Water fun

We opted for private swim lessons for Eli this year. The mommy and me class just wasn't cutting it anymore. He was bored, we were bored. So, until he is 3, he can't start the official Nitro swim classes so we decided to give him some private lessons. It is his time, by himself doing something fun. He didn't really like the first session but I saw bits of hope after the second session. However, I think the best thing about all of this is his new found love for the sprinkler. Before, he HATED it, I had to push and pull to get him to get his toe wet from the sprinkler. So, he surprised us the other day when he went for it. Clothes and all. He loved it. He made mud pies, he shoveled the dirt into the water. He had a blast. It has been a daily reoccurance since then. 

some days

Some days you push my patience to a whole new level. This is an amazing feat considering the fact that I have been practicing this skill of patience throughout my whole teaching career. For some reason, I thought I had a pretty good level of patience. I could tolerate ear piercing screaming for hours. It didn't phase me, it was a part of my normal everyday existence. However, the whining.This is a whole new ballgame for me.  The, I only want my daddy, no likey this, no want that, no I won't take my thumb out of my mouth, I'm bored- kinda attitude is new to me. This tests my patience. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out. Sometimes I want to scream. Sometimes I want to cry. It is at these times that I close my eyes, take a deep breath and count my lucky stars. I have a thriving child. I am fortunate that you are able to express these things to me. Albeit however annoying and irritating it can be at times, I am truly grateful. This is all part of the learning experience. But, son, no matter how frustrated I get, I will never show this frustration to you. I will remain calm. Rational. I will pull my hair out in my room with the door closed, I will scream in the shower and I will cry in the car by myself. This I promise to you. I am reminded to not waiver in my parenting. To not back down. One day, you will want me, you will like this and want that. One day you won't suck your thumb anymore and one day you will be able to entertain yourself out of boredom. It is on these days I am sure I will look back and want to return to the whining two year old days that I find myself caught in right now. But really, I am blessed. Every waking day. I love you. 

mishap

This is what happens when you rub a balloon up against your head. 

That's Eli's hair incase you can't see it

And a lot of tears.

cuteness

Have I mentioned Eli's love for tools. Really, everything we do...ALL day long revolves around tools. He needs a screwdriver for this, a hammer for that, a socket wrench here, pliers there. Really, he knows all tools and their functions. It's really amazing...a little obsessive but cool nonetheless!

Take 4

The last part of our adventure was getting to ride the BNSF train. Aunt Megan happens to work for BNSF(good thing the little mans Aunt and Uncle have cool jobs...we are kind of boring) and once every 5 years-ish they have a family day where you can bring 3 people in your fam to come on a 3 hour train ride.Megan graciously invited us and although I forgot Eli's train ensemble(his hat and overalls), he still managed to have a fantastic time. We had to wake him up early from his nap(something that I have NEVER done) and he was in a horrible 2 year old mood. So, what else was there to do but load him up on sugar and pray that it lasts the whole train ride. What I didn't know(after he had already had like 20 jelly beans) was that they come by every 30 minutes and give snacks...sugar filled, high fructose corn syrup laden snacks. The kid was WIRED. But, it worked because he was in a fantastic mood. I wasn't sure he would last the whole 3 hours but he did...barely, but he did. It was funny because we would pass other train cars and he would say that he wanted to go on the train. It took him a while to remember that he was on a train!

Thanks Megan and Andy for letting us bombared your house for the weekend and entertaining us! We had such a blast...see you next weekend! :) Ha...just kidding. It takes longer than that to recover from us!

(shhh...don't tell Adam he totally looks like he's going bald in this picture)

Take 3

This is what happens when I want a picture with Eli

So I can't find the zoo pictures...probably because it was so hot they melted in my camera. So, we I find them, I will post those. We also took a trip to the Dallas World Aquiarium. Eli was so exhausted from all the other activities that we had thought about not going. I am so glad that we did. It was fantastic. It was more like a rainforest than an Aquiarium. They had so many other animals than just fish. I would say that it was better than the zoo! 

*in Adam's defense, he is NOT wearing a fanny pack. It is the backpack carrier for when Sir Grumps a lot decided he didn't want to walk anymore...it is a nightmare trying to get a stroller in places like this!

Take 2

Eli had so much fun getting to explore his Uncle Andy's policecar. In fact, we still hear about it daily. 

I swear I didn't do it!

(can you imagine the germs in the back of his car? it creeps me out just thinking about it)

Checking out the lights

Playing with the sirens

I love my Uncle

(and it doesn't hurt he has such a cool job)

Arlington Take 1

This will be a long post. Actually many long posts. 

We embarked on a 4 day adventure to Arlington to spend some quality time with the Uncle and Auntie.(really, our secret mission was to just run them into the ground and that, I think, was accomplished) 

We had a blast. Our trip included a trip to the Fort Worth Zoo,

 The Dallas World Acquarium, Uncle Andy's policecar(a true highlight) and a 3 hour trainride on one of Aunt Megans real trains(can't stop talking about this).

 The weekend was jam packed. 

Eli also had to spend some quality time with Uncle Andy who probably ranks as his fav person these days. He loves his Uncle. Poor guy though. Eli ran him. Ragged. They played chase. Jumped on the bed(thanks for this one Andy...payback will come one day). 

Built with Eli's toys. Played with the dogs. Read the Dinner Time book about 50 times. and so many other things that my mind is spinning just trying to remember it all.

Lets not forget about special time with Auntie Megan. They too had fun together. Who knows what they were doing here...cute, feral child but cute!(gotta love those boxer briefs...such a big boy thing)

They went walking to see the ducks. 

Saw a fish along the way.

Threw bread for the ducks.

A little for you, a little for me mentality. 

And of course, some time spent on a playground

Not that I am stereotyping but apparently police really do like coffee and donuts :)

The actual breakdown of the outings to come when I am not so darn tired...still playing catch-up on sleep!

preskuls

I have been talking a lot to Eli about how he will be going to preschool in the fall. He seems super excited as my staying at home has really been an adjustment for him. I think he is ready for the interaction with other kiddos again, Miss T and I are boring him.  Anyways, he goes and finds his backpack and 'puts' it on and says, "eli goes preskuls mommy". Really son, melt my heart. You are so sweet.

Just remember to put your pants on when you go to preskuls!