Eli-isms

*His new go-to song (which is also made up....I think) is "1,2,3,4 Chicken and the butt."
*When I was pretending to rock him like a baby he said, "I'm not a baby".   I responded, "Oh, I forgot.  You're a man."   He looked at me like I was crazy and said, "NO!  I'm not a mailman."
*Ever since his first buzz cut his hair is growing back in as a natural mohawk.  It's awesome. (like he is)
*Driving along 44 hwy we smelled a skunk (which at first he thought were his feet).  I explained what a skunk was and what he does and...let's just say he plays skunk a lot more now. 
*He told Anna, "NO, sir!"  (wonder where he gets that from)
*I told him one night "Sweet Dreams!  Why don't you dream about rocks, spiders, and lollipops."  He looked at me like I was an idiot and said, "No mom.  I'm just going to sleep."
*When pulling up to Jack in the Box we explained where we were eating and he said, "Awww.  Who put Jack in the Box?"
*While at an air show he had to pee in a Porta Potty for the first time.   He thought it was awesome and said, "It's like I'm peeing in a cave!"  (no, he's never done that before...I don't think)
*When I told him we were going to the Galleria to shop (our local mall) he said, "I don't want to.  It makes my bottom hurt."  (Galleria and Diarrhea do sound similar....)
*As Todd pulled into our alley he yelled, "Mom!  Your honey's home!" 
*Todd was giving him a lecture on how he needed to look in our eyes when we give him directions instead of walking around in circles.   He responded "or squares.  I shouldn't walk in squares either." 
*We were driving by Todd's school (Washington University) and I pointed it out to him.   When we were done passing it he asked, "where's the playground?"  (good point)
*His cousin Jameson "wrote" him a letter and I said, "oh that was so sweet."  He said, "yeah, he's a good guy." 
*After going to a lake this past weekend and rinsing off in the shower, he has wanted to take showers.   This morning he yelled out, "Hey Mom and Anna, I'm in the shower if you need me!" 

Here are a few of my favorite things #4

#4: The Library.

In case y'all need to be reminded, I'm a cheapskate.   I THINK I get it honestly : )  I also love activities that are within my community, esp. ones that I can walk to!   If you don't already frequent your library, let me convince you of why you need to...

*You already pay for it, so you might as well use it.   (Through tax $)
*It's "free" (see above).
*If you tend to be a late person the late fees are minimal.  (I believe ours is 10 cents a book...I wouldn't know : )   )
*You can check out an obscene amount of books.   The limit at our library is 50.  (Again, I wouldn't know)
*Have a DVD you want to see?  Check it out at your library...for free.
*Have kids you need to entertain?  Most libraries have a kids areas with toys, puzzles and story times.  If yours is really awesome (like mine) they provide crafts and snacks too!
*Want to try out kids music to see which artist you won't poke your eyes out too?  You can check out CD's.
*Is your child interested in a certain subject (i.e. trains?) Most libraries have Activity Kits put together for you with books, CD's, and Dvd's picked out for you. 
*If you don't have time to wander the library, you can reserve things online.   i.e. If there is a great book, movie, CD you just heard about from a friend or Oprah no need to wait.  Just click on your libraries web site and reserve the book for when you can go and make a quick pick up.  

So what are you waiting for?  Check out your local library!   

August /Early September 2010

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My lil' sunshine is...

.... NINE (months, that is).  

Things I (Anna) can do at 9 months:

*Sleep 12  hours at night (now that Mommy stopped visiting me at 4 in the morning.  At first I was ticked off at her, but now I am lovin' the sleep!)  

* Wave Bye-Bye

*Use signs "all done" and "night night"

*Copy noises, grunts, screams that others make

*Cry if Mommy or Daddy is not around (this is NOT new)

*Stand to play (if supported) 

*Clap when I'm exicted

*Roll and wave my wrists/arms when I'm dancing

*Pick up incredibly small things off the floor like lent or crumbs (but my Mommy keeps the house so clean this is rarely a problem)

*Sitting pretty and content without any interest in moving anywhere : )

Here are a few of my favorite things #3

#3:  Goodwill. 

I love this place for sooooo many reasons.

*I call it my "organized garage sale".   If I had the time & hands I would definitely be an avid garage saler, but something about putting 2 kids in and out of carseats, carrying 1 around while the other one touches things he's not supposed to, takes the fun out of it.   So Goodwill meets both of my needs in that it is like 20 + garage sales all in one place (time) and it has carts (hands)!
*I can buy gently used/never used baby clothes for....$1!
*I can buy gently used/never used preschooler clothes for...$2!
*I can find unique items that no one else has (well someone had them at some point...)  For example, I bought Eli the coolest Star Wars shirt known to man that I think someone wore when the movies first came out.   I also have found a ton of old fisher price toys that they just don't make any more (well actually they do have a new retro line...)  
*I can donate stuff that we don't need anymore at the same time for someone else to use (and it is tax deductible!)
*We are reusing items rather than just consuming more
*My husband "loves" that I can get my shopping bug out without spending too much $$$
*Their mission:   "Goodwill Industries International enhances the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work."   Last year they helped over 155,000 people find work!  (so yes honey, our $$ is going to a good cause...think of it as our contribution!)

To find your local Goodwill go here and put in your zipcode.   If you live in the St. Louis area you'll probably see me...I like to Goodwill hop : )