Days gone by

Here's an oldie I found today. It's from the Web cam we tried for John & Yvette but alas, it never worked too well. At least there's this sweet moment to share...

Elena Maren Grohs

Our sweet curly headed child has a very humorous way of seeing things... Case in point.

Mommy: "Elena, what's your whole name?"

Elena: "Neena Mawhen Gwohs...Don't pick your nose!"

Daddy's Day!

Father's Day brought such sweet times. Elena and I made french toast and brought it to Daddy in bed, went for a picnic at the trail off Serrano Parkway and played at the park for long enough for Elena to stop running. In other words, we were there for awhile.

Oh and something I want to remember from Elena's life lately includes (and probably won't make sense to anyone but us...) her nightime rituals. They are as follows:

It begins with story time.... then prayers (God bless Mommy and Daddy, Grandmas and Grandpas, Corey and Zoe and Jeff, God bless Elena and my family and friends and thank you Jesus and please make Elena a happy girl. In the name of the Father...). Then we put the books away, close the shutters, turn on the 'birdies' (aka her 'monster light' and our version of white noise) and she gives us hugs and a "BIG" kiss. The big kiss is Elena grabbing our heads and holding them close while we press lips. We almost always break out in laughter because she holds so long. Then I lay her down, cover her (with one blankie and another on her feet) and touch her head, stroke her eyebrows and whisper, "Shhhh.... Happy, happy, happy" (This began after we took the pacifiers away and I randomly said it one night to calm her down. It is now, ritual). She repeats this chant and holds my hand close to her head). Heaven.

The many faces of Lala

From sleepy time to ipod-chic and Coolio, she's ours all the way.

Happy Father's Day to the Grandpas and Daddy.

Love,

Elena (age two and a half {and some change})

Swim swimmery

Elena is half way through swimming lessons this year and is doing just fine. I'd say she's doing like most toddlers do - loving it one day and feeling a little skittish the next. She sure looks cute in the process though.

J-E-L-L-O

Elena helped Mommy make chocolate pudding. She enjoyed it.

Captain Underpants

Oh and because I just can't resist this one...

Elena is potty training, Saturday Night Fever style. Either that, or she's just finished her Rocky workout.

Slumber party!

While Daddy had his weekend away with the boys, Elena invited Olivia to have a slumber party. The girls were so cute and fell asleep in our bed, watching Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. We all slept in the bed last night and though I'm pretty tired today, it was worth it.