Elena at 4

At One

At Two

At Three

At Four

She has become so nurturing with her baby dolls, stuffed animals, and of course Baby Asher.

If there's a party she wants to be there. If neighbors are outside she wants out. "The more the merrier" is definitely her motto.

She's become a great eater, and loves to give compliments to the chef.

I really think her love language is going to be words of affirmation. She can be so affectionate and encouraging with adorable phrasing like, "Mommy, you're my sweet little mommy." On the flip side, her frowns disappear and stubborn streaks melt away with calm loving words from Mommy and Daddy.

She's become very aware of the conversations around her and Ben and I have to be extra diligent not to "discuss strongly" anything in her presence.

Her mind is always busy, busy, busy. She'll run up to tell me something, but can hardly get it out because she also wants to talk about the object now right in front of her.

She's an aspiring princess and changes clothes a dozen times a day in an effort to get the right look.

She can read any 3 letter word, and we're going through a book together that will take us further in the journey of reading.

She can really entertain herself in her room during "room time". Outside of the room she wants to involve everyone around her in her play, so I'm glad that for those two hours she has figured out how to have fun with her toys by herself.

She's a puzzle whiz and I'm amazed at how much she enjoys them.

She's starting to observe that some people have especially beautiful voices and comments on how she enjoys them. But she also seems a little insecure about her own singing abilities (this is the first and only area where I've ever noticed an occasional lack of confidence).

For the most part she is really self-sufficient at getting ready in the morning and for the bed. She just struggles with getting her shoes on the right feet.

"My Panties Are In My Bottom!" will be shouted in frustration if she gets an elusive wedgy. :)

She appreciates "pretty things" - anything from a purse to the decorations in her room. And the definition of pretty usually means pink + purple + glitter.