happy birthday elliot!

Typical Elliot smile

All dressed up for action on a recent rainy day

Taking Alana for a ride

Little watermelon plants

Being silly

My little man turned 4 in November! It has been such fun to see his personality blossom in the past year. He has learned to be more assertive ('I'm talking right now, Dylan, and you keep interrupting!') - very much needed with his super - talker, active older brother and has turned into quite a talker himself.

I have tended to kind of put the two of them (Dylan and Elliot that is) into the same pot, treating them more or less the same and expecting the same from both of them. This year has been a time of learning for me, too, and I've been reminded that every child (even mine) is different and unique and I have deliberately kept an eye out for that uniqueness in Elliot this past year. And I love what I have discovered.

Although gifted with stubborness just like every other member of this family, he has a sweet and caring heart and is the most likely to be found playing with Alana or wrestling with Ayden. He is artistic. loves taking pictures and is extremely observant of all that is happening around him as well as of details in pictures. He enjoys music and singing and books and has a knack for words, has picked up reading faster than Dylan and likes using scissors and glue.

Elliot loves our pets and helps me feed them and take care of them. He is also the first to volunteer to help me when it comes to baking and gardening. His latest project was planting some water melon seeds and I am so thrilled at how well they are growing.

Most of all he loves to make us laugh, has a great sense of humor and enjoys clowning around.

I love how he watches out for his siblings, love his tender and sensitive heart (that I tend to overlook at times) and love that he is part of our family!

Happy birthday, Elliot! I love you and am so proud to be your mom!