Our Journey in 2012

I'm without a camera, so this picture will just have to work. I took it with an ipod. I MISS my camera! :(

Today is Elizabeth's 7th birthday. I can't believe she is 7 already. We don't have any big plans. We have never had a birthday party for either Ri or Elizabeth. I guess I have come to a point where I am a bit embarrassed at all the parties I had for the other kids when they were little. I worked hard to make sure they had cool parties... at least when they were young. I learned a while ago that I had gone overboard and it became more of an expectation and a burden. I want the kids to feel special and I want to make it nice, but I just don't think I need to go all out anymore. I planned on having a party for both Ri and Elizabeth, but with Ri's falling right after the holidays, I just didn't have the energy. I have it now, but since I didn't have one for Ri, I don't want to have one for Elizabeth. Next year, I NEED to have one. They are great kids and have not begged me for a party even though they have friends who have all had parties. Ri asked me yesterday when he could have one. I told him next year and he squealed with delight. So... next year it is. But for today, it will be simple.

Yesterday, Elizabeth, RI and I made cupcakes to take to school. They kids had so much fun helping with it. Last night, we made more cupcakes for the basketball game. It was our turn for snack (for Elizabeth), so we made these cupcakes. But, we were hit with ice and snow last night and now the games have all been cancelled. As a special treat, I let Elizabeth choose one to eat for breakfast! She thought that was VERY cool! We'll hang balloons and crepe paper for her soon and put candles in her cupcakes. She is having a friend spend the night (not because I thought to arrange that, but because her mom needed her to stay with someone. It just so happened that she is one of Elizabeth's best friends and it's Elizabeth's birthday). We'll probably let her open her presents when Sam comes home (he is stranded in town due to the storm).

We've talked about taking her bowling or maybe to Magic Mountain or to the movies.... but we don't know for sure. LIke I said, it is a simple birthday. She is happy and that is all that matters to me.

She has grown leaps in bounds in so many areas that it is very hard to write down. Her social development is the most obvious. She has come so far. She very easily let's go of me and enters even new things with very little hesitation. Even when she is apprehensive, she somehow digs deep and musters the courage to attempt it.... often succeeding without tears or running back to me. She is beginning to respond to people when they ask her questions; usually she always responds if I am not with her, but if I am, she will stand close to me and all I have to do is say "Elizabeth, we are practicing not being rude, please answer" and she USUALLY does.) She is a great reader, the best in her class and she is doing math a little above where she should be (1.8). The math is quite an accomplishment since this seems to be a bit hard for her. Maybe it is because I have been comparing her math skills to Ri....with whom math is a very natural thing to him and he is far beyond his age.

She still shuts down at times and sometimes just can't do things. She is not a fan at spending the night anywhere without me unless it is at Sara's house. She is still as cute as ever and draws a lot of attention because of how cute she is. She doesn't like the attention, but it happens despite her not wanting it. She has completely warmed up to Mark, FINALLY. He has been so amazing and patient with her, I don't know if I could have ever handled her rejections for so long. She has been a real stinker (not mean or nasty towards him, but rarely choosing him to snuggle with or even respond much). But Mark has been so loving and patient and gentle with her. She now will even choose him over me (especially if she is pouting with me).

She still hates dolls and will only play with barbies at Sara's house. She refuses to have them here. She prefers tv (ugh) and her leappad over anything. When I shut her down with those, she goes to her littlest pet shop and zooble collection. She LOVES them and really seems to enjoy playing with any type of little thing like that. She is not so much into 'talking with animals", I guess she is outgrowing it.

She still is very hot most of the time and refuses to wear long sleeves (unless her pride will allow her to admit it). I have to force her to wear a winter coat (even when it is 20 degrees out). Yesterday, she had a sweatshirt on and a light jacket and absolutely refused to wear a winter coat. I forced her, but she pouted with me the entire morning!)

As for physical devlopement, she has finally lost a tooth (in December) and is working on 2 more. She is still the smallest kid. You should see her on the basketball team. It is adorable. She is so tiny compared to everyone else. She is 45 1/2 inches tall and weighs around 45-48 pounds (depending on our scales for the day). We haven't had problems with her health lately, in fact, this has been the best winter season yet!

Her favorite movie is Tangled, though she would tell you Cars2 since she just watched it. She also loves Narnia, Voyage of the Dawn Treador, Kung Fu Panda (and 2), and Lion King. She is just now getting into playing games. Her favorite (because it is the one she has) is Clue Jr. She loves reading Arthur books on her own and having Magic Treehouse books read to her every night. She can read Magic Treehouse books on her own, but she tends to be a bit on the lazy side and doesn't want to read so many words.

Her favorite food is junk food... of any kind. It is a constant battle between she and I as to what she will eat. I have to check her lunch box daily to see if she actually ate the sandwich I packed for her. If she could, she wouldn't eat anything but junk food! I hate that battle! Luckily, she loves apples and most fruits. She is not a fan of veggies and will avoid them at all costs (unless it is corn). I have to get a little creative to get healthy stuff in her. Unfortunately, I am not all that creative!

Well, that is enough for now. Ri wants me to ask him some questions so I can record things about him as well. I will do that soon. Pray for Emily, she is on her way to Chicago to see her boyfriend. It is funny how young love is... not even a snow storm can stop it! :)