Eli Lately

Eli is one funny, exhausting boy!  He's a busy bee, and always up to something.  His independence has definitely been growing a lot lately, which I of course love and hate.  It's a hard balance to know when to let kids do things themselves and when to jump in.  His little mind is constantly trying to figure things out, and for the most part I indulge his "experiments," even if it results in a mess being made in the process.  The little scientist in him can certainly drive me bonkers, but it's pretty neat to watch him explore and discover on his own.  : )

Haven't spent too much time outside lately, but here's a video of jumping in puddles when the mountains of snow were melting!

Sometimes Eli struggles a bit around strangers and other kids.  He's had a habit of standing right next to kids, which is really quite bothersome to the child in question.  I think it's usually part him being excited to see them/part curious about the kid.  He also growls at other kids.  We were at the library last week and he kept growling at kids around him, and scared a little girl who ran to her mom!  With adult strangers he's been "spitting" (raspberries) when in contact.  These issues with displaying rude/inappropriate behavior really worry and upset me.  I talk to him about how we treat others nicely, and good things to say/do, but either he's not catching on or he simply doesn't care.  :  (

Thankfully he IS doing much better with Sunbeams.  He happily sits with his class during Sharing/Music Time now, leaves happily to class, and comes to me proud of his handouts he can take home.  He talks sweetly about his teacher, Sister White, and mentions subjects she teaches him, like how Jesus made water, and how seeds go in the ground and then flowers grow big and tall.  : )

As the Spring weather finally started to arrive around here, Eli discovered something fabulous!  Worms!  A couple days he was out in the dirt digging worms and bringing them inside to show.  He called them his "friends," and even wanted to bring them to bed to sleep with!  Here's a cute video of him and his new worm, and introducing his worm to Spot-dog.

Then a week later, another fun surprise!  A ladybug!  He followed that little ladybug outside for a LONG time.  He'd pick it up every so often and bring it in the house, only for me to again remind him that we keep the bugs outside.  : )

He also felt brave enough to try swinging on his tummy!  (Usually just swings on my lap.)

Unfortunately Eli is pretty anti-toilet these days.  I bought him some underwear, but he only wants to wear it OVER his diaper.  He is definitely concerned about keeping a diaper on.  If it's off for a brief time he anxiously calls, "I need a diaper!"  I suggest going on the toilet, but he adamantly refuses, so I don't push it.  I think I better read up on some potty-training methods and get crackin' on it.

When Eli was going to the bathroom daily Clara sure enjoyed finding her way in to watch him.  They'd both chat and play with him on the toilet for up to an hour!  Funny kids.

Eli's also been having some difficulty with Clara since she crawls.  Often when they're both on the floor he always frustratingly declares, "Clara's coming to get me!"  He always thinks she's after his cars and he gets pretty darn bothered about it.  He will then proceed to block her out by creating a wall of big toys that she can't pass through, or try kicking or hitting her to move.  I always remind him that we are nice to each other and can share, and encourage him to find a toy for his sister, or I move one of their locations.  I know sharing is a hard lesson to learn when you're the oldest, but hopefully he'll keep getting better at it with more opportunities for practice.  BUT, he is still good at showing his love for her, and especially loves to come give her snuggles, rubs, and kisses while I'm nursing her.  : )

Here's a video of one of the "sweet" times they shared.  They were playing in Eli's room together before bed.

Eli will probably always be the pickiest-eating kid in the whole world.  He would be happy-as-a-clam only living off of spaghettios, cereal bars, popsicles, fruit pouches, and "cow" cheese.

The way Eli plays playdoh--parking his cars, or in this case, parked cars flipped up.

Lately Eli's favorite saying is, "I can help MYself."  If he can't reach something he quickly goes in search of his little stool (which also comes in handy for things that I've purposefully placed out of his reach).  He's now also starting to move the kitchen chairs to the counter or freezer to get things.  (Not long ago he figured out how to open the fridge, now he's pretty fascinated by it and is always moving food around, or placing random things in it to see if they get cold).  Eli's also trying harder to take his clothes off/on.  He can do pants, socks, jackets, and boots.  A great big-kid step!

One of the games Eli likes to play with his stool is taking Mommy's keys to try to lock the door.

Eli can certainly be a great helper around the house!  Never too young for chores, right?!  Last week when I started mopping the kitchen he asked if he could mop instead.  I knew it wouldn't be perfect and I'd have to go over some spots, but I thought it was a good learning opportunity, and he had a blast!  Here's a video of him mopping--

This crazy boy is always up for some fun dress-up!  Above: He loves wearing his new ball cap, my sunglasses, and of course his trusty boots.  Below: He's placed the microwave turner on his hard hat.  : )

On the left, Eli's wearing Clara's winter hat and Mommy's necklace.  On the right we pulled out the sidewalk chalk!

Hehehe, this is one of my new favorite pictures!  (I didn't even know this happened until I was looking through photos.)  Eli bought a butterfly net the other day, but instead of catching butterflies, he caught Clara!  Love how they're both highly enjoying it.  : )

And finally, a few Eli quotes/daily sayings--

Eli quotes:

• Calling me "Mop."  "Hello, Mop!"
• Anything that there's two of, like a picture, a toy, etc. and one's bigger and one's smaller he always says it's "Eli & Mommy."  "Eli garbage truck, Mommy garbage truck!"
• Every time the bus goes by he runs out and yells "Me, me, me!"  Comes back a little bummed, "Aww, he didn't pick me up."
• "What's that sound, mom?" (runs to the window) (Does this all day, most days)
• "My poopie made letters!" (Said this after using the toilet, as there was a visible 'C')
• "Thank you for coming, poopie!"  (Says sometimes when I'm changing his diaper.)
• Has an imaginary friend, Ghostie.  Always talks about Ghostie wanting to play with him, and Ghostie eating all the cookies, etc.
• He was playing with a Mickey figurine and I asked, "Who's that?"  He responded, "Mickey Mouse, 'member?"
• "What you say?" (Says daily)
• (Hits forehead) "Oh, heavens sake!"
• "Oh, I didn't know that before."
• Lately when asked if he wants to do ___________, he replies, "Oh yeah!"  When asked a question and he doesn't quite know how to respond he says "MayBE!"
• Often--(Hugs me) "You're my big friend." (Favorite show is "My Big Big Friend")

Last week I had a conversation with Eli asking him about some of his favorite things.  Here were his answers.  (We do this every-so-often.)--

Show: "Robin Hood"
Color: "Red"
Toy: "Squeaky" (a giraffe baby toy)
Food: "Pizza"  (Haha!  Doesn't even eat pizza.)
Person: "Mommy." "And Daddy and Clara."
Thing to do with mom: "Play cars."
Place to go: "Walmart, to get cookie and cheese" (I think he mixed it up with Kroger...)

What a silly, imaginative, sweet little boy!