Lou Lou Turns Two Two

Ugh. Let's face it, none of Eleni's milestones are going to be welcomed with joy. She will forever be the last, thus the emotional-mommy-can't-handle-it one. Boo. BUT, she's TWO! Did I mention, she's two and Happy (sniff) BIRTHDAY (weep)! We celebrated with a big "Eleni is 2! We have a new house!" party. It was tons of fun and she just lapped up all of the attention.

Stats:
Weight: 24 lbs. 5th%
Height: 31 1/2" 10%
Head: 18"

Eleni is sunshine. She just is. If I'm blue, she makes me happy. She's rarely in a funk...though if she is, steer clear. She's goofy and charming and all around sweet. She's starting to talk like crazy. Her current favorites are:
"ank ou" -Thank you
"peas" - Please
"ownie" - Yogurt
"peela" - Pepila
"mulkey" - Milk
"butty button" - belly button
"moley moley" - holy moly
"punkies!"- pumpkins
"pee-low"- pillow
"beatie"-blankie


She loves to wrestle and play rough. She's as flexible as a rubber band. Physically she has little fear, though she is still VERY shy around strangers and new places. She sticks to me like glue. (and I kinda love that, which is terrible). She's very animated and dramatic. If told she can't have something, like her beloved pepila, her answer is "ohhhh, boo" while making a sad face. She's a little peanut but acts like she's one of the big kids. Gosh do we loves her. To pieces and back again.

 

 

School Days

First day of 2nd Grade!

Baldwin Elementary
Mrs. Hooks

 

First day of PreK-4

 

Baldwin Elementary

Mrs. Clements

Mrs. Washer

Summer Adventures

The summer was a whirlwind of 1.) Not having a place to live 2.) Traveling 3.) Moving and 4.) All the craziness that summer is without all of the previous things!

1.) Hilton Head.

Oh. Boy. SO much fun. This year we invited our incredible friends, the Fishers' along on our yearly trip to HHI. The kids did great in the car and even better once we got there. Everyone got along. We had a very wonderful and relaxing (despite 6 kids!) time. We are so very blessed to have such wonderful friends in our life!

 

2.) Up North.

 

Fun, Fun, Fun! The girls, GG and I went to visit the Walp's and Kenny's at their "Summer Homes" up north. We tye-dyed, watched movies, visited the farmer's market, swam, painted nails...you know, all the necessary fun time things. It was wonderful!!!

 

 

 

 

3.) Settling in to the new house!

 

We are LOVING our new home and beautiful view. The deer are out constantly and the sunsets are incredible!

 

 

4.) Visiting Ohio.

We expected to spend much more time in Ohio this summer but it turned out the house was ready sooner then we expected. Though our time was cut short, we lived it up with visiting uncle Tom's farm, Coney Island, visiting lots of family and of course making crazy playdoh creations with Gman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home IS Where the Heart Is

It was a very, very long time in the making but we found a new home to love. It was such an emotional yet rational decision. We knew we were outgrowing our beloved Ferndale home and wanted the best schools possible there were also in our same neighborhood. However, we dearly love(ed) our Ferndale home. It is where we brought home all of our babies. It was the first home we purchased as a married couple. It was home for almost 10 years.

After 7 offers on other homes we fell in love with (after a bit of persuasion ;-)) our new home. Now that we are here we LOVE it. The kids have settled in wonderfully and just today Sophia told me she doesn't remember the old bathroom she used to use. I was sad for a bit and then I realized that this must mean we made a good choice. She loves the new home so much that she isn't longing for what we left behind. So far we LOVE the school and the neighborhood. We can look out our back windows and see a beautiful farm with a watermelon patch and deer in the evenings.

It was a very bittersweet move but we are so very happy we took the leap!

Big Girl Getting Bigger

Sophia-7(!!!) years old: Interview conducted by Mommy-

Weight: 47 lbs - 33%
Height: 48.5"- 56%

Favorite Color- Blue....and purple
Song- $20 in my pocket
Movie- The smurfs (ironically this was probably my favorite at 7 too)
Book- Barbie Princess Charm School
Food- Shrimp & noodles
When I grow up I want to be a- Crafter girl

Sophia,

You are 7! I can hardly believe it! I know I say that every year but it truly comes as a shock each and every year how much older/bigger/more mature you are. You are such a huge helper to mommy these days. You love to do the dishes and help out with the cleaning around the house. You are always willing to help me with your sisters too. You have turned into more and more of a string bean. Skinny little legs for miles. You have decided this year that rather then traditional activities like soccer, dance or gymnastics that you want to take Horsemanship and Sculpture. I'm not surprised in the least. You love to try new things and still pick art over anything. We are so proud of how hard you are working on your reading and writing. It's been a challenge for you and I just know once you feel confident, you are going to soar! This year you will be starting a new school. I just know you will make lots of new friends and love it! Oh, and I almost forgot!!!! The school bus! Your new school has school buses so you will get to ride on the school bus for the first time. SOoooo exciting! Little pickle, mommy and daddy love you more then you will ever know. I miss being able to rock you to sleep, put you on my hip and push you in a stroller but I have to remind myself that being a good mom (and dad) means letting you go out there in the world. So, my baby girl, go out there and grow, learn, have fun and most of all COME BACK HOME and let me hold you at the end of the day! xoxo

 

Joint pajama party with bestie Ailey!

 

 

 

 

Birthday dinner with GG at Maggianos

Birthday morning pancake up north at Ms. Ashley's