Alena's 4th Birthday

May 2011

We welcomed your 4th birthday with a three day long celebration!  The day before your birthday, you brought cookies to school and got to wear the special birthday hat.  Most kids wear the hat for a couple hours, but you wore it the entire day, (except during meals and nap time).  School also let you pick out your birthday book and you chose Cinderella. 

That night we traveled to Riverside.  The morning of your birthday, we celebrated by having donuts and then you and dad went to the Iowa Football game!  You had so much fun and especially enjoyed watching the band play and the dance team.  You were also very interested in the score of the game and loved yelling "O" for I-O-W-A after they scored a touchdown.  For dinner that night, you requested pulled BBQ pork sandwiches, Cheetos and fruit.  You also requested a blue cake with pink frosting that you helped Grandma S make.  The cake was decorated with lots and lots and lots of sprinkles :).

Your last birthday celebration was at home, where Aunt Emily, Uncle James, Wyatt, Rylee, Pat and Willard and Grandma and Papa were there to help you celebrate.  You requested a Rapunzel cake for this party and dressed in your Rapunzel dress.  The neighbor's grandchildren, Julia and Madi also helped you celebrate.  Unfortunately it was a chilly, rainy day, but everyone had a great time.  You specifically asked for a guitar and underwear for your birthday :). 

Like I do every year, I watched the videos of when you were first born.  I still remember how surprised I was when I saw you were a little girl. The first six months of your life flew by and before we knew it you were walking at 10 months.  By a year you were saying a number of words.  You have always been very chatty, except when a lot of unfamiliar people are around.  We loved how much you learned from age 1 to 2 and never really experienced the "terrible 2's" with you.  Shortly after turning 2, you were potty trained (because you were SO easy to potty train, I know your brother and sister will be difficult). Every teacher that has had you makes mention of what a great listener you are.  Unfortunately you don't always have your listening ears with you at home, but others are always reminding us of what a great child you are.  Caleb and Lauren are so lucky to have you as their big sister.  You make them laugh more than any one else can and they are always so excited to see you. I can't wait to watch you all grow up together.   

I'm glad that it will be two more years before you go to Kindergarten because I don't think I could handle you going next year.  You are so excited to move into the pre-kindergarten class at school and I know you will really enjoy it.  This curriculum focuses more on different school subjects:  Math, Reading, Writing, Science.

We've loved watching you develop friendships with your classmates, cousins and neighbors.  You like to be a leader, but also don't mind learning from others.  We continue to think you are athletic.  You love running and would love to go for runs with me some day soon.  You can also hit a ball with a baseball bat when it is thrown at you and are  getting good at playing "volleyball".  I'm anxious to get you involved with more activities.  

20 Birthday Questions:

What is your favorite color?  Pink and Purple
What is your favorite toy?  My kitchen
What is your favorite fruit?  Peaches and Mandarin Oranges
What is your favorite movie?  Finding Nemo
What is your favorite TV show?  Martha Speaks
What is your favorite thing to wear?  Dresses
What is your favorite animal?  Giraffe
What is your favorite song?  The Balloon Song ("Alena had a yellow balloon so she blew and blew and blew.  'Til it got so big and fat it grew and grew and grew.  Alena kept it in the air and never let it drop, until one day it hit the ground and suddenly went pop"
What is your favorite book?  Tinkerbell
Who is your favorite friend?  Taylor Peterson
What is your favorite snack?  Cliff Bar
What is your favorite drink?  Lemonade
What is your favorite breakfast food?  Fresh toast, pancakes, waffles
What is your favorite dinner?  Peanut butter and jelly
What is your favorite place to go?  The Park
What is your favorite game?  Tag
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Play with bouncy balls
What is your favorite holiday?  Easter
What do you sleep with?  Eeyore and Piggy
What do you want to be when you grow up?  A Teacher

Your BFF Taylor (during your first school trip to the pumpkin patch)