elle's 4th birthday party

This year I wasn't sure if I'd still be on crutches for Elle's birthday so we decided to do a party at Metro where Elle goes once a week. We just wanted something simple that she could enjoy doing with her friends and would represent a little part of her at this age. Elle's teacher Ms. Selena was there to watch the kids and show them how to use the equipment. It was as if it was meant to be because they played Disney music in the background and that's what Elle requests in the car every day of the week! 

They had the whole place to themselves and played hard! So hard, Todd lost his pants at one point!

    

We did something a little different and had an ice cream sandwich bar. The kids could scoop their mini m&m's, mini chocolate chips, coconut, chopped pecans, or crushed pretzel onto their plate and then dip their sandwich in the toppings.

Elle was so blessed to have so many of her little friends come play with her. We asked everyone to consider bringing sports equipment for Oklahoma Cleats for Kids in lieu of gifts. We had talked to Elle about this, and she wasn't too happy to give up gifts; however, she did very well when she opened a present and it really wasn't for her. Several guests were very gracious and brought her some wonderful gifts anyway! As a party favor, the kids got these Flipz and a twisty straw! The tag said, "Thanks for flipping and twisting today for Elle's 4th birthday!"

Elle had a lot of fun, but Todd had a blast! He was a maniac running around everywhere. I think he thought he was in heaven because that's what he wants to do every Monday when we're there for class, but he has to stay with his class. He couldn't resist climbing up to the water fountain and even got cousin Derek to help him out!

Elle (is 4!) april 2013

In the past month Elle has made a big change...she turned 4! Such a big girl and her Daddy and I feel like we just brought her home from the hospital! She's been working on breaking from her blanket a little more. She can take it with her, but it stays in the car, and some days it just stays home. She's getting more brave, even if her behavior at church doesn't show it. She even wanted everyone to sing to her this year, which is a big difference from a year ago. She is using such big words, and she picks up quickly on so much around her. She's so smart! She's done much better lately on writing her letters and getting the sounds down. She is such a nature girl too, and I'm constantly finding little treasures in her pockets. Her favorite color is pink, and is quick to name who else likes pink or what everyone else's favorite color is. She's so fun to be around when she's not being dramatic. There are no words to describe how thankful we are to have these past 4 years with Elle-m-n-o-p! 

We got her a bike because she was so good about giving up her trike and she's loving it! She can't wait until I can get back on mine to ride with her. She even made me ask the physical therapist about it specifically! Todd had to have a try too when sister wasn't looking! She was so blessed with presents from some family that morning too!

After breakfast and presents we headed to the Science Museum. Elle's friend Alohi, who lives in Nebraska now, but was visiting for a couple of weeks, was going to miss her party. So to do something special we invited her and her mom, and brother to join us at the museum. Mr. Brennan (one of the guys I work with at church, and who is known as Pepaw to Alohi and Po'okela) joined us too, which was nice since it's a big museum, and the kids were running around, which was hard for me to keep up with on my hip after a while, and it gave him extra time with the Kochers. 

I made some cupcakes and they had fun decorating them!

Then Grammy and Grandad joined us for the rest of the day! They brought lots of fun presents and then we went out to Hideaway and Braum's for pizza and ice cream. Such a fun evening with them and Elle was exhausted when she got home!

mommy photo workshop

The Saturday before my surgery I attended a photography workshop by Megan DeShazo, but with everything going on I didn't get a chance to blog about it until now. I had been looking around for classes specifically for moms who wanted to know how to use their camera and take better pictures. I stumbled upon Megan's blog the week before the workshop and ended up fourth on the waiting list. This was about the time we had the last snow blow through so several people couldn't make it and others ahead of me couldn't go last minute...so, I got a spot! The first 3 hours was the workshop at her husband's office right behind Coffee Slingers on 10th & Broadway. Then we had lunch and headed to the Myriad Gardens where our kids met us to be our models. It was such a great workshop and Megan really knew her stuff! She was so patient with us and several different kinds of cameras. One of my favorite parts was her tips for photographing different ages of kids. You could tell she had a lot of experience. I highly recommend taking this workshop if you're a parent! I don't feel like a professional or anything, but I feel A LOT more comfortable with my camera. I'm supposed to take at least one photo a day and keep practicing. Below are a few of the many shots I took that day.

I took a lot of pictures of this cup while playing with my camera.

We practiced on these toys, but it didn't last long because it was freezing that morning!

I did the settings and had Chris take this photo.

Elle being silly like Minnie on her shirt!

todd does a book review

Taking a page from Katie and Olivia, Todd would like to share his favorite books. We started collecting these when Elle was a baby. She loved them, and is still a fan, but lately they're mostly Todd's. He has recently discovered that he actually does like to read. This has been an ongoing battle. We were so used to have a reader because from early on Elle would sit and listen to books, books, and more books. Todd wasn't having any part of it until we pulled out the Matthew Van Fleet! We cycle through each of these every day, multiple times. He loves to touch the different textures and he has to be the one to do the flaps or pull tabs. He even knows the pages with the scratch and sniff and will sniff them then wave his hand to save "shooey". The Easter Bunny will be rounding out the collection with Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings because it will be just the thing for Todd. Todd would give these books a 10!

elle and todd march 2013

I'm behind in posting this, but wanted to get it out there before I need to post for April. The kids are playing together better everyday. Elle is sweet to her brother and wants to take care of him. She likes to make him laugh and tries to baby-talk like him, which is  becoming a bad habit. She loves playing with her friends, and being outdoors. She has a reading obsession and must have books with her most of the time. We are working on keeping the blanket in the car, and are working toward keeping it at home all the time. She's actually been doing very well with this transition. She has expressions and tries to say things that seem much older than she is. As the time approaches for her 4th birthday it reminds me how quickly these years are going and I try to relish every moment with her.

Todd is a good helper and has quickly shown us he understands more words that he can say. He loves being outside, and getting dirty. He needs to be doing whatever Elle is doing and misses her when she's not around. He learned to kick the soccer ball, thanks to Daddy. He can move fast now that he has mastered walking and moved onto trying to run.

martial arts playgroup

In November we started a playgroup at church for babies-preschoolers and their parents. I thought this would be something we could use as outreach and would be something families from our own congregation would enjoy. We've been doing one once a month and have been able to have someone from a group or organization do a presentation. I find a book to go with the theme and then the kids have playtime. So far we've had Tippy Toes Dance do a ballet class, a Christmas tea party with a tea party expert, and a librarian from the Metropolitan library. The last two were also members at our church, which was nice to involve them with the ministry. We've gotten a few community members to join us and the kids have had a lot of fun!

A week or so ago we had the February playgroup and Blake Graham from Martial Arts Ministries presented. I had found them through Elle's school. Blake is the dad of one of Elle's former classmates. He did a brief introduction about Martial Arts Ministries and then showed the kids some moves. He was so good with them. Elle wanted to sit back and watch and eventually Todd wandered over to check things out. We were especially lucky to get my cousin Emily and her daughter Hope to join us too! After Blake finished we read The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz, which is incredibly cute and so appropriate for this event. Then the kids had a good time playing with their friends!