Ethan's 1st Day of 3rd Grade

This picture was taken on the first day of school, 2011. 

Ethan is a 3rd grader this year in Mrs. Rheault's class. He loves school. Not to be the bragging mom, but I'm going to brag about my child now. Ethan was chosen for the Discovery Group for gifted and talented kids, is in the accelerated math group, and is in the top reading group. Okay, enough bragging. I'm just so proud of him, not only for how smart he is, but because he tries so hard and cares about the work he does. He cares about getting his homework done and doing well on tests. I love that kind of diligence. Ethan still loves reading and devours books like I devour Cheetos. He's very into baseball, soccer, and basketball. He still loves the Packers and the Twins. He's very into video games especially Zelda: Skyward Sword lately. He's growing up so fast, but I couldn't be prouder to be this kid's mom. He and Elliot get along very well for the most part. Last night, on our way home from soccer pictures, they had this interaction while looking at Ninjagos.
Ethan: Elliot, how about we like Cole and Kai the best. Let's like them the best, okay?
Elliot: Okay Ethan, we like those guys.
Ethan: But can we agree, that Cole's power is lame?
Elliot: Yeah, very lame.
(We get home.)
Ethan: Thanks for the talk Elliot.
Elliot: Thank you, Ethan.

It's moments like those that I never want to forget. Hence, this blog. :) -RL

Elliot's First Year at School

 Above is Elliot's first school picture. I'll hopefully add a picture later of his spring school program where he was awarded Outstanding Achievement in Joyfulness. They couldn't have pegged him any better. Elliot is joyful. He is bursting with joy and love at all times. He loves to snuggle, loves to tell his family how much he loves us, and loves to make people happy. He is so sweet, sensitive, hilarious, kind-hearted and just himself in every way. I love his quirky, crazy, uniqueness.

 This is his friend from school. They played Mary and Joseph (Elliot says Jofus) in the Christmas program at Little Lights Preschool. Elliot loves his friend Marina and does not hesitate to tell her so....every day.

Here is Elliot singing some Muppets. Elliot loves to sing, dance, play with friends and I will post a video soon of him riding his bike without training wheels, which he learned on 4/25/12 at 4 years old.

A Few New Things for the Liens

Since it's been so long since I've added anything to this blog, I thought I'd add a bunch of pictures at once and briefly go over how things have changed. See above. Edison is standing. He's very close to walking, but has not taken a step. He's 11 months and I think he will be walking by his 1st birthday!

 Elliot spends a lot of time with Edison during the day and has been a great big brother. Edison really loves both of his brothers and they adore him.

 Ethan got glasses on November 11, 2011.

 At the end of the summer 2011, we got 2 kittens from my friend Shauna. At the top is Polly and below is Pickle. They are a rambunctious addition to our family, but the kids love them. I'm waiting for them to get lazy and fat.

Edison is the biggest and most wonderful change in our family. He has been an ideal baby. He's been sleeping through the night since he was 5 weeks old. He's the happiest, most easy going baby and we are so grateful for that. He can say Ma-ma, Da-da, and Kee (Kitty), although he doesn't know what he's saying. He is such a joy; my cup runneth over. -RL

Elliot's Book List

I have to start this post because Elliot is now 4 and we are starting to read chapter books together. As I did for Ethan, I am going to keep a list of the books we've read together. I love going back and seeing all that Ethan and I read together. I love knowing that Elliot and I will do the same and eventually Edison and I. This picture was taken on Elliot's first day of preschool and is one of my favorites.

1. Freckle Juice by Judy Blume (finished on 5/1/12)
2. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (finished on 5/8/12)
3. Fantastic Mr. Fox (finished on 5/23/12--Elliot's 5th birthday!)
4. Junie B. Jones and that Meanie Jim's Birthday (5/30/12)
5. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (6/20/12)
6. Pooh and Some Bees (6/20/12)
7. Pooh Goes Visiting and Pooh and Piglet Nearly Catch a Woozle (6/21/12)
8. Junie B. Jones and her Big Fat Mouth (7/9/12)
9. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (current book)