Ring Master

Elliot:  "Mom, do you remember Aunt Sam's wedding?"

M: "Yes, I do"

Elliot "Do you remember that I was the ring master?  That means I'm like in charge of the whole thing"

Noah: "Elliot, you were the ring BEARER, not the master"

Elliot" Mom, was I the ring bear?"

Wow, I'm SO BIG!

Elliot was standing on the scale and wanted me to interpret the number for him.  I told him 36 and he said "WOW!  36 miles an HOUR?!  Oh my goss, I am so BIG!"

Garage Band

Riding in the car the other night, Noah was asking me to switch around stations until it landed on a song that he liked.  His preferred genre, according to him, is rock and roll.  Mind you, he lumps pop into the same category.  And hip hop for that matter.  But, this song was rock.  He particularly likes the electric guitar.  His friend, Finn, has a drum set.  So I mentioned maybe they could have a band.

Me:  "Finn could play drums, you could play electric guitar, but who would be the singer?"
Elliot: "ME!!  I want to be the singer!"
Noah:  "You can't even sing yet, Elliot!"
Elliot:  "I can too!  I can  sing the ABC's!"

Oh yeah, this will be some hard core rock.

Three years new

We had a party last night for Elliot's birthday, and he's been in rare form this morning - both funny and touchy.


I was in the kitchen when I hear Noah yelling at Elliot.  "Get away, Elliot!  GET! AWAY!"  A minute later, I hear Elliot coming towards me, and speaking in a whining voice: 


E:  "Daddy, Noah's not being my brother friend any more!  Hmph! (that's a little funny sound he makes to emphasize whatever emotion he's feeling)  "He is getting mad at me and he doesn't forgive me and he's not being my brother friend any more.  He said I kept knocking over his marble thing."  
Me:  "Did you?"  
E:  "Yes"
Me:  "Was it an accident, or did you do on purpose?"
E:  "On purpose, but he's supposed to forgive me."

A few minutes later, I hear, "Daddy!!  I opened this door without a lock!" and I see him in one of our usually child-locked cabinets.  I asked, "How did you do that?"  He proudly responded, "I don't know, I just pulled and pulled and pulled, and I did it!!!"

I asked him to close it, and he slammed it shut.  I said, "Elliot please don't slam doors."  A minute later he walks over to me with his sad/mad face.  "Daddy, when you yelled at me to closed the door, it made me MAD! Now I'm MAD!!!! "

"Why are you mad?  I asked you in a nice voice."  "I'm just MAD!!  Hmph!

Then a few seconds later, he sweetly asks "Daddy, am I still three?"

As I'm typing this, all I can hear is "Daddy, can I press the "E" button, daddy, because my name starts with E?  Can I daddy, can I? Can I? Can I? Can I, daddy?  Can I?"  So here you go.

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Savoring

Mandy and I got home about the same time - me from work, her from her mom's.

Me:  *looking at a little ziplock baggie* Noah, what do you have there?
Noah:  Cookies. Mint cookies we got from Grandma.  I have some left because I savored mine.
Me:  How about you Elliot?
Elliot: I didn't savor mine. I ate mine.  My cookies are now in my belly.  Can I have some cookies, Noah?
Noah:  No, Elliot, that's why you savor them.
Elliot:  But I don't like to savor cookies.  I like to eat them.

Taking after momma

One of the cornerstones of raising children is modeling.  Kids repeat what they see and hear, and what is familiar.  Like many parents, we sometimes yell from far away, recognizing the sounds of fighting, pain or some other catastrophe, and hoping mere words will put an end to it before we have to leave what we're doing, and actually expend some effort.

Mandy and I were downstairs this morning, when she took a big drink of my coffee, thinking it was her tea.  My little rose made a loud retching noise to voice her displeasure, when we heard Elliot yell from the top of the stairs, "HEY MOM!!!  WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN THERE?!?!"

Daddy fixing cracks

Due to our old house settling we have some cracks in our walls.  Paul was doing some spackling, sanding, touching up painting this past weekend.  He used that blue painters tap on the baseboards.

Fast forward to this week walking in the parking lot at St. E's after dropping off Noah.  Elliot pointed out all the cracks and said "Daddy needs to fix these cracks with his blue tape, right mom?"  

If only it was that easy.

Grandma Anita's raccoon encounter

Last month driving home from my sister, Sam's college graduation in Springfield, my mom hit a raccoon going about 70 mph on the highway.  It was very loud and woke Rick up,  who thought she'd hit a deer.  It was only when she got home she realized said raccoon took out half her bumper.  The next day she showed Elliot and told him about it.  Ohhhh boy.  For days, no weeks, Elliot asked me several times a day why Grandma hit the raccoon.  He's moved beyond it now.  He doesn't ask me about why anymore.  He seems to finally have accepted it's because the raccoon came out of the woods and she was going too fast to stop.  But, he does tell strangers it happened and his Grandma's car is broken.

Monday driving home from dropping off Noah at school Elliot pointed out a flashing light alerting us to the reduced speed school zone.  He said "Mom, that light tells us to watch out, right?".  I said "Yes, also it tells us to slow down."  His reply was "Yeah, so we don't get in a wreck like Grandma."  So funny!  I guess he thinks Grandma must have been recklessly speeding when she hit that raccoon.

Here's a video I took on my phone.  One day driving home he became so insistent on wanting to know "why" Grandma hit the raccoon I had to actually pull over and turn around to address him.

Knock, knock...

These two boys are no different than most brothers.  They are constantly taking things from each other, arguing about fairness and messing with each others' stuff.  But they are also good friends, and it's very heartwarming to see them when they are occasionally being sweet to one another.

The other day, I sat there watching them have a full-blown conversation with each other.  I can't remember all of it, but they were very complimentary of each other.  Noah was explaining his latest Lego creation, and Elliot was saying, "Wow, Noah" and telling him how good it was.  They also started telling knock-knock jokes to each other.  None of them were the least bit funny, but they would laugh their asses off each time a punch line was delivered.

The proceeded to build a fort together out of the living room furniture, but the detente ended quickly when Noah tried to bar Elliot from entering.  Back to "normal".

Stuff they say

I have been bad about blogging lately.  We've just been busy and I have GOT to get better about it, because pretty much every single day the kids make me laugh with things they say.  Or say just the sweetest things to us and to eachother.  And it's time to start blogging it so I don't forget!  Here are a few exhanges/quotes I can remember right now:

Me:  "Elliot, you are a handsome little devil"
E:  "I'm not a handsome little devil!  I'm a handsome BIG devil!"

Noah *while coloring with Elliot*:  "Elliot, don't scribble scrabble on your paper.  You need to always do your personal best"

We were at the pumpkin patch last week and on the hayride.  Elliot wanted to sit at the very back closest to the tractor.  He looked at the man/farmer who was driving it and said to me "That man is a cowboy.  He can ride a horse with a hat.  He is a pard-en-er" (partner is said with 3 syllables and it is pretty much the cutest word, ever!)

Noah:  "I think you are best mom in the whole world, but don't tell the other moms because it might make them feel sad"

Date night

For almost a year now, Mandy and I have had a standing date night on Friday nights.  Noah was a difficult baby to leave in his early years, then Elliot came along, and doubled the work.  After several years of putting kids first, someone convinced us how important it was to put ourselves first on a regular basis, and so nearly every Friday night we get a baby sitter, leave the dinner and bedtime routine to someone else, and go out. 

Last night I came home from work to briefly see the kids before we went out, welcomed home by Elliot. Apparently he had been telling Mandy all day that "When Daddy get home he be happy to change my stinky diaper," and to prove his theory, he greeted me with one.  Noah had discovered Legos that day, and was happily absorbed in building stuff.  He's always been great at building creations with blocks, and I think this takes him to a new level. 

The babysitter arrived, and as is usually the case, we left with no particular plan in mind. We settled on Ponak's, one of many good Mexican restaurants on Southwest Boulevard.  Over a couple of margaritas, we talked about the week we'd just had, and the weeks ahead.  We talked about our kids - always a popular topic, no matter how hard we try not to - and laughed as we discussed their quirks, the funny stuff they'd said and our memories from the earlier years.  It's a good and necessary way for us to catch up without interruption, and in a more relaxed setting, it helps us to focus on the good rather than the petty irritants that can tend to accumulate if not given a break. 

After dinner, we drove by the Liberty Memorial and decided to stop.  After the oppressive heat lately, it was a great night - high-70's, with a cool, soft breeze.  The memorial plaza was nearly empty of anyone else, and the solitude was peaceful. The sun was setting, casting a pink/orange glow on the city, framed by a soft haze - a result of the smoke from the Arizona wildfires.  This spot affords a fantastic view of the city that goes on for miles, and in the quiet of the place, you could hear the muffled sounds of traffic, the clanking and whistles of the freight trains going by, and even the water fountains in front of Union Station.

These date nights aren't indulgences, they're necessary to regroup, reconnect, and remember why we were together in the first place.  There was a time when we'd forgotten that, when taking care of the kids literally consumed our waking hours.  But, as the person who suggested these standing appointments said, just like the stewardess in an airplane tell you, "You need to put your own oxygen mask on first."  It grants us perspective, something you can't get when you're in the thick of things, and lets us focus on the many ways our children bring us delight, rather than thoughts about how hard it can be.   

We just stood and talked for awhile, admiring the view, and I realized, again, why I married her and how lucky I was to have her as my friend, my wife and the mother of my children.  We've still got a lot left to accomplish together.  Can't wait until next week.  

Elliot quotes

My little comedian has been keeping me laughing.  Here are a few of his little gems the past few days.

I put on some warm flannel pajama bottoms a couple of nights ago and he just gave me a puzzled look.  He pointed at my pants and said "What you wearing?'.  I told him, "Jammies!".  He pointed again and said, "GRANDMA!".  Paul & I just started laughing.  I informed him that my jammies were perfectly acceptable for a 34 year old woman.  Again, he just pointed and said "GRANDMA!".  I think I might have to stop wearing those.

Yesterday I thought he might have to poop and so I told him I was going to sit him on the potty.  I said "If you go poopoo on the potty, I will get you a special treat!".  He kind of widened his eyes and said "Oh!  I get a diet coke, mom!  HOLLA!".  His incessant use of the word "holla" alone cracks me up. I'm afraid I'm a bad influence on him and need to give up my diet coke habit.  Unfortunately he's had swigs here and there and loves it.  Noah hates pop and I figured Elliot would too.  No such luck.  Maybe an all natural root beer from Whole Foods when he finally poops on the potty will be in order.

Yesterday morning while I was cleaning the kitchen, he came in and said "You want to sing itsy bitsy 'pider, Mom?  It be fun!  HOLLA!"

"Is it ripe, mom?"

Recent mealtime convo with Elliot:

Me:  "Elliot, would you like a pear?"
Elliot:  "Is it ripe, mom?"

Smart kiddo.  Unripened pears are rubbish.

Yes, son

As Elliot's talking gets better and better, he continues to surprise me when he says things in context, and things that I've never said to him before.

I was getting changed after work last night while he was standing on the bed next to me, telling me about his day.  I told him he was "my favorite 2-year old ever".  He immediately responded in that tiny, earnest voice of his, "In the whole, wide world, Dad?"

Elliot quotes

I may be posting a lot of these for awhile. Since his language is just exploding, the things Elliot says simultaneously surprise and crack us up.  A few gems today:

We were waiting for the repairman to arrive to fix our stove.  I told Noah to watch for "Rosindo" out the window and let him in when he came.  He had come last week, but had to order parts. Well Elliot must have heard me say his name.  When Rosindo got here he had two "helpers".  He was a good sport and said they weren't in his way even as Noah was handing him random screwdrivers of his dad's and shining a flashlight for him.  Elliot is mostly just watching.  Then Elliot all of a sudden says "Hi Rosindo.  I'm happy to see you."  Rosindo got really tickled that he knew and pronounced his name correctly.  Then Elliot remembered his proper manners and next time called him Miss Rosindo.  So funny!  He has never learned that men are addressed as Mister and not Miss.  

One of the parks we go to has several community toys in the sand play area.  Mostly dump trucks, shovels and buckets. There is also a coveted cozy coupe police car.  Well at this time there weren't many kids there yet and none close to Elliot wanting the car.  He sits in the car and says "No!  Mine police car." (typical 2 year old).  But, then a second later "No.  This eddybuddy's police car."  I could barely get out a "that's right, Elliot" before he said again,"No! MINE police car".  He was having a fight with himself.  Not sure if it was an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other or he was just trying to keep his skills sharp.

This afternoon at the park a friend of mine and two of her kids came up for a little while, but didn't stay long as her 2 year old was not feeling well at all.  When they left Elliot said "Maddie, Alex leave."  I said "yes, Alex isn't feeling well.  He's sick"  Then Elliot said "Oh, mom.  Poor baby."

Basically, he just talks.  He has conversations.  He says appropriate things and funny things.  I am loving knowing what's going on in that little mind of his and his ability to express himself.  I get a kick out of pretty much everything he says now.

Mr. Independent

Tonight I was trying to get Mr. Independent into his jammies after bathtime.  I was having quite a time getting his button up top on though as he insisted "NO!  I DO IT!"  So I would let him try, then came back to put it back on a little bit later.  This happened 2 or 3 times.  Finally I pinned him down in my lap and told him that I had to do it.  As he was crying about it yelling "NO!  I DO IT!", I tried to use logic on him.  Yes, logic on a tantruming two year old. Funny, huh?

"Elliot, it's very hard to button up a shirt.  That's something you will know how to do when you are four years old.  You are only two." 

Elliot replied "NO!  I not two!  I FREE! (three)"  So funny!  I was cracking up.  And a little impressed he understands the concept of three being older than two.

 

Funny Elliot

Today in the car Elliot started his own version of telling jokes.

E:  "You know what, mom?"
M:  "What?"
E:  "CAR!" (then laughs wildly)
E:  "you know what, mom?"
M: "What?"
E:  "HAT!" (again laughing cracking himself up)

This continued over and over, each time the punchline being a different random object.  At one point Noah wanted in on the joking and said "You know what, mom?" before I could even say what to Noah, Elliot piped in:  "NO!  I do it!  Stop copying me!"

And then I laughed wildly.

Padres, Hijo, Santo

My little man is talking in complete sentences now.  And words that were hard to understand, for those not around him all the time, are not so hard to understand now.  He is just talking more and more everyday.  And it's SO cute and funny when they all of a sudden say things that sound so grown up.  A few funny examples:

Riding home in the car yesterday, gazing out the window, the boy busts out in prayer.  But, not in English, in Spanish.  Yes, he now speaks Spanish.  I am proud to say he didn't learn it from Dora the Explorer, but from Noah's prayers he says at school.  He all of a sudden said "Padre, Hijo, Santo" Which means literally Father, Son, Holy.  Noah was quick to remind him about the inspiritu part he forgot.  So funny he picked up on this from Noah.  Now if you ask him to say his prayers he says them in Spanish.

He asked me to go to Chick Fil A.  I told him we couldn't and that they were closed.  He said "Oh.  OK.  Maybe Sunday"  hahaha!  I was cracking up.  Of course, I didn't tell him they are closed on Sunday.

His teachers at school said he was amazing them with his language abilities and have commented on it several times. 

"Yes Ma'am"

My idea of teaching Noah good manners was to say please and thank you. I never taught him "yes ma'am". I didn't grow up saying it and never heard many who did except a boy with a southern accent, from Alabama that I went to grade school with. His dad was in the military and he said it to everyone. Some people get offended when called "ma'am" and take it to mean that they are old. You just don't hear it around here.

Well in the south and in the military it is a sign of respect and customary. So Noah's cousin, Amelia has learned to say it from an early age. Noah caught on to it when she was here and now he says it and I think it's pretty adorable and sweet.

Well today Elliot (who's vocabulary is growing quickly) took out his Baby Signing Time DVD and signed 'signing time" and said "PEAAAAA" (please). I told him he could watch it since he used such good manners. Then he said "Yea Ma'am!". He totally related that to me saying good manners. What a smart well mannered little fella he is.