Jingle Bells, Jingle WHAT?!

Oy vey. Having a four year old has been interesting so far. ;)

Here is her rendition of "Jingle Bells". Thank goodness she did NOT sing it this way at the Winter Sing (her preschool Christmas concert)!!

(I love her facial expression at the end, because I was looking at her like she might be in trouble and you can tell she isn't sure if she is. Haha!)

Just for fun, here are some of the other songs she sang that night. 

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

"Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee" - I loved this song when I was little, and remember singing it to my mom when I wasn't much older than E. 

And last, "Five Little Fishies"

Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season! 

~ The Sandeens

Happy Birthday, Elayna!!

Four. 



What can I even say that isn't completely repetitive? I feel like this is the thousandth time I want to say, "Where did the time go? How did my baby girl become so big?" 

There is something strange and amazing about motherhood (parenthood, maybe). 
I wake up day after day and, even though I know in my mind that she will continue to grow as all little ones do - that she will learn new things and need me less and less as her life goes on, I am still shocked each time I see her and feel that jolt of recognition that tells me that she is bigger yet again.

My heart isn't ready for her to be four. 
Luckily, she is a fabulous four year old. Don't get me wrong... she has her moments (I think I have said she is four going on fourteen several times recently), but overall she is still my smart, artistic, sensitive, loving, silly, beautiful, creative, generous, girl. I am blessed. 

As she gets bigger I see so many people in her. 
Certainly Jake most in her personality and spirit. My mother and myself in her face - (Mom especially when she laughs or gets really serious). My grandmother when she has an especially wise moment beyond her years (which must be how I remember grandma, as being wise). I see many others too. 
That is another beautiful part of being a parent. Seeing the little person who you created and realizing that all of your parents and siblings and grandparents are really part of them too. 

At four years old, Elayna loves: 
* My Little Ponies 
* Knock-knock jokes (Her favorite is "Knock-knock/ Who's there? / Boo / Boo Who? / You don't have to cry about it!!") 
* Gymastics 
* Pig tails 
* Peanut butter and honey sandwiches, and not much else in the food department (with the exception of sugar!) 
* Forts and houses 
* Playing house and school (she is always the teacher) 
* Imaginary animal friends 
* Making up really long and involved stories- which often take place in her imaginary worlds 

At four years old, Elayna can: 
* Read at a first grade level (she can pick up most books at the library and read them... and forget about spelling things over her so she doesn't know what you're talking about!!) 
* Add and subtract some in her head with small numbers and can figure out more using fingers 
* Write fairly well and makes up spellings to things 
* Talk in rhyme sometimes. Okay, a lot. ;)
* Draw animals (pretty realistically too, thanks to a learn to draw book she adores)

Happy Birthday, Elayna!! 

To Infinity and Beyond!

Elayna was Buzz Lightyear this year for Halloween.

I was pleasantly surprised when she told me this was what she wanted to be, since she started out saying she wanted to be a spray bottle, and then proceeded to waiver between several Disney princesses. I thought it was cute that when she finally decided, there was no convincing her otherwise (we already had a dress up Rapunzel costume, so I was going to just go with that one).

She really liked being Buzz and running around ("flying around") saying "To infinity AND BEYOND"! :)

Elayna is officially a preschooler!!

As of today, I am the proud mommy of a preschooler!!
Wow. I can't believe she could possibly be big enough for this, but she is! She is in a part-time 3 year preschool program, and I am betting she is going to do great.

Today was her very first day and she was very brave. She saw her two sweet, little buddies that she has been having playdates with over the last part of summer and was so excited to go in with them. It was adorable to see them together. :)

Here are some pictures of her first morning as a preschooler.

It's School Time!

Even though Elayna has been fairly excited about the idea of school all summer, I wasn't sure how our first day of school would actually go today (we have been battling a new separation anxiety). So, just to get some photos out of the way beforehand, I did a mini-session with her last night. I couldn't believe how cooperative and sweet she was for these! 

Ironically, she did so well this morning that I did get to snap a few "day of" photos as well, so look for those next. ;)

Made-up, "Make-up"

Elayna has gotten to the age when she is interested in my morning routine and how I get ready for the day. She is especially interested in my make-up lately, and I have let her play with my big powder brush a few times. She likes to sit and ask me questions about the stuff in my little bag. What is it called? Where does it go? Which brush is for this one?

So, recently I decided to put together a little made-up make-up, kit for her. I removed all of the actual make-up from these containers and washed them out thoroughly. Then, in some (the blush and eyeshadows) I added finger nail polish to make them look colorful and like there was still something in there. I cleaned out some old brushes and let her pick a cute bag to put it in. 

She was thrilled when I gave her the kit. I am definitely not ready for her to be using real make-up, but since the only real piece in her kit is her flavored chapstick, I think I can handle it for now. ;) 

Enjoy some photos of her "putting on make-up."