Normal

Eliza Jane learned several songs in Primary in preparation to sing on Father's Day.  As she often does, she was singing the songs at home.  I noticed one word that wasn't quite right - but hilarious none the less.  She insisted on knowing why I was giggling, and I told her about her word mixup.   She didn't believe her error, and sang it often to elicit laughter from me.  It still makes me laugh. And if you aren't familiar with the song, the correct word is "noble", and she sings "normal".  (And yes, I know Father's Day was months ago, but we have faster internet at the new house enabling me to upload a video.)

Cousins

We just returned from a fun-filled week in Illinois and Wisconsin with my sister Amber and her family.  We fit as much fun as we possibly could into our time there.  

At the bus stop saying goodbye

Kindergarten

Somehow, without my permission, my newborn has turned 5 and is more than ready to start kindergarten!  Today was the first day and she was quite excited

Of course we can't take photos without a few silly faces.  

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She'll only be gone for 2 hours, and I hope she loves every  minute of it!

"And...

...please bless me that I'll be able to make the letter "n" correctly."

Tomorrow is the fist day of kindergarten.  Eliza Jane has been excited, ecstatic, and even occasionally concerned that she won't be able to do her best.  It has been fun to watch.  The issue concerning her most right now is the letter n.  She has no problem with the upper case N, but struggles to make the perfect (in her eyes) lowercase n.  Tonight in her bedtime prayer she requested a bit of help from above on her letter n.

I'm grateful to have a smart daughter who realizes she can even pray for help with the letter n.

It is going to be a great year.

Summer

 Cousins - Water - Heat - Laughter - Bliss

Honesty

Eliza Jane recently had her yearly well child check up.  It seems the years pass too quickly!  As part of the routine checkup the Dr. asked me if she eats well.  I responded that she is a pretty good eater.  The Dr. followed with a question about her eating a variety of foods.  I told the Dr. that she eats just about everything I give her.  After what must have been a moment of intense reflection she exclaimed,  "Mom, that isn't completely true.  I don't eat asparagus!"  Both the Dr. and I had a good laugh - she'll keep me honest!  And maybe by next years checkup she'll love asparagus as much as I do.

Funny

I realize that I am the mom, so this is infinitely more funny in my eyes.  But hey, this is my blog, right?  And this needs to be written down.

I am currently on the computer and Eliza Jane is asking me to paint/color/cut/play a board game/cook etc. 

 I told her, "Eliza Jane, I need just a few more minutes, I am trying to see if we can get airline tickets to visit Maya, Harrison, and Henry in Illinois."  

She loves all of her cousins and became excited immediately.  

She then replied with a quizzical look, "You mean we have to ride in an airplane to get to their house?" 

 "Yes, they live very far away."  I said

She became instantly alarmed and said, "WHAT IF I GET SEASICK???"

She realized her mistake as soon as she said it and we both had a good laugh!  

Ride On

Jarom likes to ride. A lot. With the warmer (sortof) weather comes this seasons century rides; each 100 miles on a bicycle. Today's Century Ride began 100 miles outside of Salmon, ID. Jarom completed the ride in under 6 hours. Eliza Jane and I are his best cheerleaders!

We plucked a sleepy Eliza Jane out of bed at 5:30 am. She woke up in time to wish Dad luck, and have a jam sandwich, of course!

We like to pull off the road along the route and wait to watch Jarom pass. He hollers out "Hello Eliza Jane!" and she feels like the most important gal on the road.

We saw Jarom one last time about 10 miles from the end of the ride. Eliza Jane was thirsty and had a few drinks from Jarom's hydration pack - a favorite pastime!

Go Daddy go!

Perspective

One of the things I love about motherhood is observing the world through the eyes of a child. It is so unique; her world is often small, including only that which she can see right now. Other times is as big as her imagination will allow! Her perspective is simply charming!

Eliza Jane begins kindergarten in the fall. We received a letter from her teacher which included a handwriting "practice" page with instructions to work on correctly forming each letter. Eliza Jane has taken on the task and takes time each day to practice her letters, numbers, and "write words". It is time we enjoy together usually while listening to music. Today after spending nearly an hour working on "homework" I set the timer for 5 minutes and told her when it rang I would be done helping her. When she protested I said,

"Eliza Jane, I enjoy writing with you but I have GOT to get some housework done."

She replied,

"Well Mom, I have GOT to get ready for kindergarten!"

After a good chuckle to myself added another 5 minutes to the timer...the housework will wait!

Five

photo by Michelle Heaps

Our newborn is five. It is hard to believe! She is growing (and growing and growing) into such a beautiful girl. I have had the itch to return to blogging for a while now; and I see no better time than now! Five of my favorite things about Eliza Jane today:

1. She loves to make people laugh. She is witty and has a great sense of humor.

2. Eliza Jane loves EVERYTHING. She is excitable and genuinely in awe many times a day.

3. She knows she is growing up, but says she'll "still cuddle me"!

4. Learning is exciting and she is eager to know more. A favorite phrase is "Tell me more about..."

5. She tells me she loves me many times a day - and I'll never tire of hearing it.

We are especially grateful today for the circumstances that brought Eliza Jane into our home. She has a beautiful birth mother who loves her. Today we celebrate her as well!