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.

The things he says-

Elliott got a little Leapster for Christmas- such a cool toy for kids this age- if you don't already have one. They have learning games of all kinds with a few built into the piece.
However, they have this little button you can push and it has a bazillion commercials for their other games you can buy for the little leapster (stinkers)- one being Batman.

Oh, for our new love of Batman.

E hardly even knows who Batman is- superhero-good-Spiderman's equal-drives a cool car-and the Batman song. Now he is enamored by Batman- well this little commercial.
This little 3 second blurb has got his little brain thinking.

Where does Batman live?

In a cave with the bats, that is why he is called Batman.

Mom, I want to go to Batman's house.

2 1/2 hours later- right after he wakes up from his nap-

Maybe we could call Spencer (a friend of ours little boy) and go to his house to play Rock Guitar... and then we could call Batman- and go to his house.

The things he says-

While playing with some Legos-


...and there was a tremendous boom.

small pause

...in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.