holidays

Things have been so busy with school, but now that we are on a break, it's time to catch up on what has been going on with us. You are enjoying school and have been learning addition and subtraction. You bring home so much learning and apply it to everything we do which is great. Your Irish dance class is over and we enjoyed watching you dance and show everyone what you've been learning. You've been a great helper in the kitchen making marshmallows, cookies, peanut butter balls, and bread for the holiday celebrations we've been busy with. We received about a foot of snow and you spent a lot of time stomping in it, eating it, throwing it, and packing it into snowballs to throw at dad. On Christmas we had fun in Chinatown and did many fun things while dad was off work. Grama will be in town tonight so you're looking forward to waking her up first thing in the morning so you can give her the special present you made for her.

chinese and ladybugs

It's amazing how preschool has such an effect on you. You've been taking attending Chinese class and dad has been attending an evening Chinese class so he can learn with you. You two will often look up how to say something in Chinese or review some common saying or songs together. You and dad went to a restaurant in Chinatown together a few weeks ago and on Wednesday, Ben and I were able to join you. You proudly told the server, "Xie xie" after he brought out our plates and he said, "You're welcome." You asked why he didn't answer in Chinese and dad told you because he knows English and Chinese. You were proud to have communicated and wanted to steal their Chinese newspaper to take home and read it with dad until you discovered that dad didn't know how to read in Chinese yet. It's amazing to see all the learning take place and you surprise and make us proud with how you practice things to get better and aren't afraid to try new things.

I had a little talk with your teacher about some of the things you've been doing at home and she told me that you often draw and write in your free time. You decided you wanted to try to draw a ladybug so you walked over to the science station and took out the ladybug to be your model. You went to your seat and drew the ladybug that was sitting in front of you. That explains why you decided to try another ladybug last night. You drew it like a pro and even numbered the legs to make sure you had the correct number, which was also the first time I've ever seen you write your numbers down from memory. You proudly took the drawing with you to give to Ms. Zydney today in school, but of course not before I took a picture of it for myself.

what school teaches you

"Do you see the museum I'm building? I'm making it interesting so people will want to come visit it." Eve, 4 years old

Mom and dad should have seen that coming since you attend a museum magnet school. Obviously you are learning something in your museum studies class. Future curator?

big changes

There have been some big things happening for you lately. You finally made it off the waiting list to get into the public school that your dad and I wanted you to get into. It was a rough transition going from 3 half days of school to 5 full days, but after a few weeks we are all much more used to the new routine. You come home telling stories about your new friends and about your teachers. You've started learning Chinese which made your dad interested in doing the same so you two can practice together. You've started taking Irish dancing classes which you really seem to be enjoying, probably mostly because you get to wear high heels. We've also just moved into the new house after a 3 year wait. You were able to pick out new things to decorate your room and had a party last weekend with your friends. We even set up a moonbounce in the courtyard so your friends and you could burn off some of the sugar high after the cake. You had a great time showing your friends the house, eating, and playing with them. You've been so great with all these changes and hopefully you'll have great things to tell everyone when we go to Kansas in a week.

Hey EVE! I know you are too busy to talk to me on the phone anymore unless it's your idea, but your mom keeps me updated! She told me that you are getting ready to start pre-k and we are all nervous about it! I know you have to wear a uniform, but you can work on the accessories for it. You learned quick how to train your little brother just like your mom did with aunt jill and I. She used to make us do the same things you make Ben do. You have the most unique personality and you make me laugh all the time. We got to hang out when you came to Coffeyville and you wanting me to spin you for hours and you love trying on all the new clothes you get. You are very smart and still ask questions about everything. You favorite thing to do is to get under my long dresses and play with my belly button ring. You were mesmerized by it and would ask me why I have two holes in my belly button. You also kept asking me why I sent your earrings that you couldn't wear because you don't have holes in your ears. I felt so bad, so maybe when your mom gives the ok that is something we can go do together. We share a bond with fashion and I hope it will continue! I love and miss you! Aunt E

happy 4th birthday

It's been a challenge trying to teach the importance of a birthday, but we are getting through. We celebrated by baking a cake together this morning that was a banana cake shaped like a butterfly with a lake on it and fish, a horse, a black cat, and a black cat that has orange stripes with pink icing. You came up with the theme all on your own and with dad's creativity and mom's willingness to go along with just about anything, it happened. We also went to an Irish festival to watch some Irish dancing since that is your favorite. You ordered fish and chips for lunch and weren't willing to try black pudding, but were a good sport with everything else and ate corned beef and cabbage. Unfortunate for you, no Guinness yet. Happy Birthday to a wonderful kid!

What a surprise!

Guess who showed up at your door? Grama did. You opened the door and stared at me for a moment then gave me a big hug! As soon as I got into your house you asked me if I had brought you anything and of course I had. Then, not 5 minutes later, you said,"Come on, Grama, let's build a barn"! We have always built barns together but now the barns have to be more precise. Now, they have to have roofs! I think the barns that you and your Daddy make are alot more elaborate than the ones I make. No matter, it is still so much fun. We had a wonderful time together and spent some alone time...just me and you. Every morning you would come wake me up and we would start the day with cereal and Dora. On Saturday morning, you were up early and your brother and parents slept in. You and Grama went for a walk. We went down the block to Starbucks and you had chocolate milk and banana bread. Then we went into the party room and turned on the TV. You love watching Strawberry Shortcake. The night before I left you asked me if I could stay for 5 more weeks! I wish I could have. I love spending time with you and your family. I wish we lived closer to each other. But, you are coming to Kansas in October and we will have lots of fun then! I will always try my best to be with you on or near every one of your birthdays. You are the most special girl in the world to me. I love you, Grama.

fashion police

You have been very concerned with what I wear lately. You prefer I only wear fancy underwear, dresses, skirts, and pretty things. I recently had a birthday and you pulled out every fancy pair of underwear from my drawer and wrapped them up for my birthday gifts along with hairclips and cosmetics. I usually go only for practical clothes since I am on a bicycle most days and at the garden those other days. I'm happy to oblige your requests to buy new dresses and skirts and wear them with you because it matters so much. Yesterday I was wearing a pair of bermuda shorts that were a little too big and you looked at me and said, "Mom those shorts aren't very pretty, are they daddy's?" I guess I had better start consulting you every morning before I get dressed.

summer 2009

What a wonderful start to my summer! You and Ben came to Kansas with your Mom. I got busy and made you your own special park in Grama's backyard! There was a swing set, a basketball goal, and a rocking spring horse. You loved the swing set! (especially the glider). We had loads of fun. You really love going shopping and you shop until you find the one thing you really want! You spent at least 30 minutes picking out something to take home. Usually it was a Barbie (mermaid). Even at almost 4 years old, you definitely have a unique fashion sense. You don't settle for just anything. Your love for animals is growing. You love Grama's cat, Harley, and her dog, Amos. Also, a first for you was a sprinkler! You weren't quite sure at first what to do, but eventually you were jumping over it and having a great time! We painted a turtle shell on the front porch and we watched alot of movies and a favorite of yours was about Fairies saving their environment.
You are coming to Kansas again in October and Grama just cannot wait! I love you!

taking off

Spring and summer have arrived and we've been busy gardening, traveling, and watching our new house go up. You have begun a new summer playgroup with some old and some new friends. You made a trip to Kansas to see your family and really enjoyed yourself. There's nothing like being around your aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. You were spoiled rotten and discovered that Wal-Mart has an entire aisle of girl toys.

We made it to a few farms to see cows, horses, a burro, and a pig. You made a new friend that was a real cowgirl, just like the books we read about Cowgirl Kate.

You were able to spend Pippa's birthday with her in Norfolk, Virginia and you two had a great time playing together for a few days. You even had a sleepover on the last night in Pippa's room.

We've made a few trips to the new house to see how construction is progressing and you've been really excited and concerned about getting all your things into your new room.

You've been practicing riding your bicycle almost every day and keep getting better. You seem determined to be on two wheels soon. You are growing up so fast, and you continue to amaze me with your creativity and newly discovered sense of humor and thoughtfulness. It makes me very happy to see you inherit so many great traits from your dad. You're such a special girl.

free

This is a very familiar scene for you. It doesn't seem to matter where you are, you love to run, jump, and spin. You'd just finished riding the carousel and took off running, threw off your shoes and spinning and jumping. Seeing your free spirit on the loose is one of my favorite things. As a result, you will probably either hate or love the collection of pictures we have of you depicting that.

You've been taking a ballet class that has been fun. You've developed some confidence in your skills and have no trouble trying to teach Ben how to spin.

You are more social than ever trying to make friends wherever we are. If there are no other kids, you beg me to call some of your friends to join us. If that doesn't work, you gladly order Ben around and try to get him into trouble. He's quickly learning.

Your dad has been helping you set up your first art show called the Artomatic and you've been thrilled with getting your wall painted so you can hang up your photography. It should be a lot of fun. He's also been exploring bugs with you since you love it so much.

This spring and summer will be a busy one with a trip to Coffeyville planned and visitors coming to DC and the new house being finished, but I'm sure we'll be enjoying ourselves.

funny girl

We knew you were sneaky, but you've been expecially sneaky lately. We've been working on keeping pull-ups dry at night to allow you to wear underwear to bed and I thought you had been making real progress. There would be a few days a week that you would wake up with a dry pull-up on so you'd be allowed to wear underwear to bed the next night. Unfortunately it always ends up with having to change sheets on your bed in the middle of the night. Well dad found a stash of wet pull-ups behind your bookshelf where you'd been hiding them. You would actually get up in the morning and take off your pull-up, through it behind your bookshelf and get a dry pull-up down and put it on before waking me up. I think there were 4 pull-ups stashed behind that bookshelf. Sneaky sneaky.

I also cleaned your room the other day and found about 5 starburst candy wrappers stashed behind toys in your closet. Sneaky sneaky!

You recently started ballet class. You are gaining confidence and will actually dance on your own when music starts playing. It's nice to see you able to better express yourself, because it's obvious you enjoy dancing. You've also attended your first baseball game of the season where you were able to run the bases after the game. You endured the entire 9 innings and then some. That makes mom very happy to have another baseball fan in the house!

You had a dad's day out today and went to the zoo today. You even got to eat Lebanese food for lunch and had ice cream before you had to come home. What a lucky girl you are!

friends

Most things revolve around your friends right now. You are
very conscious of what they wear, play with, and most of all
how willing they are to do what you want. Here you are with your great buddy Olivia. You met through school and we've had a few playdates. She enjoys playing dress-up with you and goes along with your pretend grocery shopping. She loves cats so you have that in common. You took her to meet Mikey and take him a carrot. Unfortunately he was out pulling the carriage, so we did the next best thing. We found a pile of clay dirt and you two dug around and made a garden with flowers, sticks, and rocks. We have found someone that likes dirt, bugs, and worms as much as you do, and by the time we got home you were both filthy. If only you and your brother got along so well. I just assume that will come with time, but until then I'm glad you can have such great friends.

making headway

You have managed to get your brother excited about wearing jewelry, tutus, and dresses and have finally even persuaded him to hold your hand. This was the first time your brother has held your hand and you were thrilled. Of course you decided you no longer wanted to about 3 minutes later and his tears didn't phase you. Guess all that matters to you is the hunt.

easy to please

There's my sweet girl at her preschool Sock Hop. You were thrilled to wear head to toe pink and a full skirt. You danced and hula hooped and had a great time.

I have been shocked at how grown up you seem all of a sudden. You are really starting to have conversations that stem from your own thoughts rather than from something you overheard. We had a serious talk about your feelings today because you were upset with me and it went surprisingly well. It makes me sad and proud at the same time to see you so clearly explain your thoughts and actions.

It also makes me extremely happy to see your huge grin when you've realized that mom and Ben bought you a small box of Jelly beans while you were at school.

Can't wait!

I'm getting ready to come out and see you again! It seems like it has been forever but it has only been since Christmas. I had a great trip over the holidays. I got to see you open your Christmas presents and we went to the zoo and took pictures! You are definitely in a routine at home. You get up and eat your breakfast while watching Dora or some video on the computer. You still love books of course and you love dancing! You have your own camera now and you want to be just like your momma and love to take pictures. You really don't like talking on the phone anymore but you love playing games on the phone. You remind me of a grown up texting on your blackberry!
I can't wait to see the things you are doing now. I hope I can take you to school while I am there. You just went to a sock hop (wore a poodle skirt and everything). I have also heard about the programs you have been involved in. Start making some plans for us. I will be there in late March. Hopefully the cherry trees will be blooming!
I love you,
Grama

Why

Eve watching me go to the bathroom, "Daddy, why do you stretch your penis?"
Me, "Because I want to get all of the peepee out."
"I don't have a penis do I?"
"That's right, sweetie."
"But Ben does."
"That's right."

short story

I'm a grown up today. I'm five and I can throw the ball really high and I know how to cook schlebes.

Eve

just a girl

It's so fun to see your personality emerge more and more as you get older nad you are definitely developing your own interests. You still love building barns and we have quite a collection of building sets to choose from. You've recently learned how to ride a bicycle with no problems and love to race up and down the hallways hollering for us to move out of your way. You've been enjoying your dress-up clothes and every time a friend comes to visit, that is the first toy that is pulled off the shelf. You've been very interested in music lately and enjoy listening to music and wondering what's going on at different times during a song like each one is telling its own story. You seem to really want to utilize those tutus you've been collecting so maybe we'll have to get some general ballet moves for you to practice doing.

You had a special visitor for Christmas. Grama came out and surprised you and stayed for a week and we were able to do many special things. You took grama to the zoo and museums and suckered her into buying you many things while she was here. You loved everything you received for Christmas and enjoyed the traditions like making a tree and ornaments and looking at Christmas lights. We made many gifts this year and you really get into that. We made dolls, dollhouses, puzzles, cards, photo books, and even a special pencil can for dad.