IMG_5274, originally uploaded by griffey.

So happy, she was thrilled with the whole day. Egg hunt, hanging out in a beautiful day with her Nana and Pop, Aunt and Uncle and Cousins and…she just loved it.

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Originally uploaded by griffey

Here it is, the 4-year-old post. What is Eliza like these days? Some things haven’t changed a bit. Others have changed a lot.

Likes: dressing up, singing, dancing (loves her ballet class), coloring/”making art”, playing princess, listening to books, making up stories, watching all kinds of movies, going to the movies and eating popcorn, the beach, Disney World, vacations of any kind, hotels, swimming, cooking.

Dislikes: blueberries, beef in any form, itchy clothes, putting anything in her hair (which makes this picture really rare), getting up early

Milestones/development: Can write her name! And recognize and write many other letters. Can put on her own clothes, shoes, and socks. Takes showers instead of baths. Can draw representational things now, like stick people, faces, several shapes, flowers. Can brush her own teeth. Does chores every night.

Favorite things: Phineas and Ferb, Disney stuff (especially Disney World), princes and princesses, Wow Wow Wubzy, stuffed animals (especially kitties), candy.

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Originally uploaded by griffey

So many nice things happened in 2011. Another wonderful trip to Disney World, Eliza’s 4th birthday, Eliza learning to write her name and other letters, fun visits with family and friends near and far, Jason having successes at work, and decent health for all of us, among them. We’re lucky people. Here’s hoping 2012 is even more wonderful.

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Here’s Eliza’s third Santa photo…she always loves it, and she’s always got a smile for the Jolly Elf.

Happy Fourth of July!

Originally uploaded by griffey

Eliza and I had a blast this summer. She stayed with me most days while I enjoyed the last gasp of my sabbatical.

We did so many fun things, it’s hard to remember them all. Some of the highlights were: trips to KY to see family, a week-long visit from cousins, trips to Atlanta to see friends, swim lessons and lots of pool time, Lake Winnie, lots of visits to the Aquarium, Coolidge Park and other fun places around Chattanooga (like Pump It Up), and a few weeks staying at Nana and Pop Pop’s (such a big girl!). We also had a fabulous 4th of July in Sewanee with our friends, and Eliza got to stay up late enough to see the fireworks. There were festivals and rides, shopping trips, birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese, and so much more.

She went back to school today, and while I’m sad to see our summer of fun come to a close, I think we’re both ready to get back into a routine. No more sleeping in and PJ days…time for Eliza and mommy to get back to normal.

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Originally uploaded by griffey

Don’t know where the time has gone, but Eliza is now turning the corner toward 4.

She’s still really into dress up (as you can see in this pic from the Renaissance Fair). She loves kitty cats, real or stuffed. She is really into Scooby Doo movies and watches at least one every day. And she has developed a hilarious sense of humor. There’s nothing like her smile to light up the whole world.

She has taken dance class, swim lessons, and had play dates, stayed with Nana and Pop Pop for extended periods of time, and traveled to many fun places. She’s quite the big girl now, as she likes to remind us.

IMG_4341, originally uploaded by griffey.

We’re all having a great summer, and Eliza has become a really terrific toddler…it helps that she LOVES vacations. If there’s novelty involved, Eliza is all over it.

This is a shot from our trip to Rock Island State Park here in Tennessee, an awesome trip with our favorite friends and their toddlers.

Eliza and the Sewanee Children’s Center are participating in the St. Jude Trike-a-Thon to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Not only is the Trike-a-thon an opportunity to give to an awesome charity, it’s also part of a campaign that teaches riding safety. You can sponsor her in any amount, no matter how small.

Eliza participated last year, and was determined to take part, even though at the time she could barely reach the pedals of the trikes. She rode 2 laps last year, which was a huge accomplishment…she still talks about it a year later, and is excited to be doing it again.

Below is a Paypal button connected to my Paypal account. After the Trike-a-Thon this Friday (Apr 29, 2011), I will deposit any money in the account directly to the charity, and I will match the first $50 of donations dollar-for-dollar. Your donation is a flat amount, not a per-lap, and any amount, even $1, is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your generosity, and for helping both Eliza and St. Jude.

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Originally uploaded by griffey

Our annual trip to Rosemary Beach was a huge success. Eliza absolutely loves any body of water, so she was thrilled with the ocean and the swimming pool. We also loved getting treats at the Sugar Shak, meeting the Easter Bunny, doing the huge egg hunt, listening to music in the parks, and shopping at Gigi’s toy store. We also spent some time at Alys Beach for a tea party, where Eliza met Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the white rabbit. We even spent a little time shopping and hanging out in Seaside, another wonderful little beach town. All in all, a great little vacation that we all needed!

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Originally uploaded by griffey

Eliza did an amazing job during her first dance recital. Her first (but undoubtedly not the last) time on a big stage. She was fearless. In fact, she loved the whole experience. And she looked adorable as a caterpillar dancing to “Under the Toadstools” from Alice in Wonderland, which is one of her favorite Disney movies (the cartoon). We’re so proud of her, especially all the hard work she has done during rehearsal and the tough lessons of working in a group, being part of a “team,” etc.