Soon to come- pics and post from our family reunion at Grammalot's house-
Yesterday, Eli and I went to Lake Isabella with my friend Amy and her family. The kids had a blast, swimming, playing in the sand and on the playground equipment.
As we were getting ready to leave, Eli was sitting on my lap for a min while I was talking to Amy. I felt him rubbing my arm. I realized, as I had to fight back tears from my laughter, Eli had stuck his finger in his mouth to moisten it and was trying to wipe of a freckle I have on my arm. He must have thought it was dirt :0)
Ahhhh!! I love this boy!!
Any pointers on how we can change the -ing to -ed in the potty training realm? Would LOVE to hear them:0)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Washington DC, Family and Friends
Our trip to Washington was great!! We had such a good time! We were able to stay with a friend of mine that it seems I haven't seen since before the foundation of time. It was good to see her and spend time with her and her friends!
Monday we went to the National Zoo. It was a great day- though we all got a bit warm after a while. Eli was kind of ho hum about all the animals- and there were several we saw- the Elephant house was amazing!! They are working on a new habitat, so all the elephants were in the house and we got to see them up close and personal. Then the hippo came in and body slammed into the big pool and began tossing around his ball.
We didn't stay in any one place too long. Eli kept asking when we were going to the playground. We worked our way over to the petting zoo, only to find out that the animals had all been turned out to pasture already.
No problem for Eli- the highlight of his day seemed to be when we went on the back road to the Amazonia area and saw the little excavator sitting behind the building. He was so excited!! Forget the baby pandas coming up to the glass to say hi, or the orangutan looking at him through the window, or the apes showing off- the excavator won hands down. Boys and their toys--- of course he probably still had in his mind when we went to COSI a few days earlier and he got to ride on one....
Tuesday was our kick back and relax day. We found a little playground and Eli was all over the equipment. I could barely keep my eyes open, so Papa and Eli played for a little while as I rested in the car. Very nice :0)
We took a little tour of the suburban neighborhood outside Washington, DC where she lives and got some great photos. I'll post them soon. I can not believe the houses we saw!! They make the Extreme Makeover Home Edition houses look like a garage!!
Wednesday dawned cool and misty. We drove over to Aunt Charity's house and got a little tour before heading out for the Metro and our day on the town. It sure was good to finally get over to see Aunt Charity and Uncle Brian. We've been wanting to do that for such a long time!
We made it to downtown Washington, and after a quick peak around the Castle, we headed over to the Merry Go Round. We were the only ones on the ride!! He let it go until someone else came along- and it was fast!! But we had a blast!
I was soo thankful for our stroller. It was great!! I couldn't help but compare our last visit with Eli to a nation's capitol--- Moscow. I was surprised at the many similarities. Charity and I discussed them a lot as we walked around.
It was neat to see these buildings again. I don't think I've been in Washington, DC since I was in High School.
The museums were very cool!! Due to a recent shooting, it took about 1/2 hour to get through the doors as every bag was checked. Going into the old castle the guard was very serious about his job, and pretty gruff. The guard outside the Natural History ( I think that is the one with the dinosaurs) was hysterical- he was like some form of Eddie Murphy.... singing zipadee doo daa and putting words in when he needed to. Then he pointed both fingers at us, while nodding his head in time to his own music and told us to have a great day. It was great!
Eli warmed up quickly to Aunt Charity, and they walked around together ooohhhing and aahhhing over the many exhibits in the dinosaur hall....
We walked past the new World War II memorial and got to take in all the sights there on our way to George Washington University and lunch with Uncle Brian.
I read these words and realized I truly didn't know the end- only the famous first line. What an amazing orator President Lincoln was. Charity and I discussed many things as we were walking around- I wondered out loud if Lincoln was one of the last presidents to write his own speeches. What deep insight he portrays with so few words.
As we were standing there looking at the statue, Eli asked who that man is. I began explaining to him a little bit of who President Lincoln was.
"What's he doing, Mommy?" he asked, looking up at his somber expression.
I told him he was probably praying for wisdom to be the best president he could and that he was president during a time when he needed a lot of prayer.
"He want to come stand next to me?" Eli asked quietly.
"No, sweetie," I said, "This is a statue of the man- he is not real. He can't come down and stand next to you."
"But Mommy, he want to come stand next to Eli?"
Amazing how there is a quiet hush as you stand there, reading these words that must have been inspired.
Our happy family:0)
Korean memorial. The last time I was in DC, this Memorial had just opened. I remember there being bus loads of veterans- in particular, there was a bus load of nurses, who came in their old uniforms to come see this memorial placed on behalf of their fallen comrades. How can anyone live in DC and not remember the sacrifices made over and over again by our military personnel and their families?
The Vietnam memorial wall was moving as always. Hard to believe just a list of names can move you so much. Amazing that you don't need any pageantry or extras. Just the realization of how many people fought and died so we could continue to live the way we live.
And we who come often have no idea of just how much they truly lost.
Lunch with Uncle Brian was great- Elisha fell asleep on the way there and slept through the majority of the meal- so we were able to just talk and relax for a little while. We met up again with Uncle Brian to ride the Metro home and then went out to eat for dinner. Happy Birthday, Mommy!! How nice to be able to be with family on my birthday!!
Thursday we went to Arlington National Cemetery. It was beautiful for the majority of our time there- and just as we were ready to start heading back, the rain began. The downpour hit full force just as we entered the Metro. I was so thankful for such a beautiful morning, though, for us to walk around, remembering again all the sacrifices made for us and our country- and time with my sister. You can't ask for a much better tour guide in Washington than a history major and avid fan of history. There are facts you learn that can't be gleaned by the less discerning among us...
I love my sisters and am soo glad I had these few days with Charity!!
Row after row after row, stretching on as far as the eye can see. It is with quiet reverence you walk through this area.
I didn't realize that the Kennedy's had 2 other children- one lived for a very short time and one stillborn. This is the eternal flame
Here is Aunt Charity, pushing Eli and keeping him a bit occupied while Tim and I were able to look at the eternal flame. He didn't argue when we told him he couldn't beep his horn and play the music on his little stroller car. I told him people were here that had come to say goodbye to the people they love and we needed to be quiet.
I told him it was like when he went to see Miss Kacy and her family when her Daddy died a few weeks ago. The body is asleep, but the person we know and love is with Jesus. I wish I would have written down what he said, I can't remember it exactly, but it was something to the effect of, is he with his Mommy now in heaven? Sometimes he comes out with these little pearls that tell me he understands far more than most give credit to a 3 year old for knowing.
There were several funerals the day we were there. Here is one of the tents. We heard the 21 gun salute several times through out the day, and as we were heading back in the rain, we saw a beautiful black stallion being led down the road by a soldier looking neither to the right nor left.
The golden boots were symbolically placed backwards in the stirrups and the horse remained riderless as he pranced through the graveyard.
We got back to my friends house and Tim made Pizza for all of us for dinner. He is such an amazing guy!! I'm so glad to be married to him!!
Friday we got up and packed and just relaxed in the morning. We were very close to our adoption agency, in McLean, so we drove over there so we could see what the place looks like and meet our wonderful family coordinator at work. It was great! I hope to have a pic soon of us in the offices with Kristen.
We had a great trip home and within a few days, life had settled into a normal routine.... somewhat.... :0)
Monday we went to the National Zoo. It was a great day- though we all got a bit warm after a while. Eli was kind of ho hum about all the animals- and there were several we saw- the Elephant house was amazing!! They are working on a new habitat, so all the elephants were in the house and we got to see them up close and personal. Then the hippo came in and body slammed into the big pool and began tossing around his ball.
We didn't stay in any one place too long. Eli kept asking when we were going to the playground. We worked our way over to the petting zoo, only to find out that the animals had all been turned out to pasture already.
No problem for Eli- the highlight of his day seemed to be when we went on the back road to the Amazonia area and saw the little excavator sitting behind the building. He was so excited!! Forget the baby pandas coming up to the glass to say hi, or the orangutan looking at him through the window, or the apes showing off- the excavator won hands down. Boys and their toys--- of course he probably still had in his mind when we went to COSI a few days earlier and he got to ride on one....
Tuesday was our kick back and relax day. We found a little playground and Eli was all over the equipment. I could barely keep my eyes open, so Papa and Eli played for a little while as I rested in the car. Very nice :0)
We took a little tour of the suburban neighborhood outside Washington, DC where she lives and got some great photos. I'll post them soon. I can not believe the houses we saw!! They make the Extreme Makeover Home Edition houses look like a garage!!
Wednesday dawned cool and misty. We drove over to Aunt Charity's house and got a little tour before heading out for the Metro and our day on the town. It sure was good to finally get over to see Aunt Charity and Uncle Brian. We've been wanting to do that for such a long time!
We made it to downtown Washington, and after a quick peak around the Castle, we headed over to the Merry Go Round. We were the only ones on the ride!! He let it go until someone else came along- and it was fast!! But we had a blast!
I was soo thankful for our stroller. It was great!! I couldn't help but compare our last visit with Eli to a nation's capitol--- Moscow. I was surprised at the many similarities. Charity and I discussed them a lot as we walked around.
It was neat to see these buildings again. I don't think I've been in Washington, DC since I was in High School.
The museums were very cool!! Due to a recent shooting, it took about 1/2 hour to get through the doors as every bag was checked. Going into the old castle the guard was very serious about his job, and pretty gruff. The guard outside the Natural History ( I think that is the one with the dinosaurs) was hysterical- he was like some form of Eddie Murphy.... singing zipadee doo daa and putting words in when he needed to. Then he pointed both fingers at us, while nodding his head in time to his own music and told us to have a great day. It was great!
Eli warmed up quickly to Aunt Charity, and they walked around together ooohhhing and aahhhing over the many exhibits in the dinosaur hall....
We walked past the new World War II memorial and got to take in all the sights there on our way to George Washington University and lunch with Uncle Brian.
I read these words and realized I truly didn't know the end- only the famous first line. What an amazing orator President Lincoln was. Charity and I discussed many things as we were walking around- I wondered out loud if Lincoln was one of the last presidents to write his own speeches. What deep insight he portrays with so few words.
As we were standing there looking at the statue, Eli asked who that man is. I began explaining to him a little bit of who President Lincoln was.
"What's he doing, Mommy?" he asked, looking up at his somber expression.
I told him he was probably praying for wisdom to be the best president he could and that he was president during a time when he needed a lot of prayer.
"He want to come stand next to me?" Eli asked quietly.
"No, sweetie," I said, "This is a statue of the man- he is not real. He can't come down and stand next to you."
"But Mommy, he want to come stand next to Eli?"
Amazing how there is a quiet hush as you stand there, reading these words that must have been inspired.
Our happy family:0)
Korean memorial. The last time I was in DC, this Memorial had just opened. I remember there being bus loads of veterans- in particular, there was a bus load of nurses, who came in their old uniforms to come see this memorial placed on behalf of their fallen comrades. How can anyone live in DC and not remember the sacrifices made over and over again by our military personnel and their families?
The Vietnam memorial wall was moving as always. Hard to believe just a list of names can move you so much. Amazing that you don't need any pageantry or extras. Just the realization of how many people fought and died so we could continue to live the way we live.
And we who come often have no idea of just how much they truly lost.
Lunch with Uncle Brian was great- Elisha fell asleep on the way there and slept through the majority of the meal- so we were able to just talk and relax for a little while. We met up again with Uncle Brian to ride the Metro home and then went out to eat for dinner. Happy Birthday, Mommy!! How nice to be able to be with family on my birthday!!
Thursday we went to Arlington National Cemetery. It was beautiful for the majority of our time there- and just as we were ready to start heading back, the rain began. The downpour hit full force just as we entered the Metro. I was so thankful for such a beautiful morning, though, for us to walk around, remembering again all the sacrifices made for us and our country- and time with my sister. You can't ask for a much better tour guide in Washington than a history major and avid fan of history. There are facts you learn that can't be gleaned by the less discerning among us...
I love my sisters and am soo glad I had these few days with Charity!!
Row after row after row, stretching on as far as the eye can see. It is with quiet reverence you walk through this area.
I didn't realize that the Kennedy's had 2 other children- one lived for a very short time and one stillborn. This is the eternal flame
Here is Aunt Charity, pushing Eli and keeping him a bit occupied while Tim and I were able to look at the eternal flame. He didn't argue when we told him he couldn't beep his horn and play the music on his little stroller car. I told him people were here that had come to say goodbye to the people they love and we needed to be quiet.
I told him it was like when he went to see Miss Kacy and her family when her Daddy died a few weeks ago. The body is asleep, but the person we know and love is with Jesus. I wish I would have written down what he said, I can't remember it exactly, but it was something to the effect of, is he with his Mommy now in heaven? Sometimes he comes out with these little pearls that tell me he understands far more than most give credit to a 3 year old for knowing.
There were several funerals the day we were there. Here is one of the tents. We heard the 21 gun salute several times through out the day, and as we were heading back in the rain, we saw a beautiful black stallion being led down the road by a soldier looking neither to the right nor left.
The golden boots were symbolically placed backwards in the stirrups and the horse remained riderless as he pranced through the graveyard.
We got back to my friends house and Tim made Pizza for all of us for dinner. He is such an amazing guy!! I'm so glad to be married to him!!
Friday we got up and packed and just relaxed in the morning. We were very close to our adoption agency, in McLean, so we drove over there so we could see what the place looks like and meet our wonderful family coordinator at work. It was great! I hope to have a pic soon of us in the offices with Kristen.
We had a great trip home and within a few days, life had settled into a normal routine.... somewhat.... :0)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Pics, Pics and more pics :0)
I bet you can't see the family resemblance here, can you?
Here, Eli is watching closely and helping Papa edge the front beds around the house. Love seeing them work together like this!!
This is Eli riding Papaw's tractor. Boy, does he love this!! If you look closely, you can see he is making all the proper sound effects for the tractor!!
See the smile!!
Papa finished the playset- I love that this is the view from the kitchen window- so he can go out and play while I am working and we both have a blast!! He loves to play on "Eli-ville" especially when someone else can join him!!
We went to COSI for the big machine exhibit the day before we left for DC. Eli LOVED being able to get up into the big machines and pretend to operate them!!
Then- much to his great delight!! we were able to stand in line so he could actually "operate" a bobcat- scooping up a load of sand. He was in 7th heaven making this big piece of machinery operate!!
After checking out a couple more machines...
we headed to the fire department to have pizza and visit with Papa. I found the boys in the bay- after Eli slid down the firepole with Papa.....
Junior firefighter? As you can see, he has some big shoes to fill..... :0)
The expression you see here is him making more fire engine (Dire engine) noises. Whoooooeeeeeeeoooooo!!!! NEEE NAAWW NEEEE NAAAW!
And of course, after the fire engines, he had to ride in the medic!!
Will try to find and upload some DC pics later..... enjoy....
Here, Eli is watching closely and helping Papa edge the front beds around the house. Love seeing them work together like this!!
This is Eli riding Papaw's tractor. Boy, does he love this!! If you look closely, you can see he is making all the proper sound effects for the tractor!!
See the smile!!
Papa finished the playset- I love that this is the view from the kitchen window- so he can go out and play while I am working and we both have a blast!! He loves to play on "Eli-ville" especially when someone else can join him!!
We went to COSI for the big machine exhibit the day before we left for DC. Eli LOVED being able to get up into the big machines and pretend to operate them!!
Then- much to his great delight!! we were able to stand in line so he could actually "operate" a bobcat- scooping up a load of sand. He was in 7th heaven making this big piece of machinery operate!!
After checking out a couple more machines...
we headed to the fire department to have pizza and visit with Papa. I found the boys in the bay- after Eli slid down the firepole with Papa.....
Junior firefighter? As you can see, he has some big shoes to fill..... :0)
The expression you see here is him making more fire engine (Dire engine) noises. Whoooooeeeeeeeoooooo!!!! NEEE NAAWW NEEEE NAAAW!
And of course, after the fire engines, he had to ride in the medic!!
Will try to find and upload some DC pics later..... enjoy....
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Coming soon...
Wow!! Where does the time go? We had a fabulous week in the DC area visiting with my sister and some friends that live in the area. I do plan on posting about that trip- wow!! Time is just flying by!! I'll have pics and stories soon :0)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Life With a Toddler
It has been challenging trying to find time to keep everything updated recently. Of course, one of the reasons is that we are going through a challenging season- where Eli is pushing as strongly as he can to see how firm our boundaries are. How exhausting. I am thanking God that he feels comfortable with us to push so hard, and also that he is a strong willed child- for these things will carry him far in life. I'm also thanking God for renewed energy, day after day.
Though there have been lows, that seem so low, there are also so many highs that are higher than any I've known. He is developing this amazing personality, and I can't help but fall more in love with him every day. (Usually when he is asleep... hehehe.... just kidding- mostly) Another amazing facet is the love in my heart for Tim. Watching him as he interacts with Eli as they read, or Tim is teaching Eli something makes my heart expand with even more love for my wonderful hubby, too. God is so awesome to continue to expand our ability to love beyond what we'd ever dream possible.
Last weekend, we celebrated Mother's Day with Tim's family. It was a nice gathering, hosted by my SIL, Paula, who lives next door. As I was getting Eli ready to go over to Paula's house, I began telling him what we were going there for, what we were celebrating. I always try to prepare him for what is happening. Our conversation was so profound- I still am amazed- I'll let you listen in.....
"Eli," I said, looking at him closely, "Do you know what we are doing tonight?"
"Uh huh," He said with his cheeky grin.
"We are celebrating Mother's Day with Mamaw, Papaw, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Tammy, Lauren, Aunt Paula, Uncle Scott, Cheyenne and Wesley, Mama, Papa and Eli at Aunt Paula'a house. Aunt Paula made dinner and we are all going to get together to celebrate Mommies."
I paused a moment, as I pondered myself exactly what it meant to celebrate Mother's day. It's one of those rare moments when time seems suspended for just a few seconds.
With a cloud of tears in my eyes, threatening to spill over, I looked lovingly at Eli and said, "Do you know you made me a Mommy? Can you believe that? The first time I met you and held you in my arms, I became a Mommy. Wow. Isn't that amazing???"
He was kinda looking at me a little funny as I ruminated on this amazing fact.
I said, "I am so glad I met you and you made me a Mommy!!" and I gave him a kiss filled with the tenderest of love, or so I thought at the time.
He looked at me and oh so sweetly said, "No, Mommy, I not make you a Mommy. God did!!"
From the mouths of babes!! I looked at him, feeling completely overwhelmed, wrapping him in my arms and I whispered past the emotions clogging my throat, "Yes, Sweetie. You are exactly right. God did make me a Mommy when He placed you in my arms. And I am so very thankful!!"
Thank you God for being so real to Eli. I pray he continues to grow closer to you!!
Though there have been lows, that seem so low, there are also so many highs that are higher than any I've known. He is developing this amazing personality, and I can't help but fall more in love with him every day. (Usually when he is asleep... hehehe.... just kidding- mostly) Another amazing facet is the love in my heart for Tim. Watching him as he interacts with Eli as they read, or Tim is teaching Eli something makes my heart expand with even more love for my wonderful hubby, too. God is so awesome to continue to expand our ability to love beyond what we'd ever dream possible.
Last weekend, we celebrated Mother's Day with Tim's family. It was a nice gathering, hosted by my SIL, Paula, who lives next door. As I was getting Eli ready to go over to Paula's house, I began telling him what we were going there for, what we were celebrating. I always try to prepare him for what is happening. Our conversation was so profound- I still am amazed- I'll let you listen in.....
"Eli," I said, looking at him closely, "Do you know what we are doing tonight?"
"Uh huh," He said with his cheeky grin.
"We are celebrating Mother's Day with Mamaw, Papaw, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Tammy, Lauren, Aunt Paula, Uncle Scott, Cheyenne and Wesley, Mama, Papa and Eli at Aunt Paula'a house. Aunt Paula made dinner and we are all going to get together to celebrate Mommies."
I paused a moment, as I pondered myself exactly what it meant to celebrate Mother's day. It's one of those rare moments when time seems suspended for just a few seconds.
With a cloud of tears in my eyes, threatening to spill over, I looked lovingly at Eli and said, "Do you know you made me a Mommy? Can you believe that? The first time I met you and held you in my arms, I became a Mommy. Wow. Isn't that amazing???"
He was kinda looking at me a little funny as I ruminated on this amazing fact.
I said, "I am so glad I met you and you made me a Mommy!!" and I gave him a kiss filled with the tenderest of love, or so I thought at the time.
He looked at me and oh so sweetly said, "No, Mommy, I not make you a Mommy. God did!!"
From the mouths of babes!! I looked at him, feeling completely overwhelmed, wrapping him in my arms and I whispered past the emotions clogging my throat, "Yes, Sweetie. You are exactly right. God did make me a Mommy when He placed you in my arms. And I am so very thankful!!"
Thank you God for being so real to Eli. I pray he continues to grow closer to you!!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sumbirth day fun
Swimming lessons were going strong through all this time in our lives. Eli LOVED them this year. There was no crying like we had last time. After a long talk with my mom the night they stayed over, I started doing "standing in the corner" with Eli when he wouldn't listen or was acting disrespectful toward Tim or I.
Very difficult for a little one to listen to Mommy telling you to listen to the teacher and sit while you are waiting, when 7 other toddlers are not. We spent a few minutes in the corner, but ended up having even more fun. I'm thinking that this is the same cycle we'll hit when he becomes a teenager. He's beginning to reason for himself and develop more concrete thinking- and is pushing any and all boundaries we have ever set to see just how far he can go. Only now, he is young enough that I can put him in the corner and teach him respect. Wow. What would you do with this attitude if they never learned to respect you?
Well, the day of his birthday, Eli and I headed off to Columbus. Papa had to work all day, so my wonderfully romantic notion was for us to go to COSI- the Columbus Science Center- and play in the morning and then drive over to the playground if he was still awake and then to the fire station and have dinner, cake and sing happy birthday with Papa and his second family- the guys on his crew.
We traveled to Columbus, stopping at the fire house to drop off Eli's cake (didn't think it would be edible if it sat in the hot car all day......or at least not very presentable), and caught Papa just as he was coming back from a run. So we said hi for a few minutes and then left for COSI.
He had a blast!! We played in KidZone- an area just for kids under 1st grade. We went from item to item, splashed in water, played in the little houses turning on and off lights and the sink, made sound and noises with electrical currents, played in the little kitchen making at least 2 full meals, slid down the slides, jumped around the tree house, looked at animals, read a book, balanced balls on streams of air and then did it all again. Then, after the first 15 minutes when we did all that..... hehehe just kidding.....
We went outside for a little snack and I got my first damper for the day. (Amazing how hard it is to separate your feeling apart from what you are doing, isn't it?) I had a message on my phone that I had been rescheduled for the next day to work at a different store. So, while he was finishing his snack, I was trying to call the store I was to be working at to see if they could contact all the patients I had lined up to meet with me that day. It was hard not to let the frustration be a little cloud cover on an otherwise sunny, magnificent day.
So, we drove back toward the fire house and Papa. He fell asleep after only a few minutes, so we skipped the park and went to see Papa. I had hoped to be able to lay him on Tim's bunk for a quick nap, but when we arrived, the knowledge that we were at the fire house, a mere minute away from the fire engines and medics, was just too much to contain, and his sleepiness dropped like a dead weight.
Long story shortened, Tim had over 23 runs that day. So we spent more time waiting there by ourselves than we did with Papa. We did take a little trek over to a play ground nearby around supper time and played for a little while- Eli loved that!!
Finally, around 8, we were able to light the candles, and several of the guys sang with us, it was very cool. Eli blew out the candles and then attacked his cake- this time a backhoe loader. If I can figure out how to upload the video, I'll put that segment here.
So, on a beautiful summer day, Eli was able to spend time doing things he loved, in a place where he was loved, anticipating and then being rewarded with Papa there to sing and eat cake with him. We slept well that night- Papa is still trying to catch up on his sleep- with only a little over 2 hours for him.......
Very difficult for a little one to listen to Mommy telling you to listen to the teacher and sit while you are waiting, when 7 other toddlers are not. We spent a few minutes in the corner, but ended up having even more fun. I'm thinking that this is the same cycle we'll hit when he becomes a teenager. He's beginning to reason for himself and develop more concrete thinking- and is pushing any and all boundaries we have ever set to see just how far he can go. Only now, he is young enough that I can put him in the corner and teach him respect. Wow. What would you do with this attitude if they never learned to respect you?
Well, the day of his birthday, Eli and I headed off to Columbus. Papa had to work all day, so my wonderfully romantic notion was for us to go to COSI- the Columbus Science Center- and play in the morning and then drive over to the playground if he was still awake and then to the fire station and have dinner, cake and sing happy birthday with Papa and his second family- the guys on his crew.
We traveled to Columbus, stopping at the fire house to drop off Eli's cake (didn't think it would be edible if it sat in the hot car all day......or at least not very presentable), and caught Papa just as he was coming back from a run. So we said hi for a few minutes and then left for COSI.
He had a blast!! We played in KidZone- an area just for kids under 1st grade. We went from item to item, splashed in water, played in the little houses turning on and off lights and the sink, made sound and noises with electrical currents, played in the little kitchen making at least 2 full meals, slid down the slides, jumped around the tree house, looked at animals, read a book, balanced balls on streams of air and then did it all again. Then, after the first 15 minutes when we did all that..... hehehe just kidding.....
We went outside for a little snack and I got my first damper for the day. (Amazing how hard it is to separate your feeling apart from what you are doing, isn't it?) I had a message on my phone that I had been rescheduled for the next day to work at a different store. So, while he was finishing his snack, I was trying to call the store I was to be working at to see if they could contact all the patients I had lined up to meet with me that day. It was hard not to let the frustration be a little cloud cover on an otherwise sunny, magnificent day.
So, we drove back toward the fire house and Papa. He fell asleep after only a few minutes, so we skipped the park and went to see Papa. I had hoped to be able to lay him on Tim's bunk for a quick nap, but when we arrived, the knowledge that we were at the fire house, a mere minute away from the fire engines and medics, was just too much to contain, and his sleepiness dropped like a dead weight.
Long story shortened, Tim had over 23 runs that day. So we spent more time waiting there by ourselves than we did with Papa. We did take a little trek over to a play ground nearby around supper time and played for a little while- Eli loved that!!
Finally, around 8, we were able to light the candles, and several of the guys sang with us, it was very cool. Eli blew out the candles and then attacked his cake- this time a backhoe loader. If I can figure out how to upload the video, I'll put that segment here.
Bir-other's Day
My own special name for the day- we celebrated Eli's third birthday with our parents on Mother's Day. My Mom and Dad were passing through town on their way home and had some things to drop off, and the weekend worked better for Tim's Mom and Dad, also.
Tim was singing at both services at church, so he was up and gone at the crack of dawn. Eli and I got up at a more leisurely pace, got ready for church and I made sure everything was ready for the celebrations to come later that day.
We had a terrible morning. Sad, but true. Elisha was just a little stinker all morning- he woke up whining and demanding- which, unfortunately, seems to have become his usual wake up routine over the last few weeks! It escalated so much at church (they stepped out and told me he was spitting on the floor, throwing the toys and not listening to anyone) that I took him from the nursery just after the singing was done (when I was going to go sit next to Tim and enjoy the Mother's Day service :0{)
My MIL laughingly welcomed me to the terrible threes. I immediately rebuked her and said, I'll accept it as the last two weeks of 2- but I wasn't letting anyone claim this behavior for Eli for a whole year..... tremble at the thought!
We ended up having a wonderful day, even with such a rough start. My parents were a few hours late getting here, but we had a lovely meal with Tim's parents. Tim's mom had a few gifts for Eli to open while we were all sitting there, and then were able to visit a little bit with my parents once they arrived.
We got out his cake:
Yes, it is a school bus- he has been loving the school bus stories we've been telling every night. He got so excited when we sang happy birthday to him (and he sang with us :0)) that he couldn't get the candles all blown out. He had us all laughing so hard with him as he sat there trying to blow between chuckles.
Mom and Dad brought a few gifts from Rick and Tara to Eli. Boy did he like those!! It is soooo very hard to get video from our camera to this blog. I will try to attach some here.
We dragged a very reluctant, very sleepy toddler off the back hoe way after his bed time with promises that he could ride it again in the morning. He soooo didn't want to go to sleep! But, soon, the exhaustion won out and he journeyed to dreamland- no doubt driving a real back hoe loader.
Everyone was up and ready to go the next morning quite early. I went up to check on Eli, and found him laying in his crib, staring at the ceiling. When I opened the door and said hi, he jumped up and said, "Now I can play on my backhoe loader?????" Wonder how long he'd lain there..... :0)
Tim was singing at both services at church, so he was up and gone at the crack of dawn. Eli and I got up at a more leisurely pace, got ready for church and I made sure everything was ready for the celebrations to come later that day.
We had a terrible morning. Sad, but true. Elisha was just a little stinker all morning- he woke up whining and demanding- which, unfortunately, seems to have become his usual wake up routine over the last few weeks! It escalated so much at church (they stepped out and told me he was spitting on the floor, throwing the toys and not listening to anyone) that I took him from the nursery just after the singing was done (when I was going to go sit next to Tim and enjoy the Mother's Day service :0{)
My MIL laughingly welcomed me to the terrible threes. I immediately rebuked her and said, I'll accept it as the last two weeks of 2- but I wasn't letting anyone claim this behavior for Eli for a whole year..... tremble at the thought!
We ended up having a wonderful day, even with such a rough start. My parents were a few hours late getting here, but we had a lovely meal with Tim's parents. Tim's mom had a few gifts for Eli to open while we were all sitting there, and then were able to visit a little bit with my parents once they arrived.
We got out his cake:
Mom and Dad brought a few gifts from Rick and Tara to Eli. Boy did he like those!! It is soooo very hard to get video from our camera to this blog. I will try to attach some here.
Then we gave him our big gift- a back hoe loader bike. Ohhh- the excitement was palpable!! Tim and I had put the bike together during Eli's nap, and I covered it with a big blanket. He still says, "This the blanket that covered the back hoe loader, right Mama?"
We dragged a very reluctant, very sleepy toddler off the back hoe way after his bed time with promises that he could ride it again in the morning. He soooo didn't want to go to sleep! But, soon, the exhaustion won out and he journeyed to dreamland- no doubt driving a real back hoe loader.
Everyone was up and ready to go the next morning quite early. I went up to check on Eli, and found him laying in his crib, staring at the ceiling. When I opened the door and said hi, he jumped up and said, "Now I can play on my backhoe loader?????" Wonder how long he'd lain there..... :0)
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