Elmo Show Live at UF

The kids and I went to see Elmo live at The University of Florida today. Aaron had no idea what he was in for!

I thought ahead and brought his highchair base to keep him strapped so he wouldn't jump over the railing of our section (you think I'm kidding?). He pitched a fit at first, but once he got used to the idea, he even reached over and held my hand and wanted kisses. When the lights dimmed and the show began, Aaron was completely thrown off. He had no idea what was going on, although we talked about it all morning. All he knew of Elmo was his "Elmo Show" via DVD player at the house. He was very serious throughout the show, even while he was clapping, head bobbing and attempting to snap during the music. He even gave shout outs "Yeah!" every now and then, but not once broke a smile. That's my boy! Needless to say, he had a great time.

Even Zoe enjoyed the show. She fell asleep for a couple minutes, then popped open her eyes and watched all the lights the rest of the time.

This picture was taken while we were waiting for the show to start. Aaron was still upset about being "trapped" in his highchair, and Zoe was eyeballing the snack in Aaron's hand, wanting it for her own.

More to come after Aaron's 2nd birthday this weekend...Elmo Party all the way!!!

Aaron's World

Aaron's favorite show is Elmo's World these days. Everyday, his request is "Elmo show? Elmo show?" Little does he know, he's creating his own little world himself. Today, we went to a local pumpkin patch. I don't even think he noticed the pumpkins or cared that they were there. He found a bean bag toss on the premises, and that was all she wrote. You can see how much fun he had doing his thing. So, needless to say, I was hoping to get some cute pumpkin patch shots of him for this blog, but he decided to show off his cute, busy boyish personality instead!

Disclosure: This video is a bit long, but the beginning is a "must see". I caught him on his toy phone, chatting to who knows who. He's at a very cute age with always something going on!

This evening, we went as a family to the Alachua County Fair to help our denomination's local association spread The Word and pass out tracts with toiletries to the workers there. These workers stay in one county for 6 weeks at a time, then move on to the next county for another 6 weeks. They're basically like gypsies and many of them sleep at their booth/ride when the fair is closed overnight. It was sad to hear of so many needs, especially spiritual ones, but it gave us a burning in our hearts to continue on in sharing and in lifting up their needs. I hope we have more opportunities to be involved like this locally. One bright moment of the evening was when Aaron was freed from his stroller and made good use of his free time. He loves balls, as you know, and a balloon is just so much like a ball, it seems to serve the same purpose right now, just in slow motion, which works for him. He had a great time!

Hair Accessories, Quilts & Somersaults

Zoe often wakes up with her crib toys attached to the velcro strap of her helmet. She has no idea they're there and wonders where her dolly ran off to...


It really bothers Aaron that toys get stuck to Zoe's helmet strap. He's very helpful in pulling them off and she could care less either way.


My Little Drummer Boy


Zoe's Quilt Completed


The Girls


Have you seen my shoe?

Bruises, Smiles & Quilts

Lately, Aaron has been great at using his words to communicate. "Mow peas" is one of his favorites. Usually he's asking "More please" about a cookie or a "tia" (tortilla).


Here's Zoe posing with all smiles in her fall attire.


Let me explain. First of all, Aaron enjoys sitting in Zoe's Bumbo seat (Zoe's thighs can barely fit in it anymore). I want to point out a few more observations about this picture. He's grasping a ball in each hand. He's watching his "show" (that's the only way I was able to get him sitting still for a picture). He's got a scraped knee from going full force down the driveway (again). And he's got a bruise dotted right smack dab between the eyes and I have no idea how he got it. He's all boy!


Aaron made sure Zoe had a ball in her hand, too.



Zoe's quilt so far.



Aaron's quilt so far.

Remove the Peas, Please

Sometimes motherhood feels like being a pro-bono waitress at a 24-hour diner, only you have to wipe their bums, too. One particular dinnertime, Aaron decided he no longer wanted his peas and pears in his sight, so when I didn't remove them from his tray at once, he proceeded to scream at me and throw them on the freshly mopped (which is a rare occurance these days) tile floor. That was the last straw for me after a long day of kid fit pitching, and I grumbled quietly to myself about having just cleaned the floor and "the prince" splattered peas all over it. I was down on my hands and knees, scrubbing the smooshed peas up and trying to wipe up pear juice, when I suddenly felt a little hand softly rubbing my back. I looked up to see Aaron stretching himself over the side of his high chair, smiling down at me, saying something really soft and sweet in pre-toddler babble that in my mind meant "I love you and appreciate everything you do for me, Mama". Now, I know that's surely not what he said, but his response toward me while I was having my own inward little tantrum was just what I needed. All I could do was laugh at myself for my frustration, and enjoy a sweet moment with my son. I don't have any photos for this blog, as I only have the one of his sweet little face smiling down on me imprinted in my mind. But I think you can imagine the scene... =)

Fudge Face & Leaning Tower of Zoe

Aaron saw me eating a fudgepop and used his manners and asked "peas" (translated please) so I let him go for it - that is, AFTER I took off his shirt! He ate the entire thing and even licked the stick. Yum!


Alright, so this is the best I could do for now. Zoe is technically sitting up now, but only for about half a minute, and then she starts "the lean" and I've got to catch her.

Not too much else going on for us this week...just more of the same - eat, sleep, poop, eat sleep, poop, repeat. =) I am working on quilts for the kiddos though. If they start to look more like quilts, then maybe I'll post them for all you curious birds. =)

Daddy Kisses

Everybody loves The Daddy...


...and some of us also love the camera!


Taking GeeGee's picture with what he thinks is a cell phone camera maybe? Not sure, but she doesn't seem to mind him being in her space.


I was trying to take a profile picture to compare with the one prior to her consistently wearing her helmet to see if there's progress, but she turned her head at the last minute so she could give a nice pose. =)