Wednesday, February 27, 2013

4 Years Old

Dear Elizabeth, I can't believe you are 4 years old.  You are growing up so fast.  I just want to slow down time to make sure I soak up every minute of it.  You have so much zest for life and more energy than any little girl I've ever known. 


At age 4, here's what you're up to:
You weigh 38 pounds (70%) and are 41 1/2 inches (90%) tall.
You mainly wear size 4t, but really need 5 for length in pants. 
You wear size 12 shoe.


You are still in your toddler bed, but you are definitely ready for your big girl bed.  I'm excited to do your first big girl room makeover with you.  I know it may be the last time I get a say in the color scheme and bedding choice so I will treasure every minute of it and try not to cry thinking about you growing up so fast!

You love going to school and get so upset on days that you don't go.  You are really smart and remember EVERYTHING!  You love to write and draw.  You can write your name by yourself and do so very often.  You "read" books to your sister all the time.  She enjoys it as much as you do.


You hate brushing your hair and will only do it when I threatend to cut it off.  You get so upset because you think princesses MUST have long hair.  You actually do a good job brushing it by yourself when you actually do it. 


You are obsessed with princesses, especially Ariel.  Lately Barbie has caught your attention too.  You play dress up every single day and love being called Princess Elizabeth.


Your favorite evening activity is having a dance party to the Fresh Beat Band.  Your daddy and I have just as much fun as you and Caroline do!


You are very athletic and coordinated.  You really always have been, but now that you play games like tag and sports like t-ball with the neighborhood kids, you do really well.  I'm excited to watch you play soccer this spring.  I just want you to have fun and for it to wear you out enough to nap in the afternoon.  You rarely nap anymore, but you REALLY need to!

You are still a pretty good eater, not very picky.  However, your appetite comes and goes.  Some weeks you eat like a horse, and the other weeks you hardly finish any meal.  Since you're still growing like a weed, I don't worry about it too much.


You love doing craft projects.  You helped me with everything for your birthday party, and you get so excited about your weekly homework.  Whatever the letter of the week is you are assigned to cut out pictures and make a collage.  You are very specific about the pictures you want to use and picky about the placement.  When I brought home your own kid friendly scizzors, you would have thought I just bought you a pony!  You love cutting things out!

Like other kids your age, you say the funniest things.  I really think they should bring back the show "Kids Say the Darndest Thing."  I feel confident that you would be the star of the show!


Just tonight when we were saying our prayers, this is how yours went.  "Dear Jesus, tonight I'm going to tell you a story.  Once upon a time there was a princess who wanted a cupcake..."  Then you went on to retell the entire story of Fancy Nancy and the Delectable Cupcakes (which we had just read) to Jesus.  You ended by say "... the End and Amen."  Then you asked me, "Mommy, did Jesus like my story?"  You sure know how to melt my heart.


Every night I say to you, "Good night, Jelly Bean."  Then you say back, "Good night, Broccoli."  We've called you Jelly Bean for a while and Caroline is Peanut.  Not sure where they came from, but they stuck.  Then out of the blue one day you started calling me "Broccoli" and your daddy "Celery."  You are one funny girl!

You are one headstrong, stubborn, and opinionated little girl.  I don't know where you get that from?!?!  You are also very sensitive and kind of dramatic.  I love the little personality that you have and wouldn't change it for the world.  I pray that God shows me how to guide you to use those strong characteristics to be the loving, charasmatic leader I know you are destined to be one day!


Elizabeth Joy Kelly, we are so  in love with you and feel so blessed to be your parents. 


Happy 4th Birthday my precious little girl!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Ladies Night and Girls Weekend

Bert flew to Philadelphia this weekend to help his dad take care of his Grandmother's house and car which have been sitting up there all winter long.  Before he left, I got to go to the Home Depot Do-It-Herself class with Melissa and Stephanie.  We learned how to tile a frame around our bathroom mirrors.  It was so fun and it was free!  You can't beat that!


Then, I got to spend the weekend with just my girls.  We had a really good, relaxing time together.  Both girls were on their best behavior which I greatly appreciated!  This picture cracks me up because Elizabeth just grabbed the flowers from the table and said, "Mommy, take a picture of me like I'm getting married."  What?!?!!  Then I remembered that she's been asking me questions about my dried wedding flowers I keep in a shadow box.  That girl soaks up everything!


We also ate at McAlister's together.  I really love McAlister's but there's only one around here and it's a 15 minute drive.  I decided it was worth it.  The kids meal is only 99 cents! 


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Saturday, February 23, 2013

22 Months

Caroline turned 22 months old today.  In two months she will officially be a toddler and I will start giving her age in years instead of months.  Boo!  
BTW- I'm not ignoring Elizabeth's 4 year post.  She goes to the doctor next week so I hope to give her a full post complete with stats!


Caroline, at 22 months you are keeping us on our toes.  You are the most animated and cuddly little girl ever!


You are talking up a storm and can really hold your own with the "bigger" kids.


You wake up in the happiest of moods.  I think you'd sit in your crib and sing to yourself for hours if I let you.  You never fuss to get out.  


Your favorite thing to do is EAT!  I think your personal motto is, "No one eats alone!"  Even if you just had a full breakfast, if someone sits down to eat after you get up, you rejoin them for more.  


You can hold your own against your sister.  If she tries to take something from you, you definitely fight back.  But you still adore her and follow her everywhere.  You call her "sissy", "sisser", "Libet" (closest to Elizabeth as you can get)


You continue to be a huge mama's girl and know just how to quiver your lip just right to get what you want!  Trouble...


Caroline, you truly bring nothing but sunshine into our lives.  We love you sweet, sweet angel!

How have you grown up so fast?!?!?!

Elizabeth and Caroline both at 22 months.  I say it all the time, but they will never be able to deny each other.  I do think Caroline favors my side more though.  Those low, chubby cheeks and smile that shows her bottom teeth are definitely Douglass traits.  I see my dad when I see her sweet smile which I love especially since she is named after him.  


Thursday, February 21, 2013

Stronger

So, I really thought last week was going to be THE week.  The week that the job hunt ended for Bert.  The week that he would go back to work and life would resume as usual at the Kelly house.  But it wasn't.  That realization has made this week difficult.  On top of that, Bert's car officially died this week and the sell of our Memphis home seems to be falling through.  Needless to say, it's been a rough week.  

Every morning, I've heard this Mandisa song on the radio.  I'm claiming it as my theme song right now.  When I don't know what else to pray, these are the words that I hear in my heart.  When God has delivered us from this time in our life (and I know He will), I won't forget it was Him who did it.  This post might help remind me one day (along with some random pics of the precious gifts He has given me).


Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather


Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares


When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you Stronger


Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares


'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this


When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me


This is gonna make you stronger

Monday, February 18, 2013

The Royal Celebration

The princess was so excited to be dressed and ready for her guests to arrive.

The Royal Family:)
patiently waiting...
The castle was a huge hit with all of the kids.


Reese and her mommy

Prince Will and Prince Gaines with their King and Queen:)
Once all of the guests arrived, the Royal Maiden announced that there was a princess trapped in the castle and they had to follow the clues to find her.
Clue #1:
Elizabeth loves to hop, hop, hop.
She knows that 3 plus 1 equals four.
The first step to finding the princess
Is to play hopscotch galore!
Clue #2:
Crowning a princess can be a chore
When the spot is hard to see.
The perfect spot is on her head.
I hope you all succeed!



Clue #3:
Before the princess can return
The kingdom you must prepare.
Use the stickers to decorate.
Make the palace royal and fair!

Clue #4:
Every princess needs a wand
And every prince needs a sword.
They will help you do the magic
Needed to open up the door.

Clue #5:
Meeting a real princess
is Elizabeth’s birthday wish!
In order for that to happen,
all you need to do is this:

Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish will come true…


The "real" princess was rescued!
Elizabeth was a bit disappointed at first that the "real" princess was her Aunt Rebeka. She got over it and was quick to sit in her lap while she read her story.  And later she told me that Aunt Rebeka looked just like a real barbie princess!



After some crazy freeze dancing, it was finally time to sing happy birthday and eat cupcakes.






The princess took some pictures with our guests.





Elizabeth continued talking about her party the entire weekend.  She felt so special and had so much fun.  We continued the party at our house for dinner with family and friends.  What a celebration!