Multi-tasking already

Brute

Millie definitely knows how to be heard.  She can be downright scary, in fact, the way she screeches and squawks to get her point across.  I feel so bad for unsuspecting kids who walk up to her and want to talk or play.  She's yelling, "Hey!" at those kids before they've even reached her, letting them know that she was there first or that they can't take away whatever's in her hands.  I'm afraid that learning to stand up to her older brothers, although important for survival at home, certainly hasn't done much for her social skills. 

This little clip from a month or two ago showcases her range and rasp with one simple word, "Ma."

Crib Combat

Millie wakes up from her nap to such a loving older brother

At least make it fair by giving the prisoner a weapon of her own

Now you're talking

The kick that cracked

Soccer players wear shinguards for a reason.  If your kids ever try and give you grief about having to wear them, feel free to pass along this story:

"There once was a boy who loved soccer.  He loved it so much that playing on a team two seasons a year wasn't enough.  He loved it so much that playing with his dad in the backyard wasn't enough.  He loved it so much that he had to play soccer every day at school recess with his friends.  Then came the sunny January day when one of the boy's soccer-playing friends kicked him so hard that it fractured the boy's shin.  Now that soccer-loving boy is stuck in a cast and crutches for five long weeks of no soccer at all.  So when your parents remind you to wear your shinguards for soccer, DO IT!!"

One day he's climbing trees

The next he's wearing crutches

And getting glow-in-the-dark, glittered casts

 And x-rays

Not looking as happy as he was in that tree

Our little monkey

Eli and gymnastics.  A long time coming.  He's only just started, but it's fun to see him having such a great time out there. 

Stephen had a chance to take him on Monday and thought to bring the camera, something a forgetful gal like me sure appreciates.

 

Steven's Creek Sun

After a few weeks of seriously chilly weather, the sun returned just in time for today's holiday and a much-needed family hike. We wanted to try someplace new but didn't want to drive far, the usual "should have thought about this a little earlier" dilemma, and climbed in the car not really sure where we were headed.

A few turns later, we found ourselves exploring some trails at Steven's Creek County Park, a pretty spot not ten minutes from our house. How is it we've never been here?  The kids loved listening to "Daddy's Creek" babble along as we hiked right next to it, and after toughing a few big hills to get to the reservoir, they enjoyed soaking in the sun as much as we did. 

My Eli

Finally, the kid who raises his hand every Sunday in Primary when they ask who has a birthday made it to the LONG-awaited December 14th.  How can you not be excited to celebrate with a kid who's been talking about turning four for nearly as many months?

What makes Eli Jonathan Eli Jonathan:

1. His infectious enthusiasm for everything.

2. His non-stop energy that both entertains and exhausts.

3. His hilarious albeit odd ball sense of humor.  His goofy nicknames and made-up words keep us laughing every day.

4. His big brother and best frienemy, Benito.

5. His wrestling buddy, Millie, who puts up with his antics all day long.

6. His action figures, whether Star Wars, superheroes, or Toy Story.

We had a little family gathering on the big day, and here's a peek at what made the birthday boy happy as could be:

His own Luke Skywalker! 

A chalkboard piggy bank that he could color himself



Millie thought it was real and couldn't keep from petting the little piggy



"Welcome to my house!" says Luke Skywalker from his Tattoine home

There's a funny story to this cake:  Ever since Stephen's birthday in September, when we were talking about "Daddy's favorite cake," Eli has been telling me that he wants a lemon cake for his birthday.  Three months and many reminders later, I wasn't about to forget.  So I'm baking his lemon cake an hour before the party and up comes Eli to ask why it's not a Star Wars cake.  I told him I thought he wanted a lemon cake and that I wasn't sure I knew how to make a Star Wars cake anyway, when he says, "Why can't you be a super mom?  Super moms can make lemon Star Wars cakes." 

Well, that was it.  The gauntlet had been thrown down.  I grappled to find any kind of connection between a yellow-brown lemon bundt cake and Star Wars.  The only thing I could think of was Luke's home planet of Tattoine, where he lives in the white adobe house on those sand dune type cliffs.  Liz showed up just in time to help make this whip cream beauty come to fruition.  Cake Wrecks, here I come!  But at least I was a super mom for a day.


Can you tell what Eli is into right now?  He is the echo of his older brother's interests. . .



Eager to eat their Yoda cake pops, courtesy of Aunt Kristi