ELYSSE

Elysse is a lot of fun, now. She is speaking a ton. Some things she says a lot are "What that say?" when she is asking what something is, and, when she is telling you what something says, she'll say something like, "Wanda, 'meow', that." or "Ivy, 'please', that."

Elysse is so independent; she gets what she needs and wants. And she loves apples!

Ivy and Kezia are so good to her and include her in some of the things they do. Whenever Kezia unloads the dishwasher, she lets Elysse help her, and tells her what each article is, from cheese grater to spatula, then tests her new vocabulary next time she unloads. Elysse loves the attention. Both girls read to her, so she's quickly picked up the reading bug and can be found reading (and sometimes destroying) books to herself. She was reading a book the other day with a picture of a sad king. Here's what she said: "King is sad. Ohhh. Give hug." (She hugged the book) "I love you." cute, huh?

Of course, sometimes she gets in the way and it's difficult when she doesn't understand why she can't play with the older girls. She needs someone younger to pick on!

She used to have a fear of taking a bath in case she defecated in the tub (she'd actually hold her bum and shriek) But with the discovery of bath crayons and bath coloring tablets, now she asks to take a bath every day!

Elysse likes to change her clothes a few times a day and tries to be as independent as she can. She likes to help me in the kitchen. Putting bread in the toaster is sheer joy.

Elysse and her friend Lauren