Holiday Letter 2005

Hello to all of our family and friends this holiday season. We hope this letter reaches you all in good health. We are all well here. This year was a special year for me (Ellora), because my Mommy and Daddy, along with our favorite neighbors, Jack, Brian and Anwar helped build my very own playhouse. It was fun watching them build my little house. They worked all day, and after it was finished I helped Mommy decorate. Ansel likes to play tea party with me. This was my early birthday present so I could play in it all summer. My house was made with love, and I will enjoy it for many years.

This year I helped take care of my baby brother. Ansel likes when I take care of him. I like to help him eat and give him his milk and cookies. Ansel is learning to walk by holding onto things around the house, but mostly he crawls. Ansel has learned to say some words like, “cookie,” “baby,” “eat,” and, “dance.” He likes to dance, and reminds us of, “The Dancing Santa,” who sways his hips back and forth. My little brother is growing so fast that he is almost as big as I am. He was 23 pounds by his first birthday. We had a small celebration for his birthday with family and friends. I can’t believe he is already 1 year old. We like to play together. He is a happy baby and doesn’t complain about much. However, Ansel is attached to his blankie, which we call his, “wooby.” Our friend Donna sent him some blankets last year and they have been his favorites ever since. He sucks on them for comfort and they help him fall asleep. My little brother also has a funny fascination with remote controls and telephones. That is my little brother.

Our summer vacation was shared with my cousin Kelli, and my friend Angelika. We had fun playing in my playhouse, and in the pool on the really hot days. Mommy took us out for some field trips to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Lakewood Equestrian Center, The Orange County Zoo, the Japanese Garden at CSULB, and the Orange County Fair. We had a great time being out together. Mommy also took me many times to Disneyland while we still had our passes. I took swimming lessons at the YMCA, and I am now in the, “EEL,” class. I had fun with my instructors, and for one month I was the only kid in the class. I had private lessons!

In September my family and I went to San Diego, and stayed at uncle Joes’ condo. We had a great time at the San Diego Zoo, and The Wild Animal Park.

I changed schools this year in June. I am now attending, “The Church of the Nazarene Preschool,” in Long Beach. My teachers’ name is Ms. Grace, and she is very nice. I continued to go to preschool during the summer, but I only went 3 days per week, for only half a day. When summer ended I began the full week schedule, and still go for half days. I am happy when I go to school. I have many new friends. My best friend at school is, Riley. We like to pretend we are horses and gallop around the school yard whinnying. I felt extra special at school when we had our Jog-A-Thon. I was the winner of all of the preschool, with 24 laps. The next day, I couldn’t even walk. My legs never felt so sore. My parents thought it was the funniest thing! They were very proud of me. Next year, I will be in Kindergarten and I will go to, “Laurelcrest School for Girls,” in Long Beach. My friend Alex will go there with me, and we are both excited.

I took a class in October with my Daddy. It was called, “Fizz, Bubble, Boom.” Daddy and I had fun creating different projects with gooey gels, salts and paints. It was our special time together, just Daddy and I. Mommy went to her dance class, while we were at ours. Ansel and Mommy are looking forward to their, “Baby Dance,” class in January.

For Halloween I dressed up as Princess Anneliese from, “The Princess and the Pauper.” I felt very proud when I bought my costume with my own money. Ansel wore my, “Simba,” (The Lion King) suit. He was so cute in it. We collected so much candy the two of us. The best thing is I got to help Ansel eat his candy.

In December, we will celebrate my 5th birthday at Disneyland. Then, we’ll take a trip to San Diego. My Daddy is taking time off of work so we could take a mini vacation.

Well, that has been our year. My Daddy continues to fix computers, and Mommy takes care of us all. Mommy started working part time again in the evenings. She has that weird job watching people write their names. We had a great year, and I’m looking forward to Christmas. Mommy and I have been very busy Elves helping Santa to make Christmas presents this year. I told Mommy it was like we were playing together. We had fun spending that special time making gifts, just me and my Mommy. I’m going to try to stay up late this time, to see if I can see Santa’s sleigh. Best Wishes for the holidays and Happy New Year.