Man's Best Friend

Let me start by saying- yes, I am crazy. My little one is a pet lover- a pet LOVER. So when asked if we could dog sit a little chihuahua for a week my first response was "No way, I don't want another little kid right now." Then I thought about what a week with little Billy would mean to Elliott - Craig and I decided it would be a great idea.

I had no idea that this week of all weeks would be the week I would get some sort of crazy sore throat that hurt when I spoke and holy hell was I needed to speak and yell a little bit too. Ouch.

Elliott was so into this dog- so into this dog that his ears were incapable of working. Craig and I couldn't believe how this was- it was crazy. I haven't had to repeat myself so much in Elliott's whole life as I have had to this week. I also feel like I have raised my stinking voice more this last week than I have EVER!!! AHHHHH!!! Elliott just couldn't listen- we would be sitting there trying to tell him that Billy's neck- you know- isn't for putting our hands around- then saying it again- then AGAIN LOUDER so that we were heard. It was crazy! Elliott was in love with Billy- so in love that poor Billy spent some serious time inside of his metal gate for his own safety. Seriously- what 3 year old understands all of the ins and outs of dog do's and don'ts?

Billy is an excellent dog- seriously such a good dog and so PATIENT with Elliott. More patient than I would expect a little dog to be- however- I don't want a dog- at least not right now.

LET ME REMINISCE-

Bear with me- I have only pet sat 2 times. This time and one other- (Brooke you will probably remember this...). We pet sat this cute little baby dachshund named Ruby for 1 a week or so a few years ago- before Elliott. I was still doing weddings at the time and had a big one that weekend we had her.

Craig and I were crazy busy loading all of the flowers into the cars- Craig was backing up his pickup and I was too busy thinking about what all still needed to be loaded- which was still quite a bit and I was starting to wonder if we were going to be able to get them all into the cars.

Anyway- while backing up poor dear Ruby got ran over- right over her belly and back. Oh man! I panicked- I thought we had just killed this brand new dog.

We had to be at a wedding right then- I am sobbing holding Ruby as Craig runs to our tenants house to see where we could take her (she is a total pet girl)- she (Amy- I still owe you for this...) takes Ruby right to her vet and we head off to do the wedding.

I sobbed the whole day- Poor Craig was sad too- we were sure that we had done some serious damage to this little thing.

Anyway- finished the wedding and headed home to find out what was up with Ruby. TOTAL MIRACLE- I really couldn't have handled it if we had killed this dog- there was way too much going on in my life at the time to have this too. She was totally okay- a pinched nerve in her back and she was FINE. I saw that truck go right over her- it should have killled the little 3 pound dog.

I think I might just be done with pet sitting. One day E will have a dog. I have no doubt in my mind- man's best friend right?

Jonah and Samuel- together

El has really been into scripture stories lately- especially since my mom (thanks mom!) has given him the paperback Book of Mormon stories. Anyway- we were laughing at how well he tells some of his stories- especially when he mixes them up. I am really glad he likes these stories- he makes it really fun to tell them to him- we always have to act them out or repeat the story for days afterward.

Sorry- the video is a little long- but well told.

Thank you Craig's List

For those who don't know what Craig's list is (it has nothing to do with my Craig)- it is a local (in your area) internet list of items people have for sale, for free, or service- etc. We love Craig's List. This is our new free trampoline- thank you Craig's List- not completely put together- but E can't get enough of the thing. It has really helped to break him out of his shell a little bit, which we needed. Once we get the pad and the net on- we are ready to rock. Seriously- someone recently told me that (after they got a trampoline) once you get on you instantly become a kid again- totally true. It is pretty funny.

A weedend with Dad

We've had a lot going on the last few weeks so Craig decided to take a couple of days off to chill with E and I. Elliott's little preschool was on Spring Break so we had a really good "excuse". We went to the Wild Animal Park, beach (burrr), Horton Hears a Who and just hung out- it was really nice and now we don't want Craig to go back to work on Monday.

The two boys got the chain saw out and started hacking away at a ficus tree that we hate- this activity proved to be one of the best that they have done. Elliott was chain saw smitten and he even wore his "work outfit" (thanks Stephanie) to get the job done. Craig is such a good dad, he is always including Elliott in everything that he does- often making the projects 3x as long- but a little bit more fun.

Easter 2008

We had a little egg dying night at Grandma Ede and Papa Dave's house. In years past the egg dying has lasted quite awhile- as we adults (without little ones) each meticulously worked on our eggs- cut masking tape- etc. This year it was over in like 10 minutes. The joys of little ones! They made it a really fun Easter!

Fun Things

I have been itching for something new and creative to do- I am constantly trying to find something to make or do that fills the floral void in my life. These little baby booties are at the moment my new little hobby. I need to work on the details but all in all they turn out pretty cute. I got the pattern from another blogger- Heather Bailey. These little ones went to Jason and Mandy for their soon-to-be little girl in August.

Reward heaven

I know that by now you are all probably sick of my dollar store rewards- but SERIOUSLY- they are so stinking awesome to Elliott when he gets to open up his treasure chest and pick whatever he wants out of it. He has to earn 5 gold coins and then he can pick something. They last about a week- but a week well worth the effort.

Last night, police gear. We were captured, then captured again and then called on the little fake walkie talkie- and then they all went to the bath with Elliott. He would say "I'm a police guy now". So funny. Craig reminded E that Uncle Brad is a police guy- sometimes when Elliott puts on a certain pair of sunglasses he says- "Hey mom, I'm Brad."

Trains

Look at that face? We have been talking about these trains for a week and E was stoked to finally get to go on Saturday. What a champ.



Elliott insisted on wearing his galoshes everywhere on Saturday. The train station and a little birthday party. Thank you Stephanie and Micah- what would we all do without our matching galoshes?






There is a great place that has these working model trains that they open to the public for free train rides every 3rd Saturday. E was so excited about these trains. We froze out there but it was so fun to go on a little 15 minute ride and do something new with E. Our little do something new Saturday tradition is turning into something really fun.

*After the ride E had to go up to the little boy and tell him "thanks for a fun ride".

Super Streiff

Lately, E wants to dress up for our walks to the back bay. He totally cracks me up- he was so stoked about this one- an old costume from Halloween two years ago- Love costumes and kids.

Good times

Hide and go seek fun- I love how excited and silly he gets- this isn't even the best time- this is after like 5 or 6 times of hiding in the same place. Today he even said to me after I asked him if he wanted to play- "Mom, I will be in my bed." Thank heavens I have him in my life.

Happy 2nd Birthday Lukers!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY LUKERS!
We love you!

Mom, this is a bong...

Elliott informed me this was a bong at the museum. I said that it sounds like bong but it is a gong- and he goes- "Yeah mom it is a bong."










We hit the children's museum again this week- Just E and I. It was a must. Craig was out of town and we needed somewhere- anywhere- everyone we knew was sick and so we headed off to the museum. Elliott loves the room with the dress up stuff- his imagination goes CRAZY in there- I can hardly keep up with him. The masks and the hats creep me out a little bit- but- seriously how do you explain head lice and gross skin stuff to a 3 year old who has just made you captain of the spaceship that is taking him to Mars?

Superman or bust

We have had quite the selection of temper tantrums, fits, whatever people call them these days. We have been doing a reward coin program- some days it works like a charm- other days it does absolutely nothing for the child with the iron will and ultra stubborn attitude. Patience is becoming something I have to tell myself on a VERY regular basis. I never realized how calm I would have to be as a parent- my thoughts go out to you all with multiple children- I realize I have little to talk about when it comes to this subject when I talk to some of you.


Anyway (can you tell I am tired?)- we picked up some "rewards" at the dollar store so that we felt like they could be offered more often. Thank you dollar store for some of the BEST toys we have ever enjoyed. This whole Superman get up was a dollar. El was TOTALLY stoked for a day- even wore it out on our walk. I love the last picture- I told him to give me a "I'm going to chain you up because I am Superman" face and this is what I got. Funny thing? This is the same face he gets when he is mad for real. Hum.

Shuttlecock

If you have never read this book- you are seriously missing out. It is one of my favorite books of Elliott's. Completely hilarious and well worth the time. Pneumatic drills, explosives, and of course a game of shuttlecock.

They play badminton in it but they call it shuttlecock in the book- that is another term for birdie. Anyway- Elliott will only call it shuttlecock and he can't ask to play without Craig and I laughing for awhile.

Last week in a nutshell- for Joshua

Every week I send my little brother an email- he is on a mission in Florida-Tallahassee. This blog emails him the posts every time I make one so it is an awesome way to get multiple emails to him throughout the week or whenever. I seriously don't know what we would all do without the internet.


We had a little class this week at the bay. It was about worms and things. Elliott was quite thrilled to be there- pretty obvious here huh?


Elliott has also just this last little while taken a liking to holding bugs- it seems only if mom holds them first- so I do. Harlequin Beetle- I wish I could have got a shot of this guy- it was big and they are such cool bugs. If you know El this is a big deal to hold a bug and actually enjoy himself.


Elliott and his cousins- Nate, Kenyon and Collin. I am so glad and grateful that we get to have them so close and that they love each other so much. I joke that Nate and E treat each other just like brothers- love/hate relationship.


On Saturday we took a family hike. Every Saturday we have decided to do something that gets E out and about to see and do some new things. Broaden the horizons of our 3 year old.


Just a picture of my cute guy. Isn't this field incredible?



Elliott cracks us up. He has this thing for weird games- no love of soccer (yet) or basketball- he is fine with both but when asked what he would like to do he answers- "Shuttlecock" (see next post), croquet and bocce ball. I love the tongue out concentration.





For those of you who don't believe me- we are 1 1/2 hours from snow. We can grow bananas and go to see snow all in one day. I adore California. Franz and Serena- El asks "Who are those people that live up there again?" we tell him and he goes- "Yeah, them- they live in the mountains with the snow." So funny.


Lastly- We have introduced Elliott to Star Wars. The heavens have opened with this one- I surely wouldn't have thought it would be so cool. This is his reaction to Jabba the Hut. We edit a bit- don't freak out. I gotta tell you that some of the stuff on the tele for kids these days (E doesn't watch 99% of it) is WAY worse than a little Star Wars. I love these movies. It is a little fun time for just the 3 of us- special movie nights.

Sorry about the red eye- I wasn't in the mood for photoshop.

The things he says-

Tonight for Family Home Evening we were learning the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego - Elliott loved the story. He loved it so much we had to recreate it multiple times each taking turns with the different parts- soldiers, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. Interestingly enough he never asked us to play Jesus- he would just get all sweet when we would ask him who came to rescue them- he would say- Jesus.

The topper was a few moments later on our next adventure with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego- right after the soldiers throw them into their fiery death he goes:

"Look mom and dad- It's Batman....."


Always to the rescue, good old Batman. Thank you Batman.

Kite flying

Yesterday was a somewhat windy day so we took out the kite. I forget how much fun kites are until we go kite flying again. Every time I am reminded. E had a great time and he was hilarious trying to get the bird up in the air. One of his tosses was the longest the bird stayed in the air. It ended up not being windy enough. Oh well, good times.

Vacuum

We got a new vacuum- the best vacuum in the world. I never thought I would love anything as much as I love my VitaMix- who knew. I adore my vacuum- so does Elliott. You can take this back piece off and the air blows out (it is also an air purifier). Elliott sits in the breeze and goes to town laughing and being silly. I love things that make us all happy.

The Elliott I love

These are the faces of Elliott lately- minus the really ticked off/angry faces of late. Phases- I am tired of the "fit" phase- does it EVER END??? Seriously- not fun. Thank the beautiful heavens for those perfect moments of love between E and I that make the fits somehow disappear. Seriously- what the heck- fits. And- what a dumb word for it- fit- I admit at moments it is like E is having some sort of physical fit- rage out of nowhere. We need a better word for this problem.

The things he says-

Tonight while having his bath, both Craig and I kept asking him to stand up so we could wash him- he was totally ignoring us- so we asked again- for like the 5th time- reluctantly and with a bit of exhaustion in his voice he says:

Yes, your majesty.