Elsie is 5

Elsie's first birthday celebration was at school.  It was a few weeks early so that they could squeeze them all in before school was out.  I love the way she is sitting on this chair and how she is giving her shy-school smile.

On the Friday before her birthday, we celebrated at daycare.  She came with me to pick out the doughnuts and we stopped at Patty's to get her a hot chocholate (and a fancy coffee for me!)

That evening we had a birthday dinner celebration with Godparents and Grandparents.  Elsie wanted to try peeling the potatoes and I said that since she is getting older she can give it a try.  At first it was too difficult and she was scared of getting cut and said "maybe I should wait until I am 6."  But then when I needed to take a break from it, she slid over and started up again.  She got the hang of it and was able to finish one by herself.  She is always interested in trying new chores and jobs but once I continue to ask her to do it for a few weeks she starts to say "ughhhhh!  I can't do everyyyyythiiiiing!"

Singing to the birthday girl while she wears the new gymnastics outfit she just got!

Elsie's actual birthday was on Sunday and she got to pick a friend to go on a fun event with her.  At first she wanted to bring Holden but then she was starting to say Cora, so we decided just to make it a family day.  We went to play at Hyland Park at the Chutes and Ladders playground and did some walking and adventuring there.

These two tunnel slides started at the same spot so the girls would climb to the top and slide down at the same time.  When they reached the bottom, they ran to each other and hugged.  They did this over and over and over again....pretty cute.

We went out to eat at Applebee's afterward.  We told the waitress it was Elsie's birthday.  She asked if she should sing or not because a lot of kids get scared about it.  We said yes to singing because Elsie loved the idea.  We prepped her about it and she was excited.  When they came after lunch, she was not prepared.  Elsie was a deer in headlights.  She was not prepared for a whole team of wait staff to start cheering and singing loudly out to the whole restaurant.  She was stunned, and I totally wish I would have pulled my camera out for that.  As soon as they all walked away, she was beaming and said she was surprised but loved it.

Elsie is excited about going to kindergarten.  She did great at the open house.  After she had met 3 or so of the teachers she turned to me and said, "Mom, I am lovin' all of these teachers!"  :)

Preschool graduation....

Elsie fiercely loves every member of her family.  She is often very sweet to all of us.  She will say, "Mom, I just love you so so much! Like, more than 100!"

This morning her and Cora were holding hands on a walk and she said to Cora, "I love holding your hand and I love giving you hugs in the morning!"  Sidenote:  Elsie and Cora sleep in a bed together now.  They say they are scared and that helps them.  Last night I asked Elsie when she thinks she will sleep in her own bed again and she said "I think when I turn 8."

We love to snuggle and chat on the couch...

She asked me to take a picture this Spring because she was able to climb to the top of the caterpillar without getting scared.

This is a picture of Elsie during a treasure hunt after she found a clue.  She gets SO excited.  She is very excitable and dramatic!  She is drama every day.  Sometimes its fun-loving-happy drama and sometimes its sad-mad-crying drama.

She LOVES art and I love that she loves it.  She has an art cabinet that she digs in when she isn't napping.  She comes up with little projects or just colors and draws.  The other day she cut up a plastic bag, found some string, and made a kite.  Lately in the evenings, when the younger 2 go to bed, Elsie and I will get out adult art materials and do our adult coloring sheets together.

Elsie used to hate getting her hair brushed and would scream every day about it.  Now she loves if she gets a chance to get her hair straightened in my bathroom with me.

This was the end of the year daycare party.  Elsie loved it...and then cried when it was over.

Elsie and Cora love to stop on walks and investigate nature and plants and bugs.  Sometimes I indulge them.

Our little Elsie is the same beautiful, performing, singing, helpful, playful, sorta bossy, artsy girl she has always been and we are blessed to call her ours and get to watch her grow!

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