Elayna is 23 Months

Elayna you are 23 months old. You love your sister so much. You are wearing size 4 diaper, size 6 shoe, size 24 month clothes. You love your "milk" (rice milk) and as for it, "milk pretty please". You say all sorts of phrases--thank you, pretty please, sorry mommy, its okay, swing, slide, yucky, pee eew, I go potty, I hungry and mommy! You are into everything and love building, stacking, smearing, dumping, and throwing all kinds of things. You have mastered the "No, I am not doing what you ask look". You say "No" and fold your arms and turn your head to the side with nose in the air. We try not to laugh when you do this because you look so cute. You want to do everything Lilia does. Lilia has taught you how to blow bubbles in the bath tub and how to float on your back in the water. You climb latters on the play ground and slide. You are very good at jumping. You give "bones" to people when you meet them (Bumping fists) and high fives. You love the nursery at church.
You will sit on the potty but have not done anything. You have even let your doll sit on the potty. I am going to try potty training you with a doll that pees.
We love you very much and are so happy you are in our family. Lastly you do not sit still for pictures!

Lilia got Mail: Highlights

Lilia loves getting mail. She and Elayna both get a book every month. We also get the Friend magazine and now the Highlight magazine. Lilia got a surprise in the mail. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa R! Lilia was so excited! They love it.

Reading Christmas Stories with Daddy

The girls love their daddy and books! I love listening to Asher read to our girls. It makes me happy. Also, the story may be the same but daddy changes things up every time and so the girls never know what might happen when daddy reads to them.

Visit with Santa

Santa came to our church party. Lilia refused to go near him. Elayna had no problems with Santa. She sat on his lap, gave him a hug and wanted her candy cane. She would not smile and I was not pushing the issue. I am happy she was not crying. We waited till near the end of the line and Lilia watched from a distance. Daddy convinced her to get close enough to receive her candy cane and pose for a very quick picture. I was hoping she would be better this year.

Lilia loves driving anywhere at night right now and seeing all the lights up on the houses. Elayna and Lilia yell and point at all the decorations and lights. It is great to aRch their faces get all excited.

Lilia understands about presents and Santa Claus. She can not wait till Christmas. We have also talked about the Nativity and baby Jesus a few times. I think she is understanding a lot more than last year.

Christmas Tree part 2

Last night we decorated the Christmas tree. We got the lights on and then added ornaments. Lilia did a great job decorating her side of the tree. Elayna tried to help by wearing the ornaments on her wrist.
This morning Elayna turned the Christmas tree lights on. She had to turn them off and on a couple of times before she was satisfied. She stood there looking at the tree for few minutes.

Water and Hugs

They both love bath time. Elayna gives hugs and kisses. Lilia was teaching Elayna how to float and do the back stroke. They love each other!

Grouchy Lilia at Swim Lessons

Lilia was grouchy when we got to swim lessons. She did not sleep well. Her friend was so happy to see her. I love Lilia's face. She is cute even when grouchy!

Christmas Tree part 1

We all went and decided on a tree pretty quick at the hardware store. Daddy got the tree in our van and the girls thought it was fun to have the tree so close. Elayna is afraid of the tree. Lilia wants to put lights up and decorate. I love sitting and looking at the tree during the Christmas season.
I got the nice breakable nativity out and set it up. I explained who everyone was and told the story of Jesus birth. The girls each have a kid friendly nativity for them to play with. They are having fun moving the pieces around and playing.

Green Smoothie....Tinkerbell Juice

We love our Tinkerbell juice. Lilia had to show me her mustache. Elayna insisted on using a spoon instead of drinking. They drank it all!

Ingredients: spinach, pineapple, mint leaves and ice cubes.
*I added: apple core and avacado that needed to be used.

I love my Vitamix machine!

Picture Frame Craft at Home Depot

This is the third time the girls have made the craft at home depot. They love the tools and painting. Lilia does not make a big mess but Elayna does. They have a great time with Daddy.