Happy 40th Anniversary Mom & Dad

Christmas unwrapped

Everything has been unwrapped. Though Elliot has asked for more presents, there are no more.  Here you see his Christmas Eve pajamas and his green bath.  Hopefully there will be some video of the new train table soon. It occupied Elliot for LITERALLY 4 hours today. That made us all happy.  A special thanks goes out to the Ryan family for the new trains... New to us.

Green Christmas water

Want a way to make the Christmas Eve bath special? Put a little green food coloring in the water with some bubbles, and call it a Christmas bath. It works wonders for bath-resistant children. And unlike we had feared, it doesn't turn them green! 

It's Christmastime, mama?

The stockings are full, the presents are wrapped, the washing machine and dishwasher are running. We've been at the beach with Michael's family for a few days and returned yesterday to open a mountain of presents. Elsie got dolls and books and a horse to ride which activates the television to help her learn things. Elliot LOVES the horse and has ridden it seriously over 2 hours in the last 24 hours. 

Elliot got a new guitar and a violin. Michael has learned a song on the guitar and I'm learning the violin. Maybe we'll let Elliot play with his toys later. It's very strange to me to have flip flops on on Christmas Eve. Tomorrow it's supposed to be 77 degrees. I've seen palm trees with lights wrapped around them. Christmas in Savannah; it's a strange and wonderful thing.

More quotes

Elliot: It's Advent mama?

Me: Yeah, buddy. What's that mean?

Elliot: Jesus is coming.

Michael: And what's Jesus going to do when he gets here?

Elliot: Take the sin out of my heart. But he'll leave my heart in. He won't take it out.

Me early and grumpy in the morning, trying to get Elliot breakfast: Just a minute, Elliot.

Elliot: I want breakfast.

Me: Just a MINUTE.

Elliot: You need your coffee mama?

Simmons

Hey all. I thought we should include Simmons in our blog. If you ask Elliot, 'who's your best friend?' He'll say,' Simmons. She's my very best friend ever.' I think it's mostly because she's cute and she giggles at him a lot. She'll run around following him and in general is very sweet. I don't know that Simmons returns the affection to the degree that Elliot gives it. But he's 3. So I think he'll be ok. 

Quotes of the week

So I've been telling Elliot during the Advent season that Jesus is coming and that we have to look for him. This afternoon I was talking to a friend on the phone who is coming to stay with me during Michael's absence this next week. 

I said to her: 'You're coming!?'

To which Elliot replied: 'You talking to Jesus, mama?'

Me to Bug, pointing to our decorated tree:'That's our tree, Bug.'

Elliot:'No. That's a Christmas tree. Trees are outside. Only CHRISTMAS trees are inside.'

In training

When Elliot was about Bug's age, I started giving him small jobs to do to help me. He'd go get me a diaper, throw something in the trash, hand me a book, things like that. As he got older, I started thinking about how helpful he could be, but didn't think he'd be willing. Well, so far he hasn't figured out that daily chores aren't really fun. He LOVES cleaning the floor with me. And he really is helpful. I let him loose with a small sponge and he dips and wipes away. It makes up for some of the inCREDible defiance we've been experiencing lately. Wow. 

He also enjoys putting away silverware, throwing away diapers, and setting the table. He's for hire. Fifty cents an hour. No wait. I'll pay you...

Under the weather

 Happy Thanksgiving. And Happy Advent season! I love advent. Elliot opened the first window of his advent calendar this evening and found inside a piece of chocolate. Lovely. I told him we were waiting for Jesus. He thought about it for a minute, ran around the room, and then said, 'Is Jesus here yet?' I wish. I wish.

We all went to the doctor today to check on Elliot's skin - a strange case of ringworm we've been treating for over a week now. He also has just finished antibiotics for a case of bronchitis. While there we figured out that Elsie has an ear infection and a 102 degree fever. Poor Bug. No wonder she's been out of sorts. So now she's starting the antibiotics. I was thinking on the way to the pharmacy, what did people like Bug do in 1634? So we're thankful for drugs. And for advent. And for Jesus coming.

Jeff Lutjens

Here's a shout out to Mr. Jeff Lutjens. If you're listening, Jeff, we want you back. Jeff was here for a few days and enjoyed the beach, great architecture, some very very old music, my cute and whiny children and of course, a cupcake. Further proof that trip to Savannah = free cupcake. 

Booty

Before she gets too old to do this, I just wanted to share the cutest booty ever. Look at that. She is trying to get in the bathroom, which she knows she's not allowed to do. But I had a hard time getting mad at her when she looked like this...

Ups and downs

It's amazing how encouraging and disappointing life with kids can be in a 24 hour period. This evening as I was diapering Elsie just before bed, Elliot called out to me from the bathtub, 'mama, I poop'. 'You pooped?' I asked, hoping I had misheard. 'Yeah. I poop in bathtub.'  After singing a quick song to Bug, I found Elliot cowering in one corner of the tub, pointing at the offending party and saying, 'get it out, get it out.' Get it out I did. That was a down.

Just yesterday evening after dinner we were enjoying some 'Jesus stories' as Elliot calls them. After one story we asked Elliot why Jesus had to die. 'Because I was disobedient,' he said easily. Michael and I gave each other the 'did you teach him that?' look. Neither of us had. Sunday school? Who knows. This was an up.

Across the street

The students in the big red house across the street have a trampoline in the back yard. We use it occasionally. Elliot LOVES it. 

Halloween

Hey everybody. Here is a very short video of Elliot impersonating Thomas for Halloween.  Just to warn you, it's not the greatest video, and it's sideways. Sorry. I keep forgetting to NOT do that. He was extremely happy to be Thomas. 

Elliot prays

Here's Elliot's version of the Lord's prayer. He can recite the whole thing, but the comprehension, well, not quite.  

Our father, art in heaven, Hal be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

on earth as in heaven

Give us this day our daybread

And give us our debt as we give our debtors

Lead us to tation

And liver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and power and gory for ever and ever and ever and ever (this is his favorite part)

Amen.

Bad Hair Days for Bug

Evolution of A Road Trip

A couple of pictures from the Papa

Elsie likes her some McDonald's and visiting Target with her Papa.

More Quotes

While eating chick peas for dinner

Papa: Elliot would you like some more of these?

E:  Yea! Chicken Peas

Quotes of the week

I clearly am stealing this concept from Melanie Maynor, who quotes her kids on her blog. Thanks, Mel. 

Elliot: Wanna see my belly?

Me: Sure.

Elliot: You see it yet? It's a nice belly.

Me: How are you this morning, Elliot?

Elliot: I feel old.

Me: You feel old?

Elliot: Yeah. Cause I'm 3.

Elliot: (fighting over something with Bug) That's mine! They're all mine!

Me: Elliot, that's sin in your heart that makes you want to not share any of them.

Elliot: Sin in my heart?

Me: Yup.

Elliot: I want to get the sin out of my heart.

Me: Me too, buddy. 

Buggie's walking!!!

Click here to see some of Elsie's first steps.

Kiddos

Bug enjoyed a Mint Double Stuff Oreo here. She painted part of the wall with it. Elliot is sporting Papa's motorcycle goggles. Elsie walked on Friday for the first time. She's taken a step here or there, but she took 7 or 8 steps. I hope to put some video up of her walking soon!

Pumpkins

So here are our pumpkins. Elliot's is the happy one. Buggie's looks a little scared. Elliot kept telling us he wanted Buggie's to be happy. I don't think he got the finality of the carving. But he loved the candles and the glowing faces. 

Fall

Last weekend Michael spent Saturday at a church somewhere in Georgia doing a missions conference. So we hooked up with the Bass family and spent the day at a bamboo forest/banana tree farm/pumpkin patch. It was fun. Here you see Elliot with James and Sara Katherine. Jimbo, a friend of Michael's from college, is here pushing Buggie in her stroller. She did get her own pumpkin, which she didn't want to let go of. We carved them this week. You may notice the baby doll with Elliot. Strangely, she has made her way into all of his activities. He feeds her, gives her naps, drinks, and hugs. We wonder how long the babydoll era will last.

Hands and feet

So Bug likes to play the piano with her hands first. And then with her feet. She LOVES the piano, and any other instrument. She dances when you sing, hum or play any kind of music. She can now dance without hanging onto anything - progress. 

Darth Buggie

Giddyup

This is Elliot's new favorite pre-Bug bedtime activity. We must ride the horse together before Elsie goes to sleep. 

Here's what's been going on around here: Elliot successfully pees every time we put him on the potty, as well as wearing underwear all day at his school. However, pooping still occurs without warning, usually in the underwear. 

Elsie is standing for 15 to 20 seconds at a time without holding onto anything. She likes to walk with me holding her hands. I think October may be the walking month. 

I have recently quit my extremely part time transcription job and have taken on a sort of bookkeeping apprenticeship at the classical Christian school where I currently keep lunch and study hall every afternoon. So far, though I am slow to admit it because it shows my true nerdiness, I LOVE it. 

We are getting to know more and more RUF students, who I find really enjoyable as people. One sweet freshman babysat for us last night so we could go to a missions conference. Michael just left for another one this morning. Hopefully the kids and I will join him there tomorrow morning. 

It's fairly busy around here, but we're enjoying it. I have to say, though, that the fall is just not the same in Savannah. It's going to be 80 degrees all week, and there are no leaf colors. (!) The trees just don't change color down here. Or if they do at all, I haven't seen it yet. 

Oh and one more thing. While grandma was here a few weeks ago, she at one point told Elliot that she was old. I told him I, too was old one morning when I couldn't quite get off the floor. Somehow everyone other than grandma and I has therefore become 'new'. Elliot often asks Michael, 'you new, papa?'  I guess it's all relative. 

SPANK

This is what we do a lot of lately. That's all. We spank. We prepare, we explain, we ask questions of understanding, we forgive, we instruct. But it feels like WE SPANK. 

Jumping Bug

For the cutest jumping Bug ever, go here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcstQHr-H4Q

Sorry for the turn of the camera.

Click on 'watch in high quality' - it's much clearer. 

Bug romp

This is a picture of Bug doing her favorite thing - rolling around on the bed. She particularly loves to be thrown onto the bed and then roll as near the edge as possible. She likes Elliot to throw pillows at her and she loves to beat on the window. Goofy kid.

Elliot woke up this morning without a fever. He seems to be feeling better. He was obviously glad to be at school, as he told me 'you go bye bye, mama' as I tried to kiss him goodbye this morning. 

It was in the 60's when we got up this morning! Yippee! 

Back to the fort

So we went back to Fort Pulaski a couple of weekends ago. Michael and Elliot actually watched a Civil War cannon being fired. Buggie and I heard it from the parking lot. 

Bug has been climbing and cruising more and more. Elliot continues to pee in the potty and get rewards for it. Sadly, he got hotter and hotter last night until he fell asleep on Michael on the couch. This does not happen unless Elliot is sick. He had a fever, woke up and 10pm and 4am to vomit all over himself and us (poor kid) and still has a fever now. We watched a lot of TV today and took naps together. Tonight is, of course, our first large group for RUF where Michael is preaching and I'm leading worship. Call me charismatic, but I think Satan loves messing with us. First the break in the night before Michael's installation, then this along with Buggie waking up and crying from 10pm to 11:30pm last night? That never happens.

Anyway, we're still excited for tonight. Just a little uneasy about what else might be coming...

Gwama

Grandma was here for 5 days. It was lovely. Here you see Elliot and grandma racing the cows on the Wii. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more.  Neither of them are very fast, but they both really like hitting the scarecrows. We all want grandma to come back.

In other VERY GOOD news, Elliot has been peeing on the potty! It's amazing. I never thought I'd see it, but we're making progress.  This is exciting. Now that he knows he gets candy when he does it, all is improving.  

Update on the bug

Bug has sad ears. She's on her 2nd or 3rd double ear infection. The girl has had a lot of amoxycillan in her one year.

I took her to the doctor the other day and she still doesn't weigh 20 pounds. 19lb 3oz. She's 13 months old.

Here are some fun Bug pictures.  I cut her hair; she had a mullet. Can you tell?

The bunny rabbit

I thought maybe it was time to tell the bunny rabbit story for those of you who have not heard it yet. 

Part I

So the other day I'm changing Elsie's diaper in her room on the changing table. Elliot was in the room with me and suddenly said, 'mama, bunny rabbit.' 'Bunny rabbit?' I said. 'What about a bunny rabbit?' 'There's a bunny rabbit - up there,' said young, unafraid Elliot.

I looked up to see a HUGE rat on the picture rail about 8 inches below the ceiling in Elsie's room. The thing was so big Elliot thought it was a rabbit. At this point I tried to remain calm and not drop Elsie. I slowly exited the room and told Elliot to keep talking to the bunny, as I'm sure he was scared. Elliot calmly talked to the bunny, which I had convinced him was actually a mouse. As I exited the room to start breathing again and get my phone, I heard Elliot saying, 'Mr. Mouse, you scared? It ok Mr. Mouse.'

I called our friend who lives about 5 blocks away. This man is afraid of roaches, according to his wife who usually kills them. But he was our only hope, as Michael was already gone for meetings. Jimbo was on his way. In the meantime, Elliot kept talking to the bunny, 'Mr. Mouse, you wanna go outside with the other mouses?'

Jimbo arrived and after some shouting, loud noises and hilarious commotion in Elsie's closed up room, he somehow was triumphant and actually captured the mouse with an oar and a plastic recycling bin. I was ecstatic. I had heard this mouse shuffling around in my house for many days and had seen him once. I finally felt free of the lingering fear of something running across my feet some early morning.

Part II

Michael heard the mouse story. He, too was amazed at Jimbo's bravery and skill. He came home and put the hose in the covered bin to drown the mouse. The picture you see is the cage, held down with a couple of rocks. 

Here's the very, very sad part. 5 HOURS later, Michael came home to dump the 'dead' rat. He opened the lid and OUT JUMPED THE RAT. He ran under our house.

%##$**!!!

Yard sale

I love Craigslist. We had a yard sale Saturday morning which we advertised on Craigslist. We sold 75% of the stuff out there by 10am. We put the money toward a VERY large bed. Now hopefully Michael and I won't be waking each other in the night anymore. Everybody needs some personal space when they're sleeping.

Elsie helped with the yard sale. She waved at people and scooted around the front porch, gathering dirt as she went. Here she is giving me the eye as I take her picture. 

Work and play

First you'll see here Elliot 'doing his letters'. That's what he calls it. Every once in awhile if he catches me on the computer, he'll ask if he can do his letters. This consists of me opening a new word document, making the font bold and around 24, and placing him in my chair. He then types letter by letter, sometimes searching and finding the alphabet in order. He knows where the delete key is, so if he makes a mistake he just gets rid of it. This freaks me out. He's 3.

Next you see Elliot and Michael playing the Wii. Elliot particularly loves the fishing game and asks me to play at least three times per day, usually starting about 6:30 in the morning. This also freaks me out. He's 3.

Caught ya!

I caught Elliot playing in Elsie's little walking apparatus. He's way too big for it, as you can see here. But he liked playing with all of the toys attached. Unfortunately, he is looking distressed because he managed to get himself stuck. I did, of course, laugh at him for a minute AND take his picture before I took him out. 

The last couple of weeks

Here's a shout out to Mrs. Kevin and Leslie Bley, whose wedding we got to be a part of in St. Louis.  It was a great, great weekend. You see Leslie here at the Chocolate Bar in St. Louis, where she wore a very goofy 80s style veil made by a very goofy 80s loving friend.  It was a beautiful wedding. 

And then we move on to the pirate boat that now is docked in Elliot's room.  I honestly forget how creative Michael Gordon is. He made this entire thing (with Elliot's help, of course) out of a box that once held our new kitchen table. Elliot wanted a train on the mast, and so here it is.  I don't know if you can really see it, but the thing even has a steering wheel, whatever those are called on boats.  Many hours have already been spent in the boat. We read books in the boat, search for treasure in the boat, survive waves in the boat.  The thing attached to the back corner is a cannon.  For the enemies of the pirate ship. I am convinced that Michael should be staying home with the children, not me. Anyway, when he is home, they have a good time.

Picture from the iphone