What Was I Thinking?

So, here I sit thinking, "I should blog, but I don't have anything to blog about" when all of a sudden, I realized that I totally forgot to post some of the best pictures ever! How could I do that? We had family photos and Eli's 2 year photos taken about 2 months ago (http://www.sandyrunner.com/)and I have been so excited to use them to create a new mantel display and also a new wall display that I completely forgot to blog them! So, without further ado:

True personality captured!

Sweet moment with Daddy

Our little "Gee-tar" Man

Thanks Sandy for these amazing shots and for giving me so much to work with in my attempt at redecorating!!

My How Our Garden Grows...and Eli too!

I know, I know, I haven't posted in ages! Sorry. With the weather being so beautiful, I just don't want to sit on the computer and blog! :)

We have, however, been spending a ton of time in our yard and sprucing up the place with foliage, flowers and our vegetable garden! I love the planning part! I love planting things! And most of all, I love watching things grow!

I discovered this spring that our back yard gets very little sun so finding flowering plants was a challenge, but well worth it in the end. We took the one spot that does get a decent amount of sun and created a 4 x 4 garden box and are attempting to grow veggies and fruit! Here are a few pictures of our "landscaping" with containers.

Thanks for the Hostas Jana, its my favorite pot with the pink Impatient accents!

These pots are recovering after we sorted out the drip fiasco

Early stages

Taking over

Lemon Larrys (aka cucumbers)

I love how these little arms reach out and curl around anything!

And of course Eli has been growing like a weed! It seems that he is pretty much a little kid now (baby phase is over for sure, and not much toddler phase left either, I'm afraid). He would spend all his waking hours outside if he could. He often requests to eat lunch and dinner outside which we are happy to oblige, given this amazing "coastal" weather we've been having. He rides his tricycle, loves kicking balls, plays ice hockey (with a baseball bat and ball, of course), creates play dough masterpieces and chases the dogs and bubbles. I never thought I'd love our backyard or having it full of toys, but it all just reminds me of what a happy, silly, loving little boy we have, and that makes it perfect!

Did someone hear angels?

Before I tell you a story from today, let me fill you in on previous haircut attempts. Yes, I did say attempts because we usually leave the place with part of his hair un-cut. The last three times we have tried to get Eli's hair cut it hasn't been pretty. It always starts with him freaking out because of the smock and then getting even more upset when he is "icky" (itchy) due to the fact that he won't wear the smock. It usually progresses to crying, snot, hair stuck to the tears and snot as he wipes it across his face, clawing me, trying to climb out of the seat, shaking his head side to side to keep his hair from getting cut, turning his face away from the hair dresser and finally me giving in and paying for half a hair cut just to stop the "torture"! I even tried a lollipop, chocolate milk, Jamba juice and cupcake (all on different occasions) to distract him but the hair just sticks to the lollipop and cupcake making him more upset, while the Jamba juice drips down his face as he cries. I wish I had pictures to show but I'm pretty sure I would be reported if caught taking pictures of my child in this state!


Well today, my friends, was a totally different story! I thought that I might have heard angels singing as Eli was getting his hair cut. I decided to try a children's salon called Jack n Jillybean when another mom sympathized with my horror stories and told me her secret. This place is amazing!!!! I've been prepping Eli for a few weeks now so he was definitely ready. It was like psyching him up for a big game or something. This is what our "pep talk" would entail:


Me: Eli, guess what?
Eli: Ohhhhh!
Me: You're going to get a hair cut soon! And what happens when you get a hair cut?
Eli: Drive race car
Me: That's right, and what else?
Eli: Watch cartoon
Me: That's right, and what do you get at the very end of your hair cut?
Eli: LOLLIPOP!
Me: Yeah!!!!!!


And that's pretty much exactly how it went! He drove a firetruck, watched cartoons and got a fabulous hair cut! There was only one moment when a flicker of concern flashed in his eyes but a ring of the fire engine bell was all he needed to be distracted. They even have a great play area with a train table and other toys for the kids to play with (Mom's can get their hair cut too while kids play!). One purple lollipop later, Eli was a happy camper with a super cute, summer do!

Happy Mother's Day to You....

A pre-Mother's Day conversation:

Grant: Eli, what should we get mommy for Mother's Day?
Eli: cupcake
Grant: You want to get mommy a cupcake for Mother's Day?
Eli: Cupcake...and..."happy birthday to you"...whew (pretending to blow out candles)
Grant: I don't think Mommy will make herself cupcakes...

We did end up having cupcakes in honor of Mother's Day (yes I baked them), but we also had a wonderful morning starting with breakfast out, a tour of the Amador Flower Farm (apparently with all the cool weather, the lilies weren't in bloom yet, but we had a great time anyways), a stop off at Sobon Winery to do some tasting and purchasing and then we were supposed to have a picnic, but we were too stuffed from breakfast. We opted for some "Nemo" viewing instead and then headed home to put Eli down for a nap while we had our postponed picnic in our own backyard. It was such a beautiful day and being outdoors was the perfect way to spend it. Thanks Eli and Grant for a day of pampering and fun!

A Mom, a Mama & a Monkey

Eli moving a large rock

Nana and Eli watching the "Nemos" swimming

Nana & Papa

Two For One

I have been wanting to post about Easter but after this morning's conversation with Eli I couldn't resist, so here is your 2 for 1 special!!!

Conversation on the way to bible study ~

Eli: Nana Papa Honey

Me: Oh, Nana is Papa's Honey?

Eli: Yes

Me: Who is Nana's Honey?

Eli: Papa!

Me: Who is Mama's Honey?

Eli: Eli!

Me: Oh really? And who is Daddy's Honey?

Eli: Eli!

Me: I see, and who is Eli's Honey?

Eli: Mama!!!

(I'm sure that won't last for long but I'll cherish while I can)



Now on to Easter...

This year we started with Eli's Easter basket at our house and web cam with Grandma, Trevor, Aunty Lulu, Uncle Matt and cousins Jude and Lois. Then went over to my parents' house for lunch and hanging out. My Grandpa and Aunt made the drive which is always special and it is so fun to see Eli with his Great Grandpa. We did manage to squeeze in some egg dying and hunting before the day was done. Eli really got in to the "hunting" part this year and even wanted to hide them again for a second round! He didn't say, but I'm pretty sure he enjoyed the Easter candy too.

Rock Star

Eli has been fine-tuning his musical talents lately and with the addition of a guitar, tambourine and maracas for his birthday, he is well on his way to being in a one man band! Notice the way he has to hold his head back while he sings... don't know where that's from. Not sure what the first song is but the second is Happy Birthday complete with "tasting" some imaginary cake.