Eli Lately

I feel like it's been forever since I've posted about what Eli's been up to.  This has been the absolute LONGEST winter of my life.  I pretty much have always tried to go out somewhere every morning, but this winter we've been snowed in (or frozen in) many, many days.  Cabin fever has been in HIGH gear.

Enjoying the snow! (Back when it was still new and fun.)  : )

This was one of our first big snows of the year (I think 10 inches?).  David was sick so I shoveled the driveway for him (Woo-ee a hard job!).  Eli helped me shovel a long time and then we had fun playing in the snow together.

We've made a couple big batches of snow ice cream.  I think Eli enjoys eating the plain snow almost as much as the cream!  : )

Eating snow cream made him cold, so he wrapped up in his trusty ducky blankie.

Since it's tax season time, David leaves for work at 7:00 and gets home at 6:30 (or some weeks much later), and works til 1 or 2 on Saturdays.  That's at least two extra hours/weekday that he's gone when he used to be home.  Soon after this new schedule started for him, Eli started waking up at 6:30am when he'd hear David get in the shower. (An hour earlier than he used to wake up.)  Eli doesn't nap anymore, nor does he even have solo "quiet time" because he won't stay in his room.  These early days are TORTURE on Eli and me.  It makes him so easily cranky, where little things set off his temper (he yells, hits, throws, and spits).  MY temper as a mom has also been tested.  It's not easy when you're up with a baby multiple times in the night and then have a very early start to the day!  (Both kids' bedtimes are 6:30, which stinks that they don't get time with their dad, but is definitely necessary for them and me!)

About three weeks into the new year I was feeling drained, depressed, and dried out of creativity.  I decided it was time to join Pinterest.  (I know, I know, I'm sure I'm about the LAST person on earth to join.)  When Eli was a young toddler and I first heard of it, I'd get on occasionally and search for things.  He was so young though, that I didn't feel like I needed ideas then of keeping him entertained.  I didn't want pinterest to become a time-wasting mechanism for me (I have enough of those already), and I also wanted to steer clear of pictures that made me feel less than others.

Anyway, when I signed up, I immediately put Pinterest to good use.  I searched specifically for what I was in need of first--ideas for Eli.  (Next came ideas for organizing my home, which I'm SO excited to get working on this summer.)  I couldn't believe what I found!  I was the most pleased about discovering simple activities that he could do without too much preparation or help from me.

Sensory activities!  Crazily enough, I completely spaced this kind of stuff.  How easy and fun!  I bought beans, rice, and pasta, as well as a big dog food scoop.  : )  We've added new things to scoop with and into, and incorporated his small dump trucks and bulldozers.  Perfect!

By the way--rice is a PAIN to clean up...

Working on sorting--

If the crafts involve food, Eli definitely prefers eating to crafting.  : )

This is Eli's "playhouse."  (A huge box from a new dryer.)  He started playing with it in early December, we put it away for a couple weeks, and it's been out again for weeks.  This has been a lifesaver this winter.  He plays in it, colors it, decorates it with stickers, cuts it with scissors (obsessed with his kid scissors right now), and uses his tools to "work" on it.

It even has a little window to see out of and bring some light to the other end.  : )

The other day I taught Eli how to make bubbles by blowing through a straw.  Here's a funny video at his attempt--

About a month or so ago, Eli all of a sudden grew very attached to a blanket and stuffed dog that he's slept with since he was a baby, but have never before been considered all that special.  But in that time he's become practically inseparable with ducky blankie and Spot dog.  They go with us EVERYWHERE, (but thankfully he sometimes lets them stay in the car).  Spot even made his first trip to church yesterday!  I've actually been happy about this development.  Eli's been missing his pacifier lately, and I think it really comforts him to have these "friends."  Whenever he's hurt, sad, or tired, he picks them up for a snuggle.  Eli talks to Spot like he's real, and I think it's a good little friendship to have.  Now I just have to worry about the day when he loses one or the other or they fall apart.  : /

Eli received a fancy new hard hat for Christmas.  It definitely gets used daily.  : )

Eli's spent a LOT of time playing in the sink lately.  He's discovered how fun the sprayer is, and loves scrubbing the sink and even cleaning dishes!  (He also wears his rain boots while playing every day.)

  

Grandma Hayes made Eli this cute apron.  We've been doing lots and lots of playdoh.  Eli got a fun new construction set playdoh for Christmas (it makes playdoh dirt and rocks).  I also made a bunch of salt dough for him to use with cookie cutters.  He also likes to park his cars in the dough.  

Eli graduated from Nursery to Sunbeams in January.  It's been a rough transition!  I am a teacher in Junior Primary, so he refuses to sit with his class and sits with me instead.  When it's time to dismiss to classes after Sharing/Singing Time, I pass him over to his teacher and he gets very upset and cries/throws a fit.  So sad!  Thankfully his teacher is wonderful and still wants to take him.  She says he'll get used to it (he does fine after a bit), but if he doesn't go with her now he never will.  So grateful for her patience with him!

1st Day of Sunbeams!

Eli is also pretty fascinated with flashlights, and obsessed with nightlights (he has four in his room).  I don't think we have a working flashlight in the house right now because he plays with them so much.  He received a cute ladybug nightlight from his grandparents that he can hold in bed with him.

Playing Candy Land with G&G Hayes

A cute video of Eli using the end of the pull string on the kitchen blinds as a telephone to call his grandparents.  I've also heard him using the string as Santa's whip, calling out his reindeer roll-call.  : )

Lately poopie-diaper changes have become a MAJOR deal around here.  He throws the most ridiculous fits!  For the past week he's been wanting to use the toilet before bed every night.  He always goes #1 and #2, and he's always pretty proud of himself and says his classic "I have a surprise for you....!"  But during the day he never wants to use the toilet.  I'm not at all ready to tackle potty-training just yet, but it would certainly be nice to not have daily diaper battles.

Love this photo.  Playing at the park together, then Eli ended up with a fever.

Eli received a bathtub shaving kit for Christmas.  Daddy had fun showing him how to use it.  : )

Cute video of the process--


Eli's an excellent big brother and as long as Clara's not "hitting" or "kicking" him, he adores her.  He loves to go up to her and say "Coocheecoocheecoo!" while rubbing her head.  He makes sure she stays away from his toys by bringing her toys to her instead.  He loves talking to her and makes her laugh and laugh.  Sweet sibling interaction definitely makes it worthwhile to be a parent.