Kindergarten Update!

Eden is doing great in kindergarten. She has made some friends and is learning the social ropes. She comes home each day and announces what she had for lunch and if anyone picked on anyone else that day and who stood up for who.

Today she told me she had a tooth growing in behind another tooth. I took this to mean her molar was coming in, which it is, so I said, "I know honey." Then Dan took one look at her and was like, WHOA! So I looked and there it was--a permanent tooth growing up behind the two bottom middle baby teeth. Oh, Lord help us, if Eden inherits my goofy tooth phase! I literally had teeth pointing every which way and there were way too many of them for my tiny mouth! Her front bottom teeth are a little loose right now so hopefully they will fall out soon and not crowd this new pearly. She is quite proud of the tooth and is showing everyone who will listen for a second.

Elly's newest name for Jaren:

Jagen

The Girls See Jaren for the First Time...

Jaren's Room!

It's not totally done, but I thought I would show you the progress. We painted the walls a really subtle brownish color called "Bamboo Stalk." The dresser was already green. We added the wall decals (which are super easy to do) and put together the crib. The bedding looks great and is very soft! I am really happy with the progress. We still need to hunt up the baby monitor, night light, and other baby supplies. I also have to buy material to make some quick curtains and get a shade. It's all coming together though, and in just one weekend, I think we did pretty well!!

Jaren and the girls

Well, Jaren's not even an official Grimes yet and already he's the subject of some Edenisms and Ellyquent remarks.

The kids are having trouble remembering his name. When asked what his name is, they say:
Elly: Ch-ch-chicken? No, that's not it!!
Elly, later: Jofum?

Eden: Jared? AAAHH! I can't ever remember it!

When told we were repainting the nursery for Jaren:
Eden: I know! Let's paint it the colors of the Ethiopian flag!

When I told the girls that they would have to help us with the baby, and that Elly would get to bring me diapers, she said proudly, "Yes...CLOFF diapuhrs!"

Baby Naming

So some of you might be wondering why we did not continue with our E pattern and why we didn't use the names we originally said we would! Well, it's because we can't plan anything! Dan and I always end up doing things randomly on the fly. It's how we roll :)

Anyway, when we got Jaren's information, his Ethiopian middle name is close to Jaren, so since Jaren has always been one of my faves, we went with it. He looks like a Jaren I think. My middle name is Erin and Dan's grandfather's middle name is Aaron. Jaren (Jaron) means "singing" so we loved the meaning and we were singing that day we saw his sweet face!!!!!!

Speaking of his sweet face, let me describe the picture to you, since I can't post it. He has a small amount of black fluffy curly hair atop his perfect little face- he has one of those round faces with the pointy chin. His eyes are large and alert, and the color of coffee. He has the most precious ears and his mouth is large and lined with very defined and full lips! He is just gorgeous. In the pics he looks alarmed by the camera a little! We got one close up of his face and one of his whole body, dressed in a pink sleeper with a strawberry on it!!! Apparently that is not an issue in Ethiopia :) I might be a wee bit biased, but this child is strikingly handsome and I think he might be a genius. :0)

Flood Update

For those who are wondering, our church is undergoing renovation. Check out Scott's blog to see recent pics.

REFERRAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT'S A BOY!!!!



We received our referral for a precious and handsome infant boy today at around 11am. He is soooo adorable and he is THREE MONTHS OLD!! We don't know alot about him but we will fill you in as we can. I cannot post a pic because of privacy issues with our agency, but I can show them to you if I see you!!

We have decided that his name will be Jaren (given name) Grimes. We're elated!!!!!!!!

Adorable Moment Last Night

Flashback Friday (almost)

This is Elly one year ago, right after her second birthday. She's changed so much!

My Elly...

I feel like I sort of whizzed by Elly's special day, so I wanted to do a post specifically for you, Elsa Bells!

About Elly Lyn

• She LOVES singing and is actually fairly on pitch and has good rhythm
• She is a very hungry caterpillar...mornings are her time to really eat. Some days she has a bowl (or two) of oatmeal, a banana, milk, and then goes around finishing off other people's leftover milk in their cereal bowls.
• Elly likes to talk with baby talk (which drives me crazy)
• Elly is even bigger than Eden was at this age- she is wearing 4t now (!) and weighs just over 30lbs. She has small feet, however at 7.5.
• She is well behaved for the most part, but can get herself in trouble when she is expected to sit still or be quiet--not her strong suit!
• She is almost done with napping--which Momma is NOT happy about. Eden dropped her nap around 3, but this child is so active I figured she would continue to need one. Not so much. Though there is a silver lining--when she doesn't nap, she goes to sleep like a champ at 7:30pm. When she does nap, it's more like 9pm. :(
• She has a serious sweet tooth and LOVES donuts! Anytime we go to fill up our gas tank at Casey's she says, "Are we gettin' donuts?"

I love you Elly Belly!! You are a sweet, happy child who makes people smile everywhere you go. I can't believe you are such a big girl now. Happy Birthday, my three year old girl!

Edenisms, Part 26

"Edenvangelism"

"If you don't love God, you need to start right now! 'Cause God loves you...even if you're a bandit or something."

Happy Sixteenth Dakota!

The day after Elly's birthday was our nephew Kody's birthday (or as he is now known among the halls of high school, Dakota--you'll always be Kody to me!). He turned 16 and I can hardly believe it. I have known Kody, well, all of his life. If you remember from the Love Story post, when Dan and I were "dating" in Jr. High, I met Dan's dad and Kody's mom one day at Dan's dad's house. Kris had a torpedo shaped baby in her tummy! He was born shortly after that. When he was one, Dan and I began dating seriously, so I've literally watched him grow up. My favorite things about Kody:
-He is hilarious.
-He looks like my husband but not so much that it's creepy :)
-He loves my girls and gives them lots of attention, and not just to get girls.
-He still likes watching The Fox and the Hound.

Love you Kode! Happy Birthday!

Going to the Zoo with a Bunch of Wild Animals -OR- Going with a Bunch of Wild Animals to the Zoo

We started off with a typical Stanton GO TEAM.




Nia, Elly, and Eden checking out some koi fish.

Me and the girls near the ape house.


The look on Eden's face was typical of the whole day...she LOVES being near animals.


Elly tried her hand on the milking cow- not an actual cow!

Amazing koi fish- there were hundreds.

My cousin Matt in the Butterfly and Insect Garden. That was definitely a highlight. Check out the butterfly on his shoulder and the cute little girl in the background.
We went over Labor Day Weekend. It was a tad busy for my liking, but still very fun and worthwhile. If you ever go (which you should!) go on a weekday!!

Happy THIRD Birthday, Elly Lyn Grimes!! **edited**

Happy Birthday Elly! We celebrated in Clarinda with the Cavner side (my mom's side). Elly had a great day, though I think the zoo was the ultimate birthday fun!! Post coming soon!