Big Girl Bed

We decided the day had come for Eleanor, for her graduation to a "big girl bed"! She went with me to the store to pick out a sheet and pillowcase, and then we got it set up and tucked her in for her nap. Boy, was she excited! We told her to stay in the bed until Daddy or Mommy came to get her, and she did just that. I was so proud of her!

Boy in the Yard

The Color White

I just had to share this. Eleanor knows all the basic colors, and can say several of them. For some that she doesn't say, she speaks in code. Here's a sampling of her color talk:

"Pink"
"Blue"
"Guh" (green)
"Puh-Puh" (purple)
"Mimi" (ORANGE. Bet you wouldn't have guessed. This code word is because she recently found out that Mimi Gayle's favorite color is orange.)
"Banana" (yep, code for YELLOW)
...and our personal favorite:

"Not Pink" (code for WHITE.)

Carousel Horses and Bunnies

Yesterday we went to the ZOO with friends, in honor of a first birthday for Eleanor's pal Felicity. The weather was beautiful and the kids and grown-ups all had a lot of fun! I asked Eleanor beforehand which animal she most wanted to see at the zoo.
A bunny rabbit.
Well, I made no promises, but said we would look! No bunnies were to be found; however, the carousel horses made fine substitutes as a favorite! Eleanor loved, loved, loved the carousel! She had a huge grin on her face as we went around and around, up and down. She asked for more repeatedly when we were done, and keeps talking about it today. Her little friends were also sad to see their ride end.
Giraffes were another highlight. William was awake to see these creatures, too! Eleanor got a kick out of their long tongues snatching crackers from people, and also thought it was quite funny to see a giraffe pee. Go figure.
The gorillas were super fun! We got to see a daddy playing with his baby, and another one sitting with his mouth open, catching drips from a spilled juice bottle above him.
Here are a few photos from our day.

I Love my Kids!

First Sprint

There is a park right by our church, and every Sunday when we drive by, Eleanor asks to go. I always tell her that we will, when the weather is warmer and when we have time to stop. Yesterday the time came! It was Todd's day off, so we had an early lunch and headed over. It was actually really windy and didn't feel too warm, but Eleanor was not deterred! It's a much bigger park than the one by our house, with several things that were new to Eleanor.

When it was time to go, Todd set Eleanor down by the car as he got ready to open the door and get her in. SHE TOOK OFF, back to the park. She has never done anything like that! We called her name, but she was in a dead sprint. She didn't hesitate, didn't look back over her shoulder. I have never seen her run like that!! Todd and I laughed so hard. Of course, it is an issue that will have to be addressed with her should it happen again...but that moment was priceless.

"Will-Will, Hug!"

This is something Eleanor is saying frequently now. She and Will have always seemed to enjoy one another. But a week ago they moved to a different level of interacting! Before now, Eleanor would show William something, but he wouldn't see it. She wanted to hold him, but didn't look much at him. Will would grin at his sister, or laugh at her, but she never saw him do it. Then, last week the three of us were sitting on the big red chair in Will's room, reading. Eleanor made a noise that Will thought was hysterical! I told Eleanor that that sound made William laugh, and to do it again. So she looked at him and did it again, and again, and again, getting great results every time! They sustained eye contact with one another, something new! Will grabbed her hand and tried to eat it (she loved it). She rubbed his fuzzy little head. She grabbed his cheeks and gave him a kiss on the mouth. He slobbered all over her nose. It was one of my favorite times I have had with the two of them!

Update

Spring is here!

Monday and Tuesday we had 70 and 80 degree weather. Today it is snowing.

To celebrate the arrival of warm temps, on Monday we had a picnic at the park, then Todd and Eleanor washed the cars ("gave the cars a bath"), then we all four ran down the street and caught the ice cream truck and bought Eleanor her first treat from said truck. Triple whammy day! By the way, I do NOT recommend cotton candy popsicles, although Eleanor would disagree. After all, they are PINK.

William is 6 months old, so happy, so fun, so sweet. He is also ready to MOVE! I joke that sometimes I think that if I set him down, he would start running! He loves to bounce and jump. Sitting on my lap, he likes to try to rock himself right off. He makes me laugh!

I love this stage of life. It is so sweet.

Papa and Mimi Faris

I'm a little behind on blogging. But I assure you, I have NOT just been sitting around picking my toenails and eating chocolate! I can't believe that a third of the year is almost gone.

Well, after the birthday festivities my in-laws got to stay around a little longer! We had a wonderful time - here are a few photos.

Thumbs up, Uncle Donut Man!

Green Eggs and Ham, with Papa. This really is an excellent book on trying new foods!

Eleanor would go to the park several times a day if she could!


Uncle Scott gave Will (and me) the neatest antique toy car ever!

Whoa.


The princess and Daddy.


Will is quite the wrestler. Small but mighty.


Will and Papa.


Typical mealtime!


Will and Mimi.


Such a big boy! William has no problem sitting up all by himself!

March 29, 2006

Tagged

I've been tagged by: Elizabeth

Here are the rules of the game...
1) Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog
2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4) Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven random things about myself (in no particular order):
1. I know how to count to 10 in Japanese
2. My first complete sentence as a child was "I want more gum." (I still love the stuff!)
3. I play piano and sing, and have taught recorder and guitar although I really don't play either of those instruments.
4. I love kids (most especially my own) and would love a large family.
5. I spent the first 17+ years of my life living in a town of less than 400 people, an hour away from any other civilization, no fast food, no Wal-Mart, a mall 3 1/2 hours away...and I LOVED it!
6. My husband and I roast our own coffee with a popcorn popper in our garage.
7. I love to travel and have been to Israel, Spain, England, France, Russia, and the Ukraine.


I am TAGGING:

Polly Meredith
Andrew Meredith
Tricia Hulet
Megan Schenk
Amy Haddock
Julann Faris
Maren Berry