life according to the diaz's: Happy Birthday Elena!!! (Sorry a little late this year!!)

Our baby girl is 2 years old...where is the time going? Elena is running, talking, demanding, yelling, whispering, eating more foods (YEAH!!), playing HER ipad, knows all her letter,s and numbers up to 10, and may possibly be ready for potty training. All of this happening in two short years is pretty incredible. I never knew how much just talking to Elena, reading to her, playing, sleeping, snuggling, and just riding in the car helped her development during these first few fragile years. Juan and I are starting to see now how all of the "little" things have help create such a well rounded person. We learn so much about Elena and from Elena every single day. I don't know that there is anything else we could love more than her.
     Elena enjoyed her very own birthday party here at home on November 30th. Her wawa (abuela), wawo (abuelo), Tia Oly, Aunt Shell, Uncle Ross, MawMaw, and PawPaw came over to celebrate. We had an Elmo party. Elena even had her very own Elmo cake. We had a great time eating pizza, cupcakes, ice cream, opening presents, and, of course, watching football. Elena actually enjoys watching football, so it was just the most perfect birthday for her!!
     Life is staying busy as usual and it will be getting even busier as these next few weeks come and go. It is so exciting thinking about all the fun up ahead and time to spend with family, but before all of that comes one more stressful week of school for both Juan and I...I keep myself sane by listening to Christmas carols through the day...it really does help keep things into perspective when I think I might be buried in way to much more than I can handle. But, the smiles from the kids at school and the anticipation of the Christmas holiday coming keeps me beyond happy through the school stress. It is always a time of year that is here so quickly and in a blink of an eye, it's over. I try so very hard each day to enjoy what a wonderful time of year this truly is. With each passing year, Christmas gets more and more special now that we have Elena. She will be so excited to open presents this year and know that "Kwa Kwas" brought her special things.
     I have a feeling I won't be posting again before Christmas gets here as times will continue to get busy, so from Juan, Elena, and I, we wish you nothing but the most blessed of Christmas's and a happy new year!