My Kids: Social Butterfly

Abel was a sociable infant and toddler but then became introverted from grades 2-9 ish. Dina has always been painfully introverted, like her mama. You couldn't look at her as a toddler because she would have a fit.

Elena, however, came out all extroverted. It was very weird to me. I remember one time when we lived in Minneapolis, we went to a kiddie pool over the summer; this one specifically (I got it from Google Maps because lost hard drive):

Elena was 5 at the time. There were two girls sitting on the far end of the pool, about 6-8 years old. Elena walked all the way over there and sits between them! She starts participating in the conversation like they're old friends. At first, the little girls were confused but then they just welcomed her.

A different Mpls pool

Whenever we would go to a park, Dina and Abel would linger around me for up to 20 minutes before venturing off but not Elena. She saw kids, she talked to kids, she became friends with kids. Sometimes, Dina and Abel would use Elena to communicate with other kids: "Laney, go ask those kids if we can play with their skateboard." Or "Laney, go ask those kids if we can have a turn on the swings." And she would happily oblige.

Little photo shoot at our Ramsey house

Sea World during Winter break

Walking to Dina's gymnastics class. It was no more than 40 degrees that November morning.

At one of many quality public libraries in Minneapolis

Story about this next picture. Elena mostly went by Laney when she was little. Abel was working on some homework and asked of he should write down Elena or Laney. Laney says "My name is Princess of Avalor."