The Bunny Face

One of Eli's favorite snacks is bunnies. He has cheesy crackers and honey graham crackers shaped like bunnies. Before Eli could say "bunny" he learned how to make a "bunny face" and it would get him what he wanted. He has since applied to actual bunnies as well...when he sees one in the book we are reading...

or even in real life! (Do you see the bunny???)

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This is Eli's bunny face!

I had to share!

Memorial Day Recap

We had a great time at St. George with family and friends. Eli spent as much time as he could outside. It was beautiful, but windy and rough each day. Eli loved learning how to survive in the surf as waves would try to come and knock him down. By the last day, he started bracing himself as a wave would crash onshore. He almost looked like a surfer. He loved the sand as much as the water and just exploring. He would drag his sand wagon around and collect the biggest shells he could find.

_______________________Eli also met several dogs and even KISSED one!

Like last time, I was a bum about taking pictures. I am just always so busy running after Eli to actually stop, get the camera, and take pictures. Besides...I don't wanna get my camera all sandy. I did take some...

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Airdrying after the post-beach-spray-down

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Just being cute!


Quick carrot snack before dinner

In Case You Were Wondering...

The boys did GREAT on their trip to Dunedin. Despite Eli's frustration with the car seat after a few hours in the car, they managed to have an amazing visit. Sounded like everyone had a really good time and tears were shed as it was time to go. Eli got lots of lovin' from the grandparents, aunts, and uncle. I really do think the boys bonded on the trip. Eli has been so sweet to his Dada this week. Giving away lots of hugs and kisses and even resting his head on his shoulder when sitting next to each other. It is the sweetest.

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_Eli hanging out at the Grandparents' House. ___________Doesn't he look like a doll in the box? ____

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Chillin' with Dada and Grandpap ___________________Signing "Dada"

(pics courtesy of Grandma Carson)

My retreat at the beach was nice and productive. If all goes according to plan, youth group should be lots of fun next year.

And as a byproduct of last weekend's getaway, Eli is officially weaned. He didn't even think twice about it while gone, but Monday and Tuesday were rough. (He was SO sad!) I almost caved in...but overall, we decided we had come too far to start back up. He was only nursing in the mornings, but he, I mean we, really loved it. I have to be honest and admit that I miss it. I miss our relaxing hour of sitting on the couch while Eli nursed on and off. It also meant I didn't have to make breakfast right away, where as now, he's ready to eat sooner. Ahhh...our little boy is growing up in so many ways....right before our very eyes.

This week hasn't been too eventful. Just our usual daily routine.... We're excited about another trip to St. George for Memorial Day with some family and friends. I'm sure they'll be pictures and stories to share.

Over the River & Through the Woods

OK, not quite...more like over I-10 and down US-19....To Grandmother's house *they* go!

Eli and Matt are taking off...just the two of them to Grandma & Grandpap Carson's house this weekend. (YES, it is the first time I will spend a night...2 actually...away from Eli. I'm a little anxious, but doing fine. Really...) I am headed to Alligator Point for a weekend retreat with some fellow leaders of our Youth Group with the boy. I'm sure we will all have fun on our respective trips. I am thinking I will come back more rested than Matt. Not only will I have had a weekend without Eli for the first time EVER...but I will not have had to endure a 5 hour car ride (each way) alone. Even I haven't yet tackled that yet.. GOOD LUCK to my boys! Say a prayer for Matt (and Eli too).

Just a quick photo montage of Eli eating ketchup. We thought he liked it last time he tried it...

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Guess not! For those of you who don't know, Matt LOVES ketchup! So much that he often gives it up as his Lenten sacrifice. Guess Eli doesn't share his father's passion for the condiment.

Where's Eli?

Here I am, Mama!

Eli had a lot of fun emptying out the pots and pans from one side of the cabinet making just enough room to climb in. He quickly learned how to shut himself in and wait for me to ask, "Where's Eli?" If I didn't ask fast enough, he'd make little peeps and bang around in there for a bit. Finally popping out to say, "Here I am!" or "Peek-a-boo!"

Too cute!

And oh yeah, look what Eli made me at school. He hangs out with the preschoolers so much that he got included in the latest and greatest art project! I will treasure my plate forever and ever! My first Eli-made gift...and I look forward to many more.

(He must get his creativity/crafty side from ME!)

So Much It Hurts

Kelly, we love you and miss you so very much!

In Memory of our sweet sister, Kelly

EUREKA!

We finally solved "The Mystery of the Missing Pool!" For those of you who may not remember, we bought an inflatable pool for Eli last summer...he barely used it being so little, but we planned to get a lot of use out of it this summer. When the weather started warming up, I began to search in our crazy garage for it. It was NO WHERE to be found! The last place to look for it was at the beach.

***But surely it won't be there...we have a plastic pool down there. I'm sure we brought our other one back home...right???***

While at the beach this weekend, I looked where I thought it might be to no avail. Oh well...we'll just have to buy a new one. I already found an inexpensive one that folds and stores nicely that I'd like to buy. I'll head to Target this week.... As I was walking out of the utility room, about to lock up before heading back to town, I looked to my left. EUREKA! The pool was hiding under a half-deflated raft. I grabbed the grimy pool and yelled to Matt, "Guess what I found?!?"

Since then, I've inflated it, cleaned it, and filled it while Eli naps so that when he's done with lunch, the water has been warmed perfectly by our friend, the sun. The last two days, he has played wonderfully in it...loving every minute. I've even been able to tutor some students outside while he plays. Once he figured out how to get in & out, it was back and forth from the sand to the water. And again, the morning after his first dip in the pool, Eli said (and signed at the same time) "WA WA!" as we are coming down the stairs because he saw the pool on the back porch.

I'd say he likes it!

St. George Fun

We packed up and headed to the beach with some friends this weekend. The Popes, The Hanlons, The Miquelis, & Travis joined us, and we had a blast! I was silly and left my camera upstairs most of the time...something about a 16 month old running around in the sand and in the surf just didn't entice me to risk the nice camera. Eli did NOT slow down...he was fearless when it came to the waves until one knocked him down pretty hard. He was a bit shier after that...but only briefly. He ran right back in the chilly and rough ocean. Saturday, when we finally pulled him from the water due to blue lips, toes, and shuddering body, he cried to go back in. Each morning, he would sit up in his pack n' play, point to the ocean, and excitedly say, "WA WA!" The sand, the sun, the waves, the food, and OF COURSE, the company made it a memorable trip. We hope to do it again soon!

Sweet Mabry and Eli playing at the water's edge
(pic by LA)

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Eli lovin' on Mabry_ ___& _ _ Kent pushing the swing