Pirate Paraphernalia

E's love of Pirates doesn't seem to be dying down- it is hilarious! He has been quite the collector of pirate garb. Flags, little pirate men, Captain Jack Sparrow anything (he hardly even knows who or where he came from), swords, swords that make noise when striking (love this one), guns, hats, pirate's booty (yes that is what we call it), and so on and so forth. It has been fun to watch this pirate passion emerge and keep going and going and going......

On to you...

4 JOBS I'VE HAD:
1. Lerner New York- clothing store
2. Satellite Technology- seriously- cold calling phone sales
3. Every Blooming Thing
4. Botanical Images- my own floral design studio out of my house before we had El.

4 MOVIES I CAN ALWAYS WATCH:
1. Some Like It Hot
2. Delirious- it’s a weird thing between Shelly, Spencer and I
3. Emma
4. Some Kind of Wonderful

4 PLACES I'VE LIVED:
1. Sun Valley, ID
2. Rexburg, ID
3. Newport Beach, CA
4. Costa Mesa, CA

TV SHOWS I ENJOY:
1. The Office
2. The Bachelor
3. Platinum Weddings- I’m all about weddings and flowers
4. The Backyardagains- what can I say? Everyone with creative kids loves this show-

FAVORITE FOODS:
1.Peaches
2.Cherries
3.Tomatoes
4.Cucumbers
(Go ahead- criticize away……if I’ve heard it once…..)

WEBSITES I VISIT (ALMOST DAILY):
1. Gmail Account
2. My friend’s Blogs
3. People
4. Can't think of anything else

PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
1. On a walk in Idaho at night out in the country with my boys
2. Farmer’s Market in San Francisco- never been to any that are better.
3. Reading a Book
4. Snuggled on the sofa watching a movie with my boys

4 BLOGGER BUDDIES TO TAG:
1. Stephanie Smith- Player- if you would get cracking.....
2. Evaly
3. Madeleine
4. Cami

Happy Father's Day

I found these pictures yesterday when looking for one of El and Craig wrestling that I love- these I had forgotten about- I love them! I couldn't have picked a better man- who has also proved to me that he is just as good a father as he is a husband. Elliott is lucky to have someone like Craig to love him forever. He has such a sweet gentleness about the way he loves Elliott- I love watching their relationship and their cute connection together. Someone once said something to me about how they loved just watching their husband play with their children- I at the time didn't pay it much attention- however- now that I am a momma- that is one of my favorite things to do- watch E with Craig. I am proud to call him mine- for eternity.
Happy Father's Day to my Craig.

Beautiful Things

Beauty is attractive to me- not necessarily "people" beauty- sometimes.
Beautiful things- music, sounds, words spoken, nature, laughter and many other things. I find that I say the word- beautiful- all of the time and that I am always on the look out for beauty and what it does for me and for my soul- so this said- I will allow this part of me to take shape here.

A new hobby

For Mother's Day- my sweet Craig got me a camera. I have been wanting to dabble in photography a bit- and he knows me well- he must have thought it was a good idea. He knows more about the subject and is helping me to learn different things- lenses and such. I do not guarantee anything fabulous- nor will I probably ever use "photography speak" but I hope to do something wonderful once in awhile.

Park

A good friend of mine introduced us to a new park- well- totally new to us! I have had yet to find a cool park near us that I liked and that E liked- until now! It was so fabulous that we took Craig back the next night (you can tell he liked it- one must play at the park when they are there right?) We had a great time- pirate ship and all!

What- No more Thongs?

Well, it is official- I can't stop calling flip flops- thongs. Who stole the thong name from us and decided to give it to underwear? Who? A few years ago Craig called some girl in our ward to go get her "thongs" so she wouldn't forget them- she replied embarrassed- "Brother Streiff you can't call them thongs, they're flip flops." However, to us, they remain thongs.

El got his first good pair of thongs. So far so good. Today was a good thong day- he decided they were squishy so they were cool by him.
(Yes, I giggle as I now imagine Elliott getting his first "good pair" of thong underwear. I shall try and call them flip flops.)

Seriously?

I try to not get too involved in celebrity stuff- but seriously- who is this Paris Hilton? She is so lame. I am completely appalled and utterly annoyed that she only had to go to jail for what 3 days? Seriously! I say- send her to jail and leave her there- it would be such a shame to not have to hear about her on the news before we hear about any real news. Such a shame.....

Sprinklers

Yorba Linda has the best parks! They are all clean, well kept and beautiful. While my mom was in town Shelly and I took the boys and her to one of the YL parks. While there these HUGE sprinklers turned on and the boys went CRAZY!!! It was so much fun watching them run through them and get totally soaked. They had the best time- something we will do again for sure.

The Land

My mom was in town this last week. We went to Disneyland one of the days and had a great time. As you can see- Elliott is pondering the map- and he and Nate (my nephew) are deciding the future of or time at the Land. I love the place during the off season- the kids have such a good time!

Little Preschool

Elliott has been going to a little preschool for a few hours a week. It is fabulous- for him especially. He adores it and loves all of the people there- adults and children. He will miss it this summer for sure.

Of course- he had to get up on the play toys and fix the pirate flag- it was blown up by the wind.

Teacher Barbara- his favorite I think. He always would find her first.

Teacher April

Teacher Jan

Super Elliott

This little cape was Craig's when he was younger.
It has Batman on the other side-
gotta love reversible. Totally cool. He is partial to Superman though-
he doesn't care or want to know about Batman yet.
Elliott and I have been super heroes this week. Really we just run around the house from room to room and leap on the beds and stuff. It's Pretty fun.

Stall Tactics 101

Every night when we announce that it is time to get ready for bed Elliott begins his stall tactics. They totally crack us up! Here are the top 10-

10- "It is time for lunch? I'm hungry."

9- "I need some water."

8- "One more minute?" (with his 1 finger in the air) Sometimes getting really creative and asking for 2 or 5 more minutes.

7- "One more story."

6- As we are leaving- "Momma....." then nothing, nothing, nothing or "Daddy" then the same- until we have to ask "yes Elliott?" then nothing- so we say "I love you, goodnight" and it starts again- "momma...."

5- He says- "Close my door please" - so we do- then he says "Open my door please"- so we do then it starts over- this could go on for quite awhile until we just say goodnight and walk away. Totally learned my lesson- just say goodnight and give loves then go quickly.

4- Whoever is putting him down he asks for the other to come give "kisses, hugs".

3- "Lay by you"- so sweet- as they all are really.

2- "One more song."

Top reason as of this week- BY FAR the best (it inspired the list)

1- "I need some medicine" he says- I reply "oh, is something hurting?" he says "feelings"- "my feelings are hurting."

So funny- so sweet. He really is the sweetest guy- especially at night. It really makes some of the nights so hard to put him to bed- why- when we are being so entertained?

Happy Birthday Craig-o!

Happy Birthday to the best husband and dad in the world!
Craig had his birthday on Saturday- so to celebrate he and E decided they needed a cold swim. They suited up and went for it! El's wet suit is somewhat odd- however- he loves it and thinks it is awesome. He wouldn't take it off until Dad took his off. Quite the pair!

Camping with Dad

Elliott and Craig went on a Father and Son's campout this last weekend. E had the best time! He has been looking forward to this for 3 weeks. Every morning he wakes up and asks "Going camping today?" so it was really nice to get to say "yes" Friday morning. They had fun and have some little memories that are just theirs to share.

Things that make me happy and can't live without at the moment

Today I was inspired to think about things that make me happy and that I can't live without- pardon me as I go completely worldly- Here goes...

1- Craig and Elliott- the obvious
2- Family
3- Water
4- Contacts
5- Vita-Mix Blender
6- Digital Camera
7- Lip Balm- as granola as I am- I can't get away from straight vasaline- love the stuff!
8- Bosia skin care products
9- Mangos
10- Elliott saying "Let's get silly- here"
11- 4:30 am wake-up calls "Momma, come here.." to do a little tucking in because E was cold.
12- Time of day between 5 and 6
13- Weekends
14- Moments with Craig after we put E to bed
15- Washer and Dryer
16- My little herb garden, my work in progress
17- Tomatoes
18- Jason Organic Lotion
19- Commander
20- Father and Son's Campouts
21- Breakfasts with my silly Elliott
22- Tweezers
23- Internet
24- REI and their tents- okay mostly Elliott's love of playing there in them.
25- The Bob
26- Toothbrush and toothpaste
27- Hydrangeas
28- Rainy cool days
29- Green Smoothies
30- Wireless Mouse
31- Mother's Market
32- The Office
33- Mini Trampoline
34- Wet wipes
35- Costco Gas
36- Avocados
37- The Paper Source
38- The smell of citrus trees in bloom
39- Ipods
40- I could keep on going- but will spare you all, it was really all for myself.

Warm Day Preview

Today it was so hot outside! Pool days begin! Elliott could hardly handle the excitement- he was literally beyond words. He makes everything so fun.

Music

Elliott has always loved music- ALWAYS. When we first brought him home I started singing to him before bed at night and it still continues-
probably until he figures out that I really don't sound that fabulous!
He found one of our old radios sitting around and has taken it over.
He walks around dancing to the music totally stoked to have found such a treasure.

For the love....

Yesterday was quite an event for us- we had a little too much fun at a few garage sales.
Yes, garage sales.

Elliott has not stopped talking about riding Papa Mark's tractor in Idaho since last summer. He is very fond of his manure spreader that Papa Mark sent him for Christmas. Every time he sees any sort of "tractor" type vehicle he asks about Papa Mark's tractor and wants to go for a ride. So- Imagine my utter joy at seeing this beauty. Both Elliott and Nathan (my nephew) are loving the Papa Mark tractor.
Actually- Elliott at present, just sits on it and makes noises as if he were doing some sort of farmer duties. Totally hilarious....

Then Grandma Ede finds the "find of the day" with the Spiderman goggles. I still laugh out loud when I think of her walking across the street holding Elliott while he was wearing these for the first time! He was sooooo proud and so seriously wearing them- I actually can't believe how long he will wear these things!

Next, we add in the Small Paul Pirate board shorts.
Not from our daily finds, however, duly noted.
What would we do without those?
Sorry, you can't see the pirate.

This just reminds me of some sinister bad guy throwing his head back and laughing at his evil plot to rule the world. Elliott loves Spiderman right now. It may have a little something to do with my attempt to "psych" him into wearing his Spiderman underwear instead of diapers because they are sooooo cool. (Hey, don't knock it, it is kind of working...)
Maybe this sinister laugh is him laughing at me and thinking
"silly momma, such foolishness, underwear is for sissies."

The end of our day was quite a culmination of things.
For the love- Spiderman, pirates, and the tractor.
What a day for us!

Hi, My Name is Chubby.....

Remember that story that we all used to tell in grade school? Hi, my name is chubby- one day I was going for a ride with my mom in the car.......? Anyway- Elliott thought the story was pretty funny. Do you ever feel like some days you have run clean out of ideas for excitement?

My Sweet Elliott

There are moments when the world just seems completely perfect-
life without trials, worries about what to get done next (especially during nap-time), etc, etc.
Today when we got home from the beach El and I sat down and read some stories
then I sang to him while he went to sleep.
This was one of those moments.
This perfect little picture is what I got. It was such a sweet little scene.
My Sweet Elliott

Beach Days Again- Yeah!!!!

We went to the beach today with Shelly and the kids. It was sooooo nice to just be there and relax and watch the kids play. I am excited to have Summer this year- usually I am pretty neutral about the Summer- however- now that El is so fun, I am excited to spend it with he and Craig.

Easter 2007

Well, most of my Easter pictures were terrible- so I won't bore you. I love this little one of the 3 kids. Elliott and my sister Shelly's kids- Kenyon and Nathan. I love them.
We had a great Easter with just Shelly's family. We all seem to be so busy that our little families don't get together, just us, hardly ever anymore- so it was really lovely.

Super Cheese

I can't help myself. Lately- when I ask him to give me the super cheese for the camera I really get the SUPER CHEESE. He goes so over board that it is stinking hilarious! The above picture is El finding some of the little baby toys that are on their way up to the attic- he was so thrilled to get them out- I kind of felt bad putting them in the attic.

The last one is today- Easter morning. I am not a big candy person- I really don't like E having any at all- but for some reason he seems to always get it somewhere. Anyway- hence- Peter Pan. He is still totally into pirates and he loves Captain Hook- or "Tatan Hook" at our home. He was stoked to get Peter Pan for Easter. Totally spiritual- I know- but way, way, way better than a huge chocolate bunny or colored sugar covered marshmallows thingys.

Give me a cool dude...

We got the Edogs some sunglasses the other day. He assured me that he would wear them. In the car he was so proud of himself. I told him to "give momma a cool dude" and this is what I got. He cracks me up!

Bubble Fountain

We went to Fashion Island the other day with some good friends of ours to play in the fountain. What fun we had! These two are standing above the fountain waiting for the drops to come up and get them.