Asparagus, otherwise known as….

Last night at dinner I served roasted asparagus (which is actually a favorite with everyone).  At one point Eli reported that he was almost done with his 'asparagus', but we couldn't make out exactly what he called it.  After a few repetitions in order for us to hear how he was saying it, he got annoyed and decided to sound out each syllable for his slow parents.

He yelled, "SPA-GARE-A-GRIS!"

The Perfect Tree

We went hunting yesterday….

for the perfect tree….

 It was a group effort…. (by the way, democracy in tree picking is WAY overrated!)

We literally killed it…..

….and it's ours!
Merry Christmas!!

3 Score and Zero Years

Last night we celebrated my father's birthday.  The kids were not invited but somehow 

we managed to have a quiet, relaxing, enjoyable dinner without them.

Crushy

These are some recent Eli expressions….plenty of personality here!

In our family we have some words that I call 'bathroom' words. They are not to be used during every day family life and certainly not at the table, or in the car, or especially in polite company.  (Ladies, if you are having trouble thinking what words I might be referring to, just ask a male of any age that is nearby.  I feel certain they can name 4-5 of them without batting an eye.)  During the course of a day I may overhear these words and I have to remind the boys that I don't want to hear them because they are bathroom words.

Well, this week after a bath the older boys were huddled in their towels just outside the tub, I was busy cleaning up the tub and getting Marcus dried off when I heard Eli say a 'bathroom' word.  I automatically said, "Eli, I don't want to hear those words."  There was silence and then under his breath he said, "We're in the bathroom."
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A fews weeks ago when the Red Sox were playing Detroit, Steve overheard Eli offer the Tigers a trade.

Eli: "Hey Tigers!  How about we take Verlander and you take Dempster 'cuz he's crushy (which means lousy in Miller-speak)."

Big Boy!

This past week, Marcus has decided to start talking.  Still no 'mama' :(  but he has started to say truck-"rrrrrruck" and ball and a very clear "uh oh".  He is also most insistent to sit at the table with his brothers and feed himself with his own bowl, spoon and fork.

4 Years Old!

Yesterday, we celebrated Eli's birth and the wonderful addition he makes to our family!  I love his personality, the fire and fierce determination he displays.  It comes with a temper but also with a wonderful smile!

He continues to be a very natural athlete and loves to play baseball and football in our yard.  Elijah and Zach also spend hours each day playing pretend with animals, trains, cars and sport guys.

Happy 4th Birthday Eli!  We love you!!

I know it is off focus, but I love his pure delight over my simple cupcakes!

Homeschool Co-op

This year we have joined a homeschool co-op to provide some different class options as well as a social outlet for the boys.  The co-op offers a pre-K class for Eli, and Zach is enrolled in a geography/culture class as well as an art and gym class.

Fall Sports

This fall Eli is playing soccer and Zach chose to play flag football.  Saturday was the start of their games.  Here are some pictures from the day.

Pulling the flag!

Summer catch up

The Nelsons came to visit us in the beginning of August.  We spent our long weekend together at the boardwalk, beach and playing a lot of baseball (something new and different for us!)

Eli and Joel

Ice cream on the boardwalk

Then, at the end of the month we went to the Casler's for a fun weekend of trains and.... baseball!  While everyone enjoyed the train ride through Lancaster county, Eli especially loved it!  He was the perfect age and he has always been interested in trains, the combination created one excited almost-four-year-old.  It was really fun to enjoy the experience with him.

"All Aboard!"

There is a picture on Krista's camera of
Steve in this same pose.

Eli clutched his ticket the whole ride, afraid he might lose it like in Polar Express.

It begins!

Yesterday, our lot was empty.  Today, they are plotting out the house location, grading and I don't know what else.  This blog could very easily become a step-by-step chronology of the house building process but I will try to spare you.  The exciting thing right now is that it Has BEGUN!!

Reassurance

Over lunch today, the boys were discussing their favorite football teams and players.  Zach asked me why I didn't like Tom Brady.  Trying to be diplomatic, but also establish a few character development points, I tactfully explained that I didn't like how he treated women.  Zach would not let me get away with that vague of an answer and he pressed me to explain further.  So, I added that Brady only dates a lot of really, really beautiful women and that he doesn't plan on marrying any of them.

While Zach tried to process this, Eli chimes in, "Don't worry mom.  You're not very pretty and you kind of look like a boy!"

Awesome.

Something about Spaghetti

It seems that all of our blog-worthy-dinner-
moments happen over spaghetti.  Perhaps I should serve it more often because these were two of tonight's gems:

Eli (praying): "Dear Heavenly Father.  Daddy is going to the shelter tonight.  We have spaghetti tonight and spoons and forks.  Amen!"

A little later during the meal, Steve made a rude noise at the table and immediately said, "Excuse me."

I gave him 'the look' to which he responded, "Why are you looking at me all disappointed?"

Zach answered him, "She does that when you do stuff that she's already told you not to do."