Santa Already Knows

We thought we would take the boys to TrU and let them show us things they would like for Christmas. Ian had already told us he wanted a guitar, but after getting to play the piano last night at a Christmas party with Lonnie's co-workers, I thought I had him sold on piano lessons instead. But he spots a BIG set of drums that he wants. But I told him that we didn't have a place for them. Ian's response was something to the effect of 'Doesn't matter. I already told Santa.'

Elliot Update

Still no underwear, but at least will wear PJ bottoms under his pants.

Went for an annual checkup and he was 45 lbs (95th) and 41.5 inches (75th). The doc figures he will be 6ft tall.

Still Commando

We are now on our 10th or so day of potty training. You are a champ at peeing on the potty. Still won't poop on the potty and still are completely commando. Not even Wonder Pets underwear can persuade you.

I guess there can be too much of a Good Thing

M: Elliot, I made you a cupcake so we can sing to you after dinner.
E: I've had enough of cupcakes. I'm done (swinging his hand across his belly)

This comes after lots of cake on Sunday for his party and cupcakes today for his friends at school.

What You Say

Elliot: Mommy?
M: Yes?
E: I want to be with you forever. I want to see you forever.

Nana's 80th

Nana was nice enough to once again let us host Elliot's bday party at their house. But today was also Nana's 80th bday. And though I tormented her for a month that we were going to get her a cake, Lonnie actually did. And put 80 candles on it. It was like a fiery inferno. And moments after she blew out the candles, the fire alarm went off. It was excellent.

And yes, most of us had Elliot's cake AND the ice cream cake. Who wouldn't?

I Need to Take this Call

We were at a store tonight and Elliot says, 'Mommy, be quiet, I'm getting a call' and proceeds to whip out of his pocket a toy cell phone that I have never seen before and have a conversation with it.

DIversion to Underwear

We have been trying to convince Elliot to put on underwear. Currently he is sitting in the hallway crying, 'I want my pullup on' and periodically grunting and hitting the wall. He REALLY does not want to wear underwear. It's like a pair of underwear seriously traumatized him in a past life.

These are some of my conversations with Elliot this morning in my quest to get underwear on him...

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M: Elliot, you like Wonder Pets. Your whole body like Wonder Pets.

E: My bones don't.

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While changing him out of a pullup and trying to convince him to put on underwear.

M: (singing) 'Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets, You're on my Butt'

E: Small smile at how clever mommy was, then straight back to grimacing and whining for his pullup.

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M: Elliot you are not getting a pullup. If you don't want to wear underwear, then you will wear nothing.

E: Ok. (with a smile) And lets me put his soft pants back on.

See, this was easy because he has this little game he plays. He'll wait until you aren't looking and then go put on a pullup. This is what he has done the past couple of weekends when we tried to get him to wear underwear. However, I took them all with me when I left the room. When he realized this he was really upset. But then both of us at the same time remembered there was a diaper down in the kitchen on the shoe rack. He already went down to the kitchen. I was 30 seconds behind him and he already had the swinging door to the kitchen closed. This was actually really funny.

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Now we are working on a half an hour of, 'I want a pullup on' crying and whining. He is really not happy. He's been in time out for some of that time because of the language and hitting of the walls.

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Trying to console/rationalize with him:

M: What is it about diapers and pullups that you don't want to give them up?

E: I love them. (almost as dramatically as a 15-yr old girl proclaiming her love).

M: You love your blankets, but would you pee and poop and throw them away? That doesn't sound like love to me.

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M: We can go to the book or toy store and pick up what ever you want if you get rid of the diapers forever. And this is in addition to the birthday and christmas presents coming.

E: Can we go today?

We'll see how this day further progresses. Currently he has stopped whining for the pullup. But he is still running around pantless.

The Stuff I Find

Ian likes to share things with his friends. And by share, I mean show. He has been carrying around a folder of drawings that he just keeps adding to. And he keeps wanting to take it to school with him. If I would let him, there is all kinds of stuff he would take to school to show his friends. But I don't let him because he's distracting to school. And frankly, I am new at this school thing and I don't want to be any of THOSE mothers. So I am trying to do everything right. But at the same time, Ian is growing up and he is starting to realize that if he doesn't ask me if he can do something, than that means I can't say no.

So every evening I unpack Ian's bookbag to take out the papers that need filing and to get his lunch bag ready for the next day. So what did I find in there today? His FRAMED soldier caricature. Yes, the one that has glass fronts that pops out very easily. And after that there was the globe pillow. I seriously don't know when he put these things in his bag. So now it seems I need to check his bag in the morning as well.

The Hail Mary of Potty Training

Mommy: Elliot, guess what came today?
Elliot: What?
Mommy: Wonder Pets Underwear from Grandma!
Elliot: (very excited, dancing around) Oohh, yeah, wonder pets!
Mommy: (hopefully) Do you want to wear them tomorrow when you get up?
Elliot: No.

Figures.

Great White Sharks!!

Today was Ian's last day of soccer. He is very sorry to see it end. He played a great game and was definitely one of the the players on his team that was the most focused today. Ian even started the kids chanting 'Great White Sharks!' during the team photo.

Halloween...

We Should Have Known

My computer is set up so when it goes into screen saver mode, it circulates photos of the boys. This morning I when I saw this particular photo I realized something. This was a foreshadowing of their relationship. Except in a really cute way. And without the fighting, screaming and tears.

And can I just say how much I miss those curls!!!

Highlights from Amelia's 2nd Birthday

The Real First Day

Not sure who was more excited, Ian or Elliot, but Ian insisted we were at the bus stop 15 minutes early. Ian was definitely ready.

This is us the day our baby goes off to kindergarten.

Here comes the bus...

Practically running...

And he's off!

FIrst Day of School (sort of)

Baltimore County kindergarten has gradual entry. This was the first day Ian was allowed to go to school, but we were only there for a couple of hours to meet the teacher and see the classroom.

Ian as a Soldier

This will be his Halloween costume, but it was purchased for his school Bday party.

And this is the cool caricature that was done at summer camp.

The Beautiful Bus Stop Tree

There was a beautiful mature tree that shaded Ian's bus stop that was torn down after school started for apparently really silly reasons. All that is left of it is a big ol' stump. I saw that someone did this to another stump in the neighborhood over from ours, and I really want to do the same thing. Too bad, the owner is a bit nuts and has no sense of humor.

Super Fantastic Lego Creation

Ian's School Bday

Isabella, Ian, another Ian, and Vernon




I am very behind on posting, so these are going to be all out of order. But here are the highlights of Ian's summer camp Bday costume party.

I Love Elliot this Way

Seeing Elliot like this makes me forget how crazy he can be. And he does not fall asleep easily. So this was amazing to us. This was a Friday night at 10pm (while watching Officer and a Gentlemen no less).

Note: The pile of stuff above his head is one of Ian's piles of stuff.

From his day with Nana

Ian had a day off of school and got to spend the day with Nana and Pa. He basically takes all this stuff with him wherever he goes. Nana shot this picture of Ian's little set up.

Love this Pic

Finally chose one to purchase from our session with Jennifer Domenick last year...

Did I Mention that Ian is Great at Soccer?