mouth as fast as I could but he was still pointing.  This kid does not stop until you give him some recognition so I whispered "yes Ellis good job big and little now we have to be quiet".  Jace was dying and I don't think they noticed because they were talking to each other I hope!!!  

So good job Mrs. Walker, Ellis totally understands Big and Little

Successfull

Yay today we had a very successful day at the Dentist.  Both kids were cavity free and Ellis only cried at the end.  He will do anything for a pretty face.  He had a really cute dental assistant so he did really good until the scary dentist walked in.  hahaha  The dentist really isn't scary he was really nice to both kids and helped them feel very welcome and good about how they have been taking care of their teeth.  They even got to give the fish their food.

It helps Ellis so much to be prepared (like most anyone)  I showed him a lot of clips of children visiting the dentist and even though he kept saying " mommy no dentist" all morning he did a good job.  Thank goodness for youtube and a good sister.

She is such a good sister for this kid.  She knows that he is scared and has a hard time with new things so she volunteers to be the brave one and go first in everything.  She kept saying "See Ellis it isn't scary you can do it".  What a good supporter she is.  I am going to try and write her a letter to give here when she is older.  Telling her what a good sister she is to Ellis and how much she helps him.

Ellis & parent-teacher-conference

Our little smarty is doing soooo good in school. We went and met with his pre-school teacher on Tues. and she said that his progress has just blown her away.  She showed us his testing at the first of the year compared to testing done two weeks ago and it is crazy how much he has improved.  She said he is one of the only 3 year olds to know all of his ABC's and his numbers to 10.  

The parts that he is struggling with is still his speech.  Which has also improved a lot!  He is at a 65 to 70% and working on putting whole sentences together.  They are also working on his abstract thinking which is a really hard concept to teach and learn.  We are really happy with everything he has learned and overcome.  I am so thankful we could get him into this school!!

He is also sleeping through the night most nights.  We only have an occasional night that he just struggles to settle down. 

What we have been up to

So we have had a crazy month of being really sick.  Kylie had pneumonia during Christmas break and I guess it didn't go all away.  Ellis got really sick and Kylie still had a little cough so I took them both in.  Ellis had RSV and Kylie still had pneumonia in one lung.  

So we started our quarantine of two weeks and it was a long two weeks.  Kylie ended up getting RSV on top of the pneumonia so she is still a little behind Ellis in getting better. 

Before all the sickness hit we had a fun day of swimming and ice cream.  Ellis's ice cream was sooo blue that every time he went to the bath room the next day, everything that came out was bright blue.  I freaked out the first time I saw it but then I figured it out. haha

Jace is in his last semester so we are trying to figure out what we are going to do job wise.  So I'll keep you posted on anything that happens.

Ellis is doing really good in his school.  His teacher said that his social skills have greatly improved.  He has friends that he seeks out to play with instead of trying to withdraw and play by himself. His language is almost to 80% which is great!

Kylie is doing so good in dance and her music pre-school.  I didn't really think she was getting much out of it until she came home and played a song on the piano and told me they were the treble notes.  Wow good job!!

We recently had to go through a trying time where I am so glad to have family and friends to help in times of need.  We really had great support from a lot of people that helped a tough situation go smooth!!!

Things are finally getting back to normal and the kids are feeling better.  Ellis went back to school today and Kylie will start next week.  We are looking forward to a fun trip to visit with cousins and hang with the fam!  I must say I am excited to get out of the house for a few days!!!!

Dance

My friend told me about this dance class so we tried it out and loved it.  Kylie is such a good little dancer.  They also do tumbling so its two in one.  It is so fun to watch her enjoy and succeed at something.  She is so excited after every class and wants to show me all the new things she learned.