Trying.

Well, he is trying. And he promised he'll do it 'to-mah-woh.'

A sight for sore eyes.

Love.

As Michael says, "I seep on yo bump?' and now he is taking over his sister's too.

Drama Mama.

Elena just finished her last performance of Goldie Rocks and the Three Bears last night and boy, what a performance it was! It was a darling show (for all 35 minutes of it) and though Elena was in the ensemble, her role took on a bigger life, as the child truly didn't recognize she was on stage, but waved and grinned the entire time. At one point, the audience laughed because small La found her way to mosy off stage, looking over her shoulder, smiling and waving to her 'people.' We were in hysterical laughter, but she was so proud and felt every bit the star. That's my beautiful girl and as you can see, this is a kid who puts the D in drama during most of her days.

Bumps and bruises along the way.

Michael got into a fight with the tractor and Mommy's hand surgery hurt, but we're all on the mend. Even Elena, who takes a good spill many days, is injury free (knock on wood) today. We're all preparing for our big trips coming up (Mommy to DC, where I will enjoy a very exciting trip, but miss my little Grohs people; and Ryan and the kids will go meet Grandma and Papa Grohs in Bend, OR for a getaway).

Where has it gone?

Where has the time gone? My babies are hardly that anymore and though the days are busy, I never expect to turn around and see them growing so quickly.

Michael remains obsessed with my hair at bedtime (which I love and that makes him still feel like the baby I know he still is at times), but finds his way to sleep in his own bed on some nights now. We've not pushed the 'sleeping in your own bed' much this time around and Elena started coming into our bed at about two and has never really stopped. We push it now with her, but become lax depending on the week.

We love it and neither of us has ever totally understood 'why not?'

Michael's vocabulary is through the roof - the lad doesn't stop talking and can say almost anything, many times copying his big sister and anything she says or does. They play a lot together and pretend a lot. Though they argue sometimes, they are very protective of one another and certainly have a lot of love. Today, for example, they played restaurant and while Elena offered orange-yellow soup, Michael offered coffee 'with oil or green stuff.'


Elena is learning to read something FIERCE. The kid has gone from forcing her way through most words, to reading signs on the street and sounding out sentences. It's an amazing thing to watch and we're so proud. She watches Project Runway with me these days and I have a glimpse into the future, of what I hope will be a lovely relationship. I couldn't love them more.

Tuuuubing.

Sleep on the bump.

Maybe one of my favorite all time pictures. My kids sleeping on 'my bumps' (as Michael often refers to them).