The Lindvall Family: Happy Birthday, Elli

It seems crazy that Elliana is four years old! We definitely see her maturing more each day. She is becoming much more independent and doing well helping out with things around the house when we ask. She's so observant and doesn't miss a beat!

Elli is in the process of dropping her nap. She is able to go without one some during the week, but still occasionally requires one. She is still a great eater and will typically eat whatever we put on her plate. Elli is becoming more vocal about what she likes and doesn't; however, she still will usually eat whatever we give her.

Elli is such a movie lover! She loves any Disney movie and still loves all the princesses! Frozen is her current obsession. Jake and the Neverland Pirates is undoubtedly her favorite cartoon and it's usually the only one we watch around here. She still loves dressing up, but I'm not seeing her do it as much as she used to a few months ago.

Elli has been really interested in learning how to write her letters. Anytime she has scrap paper, she usually writes different letters on it then asks me what it says! She's been able to write Elli for quite some time, but just recently I've been having her write her full name. She wrote her name on all of her Valentine's this year….to say it took us some time is an understatement! She loves working on crafts!!

Elli is doing great at her preschool. She goes to school 2 days a week and really enjoys it! She loves reading books and will often try and memorize them and read them back to herself. Tonight she said "Maddy (friend at school) doesn't know how to read books, so I taught her how to read today. And then I sat down and read her a book." I so wish I could have seen her 'teach' Maddy how to read. Elli got to bring in a book to her class on Monday and read it in front of her class. Her teacher said she does well playing with her friends and even said Elli has been trying to include another girl who doesn't like to participate in class. (That girl's mom told me the other day that her daughter talks about Elli all the time at home).

Elli is still so full of life and as dramatic as ever! Like I said, we see her maturing more and more each day! She is beginning to show remorse for things she's done wrong….usually about 5 to 10 minutes after she's gotten in trouble, she'll say "I'm really sorry for what I did." She is so into make-up right now and always wants chapstick on. She'll often ask my mom, "Nana, I want the stuff with color." The other night we caught her putting on waterproof mascara while she was supposed to be in her bed sleeping….it was all over the right side of her face and hair (but she actually did good at putting it on her eyelashes). She's also constantly wanting to spray stuff in her hair .

Although she can be quite bossy to Connor, she often follows his lead. She likes to do or have whatever he has. When we give her a choice between something, she'll often say "what are you going to pick Connor?" Around the house, they fight like crazy, but when they're out in public, they play nonstop together! Elli is soooo excited for a new baby to join the family and I'm hoping she's not as bossy to this next kiddo!