an oldie

During the house remodel, Dad hired a guy to trim trees. Short, mexican, baseball cap. When elena saw him, she yelled "oh my God! Why is Handy Manny cutting my trees???" Then when she met the man at lunch, she kept talking to him "oh, and handy manny blah blah blah"...he is totally oblivious and says "que linda la nina, miren como me habla!" Elena completed the cuteness by asking "can I please meet the tools?"

Parsley

In order to decorate for Halloween, I purchased some LED candles that change colors. Elena is fascinated by them and Mom and I noticed her blowing at the candles. She explained that she has "magical breath" and when she blows on the candles, they change colors. I asked her why her breath was magical and she answered "because I ate parsley".

Some new photos...

The end of an era

It took school precisely 4 days to cut "ka-buzz" from Elena's vocabulary. She now says "bee-cuzzz" and sighed heavily at me when I said "Not, ka-buzz?"...(exasperated expression) "no Mama, it's not".

First

Elena's drop-off for her first day of school was entirely uneventful. She got up this morning without a problem and the first words out of her mouth were "Mama, I need you (big hug). I GET TO GO TO SCHOOL RIGHT NOW!!!". We got there a bit early and thought we'd wait in the car, but she insisted she was ready to get down. Once inside, she showed her lunch box to the school director, hung up her coat, and ran off to go play. We didn't even get to say goodbye to her, but the director said it's best to go when they are distracted. So, we left and had breakfast. Very proud of the kiddo. Of course, there is still tomorrow...

Some random musings...

On the occasion of Elena's first day of school tomorrow, I've been thinking over her 3 years and thought I'd write down some of my favorite stories. 

In no particular order: 

1. but i've GOT to give him ninny

While driving in the car, Alvaro starts to cry fairly hysterically from hunger. Before Mom and I know it, Elena has wriggled herself out of the car seat straps,  pulled an arm out of her top, and was leaning over his carrier in an attempt to nurse Alvaro. No matter how much we protested (in hysterical laughter), she insisted she had some ninny 'riiiiight here'

2. can't buy me snow. or can you?

Elena got to witness some snow flurries at Mark's house. This fun and unusual event only irritated her later, when she realized there was no snow on her grass at home. I explained that Texas doesn't usually get snow, so there wouldn't be any this year. Two responses: 1. Tell Nonno, he'll buy some snow. (I'm sure he would have). 2. Markipoo's house isn't in Texas then, because it snowed there. 

3. Not the kind of kick I was talking about.

While pregnant, we were laying on the bed when Alvaro started to kick. I quickly grabbed Elena's hand to have her feel his movements and Paco and I explained to her that when she was in utero, she kicked the same way. Elena jumps to her feet and said "I can kick you right now?", with her foot cocked back ready to fire. 

4. Food, always on her mind. 

Paco taught Elena the "now I lay  me..." prayer and she mastered it fairly quickly. One night, while Paco was out of town, Elena had really been irritating me and Mom and refused to go to sleep. While I was getting ready, she came in to my bathroom to say her prayers for the 10th time. except this time, she finished it out with "and if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.....to breakfast". 

5. Truth, out of the mouthes of babes

Elena went to work with Paco one day shortly after Alvaro's birth. She insisted she had to wear "jeans and a shirt because I'm going to work". This from a kid who asks for a dress and knee socks and a sweater every day. While at work, Elena behaved fairly well, says Paco. She did note to him that his job was "reeeeeeally boring". She shouldn't complain too much, since she reminds us all daily that "Tata goes to work to buy money to buy me toys". 

I'm sure I've got more stories that will come to mind, but please share some of your favorite Elena stories if you've got them.  

Elena's busy day

Elena's stats:

height 37.75 inches - 65th percentile

weight 30.6 pounds - 45th percentile

in short - a tall, skinny Minnie

Her school appointment went fairly well also. She had just woken up from a nap when we arrived, so her mood wasn't great and she cried and wouldn't let me put her down. Then she suddenly realized all the kids had gone outside to play and decided to join them. Off she went and had a great time, until we had to leave...when she cried hysterically again. sigh. 

Elenisms

Elena (upon finding a piece of old popcorn in Mom's bedroom) - Mama, what is this?
Me - uh, old popcorn
Elena eats the popcorn
Elena - hmmm, it's pretty good