Mommy's day out

Here are some of mommy's people and a nice day of wine tasting in honor of Kari and her soon to be happy wedding day. Elena and daddy spent the time with the rest of the daddies and kids, playing Wii and eating junk food. I think they had as much fun as we did.

Daddy has a day out soon too, but I wouldn't count on photos resulting from that one. :)

Mr. McGregor's Garden

Elena woke up this morning and the first thing she said was, "Party today, Mama? Little bit of RyRan? And-ew is a BOY."

Translation?

"We're going to little Ryan's birthday (as in not Daddy Ryan). His big brother Andrew will be there and he is a boy."

The birthday party in question was actually canceled at Fairy Tale Town and Mr. McGregor's Garden due to rain, but we carried on at Ryan's home and Elena was thrilled to plant beans, water them and do art projects with the other kids. Bubbles are always a big hit too and especially this time, because she could actually blow them on her own. I think it's the first time she's mastered that.

TBA

Too tired to write tonight... coming soon.

Tho I just went by Elena's room at bedtime and she's talking to herself. Melt me, why don't you? Elena: "Mommy... Daddy! Happy Birt-day to you...."

Mommy's Day!

"Happy Mother's Day, Mommy," said Elena.

"It's my day?" said Mommy.

"No, it's MY day," said Elena.

"Oh," said Mommy. "Thanks for the well wishes then." :)

Truthfully, it was a very nice day with breakfast in bed from Daddy and a wonderful surprise party for auntie MaryAnn's 60th birthday (The whole family surprised her with a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' as she, Annie and Don kayaked to the shore at Negro Bar in Folsom. A picnic party was waiting for her just a little farther in the park.). We think we surprised the heck out of her and Elena couldn't have loved that more. Anything that involves "Happy birt-day cake" is cool in her book.

Here are a few cute photos of late and one of Elena making MaryAnn's card. She loves to make special presents.

She is certainly my special present.

Itty bitty pretty one

Our sweet little girl is becoming just that. A little girl. The baby in her is fading more every day and it's sweet and awful and wonderful and sad.

She bargains (Mommy: "You can have two animal crackers." Elena: "No, three."), she tells stories ("One day, JOOOLIUS (aka Julius, my old Cabbage Patch Kid) said...."), she eats salad, (she actually asks for it now) puts her own clothes away and she tells us about her day (a little).

And the biggie? She 'mailed' her pacifiers to the babies on Saturday and the babies 'mailed' back two cookies wrapped in pretty cellophane and ribbon (those sweet babies). She was very proud and happy with the exchange. Until bedtime. She's asked for them each night since. She's doing better, but the evenings remain a little rough. It was time and this too shall pass.

Still... she is our sweet angel and I can't decide, but I think this is my favorite stage so far.