Eliot's 4th birthday

This year for Eliot's birthday we went to Pump It Up. This is the first year that we've invited his school friends. It was HUGE fun! Those kids went haywire! I'm sure they all slept well that night. I've posted a few pictures in the gallery, under a whole new album - ELIOT'S FIFTH YEAR! There are also a few bonus pictures of the snow day we had a few weeks ago. While it did not technically occur during Eliot's fifth year, it was very recent.

Ladybug Class

So I ran across this old tidbit today, that I apparently forgot to post. It's old news, but still....

Last fall, when all the kids returned to Hand In Hand from summer break, all of Eliot’s friends got promoted to Ladybug, but he was left behind as the oldest Butterfly in the class. Eliot took the news better than I did, of course, but I was a little disappointed. So, after a few months in Butterfly class, we got a note before the holidays in our cubby. Eliot was being promoted! He seemed sorta excited when we found out about it, but he did NOT want to visit the Ladybug class, and didn’t even really want to talk about it or peek in the window. He said, “But it’s not January yet!” So I was a little concerned when we returned to school after the holidays. I was afraid he’d make a different excuse. But he marched right past his old class, waved to Miss Melissa (his old teacher) and right into the Ladybug class! There was much screaming (the good kind) and hugging upon his arrival, from both him and his friends. It was a joyous reunion! He had a great first day, hardly any transition pains at all! So here we are, with a brand new adventure to start the new year.

benevolence

In preparation for Christmas and birthday, and the anticipated onslaught of new toys and games, we were cleaning out Eliot’s closet, toy chest and shelves. At first I was keeping it quiet, sneaking one or two toys into a bag each day. I should know better than to underestimate the little guy, but I was just not in the mood for a fight. Then, after Christmas, it was really and truly time to find a place for all the new stuff. So, I hauled a garbage bag up the stairs and got to work. Eliot came in a few minutes later.

“Why are you throwing away all of my toys?” he calmly asked.

“I’m not throwing them away,” I explained. “I’m gathering up some of your toys that you don’t play with anymore and I’m going to give them to kids that don’t have toys.”

“There are kids that don’t have toys??” Eliot was a little shocked by that notion.

“That’s right, and since you have so many, I thought I’d give those kids some of yours. I promise I won’t give away any of your NEW toys.”

Much to my delighted surprise, Eliot started helping me clean out his room! I think that the idea that some people don’t have toys really struck a nerve with him. He was putting so many toys into the bag that I had to slow him down. “Are you sure you want to give that one away? You still play with it!” When we were finished, we had two big bags full of toys and books (that does not even include the clothes!). I was really proud of Eliot for his generosity. Together, we found a new place for all of his Christmas toys on his clean shelves and toybox. He has not even mentioned those old toys since then, except for once when he said, “Mommy? You think those kids like all the toys we gave them?” “Oh yes!” I answered. “I think they couldn’t be happier to have some new toys to play with!”

last pictures for this year.

I wanted to throw in a few last pictures before we start a whole new year. Just some fun things from our daily life...