Elijah

Elijah's birthday is next week and it's been making me think about how much he's grown in just a year. He just seems so much older now. I can't believe how much he's capable of. He's growing up :)

He has the best imagination ever! I love hanging out with him. He comes up with all sorts of wild and crazy things. He also has "pet chickens" that he takes everywhere with him. We have no clue why chickens or where the idea came from, but he always grabs his chickens. Lately, he's started to pretend to be a dog too. (I think it has to do with his favorite dog blanket, his aunt, Bonnie made him.)

Elijah also loves to cook. He can make his own PB&J's along with a few other things, but his favorite thing to make is eggs (maybe because it has to do with chickens, I'm not sure). But he loves to count all of the eggs and crack them. Every morning he'll grab one of us and get out a pan, push his step ladder to the stove and help crack eggs. He even knows to add pepper and salt. (One time he asked me if I was putting baby chickens in my cookies, because I was adding eggs... that was an interesting conversation). But he loves to cook and helps out all the time.

(Elijah made his own happy face toast)

(Elijah rolling out dough for our Valentine cookies)

He also loves to learn. We're doing "preschool" together and he loves it. I try to spend about 30 minutes everyday doing a lesson along with crafts. He loves books and learning sounds of letters, counting, coloring, and can even read a little. But he also loves to play and likes learning new games. He's always asking to learn how to play baseball, or soccer, or basketball, or football, or hockey or whatever... :)

(We flew kites as part of our lesson when we were learning about wind)

He also loves to take pictures. He's always grabbing our camera to take pictures. He also uses our old phones and uses them for the camera too. He's getting better with it.

(Elijah took this picture of Grandma)

Elijah also has a really good memory. Which helps to fuel his imagination, but he still remembers our trips we've taken and Santa Claus. He seriously loves Santa. The other day, he asked if Santa can come to his birthday party. He got really sad when I told him Santa has to work in the North Pole, so won't be able to make it. And he 's always asking to go to Utah to visit Grandma and Grandpa, because he still remembers that's where they had to go after they left our house after Thanksgiving.

He also is so thoughtful and such a sweet little guy! The other day he pretended to go to the store, and handed me some crayons and told me he bought me some flowers at the store. He also loves to give hugs and kisses. It's so hard sometimes, because he'll get out of bed and I'll be frustrated that he's still up after a half hour past his bedtime, and he'll just say he needed another hug and kiss and wanted to snuggle. When I'm sick sometimes, he'll pat me on my back and tell me he loves me and to feel better. And he always kisses everyone's Boo-boos better. And best of all, he's the best Big Brother Ever! He takes such good care of his little sister. He's always trying to share with her and loves giving her hugs and kisses. He loves to play with her and he's always making her laugh.

(Elijah "reading" to Chloe in his suitcase fort)

Elijah's just the best kid ever and we just love him!