A Penny for Your Thoughts

After all my years of sheltering, Elise has learned that when you go to the bank, they give you a sucker.  Yesterday, she told me she wanted a sucker (preferably a green sour apple one). I told her that I didn't have any suckers. She replied that we should go to the bank and get one. Unfortunately, we didn't have a bank run scheduled for the day-- no checks to deposit. I told her that I didn't have to go to the bank. She accepted the answer.

When Elise woke up from her nap, she quickly went over to her dresser and picked up a dirty penny that she had found outside. She held it out to me and said, "Let's go to the bank and buy a lollipop."

While we didn't go to the bank, I did have a green sucker tucked away in a hidden drawer. I gave it to her later that afternoon when a repair guy came to talk to me. Her face lit up and said "You went to the bank! I'll have to find more money for next time." I told her that I used my Penny this time and she could keep and save her Penny.

So, that's how you teach the value of money! ...at least that's how it goes for a 3-year old!

Our First Bounty

 Our first crop is up and ready for picking and enjoying.... our radishes.

 So, Elise and I went out the other other evening and picked a few meaty looking radishes to enjoy. She was so excited that some of our 'food' was ready that she wanted to pick the rest of the garden. I assured her that within time, we'd be enjoying more choices!

Elise has never eaten a radish- let alone one out of her own yard covered in a bit of dirt.

We learned that radishes are bit spicy and maybe the tomatoes are worth waiting for. Until then, she'll nibble on our dill. Mommy and Daddy can have the radishes all to themselves.

Summer Vacation

School is over! Elise finished her first year of preschool about a week ago. We prepped her that she would be on summer vacation ('It's like a really really long weekend!') but she still asks every day if she's going to school. We are so happy she had such a positive experience. Her teacher, along with one other class, hosted an ice cream social the day before school got out. It was complete with a slide show of pictures from the past year. Each child also got an album of pictures and artwork. It was so nice. I didn't tell anyone but I got a bit choked up.... what a dorky mom!

The last day of school

So, now what? Actually there is so much to do! So much fun to be had. We've been frequenting a local park. Elise has no fear when it comes to tall slides. I'm happy that she can finally go to the playground and run and play on her own. It also helps that I told her that adults aren't allowed on the equipment. Of course it didn't help when the exact moment I said that, I mom strolled by on the bouncy bridge with her toddler! At least my rule stuck!

And there is always the yard sprinklers!

 Daddy also put Elise to work on the backyard barn. The old, wooden siding needed to be nailed. Elise was more than happy to lend a hand.

 And who doesn't like going out for ice cream? I think it would drive me crazy if half of my ice cream was dripping down my chin. We honestly went through 50 napkins that evening as we kept running into and out of the ice cream store grabbing more and more of those small napkins. I think next time they will charge us more.

 The Memorial Day parade was a huge hit! They passed out flags to all the kids beforehand. Elise seriously waved her flag the entire hour! The next morning, she picked up her flag and waved it more- declaring 'Hey! It still works!'.

 Elise also just had her eye appointment. She had so much fun sitting in the big chair and 'playing games' with Dr. Brujic. Instead of identifying letters and numbers on the far wall, they show the kids pictures. Elise did well until the picture came up as an 'oldtime' rotary phone. By old, I mean a phone from the 1980s. She had no idea what that picture was! Guess I am getting old. I remember when.... I had to get up to change the tv channel. Haha!

That's the tip of the ice berg of our summer fun! We will be doing story time at the library, swimming at the YMCA and a summer camp (1x a week) at her old physical therapy/speech therapy place. Of course we will have time for napping and relaxing.... which Demi and Garth have already gotten a head start!

Boxwoods and Prom

We've been busy preparing our garden for planting! Elise has been quite the helper. And Yes, she is wearing butterfly wings in these pictures! We ripped out all the old, overgrown foliage from the old owners and have started planting little boxwoods along the perimeter. In a few years, we should have a cute, little hedge.

Next, we'll be planting our veggies... after Mother's Day. I'm sure the rabbits are greatly anticipating the this day!

This past weekend, Elise and I drove to Medina for a visit with Nana and Pops. It was also Grandma GG's prom at her assisted living home. So, we got dressed up and headed to her place for the big party. Beforehand, Elise and I had dinner out at Bob Evans. She scarfed down a plate of pancakes, bacon and smiley fries in anticipation of a long night of dancing.

Elise was super pumped at the promise of dancing... she even ran the whole way in. Where's the party?!

Grandma GG looked beautiful in her dress. It was nice that they had a professional photographer there for photos beforehand. We had 4 generation of women in our picture!

The dance floor was a happening place and Elise stole the show with her moves. Then again she was working off her syrup overload!

Here's some live footage from the festivities. I'd like to comment that the cheering came from the little old lady watching Elise dance from stage right... 

Wacky Wednesday

 I'm sure you have been celebrating all week too... it's the week of the Young Child. It's on your calendar, right?

In celebration of the big week, each day has been something fun and new at school for Elise. Monday, they got to watch a movie (Chicka, Chicka 1,2,3) with the whole school of preschoolers. Popcorn included! Tuesday everyone supported their favorite teams. Need we mention what color Elise wore?

Today was Wacky Wednesday! And wacky it was! Elise wore her butterfly shirt, butterfly pants, two different kids of socks, two different kinds of shoes (I sent an extra shoe in her book bag just in case!) and three pony tails with mismatched bows.

When we were picking out her outfit last night, Elise was convinced that because both her shirt and pants had butterflies on them that they had matched. Oh boy.

The other kids in her class were equally put together but it sure looked like fun! ... And tomorrow is pajama day! Elise has been waiting all week for this one!

Unless I if I run errands before picking up Elise, both Garth and Demi go with me to pick Elise up from school. In fact, they are fanatics about it--- they are glued to me when it's time for me to leave. No one wants to get left behind. And, this is where Demi likes to sit-- in Elise's car seat. 

We also just had a parent-teacher conference with Elise's teacher. She is impressed with Elise's growth in all areas. Her speech is excelling and she's participating more in class as she is comfortable with the school routine. We are so proud of her and frankly we agree with Miss Gail too. She also mentioned how far along her artwork has come since January. You be the judge-- this is a picture of Aunt Amy she made before lunch today:

Easter

Happy Easter!

We hosted Easter at our house last weekend. It was quite festive and fun. We started the festivities with egg decorating on Saturday. This was Elise's first official introduction to egg decorating and it was a hit.  I probably should have made an extra dozen of eggs just for Elise as she could have decorated forever in her paint shirt. 

Egg decorating is serious business in our house. There is an egg decorating contest that involves serious bragging rights for the entire year... or the rest of your life depending who the winner is.

On Easter morning, Elise put on her purple dress that Grandma and Grandpa got her on their trip to Columbia. We'd been saving it in her closet for about a year. It fit perfectly.

The Easter bunny had come and brought a basket of books, bubbles and coloring books with crayons. Elise also got a small bug box with a magnifying glass for her collections in the yard. And since it was sooo windy, Daddy and Elise put together their ladybug kite for its maiden voyage.

Afterwards, Elise looked for Easter eggs that were hidden in the living room. It was such a hit that we've played that 'game' multiple time since!

Then it was time for Easter lunch. The rest of the family joined us. A few days earlier we had driven downtown and bought fresh kielbasa and sauerkraut from the Polish neighborhood. What a treat... grandma GG would be proud. Of course we had ham too... and butter in shape of a lamb.

Elise got a new ladybug raincoat! Garth 

looks handsome in his green bandanna.

The biggest treat of all was that the Easter bunny made a visit to our house after lunch! What a surprise! He brought chocolate for everyone and a special basket for Elise. Too bad Uncle Rik was outside at his car or in the bathroom when the bunny was here. He missed a good time!

Before leaving, the Easter bunny told Elise to be a good girl and listen to her Mommy and Daddy. If she behaved, he promised to return next year. He was such a hit that Elise keeps saying that the bunny will be bringing more chocolate next year.