Eliza Reading

Towards the end of Term 1, Kindy were sent home readers. Eliza has been so keen to read she jumped straight into it! Her teacher said that she had given Eliza readers that were a little bit harder but she believed that Eliza could do it. She was right! Eliza did so well with her reading and just showed so much joy in being able to do it. I am so proud of her and can't wait to see her continue to blossom this year, particularly in her reading and writing because I know that she is so keen to learn it. Here she is reading her first reader to me (after reading it to James).

I also loved this moment between Alexander and Daniel. Alexander was reading 'Where is the Green Sheep?' to Daniel and it was just so sweet seeing Daniel help Alexander with some words and cheer him on when he read it properly. He is a great big brother.

 

Celebrating Eliza's 6th Birthday

On Thursday the 19th March we got to celebrate our beautiful girl Eliza.
The night before we took photos for the last night of her being 5 years old. She is so giggly and cheeky. 

In the morning Eliza got up, got dressed and then was very excited for presents. Her reactions were very cute.

Daniel reading his message to her

Daddy reading his message to her

The surprise

Am I getting a bike for my birthday?

Yay!

Looking at a special book that Daddy found

New clip on earrings

More dolls house toys

She loved the cards from Grannie Jean and Nana J and Boompa

Sticky notes

She was right into drawing with her glitter pens and sticky notes. She is loving writing and sounding out words!

'Frog on a log.', 'Today I am 6.' Today it is Sunny., I go to school.

Eliza had a fun day at school. She enjoyed wearing a special birthday hat and had fun with her friends. She got to have some special biscuits in her lunch box too. After school we headed to the bike shop to get her a new bike.

We then headed over to Nana and Poppy's place for dinner. Eliza loved sharing her birthday with Nana, Poppy, Auntie Jenny, Uncle Howie and Oscar.

Nana and Poppy gave Eliza Auntie Jenny and my old Barbie dolls. She loved looking at them all and really enjoyed dressing them up. Auntie Jenny and I also liked looking back through them.

Eliza's reactions are the best when responding to Uncle Howie and his jokes about 'Happy Christmas Eliza', 'Happy Easter', 'Happy New Year'.

Noooo!

Nooooo!!!

 The Howie's gave her her birthday present. Very special to have her first present of proper jewellery.

Oscar reading their card to Eliza

Pretty

 There were silly photos on Auntie Jenny's phone.

Nana made Eliza her own chocolate cake, as requested. She put a butterfly on it and also found a ballet dancer.

Dancing like the ballet dancer on the cake

Before dinner she got to have a chat with Nana J and Boompa over Facetime. 
Eliza was very excited to have Nana's meat pie for dinner.

And the cake time was a hit.

Thanks Nana for the cake!

Omm Nomm

When we got home Eliza got to have a quick ride on the road to have a go on her new bike.

She had a wonderful birthday and felt very special and loved.

Friday continued the celebrations of Eliza. Instead of having a party we decided to invite around a few friends and their families for a playdate with cupcakes. She chose to have Emily, Matilda, Clara and Liam over. It was a lovely afternoon with the kids playing well together, cupcakes were enjoyed and tasty, ice blocks were hard (because it was quite warm) and fruit was tasty.

This was my first time piping. Pretty pleased with the result

Singing happy birthday to Eliza

Corona virus cupcake candle

Matilda, Clara, Eliza and Ems

Waterpainting - the final product below

Backyard cricket

Liam was very sweet coming and being the only kindy boy

Eliza and Ems enjoying being creative

I love the friendship that these crazy kiddies have. It is so beautiful seeing them play together. It is great that they each pair off and that they just know how to have fun together. It is lovely (and frustrating) that they never want to leave each others place.

Friday night was time to make Eliza's birthday cake. She chose the ballerina dancing cake which I changed slightly to have Eliza dancing on it instead.

The piping worked again

It wouldn't be put all together until at her party in the morning. 
In the morning we headed down to Ruddock Park and set up the picnic table ready for the party. The kids had a great time riding their bikes around and we enjoyed chatting with everyone. Eliza was very pleased with her new bike.

The cake was put together and Eliza liked how it looked.

 Uncle Howie requested Fruit Skewers. Fortunately they didn't disappoint.

According to Uncle Howie, Alexander ate most of the skewers

Birthday girl enjoying her food

My gorgeous birthday girl

 As always the swings were popular.

She is always so happy on the swing!

 Uncle Howie decided to drink his coke without using his hands. Instead he used his skewers. What could possibly go wrong??

Winner!

 Anne, Lachie, Emily and Flynnie came down to the park to have a bit of a play too. I told them to join in for the cake time which the kids were most happy to do. Afterall they are like extended family to us.

We could only get 2 candles to light before the wind blew them out, so we ran with 2 candles.

We had the cake and then corona cupcakes so that she didn't spread any germs blowing out the candles.

 Eliza liked the cake (especially the icing).

Cheese monster while waiting for cake

A mouth full of icing!

When I was talking to Eliza about her party, she said 'The one person who I just really really hope will be there is Auntie Jenny. I just really want her to be there.' I love the special bond these 2 have. I hope it continues as she grows up. Auntie Jenny would even dress as a unicorn for Eliza. This is love!

She also loves laughing with/at Uncle Howie. She adores how cheeky he is and loves to play with him and laugh with him.

Eliza was quite good with social distancing. There weren't hugs and kisses to say hi to people and most of the time when talking she kept her space.

Then it was present time. She was blessed by many very generous family members!

Am I 6 or 9?

Loves anything Frozen

Grayma was feeling a bit cold so even put on the jacket that she gave to Eliza. It did the job perfectly! (as an aside, look at her pure joy in the smile as she watches Eliza opening her presents and playing with Emily!)

Jens and I with Grandma

The best part of the opening presents for Eliza wasn't the gifts themselves (even though she was very excited about them). Instead it was playing with Emily with the wrapping paper. Both girls were giggling so much. Why spend money on expensive gifts?

The kids did enjoy have Anne's kids come along too. They had a great time playing together!

Happy 6th birthday beautiful baby girl! I am glad that you enjoyed all the celebrations for you. You are so special to so many people! You have thrived already in Kindy - I just love watching you read, sound out words, try to spell and ask so many questions. Your heart for others is such a special quality to have and I love that you care for others and want them to feel happy and included. I love that you love Jesus and pray that that will continue to grow as you learn more and more about Him. I love singing with you, I love watching your creative side flourish. You are so amazing with your drawings. I love seeing your joy in dancing and even though it is hard and out of your comfort zone, I love that you persist with the lessons and continue to give it your best go. I love watching you with your brothers, including them (most of the time) and sharing with them. You are the first to join a hug in our family. You are the first to give a kiss on the cheek. While your strength and determination drive me crazy at times, I love that that is who you are and it is going help you go places as you use those qualities to pursue your dreams. No one is going to stand in your way!
I hope you have had a wonderful birthday Eliza and I can't wait to see what is instore for you as a 6 year old.