Cuties in Christmas PJs

North Pole Breakfast 2017

Testing...testing...Is this thing still on??  Never fear! I'm still here just haven't posted on the blog since Eloise's birthday. LAWD.  We are just livin that Kindergarten life over here in the Kalins house.  Anyways...Guess who is back?!?

LYLA ZIGZA THE ELF!!!

Before I recap our North Pole breakfast, check out these pics from Donuts with Santa.  Eloise had a blast since this event is at her school.  She was so nervous to talk to Santa but did a great job.  He even told her that she was on the Nice List.  It was hilarious how she turned and looked at us when he told her that as if she was saying, "See guys! I'm in the clear."

 And then there was Preston...this was about 30 seconds before he freaked out about being within 20 yards of Santa.

 And now, on to our North Pole Breakfast where we welcome back our Elf on the Shelf, Lyla ZigZa.  The kids both got some new Christmas pajamas, coloring books, and chapstick.  They are both obsessed with chapstick so while it is a little on the lame side, they loved it! 

 You can follow all of Lyla's antics on my Instagram (@sewsnappymandy) or on Facebook. 

A letter to my 5 year old

Dear Eloise, 

In August 2010, I walked down to Hines Child Care Center with my BFF, $10 for the wait list fee in hand & a prayer in my heart that I'd be pregnant sooner than later.  Fast forward 2 years later, we welcomed you, Eloise Joy Kalins, on August 31, 2012.  Now 5 years later in late August 2017, you have said goodbye to the only school/daycare that you've known since 13 weeks old and embarked on new journey at St Mike's where you are celebrating your 5th birthday with a new teacher and classroom of new friends.

Eloise, you are absolutely the coolest & smartest person that I know.  Every day you amaze me with the things that you know, the topics that you have questions about and the crazy stories you tell. Your imagination is only matched by your flare for drama or your stubbornness.  God help us when you are a teenager! I hear this about 25 times a day unless it's the weekend and then it's more like 100..."Mommy? Can I tell you something?"  We never know what you will say or ask but most of the time, it's something super random. Some of the questions you asks absolutely stump us. When it comes to answering you, there's no tricking you or telling you some phoney-bologna. This year, we have tackled hard topics like cancer/illness, death & dying, God/Heaven/religion and making new friends.  I pray that you will always have this sense of wonder and curiosity.  

Your fashion sense is remarkable.  Girl knows how to mix patterns & accessorize! Headbands all day, Everyday.  It's great that you dress yourself every day and do not want feedback or assistance. There hasn't been a cat-themed shirt that we have seen that has not made it into your closet.  Somehow you have found a way to wear your cat ears headband to school and everyday functions and look fabulous. Kudos to you my love.  Even on a hot summer day, you love a layered look.  And who could blame you?  You look adorable in a cardigan!

We knew from the very beginning that you would be such a good big sister to your baby brother. Grandma Carrot & I refer to you as "Mama 2." It's cool though because I carried that same title when it comes to my sister and she's 32.  Bubbas loves you so much.  I know he can be a real pain when he comes in your room at 6am on Saturday to wake you up but it's because he loves you so much and cannot wait to play.  I love that you call him "Sweetie" or "Baby" when you talk to him.  Thank you for being patient with him and including him when you play.  One day, you will be both be so busy with your own friends and activities that I will miss hearing you two play in living room while I make dinner.  I won't necessarily miss the wrestling and gymnastics that you do on the couch but I will miss that laughter. 

When it comes to toys, you are all about the Barbies.  Lately, you have gotten into the Girl Super Heros too.  When I ask you about all of your My Little Ponies, you emphatically say, "I'm tired of ponies." Every once in a while, I will see you playing with them in the basement but I know your true love right now is everything Barbie.  It's so fun to watch or more so listen to you while you play.  Your imagination is amazing!  I should really write down half of the scenes that you act out and write a book.  No doubt that it would be a best seller.  If you are not playing with the Barbies, you are playing dress up.  Somehow you always end up casting yourself as some sort of Queen or Princess with a great backstory.  I can't wait for the day that you can act in a real play!

The past few months, we have spent a lot of time talking about Kindergarten and getting you ready for your transition to a new school.  You have always had such genuine excitement about going to St. Michael's.  I secretly love it every time when you say, "St. Michael's" as opposed to "St. Mike's."  I don't know why but it makes me smile.  This past week you have embraced all the new routines of wearing a uniform, school drop-off, packing a lunch, school rules and after school program.  Overall, I think you have done really well with this big transition. 

Eloise, my wish for you this next year is that it is filled with lots of love, friendship, excitement, learning and happiness.  I never knew I could love someone as much as I love you. Happy 5th Birthday to my smart, funny, cat-loving, donut-eating, rap song singing, headband-wearing, feisty, beautiful girl. 


Love you to the moon & back, 

Mommy

Eloise's 5th Birthday Questionnaire

What is your favorite color? Pink

What is your favorite toy? Princesses

What is your favorite movie or TV show? Emojis

What is your favorite thing to do?  Play

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Lunch?  Dinner?

Cereal for Breakfast.  Ham & Cheese for Lunch.  Noodles for Dinner.

What is your favorite outfit? Dresses

What is your favorite book? Beauty & the Beast

What is your favorite song?  Shake It Off

What makes you laugh? Tickling

What is the best time of the day? Playing

What do you sleep with at night? Fuli (Cheetah)

Who are your friends? Lauren, Jacob, Leah         

Who is your best friend?  Evelyn

What do you like best about school?  Jumping

What do you love to do with Mom? Go to Spa Day

What do you love to do with Dad? Go to Movies

What do you want to be when you grow up? Dentist for Kids

Eloise the Kindergartener

BACK TO SCHOOL QUESTIONNAIRE

1. How old are you?

Almost 5 or 4 and 1/2, 1/2 and a nickel

2. What is your favorite color?

Pink

3. What is your favorite food?

Pizza

4. What is your favorite TV show?

Teen Titans Go, Shimmer & Shine or Mickey & the Roadster Racers

5. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween

6. What is your favorite thing to do with Mom?

Go to a Spa Day at your Salon

7. What is your favorite thing to do with Dad?

Go to the movies

8. What is your favorite thing to do with Preston?

Play

10. What are you most excited about this year in school?

Everything

11. What are you most nervous about this year in school?

Making new friends

12. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Dentist for Kids

13. What is your favorite movie?

Emojis

14. What is your favorite toy/stuffed animal?

Tiger

15. What is your favorite thing to wear?

My uniform

Summer Fun 2017

I always feel like once our July Birthdays have come & gone that summer is truly halfway over.  So far this summer, we have a ton of fun!  After returning from our awesome Disney vacation at the end of May, the fun has not stopped.  We have been swimming, boating, tubing and staying up past our bedtimes.  Here are some highlights!

Just in case hanging with Princesses in Disney World wasn't enough for Eloise, we went to a Princess Party with a bunch of her girlfriends from school. 

 We celebrated Father's Day and took some much needed family photos with the Clarks

 Summer time means lots of pool time at Grandma Carrot's and Papa Kevin's house.

 Mommy & Auntie Lo kicked off the summer concert season with our favorite guys - 

New Kids on the Block!!

With Eloise starting Kindergarten at St. Michael's in August, we are spending alot of time talking about it.  Eloise is most excited for the hair accessory options that come with her uniform.  But seriously, she is really excited to be starting at a new school and making tons of new friends.  We often talk about how cool it will be to bring her lunch every day and wear matching dresses with all her classmates. 

Don't be fooled by these photos of Preston.  That boy has no sense of chill as he is full of energy and excitement about jumping in the pool.  He likes to stand on the edge and say, "3 - 2 - 1" and then jump.  When he wants to jump in, he tells you, "Bubbas...3, 2, 1?"  Let's be real though - he jumps on 2. 

 Eloise's swim lessons have paid off this year as she is loving to practice her skills every chance she gets. 

4th of July was TONS of this year because we went to Papa Jim's lake house for a big party. 

 The biggest event of the Summer has been celebrating Brad's 40th Birthday.  We enjoyed a fun getaway in the city with tons of good food & drinks. 

Brunch/Lunch at Fork. 

Whiskey Tasting at Koval Distillery

 Dinner at El Che Bar at the Chef's Table.  

 After dinner drinks at Cindy's Rooftop. 

 Sunday Brunch at Summer House Santa Monica

 Homemade Decorations!

 #youngAF

Here's to more fun the rest of the summer!