Almost

So, we almost made it all year without a trip to the ER. Today was this little girl's turn. While playing in the back of the van, as she often does while I am getting things out of the front, Elsie apparently stopped to rest while leaning up against the back door of the van. I unknowingly opened it, and Elsie fell out the back, landing in the street directly on the back of her head. The sound was bad. If you're a parent, you know and dread the "thud" I heard this morning. So, we got back into the car and paid a visit to our favorite $50 entertainment. The pediatric ER was slow, and we were talking to a doc in less than 30 minutes. (!) He and the nurse washed off the small contusion (less than 1 cm, they told me) and explained that if left alone, it would heal in 7 to 10 days. Since it would be covered by her hair, a staple would not be necessary to lessen the size of the scar. It bled. And that freaked Elsie out. She had blood on her hands, her jacket, her hair. But by the end of the day she told me her head didn't even hurt. She's a tough one, that Elsie. And so we have continued our yearly and sometimes quarterly visits to the ER. We're very thankful our little Bug is ok.

Christmas past

My mom saved this coat. Apparently it was purchased by my grandmother when I was about this age. My sister used it for her little girl. Now we have it. Elsie would not keep the hat on, but the coat fits perfectly. And we've actually needed it the last few days, even in Savannah. It snowed here yesterday!

A Gordon Christmas

So we spent three lovely days on Tybee Island with the Gordon crew last weekend. There was lots of food, many presents and people happy to play with my children. On their way back to their homes, Yaya, Big Papa, Auntie J and Uncle Bark, and Cousin Jack stopped by our house to open more presents. The red couch was just for Michael and I (!). I took more pictures, but the kids were so excited that all of them were blurry!

A Christmas date

I'm not exactly sure what they did on their date this time. But I know Bug came home with gummy worms, and very happy. I'm pretty sure it also included a coffee shop, some juice, and tea for papa.

Decorating

One of the things Elliot wanted for Christmas this year was more Christmas decorations. Here he is with the stars he picked out for our tree.

Thanksgiving 2010

Grandma and Grandpa live in Illinois, which is an impossible 3,419 mile car trip - or might as well be if you have a 3 and 5 year old. BUT, they also have a condo in St. Petersburg, a 7 1/2 hour trip from Savannah. So for Thanksgiving this year, we swam in the pool, built sandcastles, laid in the sun and ate wonderful stuffing. The combination of beach + turkey was a new and lovely one.

A little behind

Ok, so Halloween was two weeks ago. But here are Spidey, Darth, the witch and Tinkerbell.

Safari

Last weekend Yaya and Aunt Wanda took Elliot, Elsie and I on a Wild Animal Safari somewhere in the middle of nowhere, Georgia. Both kids were a little unnerved by the giraffes sticking their heads in the old, windowless schoolbus we rode through the winding road of the park. But they loved feeding the big fat pigs and longhorned cow, talking to the lama and laughing at the stinky camels.

Maggie's Holiday Parade 2010

It's no surprise that Maggie's Morning School, where Elsie attends the 3 year old class, is so much fun, given that the founder is Miss Maggie, pictured here as "laundry". Here are a few pictures of Elsie with her friends, Sarah and Virginia, during the parade through the Chuck E. Cheese parking lot on Friday.

Elliot reads Elsie a bedtime story

So I think this is one of those great parenting moments, when you can pass something off on one of your kids. Click here to see Elliot read a section of "Cooking With the Cat".

Soccer

Last Monday was the first day of Celtic soccer for Elliot. It would be an understatement to say that he loved it.

RUF Fall Gathering

So about 60 students traveled to Magnolia Springs State Park - 90 miles from Savannah - this past weekend. These little students went with them. Elsie's friend is Anna Kate - one of Elliot's favorite people. It was perfectly chilly in the morning and clear and sunny in the afternoon. Elliot played lots of soccer, and Elsie built many dirt/twig/mud huts and generally got very dirty. My favorite part was the dance party on Saturday night where I got to dance around as if I were not really 35.

Bug

Pirate Fest on Tybee

Another benefit of living in Savannah. Once a year there is a parade complete with canons on Tybee. People in the parade hand out necklaces and candy to those watching. We wanted to be pirates, too. You can't see it, but Michael is wearing a beautiful pink and blue earring in his left ear. Elliot enjoyed several sword fights with other boy pirates while waiting for the parade to start. We rode home with happy children eating their booty.

Lady Bug

These are from a couple of months ago, but I thought they should go up anyway. Bug - in flight.

This is what happens

when you're sort of an airhead, and you have small children. It's bread dough, if you can't tell. And I was letting it rise...

But why, mama?

That's what Elliot asked me tonight after reading 'The Proud Tree', a story about the crucifixion of Jesus.

Me: Why what?

Elliot: Why did he do that?

Me: Do what?

Elliot: Why did Jesus die?

Me: Because of the sin in our hearts, buddy.

He was pensive for awhile. We've had this conversation many times. But this time he followed it with:

Elliot: But how did Jesus feel?

I almost cried.

Me: How do you think he felt?

E: Sad.

And then a bit later:

E: I heard that in hell, they mash up your teeth.

Hmm. Not sure about that one.

Sundays is the South

-make for cute boys.

Bug stats

Elsie had her 3 year check up today. She checked out as a human. She's normal. And she's right at the 50th % for both height and weight.

The doctor hugged her. She wasn't sure about him, but he really liked her. Notice the dog "purse" in the picture. Everyone needs an Auntie J that buys you dog purses.

1st ballet class

Elsie showed me some of her moves from her first ballet class with Mrs. Key. She refuses to take off her ballet outfit. She'll probably sleep in it.

Future dish washer

I think she gets more soap and water on her clothes than the dishes currently, but it's a start.

Like

These were delivered to my house from a local florist this week. You can't read the card, but they're from my favorite preacher.

Elsie's first day of 3 year old class at Maggie's

Elsie made the big move up from the 2 year old class to the 3 year old class today. She has decided, apparently, that as a 3 year old she will now use the potty. Though she did not use it today, she did sit on it, which is progress for her. She now has a drinking fountain, 2 turtles and a hamster in her room. She continues to act both 3 and somehow 17 at the same time. One thing I love about Bug is her willingness to help. She constantly is asking if she can help me. She does some of Elliot's chores for him. She FINDS things to do around the house. It's fabulous. I am hoping hoping hoping that one of her spiritual gifts is the gift of service, with which unfortunately neither Michael nor I were endowed.

She told me that she played with Virginia, whom she loved last year in her 2 year old class. I'm hoping to maybe get Virginia over here to play soon. I still love Maggie's Morning School, and happily, Elsie seems to, too.

First Day of Kindergarten

Elliot literally went from 0 to 60 in about 10 seconds this morning. He was SO excited for his first day with Mrs. Satcher at Heard Elementary. He explained to us this morning while dressing that his outfits would follow a 'pattern - green, white, green, white'. His uniform is a green or white top - thus the pattern. Here you see him in front of our door, on campus, and then in his classroom figuring out what to do first after placing his lunch box in the designated row and hanging up his bag.

I picked him up in the carpool lane and already he looked older. He showed me a large family picture he drew, including Stripes' square feet, and informed me that he indeed had homework this evening. He finished drawing his number ones and colored one corresponding bear after dinner. Having tackled that, he promptly fell asleep before 8:30.

All yesterday and this morning he kept telling us, 'it's a big day! It's gonna be a big day!' And a big day it was. Walking down the hall this morning with lots of parents with cameras, cute little people in uniforms, new book bags and lunch boxes, excited kids and teachers, that wonderful new school smell, and our little uniformed Elliot was almost overwhelming. I almost cried. Not because I was sad, just because it was so right and good, all this newness and a highly anticipated beginning. So I'm thankful. I'm thankful that we live in a city where there are some great public schools, and that Elliot got into one. I'm thankful that Elliot happened to get one of my best friend here's next door neighbor as a teacher, and that I already know and absolutely love her. I'm thankful that he's still only 5. Because it all seems like it's going very, very fast.

Elliot's 5th Birthday Party

Click here for a one minute video of the cake scene. It was 1,000 degrees, but a lot of fun. The kids went on a treasure hunt and came back with all kinds of precious finds like little bouncy balls, airplanes, finger skateboards and the coolest, parachute men.

First date

In an effort to keep their relationship open and talking, even when she's 15, Michael and Elsie went on a date yesterday. A first date. Hopefully this is the first of many, many dates. Now every girl knows that the first date needs to be a good one. Special, but not over the top, planned and deliberate but not overwhelming. So Michael took Elsie on a carriage ride. Because she's under 5, she's still free. This also had something to do with his choice. They both dressed up and apparently had a wonderful time. Elsie talked about her 'date' all day and even told her papa when they were nearing the end of it, 'I don't want our date to end.'

Ah, yes. That Michael is a charmer. I didn't want our first date to end, either.

There's no place like home