A Series of (non fatal) Events

Oh, hi there!  Sorry I've been neglecting all of you faithful readers. I don't know what I've been doing, but surely it was important.

Recently, I made a few questionable parental decisions, that culminated in this:

Eli perched on the top of Lucy's armoire eating gumballs

I started giving Lucy stars for good behavior and when she collects 5 stars she earns a quarter.  I've been using this obvious bribe to not only get her to do what I want her to do, but to also teach her about money.  She collected $1 and was excited to go and spend her dollar in the dollar section of Target.  She looked for a long time.  This girl needs TIME to make decisions, and finally settled on a box of gumballs.  Normally, I would not let her buy this type of thing, but it took so long for her to make this decision in the first place, I just wanted to get out of that store.  Next, she decided she was going to store these well earned gumballs in her room.  Again, normally, I would fight her to the death on this, but for some reason, I let it go.  It took all of about a half of a day for Eli to discover this new pile of sugar, which led Lucy to put them on top of her armoire, out of Eli's reach.  Lastly, Eli was quiet for more than 2 seconds, upon which time I discovered him shoving colorful balls of gum into his mouth.  Now, how did he get up there?

Lost count of what day of vacation....

Photo credits: DAD

Brasstown Bald

The highest point in Georgia. Photo taken with my new cell phone.  Still on vacation!

Vacay Day Three and Four

Peek

A-Boo

This is where Lucy plans to catch and transport the beaver she has been looking for since arriving here, four days ago.  And she is serious.  Don't even try and tell her it's not possible, because she does not want to hear it.  Big plans are in store for this beaver, that will sleep in our house and eat wood and become our pet.  THIS is the beaver car seat.  Probably the first ever!

Vacay Day 2

According to Lucy

Lucy brought a rope on our vacation just in case we find a beaver. That way, we can gently put the rope around its neck and bring it inside the vacation house and feed it wood.

4 year old perspective

7:35pm

Lucy:  Mom, what does boring mean?

Me:  (explains)

Lucy:  Mom, boring is not having a sleep over every night. 

------

7:37 pm

Lucy:  Do we have to go on the highways to get to the vacation house?

Me: Yes, it's about 2 hours. 

Lucy:  Mom, my brain can't wait that long.

Family Genes

That photo of Eli reminded me of the photo on the left.  People often tell me that Eli looks just like his Dad, but we didn't really think so.  Photos of the two at the same age showed little resemblance.  It wasn't until my Uncle Fred emailed the black and white photo of my dad above that we all had our big a-ha moment.  Eli and my dad, clones!  All I need to do is get Eli on a horse with a Tally - Ho saddle blanket and you could hardly tell a diff.

Bad connection

We are having technical difficulties with our internet connection (CHARTER, you scummy little excuse for an internet provider) and I am not able to upload photos. In fact, I am updating this entry via my cell phone. Soon, we will be upgrading to U-verse. In the meantime, all I have for you are cell phone images. This is an old one I found of Eli on his birthday!

Summer!

Best Line of the Day

9pm

Lucy just came downstairs and asked me if it was morning yet.  When I asked her what she thought, she quickly and confidently replied, "YES"!

I think it is time for a clock in her room.

We Already Have Zhu Zhu Pets

Lucy is a very persistent child.  I know this will serve her well someday, I really do.  She also has, what I like to refer to as 'sticky thoughts'.  She gets ideas in her head that she simply can not let go.  For quite some time now, she has been stuck on the idea that she needs to have a hamster.  We've been very clear that she is not going to get a hamster.  I think I told her she could get them when she is 7 (because that is the suggested age on the sign at the pet shop).  Not because we are mean!  Exactly the opposite!  We are kind human beings who want to save a poor hamster from being loved to death.  One day, Lucy spent 10 minutes trying to convince us that she knew everything in the world about how to care for hamsters, and thus should be able to get one.  She references her book often (note: she does not know how to read).   I've narrowed that 10 minutes down to 1 in the video below.  We were throwing out hypotheticals to her and the kid did not miss a beat.  She had an answer for everything.  I must confess that I am very proud that we still do not own a hamster.  Because it would have been so easy to cave on any one of the 975 times we have talked about hamsters in the last few months.  Just to stop the words coming out of her mouth.

I Guess That Was A Bad Idea

I checked the list of ingredients for the sorbet. All clear. But in my 'wow, this is going to be so nice', moment, I neglected to remember the scoop the ice cream store used probably scooped some nuttylicious flavor just before we walked in. I guess we will stick with popsicles. Bummer.

Celebrating Eli's 2nd Birthday

Eli turned two this past weekend.  To celebrate the big day, we went to Chattanooga, Tennessee for the day and spent the night.  We did the town up and down, including the Children's Museum, the River Walk, swimming at the hotel, dinner, presents and cupcakes.  The next day, we went to Rock City and then headed home.  I present to you, a weekend in pictures:

This is the only way Eli eats cupcakes.  And notice his beloved key set Grandpa gave him for his birthday.  He slept with them in his crib, of course.

And now we take over Rock City.  Eli RAN through the entire place, sweat covered from top to bottom.  Lucy was a little less enthusiastic about the days events.  But My Little Pony was there for moral support.

Lucy has officially entered that phase of her life where photos are no longer cute, but simply a way for parents to annoy their children.  And this is how they get their revenge.  Some things are eternal and it's almost a comfort to see them appear. 

She smiles!  She looks cute!!

Oh, The Whine is back.  But look, My Little Pony is sticking by her side.

The picture of me at this spot has Lucy crawling through my legs and Eli trying to get out of my arms.  Dad and Eli is so much better.

Aaaaaaaaaaaand, we are done.

Goodbye Kitty

Dear Hello Kitty stamp pad,

Thanks so much for your help this morning as I was trying to get everything ready to leave the house!  You were right there, when I needed you most.  You kept Eli occupied so well, for such a long time.  I should have known you were helping him discover his creative side. 

Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to throw you in the trash!  Here, let me take this bag of trash downstairs to the trash bin, just to make sure Lucy doesn't miss you. 

See you, never again!

Amy

P.S.  I just found more evidence all over the closet door, the desk, the chair, the baby gate (you know, the one whose sole purpose in life is to keep Eli out of Lucy's room for just this sort of act of curiosity).

Night Rythyms

Eli now rests comfortably in his crib with the crib tent attachment. I've had it in a box in the basement for him for a good 6 months. I think he knew how to get out of his crib, he just didn't really feel like it. Which was nice. But once he really grasped the idea of the freedom, there was no stopping him. This is a lovely invention. I'm planning to keep him in this crib until he is 3, or he outgrows Lucy, whichever comes first.

Lucy is a girl with a lot on her mind and a long list of to do's. This do to list really takes on a whole new meaning at bedtime. There are so many stuffed animals to put to bed, dolls to dress, beds to make and forts to build, it boggles the mind. This week, she has been sleeping with a large copier paper box at the bottom of her bed. This is where her stuffed animal Bolt sleeps. He's got blankets in there and brushes, and leashes jeez, Lucy my eyes have glazed over already.... But I did find a half eaten bagel down there too. I tried to remove it, but a complete meltdown almost ensued. The other day I looked and it was gone, so I guess he ate it.

Last Week

All talk, no action.

I hope she won't be disappointed when she finds out she doesn't get to shave her face.

Getting ready for the 4th of July parade.

No fear.

Summer day play.

Hummus is back on Lucy's approved list.  But she doesn't like it on anything, except her finger.

Quotes of the Day

Eli, stop errupting me.

Eli is annorying me.

Mom, LOOK, there's corn in the toilet!

Toy Story

I took Lucy to see Toy Story 3 today. We made it through the whole movie, including the previews. There were a few touch and go moments...TOO LOUD, I dropped my candy wahhhhh, why are they being mean to that toy....blah blah blah. She saved the big meltdown for all the people waiting to get in. It was a long time for her to keep it together surrounded by so many things that set her off. The best part was on the way home when she started crying again, telling me she didn't want to go off to college because she'd miss me too much.

Relaxing Summer Morning