So I started writing this post in February and never quite finished it... ooops!
Having a 4 year old is so much fun! Elise is so independent, helpful, kind, funny, and really enjoyable to be around (the vast majority of the time, haha).
Stats: Her height is approximately 43 inches (95%) and weight is approximately 38.5 lbs (75%). She wears mostly 5T or girls sizes XS and S with a size 12.5 shoe. (Edited to add: By April, she now wears a size 6 or girls S and still a size 12.5 shoe).
Sleeping: Elise still loves to sleep and needs about 12-12.5 hours total throughout the day. We made the decision in January to start the transition to rest time instead of nap time because it was taking Elise too long to fall asleep at night (and then she would be tired in the morning, and then cranky after her nap, and then take too long to fall asleep... bad cycle). We've been doing this for about a month now and she still naps about half the time but it is going well and she is happier. The other day just before nap time, in a somber tone, she looked at me and said, "Mommy, I don't think I'm going to be able to stay up with you today. I'm too tired."
Transition to Rest Time: She's had an Onaroo Teach Me Time clock in her room since we converted her crib to a bed. It is awesome and worth every penny. It makes time changes and travel adjustments a piece of cake. We set it to turn green at 7:15 and she can get up any time after that (usually up by 7:30 at the latest). Anyway, I did some research and ended up buying a second clock, which we will eventually use in Jack's room. It is the Onaroo Ok to Wake clock (which doesn't have all the features of the Teach Me Time clock but does has a nap feature). When it is rest time, we set it for 30 minutes, turn it on, and then when it turns green she can get up. I gave her the option of reading books or playing quietly in her room during rest time, but she insists on turning the light off and "resting" in her bed. So, she falls asleep about half the time but I think it gets her the sleep that she needs without giving her too much. I try to wake her after an hour to an hour and a half if she does fall asleep.
Eating: Elise is still a great eater, especially when compared to her brother. She is very predictable on the foods that she likes to eat, and has learned to say "that isn't my favorite" to let me know that she doesn't like something... and most of the time she'll eat it anyway without complaining. She drinks mostly water and has plain milk several times a week. Juice is an extremely special treat... she eats a ton of fruit and doesn't need the extra sugar :)
Breakfast favorites: Yogurt, dry cereal, oatmeal, eggs, bacon, bagels, waffles, pancakes, fruit
Lunch favorites: Peanut butter or almond butter (in sandwich form, cracker form, dipping in apples form, granola ball form, etc), cheese, cucumbers, fruit, turkey, grilled cheese
Dinner favorites: Chicken, steak, turkey, ham, roast, pork tenderloin, (not ground beef), rice, pasta, asparagus, broccoli, sweet potatoes, (not carrots), fruit, corn, peas, beans, macaroni, quesadilla
Snack favorites: Raisins, granola bars, pretzels, crackers, squeezy packs
Independence: Elise does so many things for herself at this age. She likes to dress herself before she comes out of her room in the morning. Her favorite clothing items include leggings and anything pink or sparkly. She can turn clothes inside out, put on her jackets and zip them, button her sweaters, brush her teeth well, serve snacks, clear her dishes without being asked, put her clothes away without being asked, etc. She is usually very eager to go get things for me or Jack and will sometimes even ask if I need help with anything.
Playing: Elise and Jack love being together. Their idea of a good time usually includes running, jumping, climbing, or hiding on the couch. Due to the age and gender difference, they usually don't play with the same toys at the same time unless we are all doing something together. The other day I peeked in the playroom and had to laugh because Elise had dumped out her dolls and was busy changing their clothes and shoes just a foot away from Jack, who was completely engrossed in moving cars around the duplo track.
With peers, Elise is very interactive and a very good friend. She loves to play with her friends at preschool, at church, and on playdates. Favorite things include dolls, princesses (especially Ariel and Cinderella), pretend play, Lego friends (she plays quietly with these for very long periods of time!), the trampoline, playing at the park/zoo/aquarium/etc, running, and playing games (Candyland, cards, etc). She enjoys going for walks, playing chase with her brother, and going anywhere that Mommy goes.
Favorite things: Elise primarily asks to read her Disney Princess books or bibles. She loves to play princess, dress up as a princess, pretend to swim like a mermaid, etc. When she gets to watch a DVD, she either watches Boz the Bear, Veggie Tales, one of the Preschool Prep DVDs, or one of the Leapfrog DVDs. On a special occasion, she loves to have a popcorn date and watch Cinderella. She loves jewelry, shoes, and clothes. She always talks about her next trip to Texas to visit her grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
Learning: If you get Elise in the right mood, she will write her name, write other letters, draw things, sound out words, read sight words, etc. She is definitely capable of all of that and I try to provide opportunities and encourage her but I don't want to bribe her. She does not typically enjoy coloring or drawing. She finally developed a good writing grip around her 4th birthday and after going back and forth for a long time, we're convinced that she'll be right-handed. We've been working through the "Get Ready for the Code" book and she likes it (and rarely ever wants to do any other workbooks). At first I thought she was too far ahead for it since she already knows a lot of phonics, but it has really helped her letter writing and following directions. She prefers using the little Crayola Pipsqueaks markers.
What fun it is to have a sweet little girl! We love you, Elise! Here are a few pictures from January and February.
January 6 - Texas Birthday Party at the Arboretum... all of her grandparents, aunts, and uncles were able to come!
Singing "Happy Birthday"
She loved getting to be the center of attention with all her favorite people!
Opening the La La Loopsy toys from Ben and Kara
Princess books from Jennifer
Set of dolls from Cinderella from Gram and Grandpa
New shirt and headbands from Bryan and Michelle
Cinderella doll, carriage, and jewelry box from Mimi and Pop
After we got back to Baltimore, she surprised us by writing her name... she has never wanted to or attempted it before and did it all by herself! Proud almost 4 year old...
January 23 - Birthday breakfast! She got a new pjs, bows, a skirt, and a shirt (pink, of course!) from Mommy and Daddy and some new markers and princess coloring pages from Jack
Looking so big!
Working on a princess puzzle in her room with the traveling bear from her preschool class
Playing bricks with Jack
Can't wait to give her a big hug next week!
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