Artist

Eli's creation!
Whenever we do an art project Eli has to also make something of his own.
It usually involves mixing a lot of paint together and using different "tools" to smear it around the paper. I'm interested to see how this develops as Eli grows.

Clean up, the shirt didn't make it.


The wall of art. These are ABC projects we've done over the last year. I wanted to get to Z by the end of the year, but we're only at R. We started by doing 2 of each letter, now I kind of wish we'd just done 1. We've had a lot of fun though, it was worth it!

Christmas Tree

We cut down our Christmas tree again this year, it's such a fun tradition!

There was snow on the ground, and the air was filled with the smell of pine. It doesn't get more Christmassy than that!

We tried to get a decent picture of the four of us together, but no luck.

We'll see if we get something in time to send out Christmas cards.

So much for getting a smaller tree this year, it's at least 11ft. I'll put up a pic of the tree as soon as I get around to taking one!

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow.......

We got a little bit of snow last week.

The kids loved it, and wished for more.

We hope there will be more in January, Eli really wants to use his sled!

Lego Creation

Here's one of Eli's Lego creations he built the other day. He was so proud of himself for building it alone. I think the greater accomplishment was that he somehow kept Lilly from destroying it before it's completion.

Bye Bye Mullet

Sweet Lilly

Here's Lilly trying to help Eli feel better when he was sick.

Lilly's hair after the bath is so curly, I just love it. I'm still trying to decide what to do with her mullet, just let it grow or give her a bob until the front can grow more......

Eli Dancing

I don't know where Eli gets his moves!

Lilly Walking

Lilly has been taking a few steps since she was 13 months. Finally at 16 months she's walking everywhere she goes. The funny part is, I went to the coast for 1 night with the girls and she did this while I was gone. Maybe she felt like my baby, and in the 24 hours without me she decided to grow up!

Halloween 2010

Eli and Herbie at Trunk or Treat

Eli on his way to preschool. Of course, he would only let me take a picture of the back of his costume!

The spoils from his preschool trick or treating.
This turned out to be the only candy he got. He was too sick to stay at trunk or treat long enough to get any candy. He also missed trick or treating around the neighborhood, when I asked if he wanted to go he said he just wanted to lay on the couch. You know a kid doesn't feel good when they turn down candy.

Lilly on her way to Trunk or Treat

I was too lazy to carve pumpkins this year, what with two kids with the stomach flu and all. I spray painted them white and decorated them with black paint. It took about 10 min. and left virtually no mess. I think this might become a tradition!

Pearl and Lilly just after trick or treating!
The girls were a little confused at the first couple of houses, but they got the hang of it quickly. They both kept taking more and more out of the candy bowls, because they're so little people thought it was cute and encouraged them to take as much as they wanted. When I told the neighbor Lilly's favorite candy was Almond Joy, and she'd been asking for it all day, she believed me. She only realized after giving Lilly 3 Almond Joy, and Lilly couldn't have cared less about the candy, that they we're really intended for Lilly. You've got to train them young, go for the chocolate!

Lilly's first experience with candy. I was surprised she loved it, Eli likes the idea of candy, but doesn't really eat any. Lilly couldn't get enough in her mouth fast enough.

The grown up party at the Churches house. So much fun, great friends, food, costumes and decorations, what more could you ask for?

My Victorian era costume put together with about a million safety pins. I was a little afraid to sit down, but it looked cool.

Ben and I together at the party. Thanks Dave for the great pictures!

Seesaw

Eli and Emmett are perfectly matched on the seesaw. I think this is the first time either of them did the seesaw without a grownup helping. I was surprised at how much fun they thought this was, they kept it up for awhile.

Lilly clicking her tongue

Preschool Field Trip

Eli had his first preschool field trip today. Since I failed to get a picture of Eli on his first day of preschool, I thought I'd make up for it today. He started school about a month ago and loves it. Eli was awake until almost 10pm last night, he said he was too excited about the field trip to sleep. I don't think the trip to the pumpkin patch was what he anticipated most, it was the ride on the school bus.

Here he is with his friend Herbie who is not only in his preschool class, but in nursery at church. They were both so excited when we pulled up and saw the buses were waiting. They both ran right over and wanted to get on the bus. The driver thought they were so cute, and said "look how excited these little guys are". They handled it pretty well when I told them they had to go inside their class first, and the teacher would tell them when it was time to get on the bus.

Eli and Herbie are great friends, as Eli would say "Me and Herbie, we like to play rough". Herbie's mom Ciara and I had separate talks with them about being gentle to the other kids in nursery. We didn't want them to "wrestle" little girls in there. Herbie and Eli both promised not to, but asked if they could still wrestle with each other. We told them it was okay as long as they didn't do it to anyone else. Last week when I picked Eli up, his nursery leader (and a high school wrestling coach) was disappointed I came so soon. Apparently he told the boys if they cleaned up the toys fast they could go into an empty room and "go at it". Since they missed their chance last week, they're scheduled to try again next Sunday. When I asked which boy usually won, I was told it was whoever got on top of the other one first. Apparently they're pretty evenly matched, so let boys be boys and we'll see how the match turns out next week!

Lakeview Pumpkin Patch 2010

Tricks

Hair Accessories

I'm still getting used to having a girl. Boys are easy, you just dress them in whatever truck shirt is clean. Girls have sweaters, tights, skirts and hair things. So far I haven't attempted much accessorizing, but thanks to my friend Rachel we made hair clips today. Thanks Carly for the rosette idea, you girls will save Lilly from being a tom boy yet!

P.S. I love Lilly's eyes in the second picture. She had been fussing because she didn't want to sit for a picture, but they're so clear and big. You can really tell what color they are.

Early Learner

Mowing the lawn has gone to a whole new level. Not only does Eli follow Ben around with his toy lawn mower, he started imitating every step of the process. He "starts" his lawn mower, he even checks the gas when Ben does. I think it's hilarious how closely he watches Ben.

Lilly

Lilly thinks she's such a big kid eating snack at the picnic table.
Too bad I didn't get a picture of her on top of the table, that's where she usually stands!

Her favorite book is The Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar she could read it all day.
What's not to love, there are little holes to stick your finger in, pictures of food and a cute little bug. Although I can see why she loves it, I lost interest around the 200th time we read it. Maybe I can teach Eli to read it to her, he must have it memorized by now.