Return of the Scrunchie Face

Do you remember that scrunchie face that Eli used to make?  He started making this face around 7 months old....

And then it became his "bunny face." Well, just in case we needed more proof that these two were brothers, Jude decided to bust out his version of the scrunchie face this month.

Soccer & Stuff

Busy weekend around here, but a fun one. As of Saturday, I am officially a "soccer mom."  Eli (and Coach Daddy) had their first soccer practice and game.  It is a wonderfully non-competitive league sponsored by a church in our neighborhood.  Everyone is out there for fun and learning.  Daddy did a great job organizing some drills for practice and then it was game time.

Eli ran and ran and ran, and it was hot. He kept up with the pack, kicked the ball, and helped up a friend that fell. He was more happy that he had helped a friend up than anything.  I kept giggling to myself and out loud.  Kid soccer is very entertaining.

Yes, the kids ran as a pack after the ball (there are no goalies), tried to pick up the ball, and ran on and off the field to their parents.  Only a couple melt downs, but hey....they are only 4 and 5 years old.  Competing for the ball was a new thing for most of them.  Very entertaining, indeed.  Already looking forward to next weekend.  Go team Crew!!

With the fields so close to our house, we walked up to the park.  Jude hung out in the stroller with some toys.  He was exhausted, but never gave it up.  I figured he would nap in the stroller, but the running kids and the ball (his favorite toy!!) were too intriguing to stop watching.  Grandpa came to watch and cheer as well.  It was a lot of fun.

Then it was home to prepare for another football Saturday.  Daddy fired up the smoker and made some delicious pork butts and chickens.

My folks came over to help root the Gators on to another victory and partake in the yummy meal.  We have had fun watching the Gators win, but we know the toughest part of our schedule begins this weekend.  Not sure if we'll be winning much in the next couple of weeks, but we will have fun cheering on our team no matter what.  I hope I remember that sentiment if we start losing next week.  I tend to get a little intense watching Gator football.  Can't help it.  I'm a girl raised on southern football, and I am a fan.

Brothers

The relationship between my boys looks different from one day to another.  There are days that Eli is a bit jealous and will take all toys out of poor Jude's hands.  Other days, Jude attacks Eli with love and can't stop grabbing fistfuls of hair.  Ouch! Then there are days where the two steer clear of each other and just play on their own.  One thing is clear.  They love each other from a deep place inside their hearts.  Eli can't explain it or contain it most days, and Jude's admiration and passion for his brother is undeniable.  Now, capturing a brotherly loving moment...that is much more challenging.

Finally got one!  Success.  Pure joy on both of their faces.  I think my heart just doubled in size....again.  So full of love.

Extras

Eli's afternoons are starting to fill up with some extracurricular activities.  This is the first year that we have him in a few different activities, and he was bursting with excitement to start them all.  He continues with gymnastics (this is his 2nd year), but has added karate and soccer as well.  

Eli has been begging asking to do karate for a little while, so we signed him up for a Tiny Tiger class.  He is super into it, working very hard, learning some positive family values...and it turns out he is just too cute in his uniform.  He loves it and feels official when he wears it.  Like he is invincible...his own karate superhero.  Check out his mad/serious face.  He is no nonsense.

We had to explain right away the difference between "Eli-rate" (karate moves that Eli did before he started lessons) and actual karate.  Didn't want him going into the first lesson like he was already an expert.  Cause you know...when you are 4, you know everything about everything...especially karate. *wink*  He is taking lessons twice a week and has loved showing off all he has learned in just a couple sessions.  You should hear his "Aiyah!!"  Just too cute!

Yeah, I think little soccer cleats are super cute too. And yes, he loves these new shoes too. (Cause they make him run "super fast.") Mini uniforms, shoes included, are just cute.  You know you think so too.

He insisted that I get a picture of the bottom of the shoes...that is the coolest part, right?  He has his first practice and game this Saturday....with Daddy helping as a coach!  You know I'll be snapping pictures to share.

With these activities, we are definitely busier than we have been in the past, but so far it has been fun.  Yet another sign that Eli's not little anymore...despite being the youngest and smallest in some of his lessons, he is a big boy.  Growing up.  *sigh*

10 Months

Still having a hard time believing we are closing in on a year since Jude was born.  I think I keep putting off actually writing his monthly posts as an act of defiance.  Maybe if I don't write them, it means it isn't true.  Nah.  In all honesty, Jude is so fun and happy right now.  I love this age!  (I say that a lot about a lot of different ages, but he sure is a lot of fun right now.)

  

He is my cuddly little bundle and is up to 20 1/2 pounds (according to our Wii Fit).  Jude likes eating food at the table with us.  If anyone around him is eating, he wants to eat too.  So far, he really hasn't disliked much....only super sweet or tart fruits.  Still nursing throughout the day and is up one time a night...usually between 3 and 5 a.m.

"Dude" is definitely getting more confident and independent...as long as we are at home.  He plays well on his own, but Mommy has to be nearby.  When we are out and about, he is my most fashionable accessory.  (can also be read as, clingy)

Favorite things to play with these days are balls.  He throws everything, especially clothes out of dresser drawers. Eli's are his favorite. The kid has an arm and pretty awesome timing on his catching too.  Jude can often be found playing in the "kitchen."  I think he loves it because there are so many things to open and close, pull out and put in.  Recently he has started pushing cars, trucks, or any toy that will move along the floor...and even buzzes his lips like a motor if prompted to do so.  So stinkin' adorable.

 

He likes to get into trouble; we have to keep a close eye on him.  He loves to pull the CD's off the shelf, tear leaves off plants, chew on (...and attempt to crawl with) pencils and straws, mess with power chords, find outlets (he finds them EVERYWHERE we go!), splash in toilets, swing doors open and closed, and climb stairs.  Being told to stop or "no no" is funny to him.  He looks at me with that big ol' grin, cocks his head to one side, and goes right back to what he was doing.  So naughty...and so cute! 

He is a speed crawler, a professional cruiser, and can stand unassisted for almost an entire minute.  I don't think he will be walking too soon, but he is definitely getting stronger, finding more balance and coordination every day.

Peek-a-boo will keep this boy entertained for a very long time. This past month, Jude has figured out how to play himself and will duck behind furniture then pop back up again.  He hides behind hats, scarves, whatever.  He giggles with delight and thinks it is fabulous that so many people...even strangers....know how to play.

The cutie pie loves to point, or as I call it...gesture, at everything and then squeals or babbles about whatever he is pointing at.  His waving is hit or miss, but he will always give a high (or low) 5 when asked. In the past week, he has started to blow kisses, Jude-style.  Precious enough to melt hearts.  Oh my.

He loves music, especially if Mommy is singing.  He flaps his arms, claps, and dances.  He has discovered the drum and some of our shaking instruments.  He likes shaking maracas, the shaky egg, and our jingle bell sticks. 

And finally, Jude is communicating and babbling so much lately.  He signs milk, more, eat, and sleep pretty consistently.  He says "buh" for book and "bah" for ball. Still babbling lots of Dada, Mama, hiya, and other fun sounds.  He is also mimicking sounds or phrases we say.  One of his favorite sounds these days is:

Could you not just eat him up???  We love you, Jude.  Thank you for blessing our family with so much joy and happiness. You truly are a delight.

Pap Pap's 70!!

This past weekend, we made a short trip down to visit Pap Pap.  It is a long drive on a Friday night after working a full day.  We always get in late, but it is worth it to be able to spend quality time with family.  And this time we got to celebrate Pap Pap's birthday too...the big 7-0!

 

We went out for a nice birthday dinner on Saturday, which is always an adventure with two boys at a fancy restaurant.  But we made it.  They were both well-behaved (whew!).  It was a beautiful night all around.

 

The sun set as the meal was wrapping up and we headed back to the house to watch the Gators play.  Eli spent a good bit of time in the pool while Jude explored the house and even let people hold him a bit.

The best part of the weekend for Mama was the outing, sans boys, with Ann for coffee and a pedicure.  Yes!  Just what this girl needed...and with such a dear friend that just happens to be my SIL.  Overall, a nice visit that wrapped up with a delicious lunch with the precious Williams family before hitting the road.

Almost Fall

Last week, we had a taste of some "almost fall" weather.  It was delightful....though gone now.  Hoping it returns very soon.  I was loving:

driving with my windows down

sipping a hot coffee...and a pumpkin spice latte at that

and strolling with my boy in the mornings without him breaking out in a heat rash

 

Come back, fall.  We are ready!!

Remembering

On the eve of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Eli eerily constructed two towers from blocks.  He was sure to make them match in pattern and height.  It wasn't just me that was shocked by the similarity and his unknowing timing.  An innocent 4 year old who does not know any details of this tragic day 10 years ago, paid tribute in his own way. 

We will never forget.

And in case you didn't see the Baby Blues comic on Sunday....it was similar, and perfect.

Guess What it Says

Happy Friday!  Just stopping in to share a fun little learning moment from our house.   I am loving this stage of Eli's little brain.

So, yesterday he asked me how to spell a particular phrase as he wanted to put a sign on the bathroom door.  Instead of spelling it for him, I asked him to write what sounds he heard.  We've done this before, but I loved the outcome and prominent placement of this one and just had to share.  

Any guesses as to what it says??  Missing most of the vowels....

I'll put the answer in the comment section after I hear a few guesses.  

(Daddy figured it out this morning)

Budding Artists

I like to consider myself to be kinda crafty.  I like to make things, and I like them to look good.  ...I'm kinda a perfectionist too.  I started doing art projects with Eli when he was young, and quickly had to adjust my level of expectations.  He didn't seem to inherit my crafty genes.  Sometimes I would even abandon a project because it wasn't turning out the way I wanted it to turn out.

I would say I have come a long way since those early days...I am much more hands off these days and Eli's art skills have really been developing recently.  Coincidence?  Hmmm...  Lately, he is into drawing and loves to try and copy drawings.  He is aware of coloring, but often asks for help.  Eli colors slowly (I think he is trying to be sure it is neat and "in the lines"), and therefore he loses interest before a picture is fully colored.  I often get recruited to finish coloring the pictures in.  A few examples of his latest creations:

The "Batmobile"

a rocket he copied off the back of his box of colored pencils
(he asked me to draw the stars for him)

a storm he painted at school last week

He really is enjoying it and is so proud of what he draws, paints or creates.  With this new interest in art, I have purchased a few more supplies for him to create with here at home.  Recently, we busted out the paints...for both boys.  Finger paints for Jude and tempera paints for Eli.

Across the table, Eli was having a blast of his own...trying out all of the different colors and the brushes.

 _

Jude finished pretty quickly, and immediately got plopped in the bath for clean up time.  

When I came back downstairs, I was blown away by Eli's rainbow and cave painting.  He has come a long way.  I love the new masterpieces I have to display now.