A Downer

I don't like to watch the news much because it is always such a downer. It is usually nothing but robberies, murders, and politics, blah blah blah.   Eli got up before me this morning and went into the living room and turned on the TV, which was set to the Sunday night football game, which in the AM meant he was stuck watching the news.  Not sure how much he had watched before I made it up but he said, "Mom, I have some bad news.  Two people got hurt and it is going rain."
Pretty much sums it up....

The "Who's Birthday" Fall Party

Eli had his fall party for preschool today. When I told him that he was having a party at school today he said, "Who's birthday is it?" and I said, "No ones - it is a fall party for everyone" and he said "Oh" a bit disappointed. Well he was all smiles when I got to his class today. Eli said, "Mom I thought this birthday party was going to be terrible, but it is a lot of fun." OK - so he didn't get the fall party theme - but the boys were all smiles! And loved the "scary teeth" from their party bags!

On bibs

Yes, my boys still wear bibs when they eat - it is necessary for the maintenance of our laundry loads.  Today as Eli was putting his on - he said "Man this thing is getting tight, we need to get some new big boys bibs." I gently told him that they don't make big boy bibs because eventually he is supposed to learn to eat without spilling stuff all over him.  He said, "Well - what am I supposed to do? I am a big boy, but I still make a mess."

Brothers

Time for a Haircut

No words

Sometimes only a picture can do it justice...

First Field Trip

Eli got to go on his first official field trip to Boyd's Orchard this week.  He was all smiles!!

No Rest

You know that point in the day when you are exhausted and all you want to do is sit on the couch - even if it is just for 10 minutes? I will find that some days that point in the day doesn't come until 8 o'clock at night, but I just fall into the couch with a nice sigh of relief... and then .... enters Isaac. I've shared before how he still likes my assistance in the bathroom.  For a while we thought it had to do with his toys in hand, but recently it has turned into a dreaded game.  Isaac begs me to help him go to the bathroom.  No matter what I am doing he wants me to drop everything as he does his "I gotta go pee pee now dance" and help him.  I say no about 4 times and he throws himself on the floor crying. So in my head I say 1) this is not worth it 2) if I walk to the bathroom with him the crying will stop.  So I get off of the comfy couch, or dry my hands off from washing dishes, or stop cooking dinner to help little Isaac in the bathroom.  And then you know what he has been doing lately...  He hops up, runs into the bathroom as fast as is 18 inch legs will take him, drops his pants, and finishes peeing before I can make it in there.  By the time I arrive he is done and laughing at me for being tricked.
We are in for it aren't we...

When I Grow Up

The boys are in preschool now and we are being quickly introduced to this new world of responsibility and planning.  Did you know that preschoolers have homework? When were we doing ours? Sunday at 8:00 PM. Trying to develop good, realistic habits early. 
The most enlightening project has been the "I am Special Poster".  Both Eli and Isaac have completed a this poster which includes random facts about the child and goals for the future. Eli's was sent home so we assisted him in filling this out. I put everything he said word for word, except for his favorite color being pink - I knew that just was not true.  Isaac's was filled out by his teacher - his was by far the most entertaining.  Here are some highlights in comparing our oldest and youngest.

Where do you live?
Eli: Kentucky
Isaac: Earth

How do you get to school?
Eli: My mom
Isaac: A White Van

When is Your Birthday?
Eli: November 20th (correct)
Isaac: January 28th (wrong)

Who is in your family:
Eli: Mom, Dad, Isaac, and Uncle Joe
Isaac: Mac, Mommy & Daddy, Nana & Pops, Isaac (Poor Eli)

Favorite Sport:
Eli: Baseball
Isaac: Swimming (never been)

My personal favorite

What are you going to be when you grow up?
Eli: A Doctor
Isaac: fight the bad guys with a sword


Is it the age difference or does Isaac have some issues with reality?

The Barricade

Isaac has a tendency to get out of bed a lot at night.  He has a variety of reasons, needs to pee, needs to poop, just wanted to check in on us. It is cute once, but after eight times of getting up and down to put him back in bed John and I both get frustrated.  So in protest last night Isaac barricade himself in his room. He pushed several of his "big" toys up against the door so we couldn't come in a "check on him." He sure showed us...

"Free Hands" & You B%^&h

So Isaac and I were in the bathroom yesterday so he could go pee pee.  John and I have noticed that Isaac will willingly pee by himself if he isn't holding a toy, but is hesitant to put down toys (because he doesn't want his brother to have any fun) so he will ask for assistance when he is holding a toy in hand.  That was kind of a break through because we could never figure out why he could go sometimes and not others. The unfortunate result in "holding toys over the potty" is that inevitably they end up falling in the toilet.  We have had multiple causalities over the past week.  So yesterday, back to the bathroom, a "View Master" card fell in a toilet of fresh pee.  Gross.  So I pulled it out of the toilet and threw it away and told him that if we put toys down before we went pee pee we wouldn't have to throw so many pee stained toys away.  To which he replied - "You Bi&*h."
"Excuse me" I said in shock that he had even heard that word - not one I typically use.  And then he swung his arm in front of him and with enthusiasm said it again "You Bi^&h".  I instantly realized that he was attempting to say "You Betcha", but was living off a critical syllable. We have been practicing A LOT on saying the full word.
You Betcha.

The Wrong Guy

Today was our first day of VBS. We had to miss days 1 and 2 because I had to work. Typically the boys have only been old enough for the worker's room, but today Eli got to go to VBS as a "big boy." Eli was too funny in the car on the way home.

Eli: Mom - we talked about God today, not Jesus, you had the wrong guy.

Me: Eli what were your teacher's names.
Eli: I forgot to ask. Dang it Eli, be brave!!

Park Photos

Woody

Eli likes to come out of his room dressed some mornings. Today he dressed up as Woody.

Yes his shirt is VERY tight.

Yes his pants are on backwards.

100 Butts

Isaac is smart. At three Isaac has learned to work the system to get what he wants. So this morning after breakfast after saying "I'm done, I want to get down" about 50 times back-to-back he decided to go a different direction.
"I need to poop NOW!" He knows that this usually gets him down because no one wants to mess with pants full of poop. So as I get him down from his high chair John says, "I bet you one hundred bucks you aren't going to poop."
Isaac replied," I DON'T HAVE 100 BUTTS - just ONE and it's GOING to POOP."
And he did, after about 20 minutes....

Qualified

Last Sunday Eli's Sunday School class had a parent filling in for their usual Sunday School Teacher Ms. Kristin. Eli just loves Ms. Kristin so he has a bit sad that she wasn't there for Sunday School.
He asked Ms. C (the parent kind enough to step in) "Why Are you here? Do you even know what you are doing?"
We all got a really good laugh!

In My Heart

Not sure why my posts have been so few and far between. The boys are still being hilarious.
So today Eli has been more affectionate than usual and I gave him a big hug and said I just hate that you are growing up. I want you to be small forever. And the conversation goes:

Eli: Mom I have to grow that is how God made me.
Me: Well I will just have to talk to God about it.
Eli: I don't think he will be able to hear you since he lives in outer space.
Me: Hon, you have learned in church that God lives in our heart.
Eli: Oh, well then I can open my mouth so you can yell at him.

Scrambled Eggs

On Wednesday Eli begged for scrambled eggs for breakfast. I reminded him that he has had them before and does not like them/won't eat them. But, he insisted, he wanted scrambled eggs. I obliged (of course) one egg perfectly scrambled. He took one bite and had this "this is so disgusting but I am going to swallow" look on his face. Once it was down he drank his entire cup of juice without taking a breath. I told him I was glad he tried them, but that he really didn't have to eat them if he didn't like them. He was polite - he handed the plate back to me and said "Lets try again when I turn 5."
It is on my calendar.

Liar

Of course I am describing our resident procrastinator, Isaac. Isaac has a long list of potential delayers when it comes to bedtime. His favorite is "I have to go pee/poop" which you can't really argue with. If they do really have to go then you may have a wet bed in the AM. So we both typically give in on this one, with one caveat. We tell him, if you don't pee/poop we are going to have to give you a spanking for lying. Sometimes that terminates the bathroom trip - other times Isaac swears that he really has to pee. So on Monday, in response to an "I have to pee plea", and a threaten of the lying-spanking, he said "I promise I am going to pee a lot - my wee wee is very full". So we go to the bathroom - I am waiting, waiting and then really panicked he says, "Oh Crap," covers his butt and starts backing away saying, "Please don't spank me, please don't spank me." Very innocently I say - "oh, I'm not going to spank you because you really have to pee." And with that sweet smile he says, "Nope - I was lying."

Easter Egg Hunt

Here are the boys getting ready for our Easter Egg Hunt at church. I am convinced that Easter is secretly known as the "peanut butter"lovers holiday. EVERYTHING Isaac picked up he couldn't eat. Poor Guy. I think next year we plan to have an Easter Egg Hunt at our house so he won't have to go through that disappointment again.

Eli won a prize during a drawing. Eli is known at church as being particularly joyful and a bit intense. So his reaction to his name being drawn was more than appropriate. He jumped up like he had been selected for the "price is right", jumping up and down, etc. And then ran to the table as fast as he could. It was pretty funny!

This picture seriously sums up Eli - he is too funny!

Easter Pictures 2010

Eli's Eye

There had a been a several day battle over these "flags on a stick" the boys received in a gift bag from a birthday party. John wanted to throw them out due to the sharp pointy ends, and the boys were holding on dearly to them. So when Eli got this huge scratch around his eye we knew both the culprit and the weapon of choice, so we thought. And the conversation goes...

John: Oh my goodness Eli what happened to your eye

Eli: I don't know what you are talking about

John: You have a huge scratch from your forehead to your mouth

Eli: No I don't, I don't know what you are talking about

John: How did that happen? Doesn't that huge scratch hurt

Eli: No, I don't have a scratch, please don't take our flags away

Isaac

This is Isaac's post. Isaac is kind of a nut so - here is what he has been up to:

Posing for Easter

His interpretation the the "Hunchback" of Notre Dame

Enjoying, no, loving his ice cream - yes it is on his nose and eyes.

A New Level

It is amazing to watch the boys grow and develop. Watching early turn four and move from a toddler to a little boy has been fascinating. He is continuing to reach all new levels of understanding, coupled with 15,000 questions, about life and the world around him. Today was teacher appreciation day at school. We put a small gift together for his teachers and the boys carried their gifts in to give to their teachers. As I was walking Eli to his class I said - "Now when you give your teachers your gift say - Thank you for being a good teacher." And he looked up at me and said, "I can't do that, they will laugh at me."And to be honest I was a little heartbroken. All of the sudden this curious little boy is worried about what other people will think about him. While I appreciate the awareness and the self control that way of thinking brings, I hate the loss of innocence that comes with worrying about other peoples opinions and actions. Now come the 1000s of life lessons that I think we are all still learning to worry less about what others think and more about who Eli is and who we all are in the eyes of God and how we - in our small way can make an impact on the world.

School

I have been trying to talk Eli into staying home from school today because of this nasty cough he is sporting. We took him to the doctor yesterday and he said it was a touch of a sinus infection and that he was not contagious and would be fine for school today. But call it mom's intuition, I think he will have a rough day with this barking cough.
When I told him I was going to keep him home today he said, and I quote, "But I want to go to school, mom. I have to learn. Children have to go to school mom to learn or else they will be dummies. I don't want to be a dummy mom."
He makes a good argument.

The Prayer

I seriously think we need to put together a book of Eli's prayers to share with him later. They are highly inappropriate and hilarious. I guess the good thing is that he feels like he can tell God anything. Sunday was a rough day. Eli was quite emotional/tired after church - so as things deteriorated from his plan, the weeping and wailing got louder and louder. Eli usually likes to say "his food prayer" at meals, but I offered to say the prayer for lunch since Eli was crying. He obliged and then asked to pray as soon as I finished. It went something like this.

"Dear God,
I don't want to listen to my parents. I want to do things myself because I am a big boy. I don't want to eat this food. I am tired and I just want to go to bed.
Amen"

Poor Bird

On Saturday a bird dive bombed and pooped all over our van. The boys were quited disgusted by this on the way to church. Their most pressing questions were - why does the bird have to poop all over our van and how can we get the bird back - you know, retaliation. Eli suggested that we catch the bird and cut its' wings off. I told him that was a little harsh that birds aren't potty trained like humans are. Isaac perked up and said "I know Eli! You can catch the bird and I will pee on it." An eye for an eye.

Turtle did it...

Eli likes to make orange juice, fake orange juice. He puts a couple of clementine oranges in a Tupperware container, stirs them around with a fake spoon and makes "fake" orange juice. On Monday he had taken 3 oranges out of the fruit bowl and was clearly dissatisfied with the container I gave him to work with that was "too small". He came into our bedroom while we were getting ready for work and showed us his new big container with a lid.

The question is where did he get it, since they are stored on a top shelf in the kitchen. Eli's first response was that he got it out of a dresser drawer in his room. When I told him "I didn't know we were stock piling Tupperware in your room," he said "Well maybe uhm Turtle got it for me." I have included a turtle below because his sad state makes Eli's answer all the funnier. I am assuming it was statements like those that were behind the "Calvin and Hobbes" cartoon.

So, John and I had a little fun with him. "Well how did turtle get up there? And, wow turtle must be so strong!" Well not to be out done by turtle Eli said "No, I'm strong - I got it down." "Oh, so you did get it down." Our trip to the kitchen contained all of the evidence - original container thrown on the floor, chair up against the kitchen cabinets, storage container cabinet door wide open. Another mystery solved.

Bathrooms

Potty training is a blessing/curse. On the one hand you get rid of diapers. No diapers means more $$ and less trash, theoretically. Except that going from two people flushing the potty and using toilet paper to four - increases the water bill and decreases the toilet paper stash. However, when out and about diaper use is FAR handier than trying to find a toilet on a dime. On Friday I took the boys to the mall (I am assuming that is where Isaac acquired pink eye). By the time we got to the indoor playground (which took quite a while since Eli won't step on cracks) got our coats, shoes, and socks off -the boys decided they needed to use the potty. So we get our shoes and socks back on. I am now lugging three winter coats and the backpack of Isaac's "just in case" meds. We get back to the front of the mall to the restroom, again not stepping on cracks, and you guessed it - closed for cleaning. I am assuming some major catastrophe had occured since the mall had only been open for 30 minutes. So holding hands, coats, backbacks, etc we venture off to the next "closest" bathroom. By now I am sweating, Isaac is pulling us, since his urge sparked the trip in the first place, I am ready to drag Eli across the cracks, and we finally make it. It was rather uneventful, pee, flush, wash hands, although I think you couldn't wash public bathroom gross off without a bath. Thirty minutes later wouldn't peeing in your pants in a nice absorbant diaper have been the better option?

Snowman II

Pops started on a snowman for the boys - it fell after snow number one, but was resurrected after snow number two.

Isaac's Birthday

This year we made Isaac a "egg-free" big chocolate chip cookie into an "Andy's Room" (from Toy Story) birthday cake. He asked for homemade pizza - tasty tasty! It was a fun night! I cn't believe he is 3!