I had a really proud mom moment when we went to see Santa. All on her own, Ashley decided that since Santa is always generous and giving to others, that she wanted to give back to him and make him a gift. So she worked hard and cut out paper snowflakes, and put them in a pretty bag to give him. Santa was so taken aback by her thoughtfulness that he said he wanted to cry, and that he would hang them up on his walls at the North Pole.
Emily's teacher also informed me that, when asked what she wanted for Christmas this year, the only thing that Emily said she wanted was a doll for her sister Ashley so she could have the same as her. She cared more about getting something for her than for herself.
Chippy, our Elf on the Shelf, is also quite the hit again this year. Ashley just LOVES Chippy. Our elf has really strong powers so we can touch and hold him. She would carry him around everywhere and would want to take him places. He helped us get our Christmas tree again this year. Ashley loves Chippy so much that her #1 Christmas gift request was a matching Elf outfit so that she could match Chippy. Because Santa was so pleased with her kind gesture, and because he wanted the girls to enjoy their elf clothing for the whole holiday season, Santa sent Chippy back with them early (as well as nightgowns with Chippy all over it).
We also had Emily's Christmas concert yesterday. I just love watching all the kids singing. Emily always does such a nice job. We still have Christmas parties coming up too!
I will definitely look back on this time with such warm, fond memories. Trying to capture and enjoy it all while I can.
Now for a quick update.
I'll start with Ashley. All I can say is wow. I am not going to lie, ages 3 and 4 (and even a little of 5) had some very challenging moments with her. There was a lot of strong willed behavior, and even arguing and opposition at times. She definitely gave me a run for my money. I don't know what happened, but recently it's like a switch went off with her. Maybe it's her age, or maybe it's starting kindergarten and having such a nice teacher and more responsibilities...but I have noticed some really incredible changes with her within the past few months. She still has her moments, like all children/humans do, but I have watched her really mature and blossom. She has really become very kind, thoughtful/considerate, more respectful to myself and to others, polite and helpful. She's at an age where you can now discuss things and reason with her. I have been so incredibly proud of her.
She has already received two notices about "being caught being respectful" at school. And just the other day she was nominated for the Pillar of Character: Responsibility. This is a special honor, where a few children are chosen from throughout the whole school to be recognized for their great character/behaviors. Their name is called over the loudspeaker, they hang her picture up in the hallway, and send home a small gift. Very proud mom (parents) here!
Ashley really has loved and thrived in kindergarten, just as I knew she would. She has a passion for learning, and school channels this for her. She is the most advanced reading level, to the point where her teacher said she doesn't want to put her too far ahead, because she doesn't want her to feel left out. She is very bright and a hard worker, although she does have a tendency to have some perfectionism at times. So both at school and at home, we encourage "good enough is good enough"--appreciating her hard work and efforts, but allowing for human error and mistakes too. And trying anyway, even if we may not be the best at something.
The only con side to kindergarten has been the adjustment to the long days. Their schedule is jam packed, with little breaks. And going from a few half days of preschool to a long, full week has been hard. Sometimes around Thursday or Friday, we tend to have a "crash"/meltdown time. So we have refrained from after school activities for now (other than Daisies girl scouts which is only 1x/month) and playdates (which I am now trying to avoid at the end of the week).
Ashley has really gotten into art. She has always enjoyed her coloring, painting and crafts. But she continues to have a passion for it. At the end of her school day, there are different stations that the kids can pick. Ashley almost always chooses painting, and comes home with these big beautiful paintings that she's made. She also enjoys beading now. In addition to art, she has enjoyed practicing writing and spelling. When the weather is decent, she also enjoys the playground and playing with friends after school as well.
Now onto Emily. She is officially 4 now! Time, please slow down! I remember when Ashley was four, and now my last "baby" is 4. We had a nice celebration--we do a family celebration on Thanksgiving, then we went to a Hibachi restaurant on her actual birthday, then we had a joint birthday celebration for her and Ashley over the weekend. Because of Emily's maturity, she and Ashley really do have the same friends. Emily keeps up and plays well with kids Ashley's age (moreso than when she plays with kids her age or younger). So the joint party works, because we'd be inviting the same set of friends twice if we kept seperate. (Plus they both get two other seperate/individual celebrations for just them). This year we stuck to the YMCA party, but we did a cupcake decorating theme. The girls loved it. They got to color their own apron and chef hat (which they got to keep), and then decorate 3 different cupcakes to take home. We had pizza, and a fun dance party. It was a good time. Our amount of friends has practically doubled since last year. We had 25 kids there (and 2 more were supposed to come).
Emily has really grown--literally. She is really tall. Last year when she turned 3, I remember needing to switch her to 4t pants because the 3s were too short. Same for this year, she turned 4 but is in 5t pants--only one pant size different from Ashley despite the 2 year age different. They are also only 1 shoe size apart. Even though I am the oldest, I am the shortest. I have a feeling this may be the case for Ashley and Emily someday. I sometimes have people ask me if they are twins even, between them being so close in size, looking similar, and again Emily keeps up/acts much older at times.
Ashley and Emily definitely have their own unique interests and personalities. For instance, Ashley loves all the art activities. Emily wants nothing to do with it. Her teacher even said she had a hard time having Emily sit down to color at first. Emily would rather be up moving and bouncing off of things (sometimes literally, haha).
Emily really enjoys dressing up (Ashley too). Emily goes back and forth from things like Spiderman, to this year wanting to be a Ninja turtle, to supeheroes, to the opposite extreme of frilly fancy dresses. She's a good balance ;) . She loves the dresses, and heels, etc. They love to put on 6 diffent costumes at once.
Emily is also into dressing up as a ballerina and dancing. So much so that I'd like to sign her up for a dance class sometime in near future, just waiting until we acclimate to the schedule a little more. Emily enjoys physical, likes to play on scooter, play outside when weather cooperates. Although she will sit and play play-doh.
Emily also got a great report from school. She is right where she should be academically, socially, she gets along well with others and is very sweet with the teachers. She loves going to school, and always loves to give her teacher extra hugs before we leave. She also greets me by running into my arms and giving me a big hug every day which is so sweet.
She is still a momma's girl, but is also becoming a daddy's girl, always saying that she misses daddy when he's working.
My only complaint, although totally normal and probably lifelong (at least until teenage years), is the bickering between the girls at times. Half the time they are SOOOO sweet together. They think of each other when not together. The look out of each other--for instance, one time they were watching a kid show with a "scary" part. They were sitting together, and Ashley had her arm around Emily and said "don't worry mommy, I'm going to cover Emily's heart so that I can protect her heart so she won't be scared". So sweet. Then they next minute they can be fighting. Typically it's Emily istigating with Ashley, because she knows that she can get a reaction from her (Ashley goes from zero to 100 in seconds and always overreacts). But like I said, typical siblign stuff.
But life contiunes to be wonderful...and exhausting...and maddening at times...but really great and wouldn't-change-it-for-the-world kinda stuff....
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