Liesl's 5th Par-TEA!

Liesl turned five and wanted to celebrate with a proper tea party! It was pink, it was girly, it was so.much.fun! We had it on a Friday morning, her actual birthday, which kept the party smaller. I was able to personalize the party easier that way with place settings for each little guest and lots of dress up accessories for everyone. When the guests arrived they got dressed up, then we did a cute little craft and made fans to take to tea, and finally I ushered everyone into the dining room for snacks, "tea" (apple juice and strawberry lemonade), cake and cookies! It was darling to watch them eat and drink in their white gloves and just sit around talking and laughing the way little girls (and one little boy!) do! I decided to make it extra fancy by using our dining room, but the lighting in there is horrible. We have Edison bulbs in the light fixture that cast a very yellow glow. It's really cozy in person but not ideal for pictures. Couple that with a rainy, overcast day and the pictures leave a lot to be desired. But I took one million anyway! Our sweet girl soaked up the love and special time with her friends, and then we spent the rest of the day celebrating as a family. 

Welcome to Liesls' 5th par-TEA! 

This was her morning view after coming downstairs. We surprised her with a new dollhouse and let her open her family gifs before Liam left for school. The dollhouse was great party entertainment too!

We love our girly-girl! 

Vroom! Beep! Choo Choo! Elias is TWO!

We had SUCH a fun night celebrating Elias! We kept it low key with a family party, but that doesn't mean I didn't put my party hat on and get to decorating. Elias LOVES all things that move - land, air, and sea - so a transportation-themed party was the perfect fit. It was bright and fun and he oohed and aahed over it all! We enjoyed Elias' favorite meal, Mexican food, and cake a la Costco. I did attempt a homemade cake, but I had a Pinterest fail moment and Costco came to the rescue an hour before the party began. It was such a fun night loving on our favorite newly-2 year old! Although, I'd be perfectly content keeping him one forever. Just for the record.    

Elias is 2!

Elias Grey,

you are TWO today!

What have you been up to??

You are growing like a weed! At your 2 year well-visit, you were 25lbs (45%) and 34.5" long (75%). You have almost all your teeth and are getting your two year molars right now - I didn't even realize so thank you for that! 

Everyone comments on how much and how well you talk. I thought being the third kid that you would be more quiet, but the exact opposite has happened. You talk in full sentences and are pretty easy to understand unless you really get on a roll. Then it's a whole lot of gibberish.

You are a great eater. You love taco bowls and dipping which is funny because the other two are just now starting to dip. You dip in ketchup, ranch, salsa, queso, you name it, and you mean business when you do! #somessy

You are ALL boy. Running, climbing, jumping on and off everything. You have no fear and shake off little bumps and falls like they're nothing. Except for one thing. You HATE to have your hands dirty. You will immediately ask to clean them if you eat or play with something messy. 

You have no interest in potty training and will straight up say "no potty, my diaper" if I ask you to try. Stubborn, much?

One of our favorite things about you is how excited you get about everything. Your signature reaction to seeing something exciting is to just GASP! It's loud and hilarious and tickles us every time. 

You are not a big snuggler because you're always so busy, except for naptime/bedtime. You love squeeze hugs and patting our backs, and you will climb up into the rocker and tell me to "sit." Your day always ends with snuggles and singing in your chair and you love it. 

You are still very much attached to your paci. You call them "tunga" because they are all attached to sea turtles and Will tried to teach you to call them tortuga. We have three now which I intended to be spread out throughout the house/car, but instead you collect them and walk around with one in your mouth and one in each hand most days. You absolutely cannot sleep without them. 

You can count to ten, know some colors and shapes, and can sing your abc's in the cutest high-pitch voice! When you count to ten, you always end with, "here I come!" Clearly, you learned your counting through hide and seek. 

You make a beeline for all the cars and trucks whoever we go and that's your favorite thing to play with at home too. You also love lego duplos, the train table, baby dolls, and our little playskool family doll house. 

How you pronounce our names: Eyi Yofyand or Yias Yofyand, Miam Yofyand, Weedle Yofyand, Mommy Yofyand, and Daddy Yofyand. 

Elias Grey, we love you. You keep us laughing as much as you give us headaches. You know how to turn on the charm and we (all) fall for it every.single.time. You adore your bubba and sissy, but not as much as they adore you. We are so lucky to have an Elias in our family.