Fashion sense

Black socks with shorts are definitely in this summer.

Elliot's future

On the way home from church this evening:

Papa: Elliot, what do you want to do when you grow up?

Elliot: I want to live in California.

P: Why?

E: B/c that's where the race cars race. And I'm going to let kids AND grown ups come to my wedding.

P: What do you think you'll do for a job?

E: I don't know - pay bills or something.

Kid prayers

Yaya's dog, Mouse, died a few days ago. The kids are a little sad about it. These were tonight's prayers:

Elsie: Thank you, Jesus, for Mouse. She died.

Elliot: Jesus, I hope Mouse doesn't mind that she died. Amen

Show me those muscles

Baby birthday party

Apparently, today was Elliot's baby's 4th birthday. We started preparing for the party last night, putting up streamers. After dinner tonight we all celebrated "Gordon Ezra Ez" by eating chocolate ice cream, as you can see on Bug. However, the baby herself does not like chocolate ice cream, and does not like public singings of "Happy Birthday To You". She was strangely absent for the entire party.

A suspicious Snow White

First beach trip 2010

I got home with the kids at 3:45. Michael's been working sort of non-stop lately. He's home when we walk in the door and he says to me, 'It's so hot. Wanna go to the beach?' This is one of the reasons I love Michael.

Of course it's 88 degrees in the Middle of May in Savannah. So off to Tybee we went. Last summer was a little scary, as Elsie, at 21 months, would fearlessly run into the water and fall over under a wave until we literally pulled her out. This happened about every 24 seconds. This year is exponentially safer. Elsie has developed a healthy fear of the waves, and only sat with me near the edge. She loves the waves washing over her feet and belly. Elliot loves to jump into the waves as they break. Michael, as you see here, likes to build sand castles.

It had been 2 hours before we knew it, so we ate on the road and headed home. Hopefully this is the first of many beach trips this summer. I still can't believe we live 25 minutes from the water!

Big

This afternoon we went to an open house at Elliot's school for the fall, where he will attend Kindergarten. Kindergarten, for God's sake! The kid is going to turn 5 in 3 months!

Unbelievable. Yesterday all morning he asked me what the first state was. For anyone who is NOT in the know, as I was NOT, it was Delaware.

In other news, about a week ago we finally finished our garden. Now, because of persistent watering and some rain, we have about 16 bean plants and some sunflowers sticking their little sprouts up through the soil. Along with those and some carrot seeds were planted some cucumbers, a watermelon, thyme, and tomatoes. Oh, and arugula. We'll see how they do. Elsie LOVED helping with the dirt. The girl loves some dirt.

Colorado

This morning, on the way to school:

Elliot: Mama, is there anyone who hates flowers?

Me: Um, I guess there could be someone who doesn't like flowers.

E: Mama, I think people in Colorado hate flowers.

From the most affectionate little boy I know, after his papa, that is

E: I yuv you mama, through and through, cause you're so nice.

Me: Thank you, Elliot. I love you, too.

E: But sometimes you're mean. But I still yuv you. I'll even yuv you when you're in heaven. Even then. I'll keep yuving you.

My Bug

After the recital

After a fabulous ballet recital, Elliot told me, 'Mama, I want to be a ballet dancer and pick up the girls, like I pick up Buggie at school. I can pick her up, mama. Did you know that?'

Hull Park

This little park is about a mile from our house. The water doesn't come on until it gets really got. It's really hot now...

4 year old angst

Elliot: It was a good day. Except I was sad sometimes.

Me: Why were you sad?

E: Well, Natalie doesn't want to play with me anymore.

Me: Why not?

E: (crying) I don't know, but sometimes she even says, 'No, Elliot.' We were friends at the royal ball and we danced together.

Me: I'm sorry buddy. That's hard. Does it make your heart hurt?

E: (still crying) Yeah.

Me: Did you know if there's something you did that made her not want to play with you anymore?

E: No.

...quiet...

E: Well, maybe I know why she didn't want to play with me anymore. Because sometimes I call her cheetah pants.

Me: (Laughing very hard)

E: Yeah, maybe that's why. But I'm still sad.