Reading Together

One of my very favorite parts of Elise being an early reader is that she reads to her sisters.

Pigtails and Ballet Shoes

Elise has been working hard doing chores around the house to earn enough money for ballet shoes. I'm happy to say that, at a quarter per chore, she finally earned enough! I'm proud of her hard work and diligence.

This was my first attempt at pigtails on Charlotte.

About to do a joint leapfrog off the stairs.

I love that these two have each other.

Day 23-Tutus, Tickling, and Airplanes

I let the other girls nap too late so I could spend some much-needed one-on-one time with Elise. She is amazing.

You know it has been a good tickle session when it ends with, "I'm gonna pee in my panties!"

Day 22-Morning Snuggles and Hand-holding

What could be better than snuggling with your sister in your pajamas in the morning?

Day 21-It's Important to Be Silly

Don't worry, I'm teaching Elise all the important things in life.

Like how to write words on a calculator turned upside down.

This picture was Elise's idea. I love my sweet girls.

And she's teaching me how much fun life can be.

Day 7-Pink, Blue, and Belly Laughs

Charlotte didn't want to wear jeans today, so she ended up wearing this fabulous pink-on-pink ensemble, with blue accents of course since blue is her favorite color. She cried to wear those blue socks, which are Vera's and way too small. We stayed in today since Charlotte has a pretty mean cold, so I guess it doesn't really matter. Also, it was crazy cold today.

#ootd
Love that dimple.

Charlotte loves to cover her eyes and "hide from the sharks!"

This is what I got when I asked her to smile, the goof.

Vera adores Elise. All Elise has to do is babble nonsense at Vera to get some great belly laughs. I love how much they love each other. Sisters are the best.

won't take her eyes off Elise

such a beautiful baby

Elise had been making Vera laugh for several minutes when I took this,
an activity that entertains them both. Makes my life easier, and my heart happy!

Sisters, Sisters

Elise and Charlotte have become good friends these past few months. Seriously, I'm so glad they love each other so much. Elise has made Charlotte cry a few times with a squeeze or a nibble, and Charlotte has made Elise jealous with her irresistible, attention-grabbing ways, but overall they adore each other. Charlotte watches Elise all the time and gives her the best smiles and coos, and Elise is always cuddling and loving on Charlotte.

Elise clobbering sharing with Charlotte

love

Elise has become quite the little mommy these days. She sings to her babies, rocks them to sleep, pushes them in Charlotte's swing, nurses and burps them, changes their diapers, gives them baths, cuts their nails. She copies whatever she sees me do.

Elise nursing her baby doll

Elise is getting so grown up! She speaks so clearly now. If she would add in a couple words like the and to, she would sound like an adult most of the time.

Elise is my big helper.

She really wasn't trying to strangle her, although that's what it looks like here.

Elise helps keep Charlotte entertained during tummy time.

Charlotte is getting so big too.

chubby baby

I love these smiles! And she even started trying to laugh the last couple of days.

Charlotte practicing using her voice

I love it when she coos like this. It's my favorite thing, maybe ever.

Elise cuddling Charlotte and Charlotte loving it

Sometimes Elise still wants to be the baby. It's easy to forget how little Elise is when she looks so big compared to Charlotte. But most of the time, Elise is all for being big. The other day she told me, "Mommy, Daddy, Lisey [her nickname and what she calls herself] big girls. Charlotte is little baby." I thought it was funny, but when I told Matt, he wasn't too excited about being called a big girl.

my two big girls and my baby
(You can decide which is which.)

Love this kid!

Elise is learning to do all kinds of things, like help me clean up. She's great with a spray bottle (filled with water, of course).

"No, don't spray Mommy!"

Charlotte is learning all kinds of new things too. I think her favorite is her newfound ability to get objects into her mouth.

I love my sweet girls!

Elise reading to Charlotte