Brainy Builders

Last week we signed Eli up for an after school activity called Brainy Builders. It's a cool 'playing with a purpose' group that meets once a week to build with legos and similar manipulatives. There is always a 'task' that usually involves fun and creativity.

Yesterday was Eli's first meeting and he loved it. Each child was given the instruction to build a bird, on their own. The teacher opened the class by discussing a "base" through balance, width, and height. She used the example of her feet as a base for her body, and moved them around to show how they affected her ability to stand up or fall down.

Eli got to name his bird too (I believe it was "Squaky"), which is always a challenge. Both kids have been less than creative in the name department to date. Maddux usually names her animals 'pig', or 'mouse', no matter how much coaxing or example-giving I do.

The teacher sent a few pictures (low-res) for us to enjoy; she's making my blogging-job easy :)

Maddie, At Her Best

The past two weeks have been Maddie, Maddux, Mad Dog, all of the time. Of course I've forgotten most of the crazy things she's said and done, but a few have stuck around in my brain long enough to be recorded:

• "Schlums" Maddux calls her thumb a "schlum". She still sucks it when tired, so the word comes up often enough. Specifically when she's got nail polish on. I tell her that it will come off if she sucks her thumb, and also that I won't paint her fingernails if she sucks her thumb. She often sucks for a moment (if there is paint on) and then pull her thumb out, look at it and say, "Da paint is still on my schlum!"
• "Abocado" Self explanatory. I love how she says this. And I've learned with both kids that if I correct them, they will learn the right way to say it and that makes me sad because I no longer get to hear their cute way of saying certain words. So for now, I don't correct Maddie anytime she says 'abocado'.
• "Struttin" If you've seen Mad Dog walk, you know she has a strut. Sometimes it's silly, sometimes it's a swagger, but it's always 'loud' and visual. The other day we were walking out of the Y and Maddie was doing her usual, swinging her shoulders as she walked. This time she'd worked her hands into her pockets as well, making it all that much 'more'. She was so into her walking that a woman actually commented on her and her personality. No new news here!
  

Capital "A", Audacious

Maddux is the kid I always wished I was. She walks into a social situation with no fear and not only makes friends, but leads those new friends. So far this seems to be a good thing, as I've not seen her in a 'bossy' role with friends-for-a-day as of yet. Take today, for example. She and I were at a small park playing. Two other children approached, around her age, so I backed off to allow mingling. Maddux immediately went up to them and (I'm pretty sure these were her exact words) said, "Hey you, y'wanna play?" For the next twenty minutes the three of them played without any arguments or out-of-control behavior. It was beautiful. And my daughter was the one 'leading' the play most of the time, but she'd toned her voice and actions down a few notches to meet their calm dispositions. Amazing. I think that's why Mad Dog does so well socially: she knows when and how to alter her presence to fit with the situation.

Just a few hours later we went to her first ballet lesson. The studio I chose is a very 'strict' one with a specific dress code and 'manner' code. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sweating this one. Images of Maddux being (politely) asked to leave due to her volume and silliness crossed my mind. But when I put her hair in that little bun and we walked into the waiting room, she instantly fell into a calmer, shyer Maddux. Maybe not shy, but just not so audacious. (And I LOVE how audacious she normally is; don't get me wrong!!) She had a great class and walked out of the room as calmly as she walked in. Amazing. Because you know two minutes out of the studio she was singing silly songs and strutting her crazy strut as she usually does.

House

Here's an update to explain why blogging, emails, phone calls, thank yous, home-cooked meals, birthday cards, and other common courtesies have gone by the wayside for the last three months:

2010 08 House Update from Nicole Eliason on Vimeo.

(Sidenote: you will see our names written on the framing. I wrote all but Eli's because he wrote his own. The writing looks the exact same. Yup - that means my handwriting is equal to a 4-year old's. Awesome.)

**Design by Steve Kemp, Kemp Hall Studio. Frank Sullivan, General Contractor.**

Updates

Obviously this home renovation is cramping my blogging style - no time anymore! And when I do have time, I always seem to forget what it was I wanted to blog about. Thank goodness I can look back through twitter at some of the Maddie-isms to recap on those days!

• Maddux and I were checking out a bakery today for Eli's birthday. I just realized that I won't be able to make him a cake this year (no oven or kitchen), so cupcakes for the pool are on the menu. I'd told Mad Dog that we were *just looking*, but that we'd eat the cupcakes in a few weeks when it was Eli's big day. As I was trying to get her out of the car in the parking lot, she was messing around in the backseat, playing with Eli's toy compass and lolly-gagging. She said, "I just looking at what time it is........ Oh look!!!! It's time to get cupcakes!" And with that she put the toy down and came right to me. Goofball to the max!
• Maddux knows that when we go to the gym, I often take a class in the room right next to her playroom. When we leave, she always asks, "Is that where your school was?", and she usually asks if I was doing what the people in there at that moment are doing. This week they had a yoga class in there as we left. After I told her what kind of class it was, she said, "I wanna go to the yogurt class!" Even after I corrected her twice, she still insisted on calling it that. Of course.
• Eli has been slowly but surely finding his inner artist over the last few months. One day at the gym he colored a pre-drawn sheet perfectly in the lines, and even insisted on bringing it home to finish it. (This is the same kid who usually scribbles a little near the lines and says, "DONE!" Not only have I found drawings in Eli's backpack each day, but he has a very descriptive answer for me when I ask what they are. And he usually puts them in his room so he can work on them more later.
  
• My new Kindergartner is a sleeeeeeepy kid. Eli has always been the child that needs 12-hours at night, desperately. Now that he's in school all day (not to mention getting up at 6:20 each morning), he has gone back to napping more days than not. A few days ago he napped for 45-minutes, and then when I woke him to come to my room and hang out while I got ready for evening plans, he fell back asleep (amidst me getting ready, Maddux playing right next to him, and massive construction noises including a nail gun, a generator, and an electric saw) for another full hour. The good news is, he usually knows when he needs that sleep. After a quick debriefing after school and a one-on-one book, Eli has about 45 minutes of room time where he can choose to read, color, play or snooze. When he snoozes, he even takes it upon himself to close the blinds. I love that little man!!!
  

Manis & Pedis

So I've struggled the last two days to fill our mornings with fun, time-passing activities. We are sequestered to our bedrooms given the heat and the renovations, so out-of-house activities are preferred. For some reason I'm having a hard time coming up with enough of them to last me until Eli comes home. I blame the heat. If it weren't 150% humidity, Maddux and I would be park-ing it a lot, or at least going for hikes and/or walks, but it's ri-don-kerous out there!!

This morning I asked a friend if she and her daughter wanted to get together for a bit...a good play date ought to help! She suggested letting the girls get their nails done and I thought it was a great idea. We went to a shop nearby that gave us mommy pedicures and mini manis and mini pedis all for $35/family. Good stuff!! Maddux picked out pink and purple...I think the pink is on her toes and the purple-ish is on her fingers. Then the nail tech painted a few small flowers on some nails, but most of them look a little 'finger paint' like now, due to Maddux not letting them totally dry. That being said, she did REALLY well. Both Maddux and Anni sat very still while the women put lotion on their toes, scuffed the bottoms of their feet (even though I know it tickled) and painted their little nails. They even cut Maddux's fingernails, which was great because they were getting too long anyway.

Great 'girl' date for us, and Maddux had a blast. Life is good.

Rainy Days

First Day

So much emotion. Wasn't quite prepared for how much, given that I've been trying to be in denial as much as possible. That was quite easy to do since we've had so much to distract us this summer, and especially this week, but this morning I could pretend no longer. We got Eli's backpack all loaded up last night. I made him a lunch in his new lunch box. And Eli laid out his first day outfit (picked totally by him). He was fine until it came time to tuck him in, and then he got a little nervous. He doesn't really voice it that way, but Eli has a certain look that is a dead giveaway for Lehr and I. Even as he told Lehr he was excited, we saw the nervous look.

This morning we woke up both kids right around 6:20AM. Waaaay early for them. Given the early time, Eli was a little on edge. His nervousness and apprehension comes out in the form of details. When he is scared, he needs everything to be 'as it should', and if it's not, then he gets upset. This morning he started to get teary and worked up because we were waking Maddux up and she's not supposed to get up with him before school; she's supposed to sleep in. We reminded him that this was a very very special day which was why she was getting up; she wanted to walk to the bus stop with him to wish him luck. He eventually calmed down, but it could have been ugly. (I've found that just leaving him to settle on his own works much better than reasoning with him when he gets this way. He will come around really quickly if I state the facts and then leave the room.)

We all went down to the garage to have a quick send-off breakfast for Eli. (A special muffin and berries.) I then brought Eli over by the washer and got down on his level. We talked about the "special kiss" we do sometimes, where I kiss inside his palm so he has it if he needs it during the day. I also made a small envelope with a heart on the front. I told him I'd put another kiss inside there. I then put the envelope in his pocket so it would be there whenever he needed it during the day. He grinned ear to ear, making my heart melt.

When we were done, we loaded Eli's backpack on him (so full of school supplies that he didn't have room for his lunch box!), put on his first-day badge, and left the house. We walked up the hill to the bus stop to wait for the big yellow vehicle. I am SO glad that Eli got to take a test drive on the bus with Lehr yesterday morning. He already knew the driver and the other kids on the bus already, which made him boarding it easy. He was all smiles and excitement most of the time, but a few moments while we were waiting found him with his 'nervous face'. But when that bus pulled up, he was Mr. Brave and crossed the street with a neighbor. On the bus he went without so much as looking back and away they went. Gulp. I LOVE that he wasn't clingy or overly nervous, but it was still with mixed emotions that I watched him walk away.

After an eternity of watching the clock, the magic time finally rolled around and Mad Dog and I walked up the hill to wait for the bus. When it arrived Eli was the first one off of it and crossing the street. Same big smile, same twinkle in his eye. He had a great day and he was very excited about it. Eli said he played some fun games (a funny sing-song voice: "Whaaaaat's Your Naaaame?"), ate lunch with a new friend, he claims he fell asleep during 'quiet time', and he played basketball in PE. Eli also told me that he reached for his 'kiss envelope' a few times during the day, but he wasn't really sad. I'm so proud of my big Kindergartner!

Anticipation...

Ugh. Stomach turning. Thoughts racing. Sleep escaping. And it's not even the first day of school yet.

This week has been full of back-to-school activities. I took Eli to get some new clothes at Old Navy and Target. He was so excited to pick out clothes off of the rack. (Normally Mommy just shops the sales on OldNavy.com and a brown box arrives with new clothes for the kids which they try on at home. Eli was totally blown away by walking into a store and trying on clothes in a fitting room only to take them home. What a concept!) We picked a few pairs of shorts and a few shirts; shoes arrived via mail a few weeks ago. (Old habits are hard to break!) Then we picked out a back pack (McQueen) and lunch box (IronMan). Today we will go get a few last minute things and tomorrow Eli will get on that big yellow bus and stay away for almost eight full hours. Ouch.

As I type this, Eli and Lehr are on that bus. They boarded at 7AM this morning for a practice run which will loop all the stops, go to the school and then come back to drop them off. And I'm already getting separation anxiety! (Speaking of which, Lehr just texted me a grainy picture of Eli sitting on the bus with our neighbor, chatting it up...he's fine, of course.) Eli has been doing a type of school for a few years now, but the time away from home each day was so short, especially when you factored in my driving him to and picking him up from the school. Tomorrow starts a whole new ball game and I'm not sure if I'm ready.

We went to Meet-N-Greet yesterday so that Eli could meet his teacher and see his classroom. He was very excited to see his name on his desk and check out the classroom (especially the computers). Then last night, Mommy got to go and meet with the teacher to learn about what their day will look like, what the procedures are, etc. I got choked up at least twice. My baby, my first born, my little man is growing up SO fast and I can barely stand it. I ask Eli daily to stop growing and he usually promises me he will. If only he could keep that promise.....

This Little Light Of Mine...

I hear that song in my head whenever Maddux 'performs'. That's pretty much every day, but I still hear it :)

After lunch today, Maddux pulled out these cards from VBX. She got them over a week ago and we've not seen her use them at all yet. We also have not practiced this verse since before our trip. Mad Dog pulls them out, shows me her 'song' and doesn't miss a beat. Amazing.

Beach Days

It's been too long. House stuff, schedules and oil spills have kept us away from our favorite beach spot for almost a year. This weekend we took a quick road trip back to our hometown in Central Florida. Eli hadn't been there since he was 1 1/2 and Maddux had never made a visit, so we figured it was time.

The first day found us at an old favorite right after breakfast: Picnic Tables beach in the Cocoa Beach area. (Most of the beaches are nicknamed goofy things like "2nd Light" or "Picnic Tables".) Mom-Mom and Nana joined us and we made quite a day out of it. Big big sun kept us covering the kids in sunblock and using a few umbrellas down by the water's edge. Maddux had a blast picking up shells, running to the water (and then back) and building castles. Eli, however, was much more interested in the waves. Mom-Mom brought a boogie board for him to use, and use it, he did.

Eli's relationship with the waves this weekend started at the sandy edge. He would put the board on the ground and stand on it, crouching down like I showed him when the waves came in. This entertained him for most of the day as the varying degree of difficulty was a constant challenge. Somewhere near the end, Eli allowed me to take him a little further out and push him in, true boogie boarding style. He had a blast. Eli rode four or five in without stopping...smiling the whole time and telling me, "That's really fun!!"

We left the beach and the kids fell asleep IMMEDIATELY (it was 4pm, after all). We let them snooze for a half hour or so before stopping at Nana's to shower for dinner. We met some friends at a beach-side spot and both kids (again) had a good time playing in the sand.

The second day was full of drums and sand. We stopped at Grandpa Ed's studio first so the kids could see their generous gift (a small-sized drum set) and play a few tunes. We then went to the beach down by the Port. We got to see two cruise ships leave while we were there, creating a wall of boat. The kids weren't too impressed, even though I told them the boats were each bigger than our church. The kids continued with their beach madness, running in the water, playing in the sand, and having a blast. Eli stepped it up and got on a surfboard with Daddy a few times. He rode it in, boogie board style, as many times as Lehr and/or Russell would push him in. He even stood up on it a few times, while Daddy held it in the water. And don't count Mad Dog out. She rode the waves a few times as well. The problem was, wipe outs shook her up more than Eli, so she didn't last as long.

Our last day was less sun. We decided to stay away from the beach until dinner time, saving the fun for low-sun hours. We did take a quick trip to Nana's pool after breakfast to visit her friends. The kids had a great time, showing off their swimming and jumping skills. Maddux managed to fall on the hard poolside once, but no major injuries to report. After short naps, we drove down to an old high school hangout: 5th Avenue. We met Mom-Mom for pizza at one of our favorite spots followed by a quick walk through Longboard House. After the kids ate pizza they entertained us by dancing around like goofballs. They're pretty good at that. At the surf shop I got Eli his first pair of 'real' baggies and a few shirts. Maddux ran around ('hands 'hind my back') shopping for herself.

Going down there after the sun went down was a GREAT idea. We were able to let the kids play as long as they wanted without fear of sunburn - brilliant! Eli was in and out of the waves; this beach had a much quicker drop off, but he still had a good time. And Maddux made friends, as she often does, with a nearby set of siblings playing in the sand.

Lehr and I were most impressed on this trip by the kids' comfort level around the water. While we've seen a few waves in Watercolor, this trip to the beach showed them the power of the water more than ever. The tide pulled Maddux at her feet several times, knocking her over and attempting to drag her out to deeper waters. Eli took so many face-fulls of wave over three days that it's amazing he's not water-logged. Yet neither stopped going to the ocean seeking fun. Eli only 'complained' twice, and both times were real doozies. Eli was even comfortable enough to 'swim' around the second day, doing his version of flips and dive-unders in waist to shoulder depth water. So so cool to see the confidence both of them has.

VBX Week

I already blogged so much about it, but tonight was amazing as well. I had to take team photos most of the night, so I didn't get to spend as much time with Maddux, but she had a blast again. I posted a picture last night, but didn't talk too much about her favorite part of the evening: the parachute. She LOVED it. Not only did Maddie have a blast shaking it, but running under it, making it into a 'tent' and doing the wave all fell under her 'favorite' category for the night.

So Eli's group got to do a ropes course, balance beam, crafts and a scooter-ish race. He LOVED that part. Each child sat on a small skateboard square and pushed with their feet backwards to compete. Eli totally won....no clue where that coordination came from, but he was totally in control. His group (Nile) also got to visit the S'mores station. Although they didn't get to hang out in the tent like many other groups, they were able to enjoy a camp treat, which Eli loved.

It was really neat to see Eli's older friends seek his attention. A few weeks back we went to one of Lehr's gigs and Eli was a magnet to an older boy we know. Well tonight that fine young man was calling out Eli's name, making sure he got fitted for a helmet, etc. It was really, really cool to see, as this boy is at an age when most kids couldn't be bothered by a 4-year old.

To end the night, Mad Dog added to her temporary tattoo collection. So far we have a ladybug, a killer whale, and a trio of hearts. All on one arm. I think she's aiming for a sleeve.

As always, the rally was great. Eli told me later that doing the hand motions is his favorite thing about VBX. And both kids know the songs inside and out; they sang them all day yesterday.

Like An Otter

Eli loves to swim. He's had great success with it this year, aided by one set of lessons during the cold months and a 3-week summer session with the same instructor he had last year. Although his form still leaves much to be desired, he is really into it, and he's come amazingly far. Mostly just by being around so many kids that are swimming. The stuff he picked up happened outside of lessons, but the lessons definitely strengthened his skill set. The one area he never really succeeded in was the back float. Every time Eli's been in a class, for two years now, he lies on his back, but then immediately starts to kick his feet or try to stand up. It's the whole falling feeling, I guess.

Fast forward to this morning when I took the kids to the pool. I suggested that Eli practice his front float, flip to his back. (He really got good at that this summer, even though he barely flipped to his back before he'd stand up.) Eli obliged and shocked me. He not only kept his head in my hand for more than a second, he didn't move a muscle and totally floated on his own. Yeah.....but I had my hand there, right? We did it again without any help from me and the same thing. Like an empty sponge he just hung out on top of the water for a LONG time. I made him do it again and again.....I was so excited! I have no clue what brought this on since we haven't been to the pool in about a week, but I'm loving his new confidence in this area!

Ver-Klempt!

That's the only word I can come up with to describe how I have felt several times this week.....

I started this blog about a month ago when we had a big meeting to discuss the upcoming VBX at our church. Lehr and I have volunteered at this for the last three years, but until now, the kids have 'just' been in childcare (or a Sunday school-type class) during the event. But THIS year, Eli is a rising Kindergartner, so he gets to participate in the real deal. Gulp. Not sure I'm ready for all of these big things! It was hard to sit through the meeting. When they presented the material to be covered, the interactive games to be played, and the songs to be sung, I was totally choked up. First of all, the team that worked so hard to put this program together (all from our church), did an amazing job. Amazing. Secondly, Eli would be soaking all of it in. He is that spongy type of kid that picks up on random billboards on the highway, and whispered words in songs, and other 'nothing' things that go over most people's heads. So when I saw how cool the study and presentation was, I knew that Eli would take every bit of it home with him. Oh so cool.

Now we find ourselves halfway through the week of VBX and it has lived up to every bit of expectation I had. The kids are getting such a great experience, and Eli is loving every minute of it. He is in a small group with about seven other small kids, two of which he knows really well. They meet up with all of the other VBX-ers (of all ages) in the auditorium for a 'rally' after dinner each night. This includes leader-games, music, skits, and lots of loud cheering. This is my biggest tear-up time. Seeing that huge room of excitement and life, and seeing my little man, my baby, in there.....no words do it justice. If you know Eli you know that he loves his music, but it is rare to see him let loose at church, or in other crowded, "big" arenas. Even though he knows the songs by heart, when Lehr plays on stage, Eli usually stands close to me and just watches instead of air drumming or dancing. But when they started playing the songs this week, the older kids had arm and hand movements that corresponded. Eli watched intently and started mimicking them right away. Wide-eyed, my little man put his hands up when they did, he spun around when they did, and he raised a fist and shouted "HEY! HEY!!" during one of the liveliest tunes. And he did all of it without any of his neighboring friends joining him. (Another HUGE plus for me since we've noticed a 'follower' trend with Eli in the past.)

The outdoor games allows for much fun for Eli. Even more so because they are all new to him. Sac races, tug-o-war, large puzzles, and team-board racing are opening his eyes to a whole new 'sport' that he doesn't even know is coming his way in the way of PE soon. So so cool.

And don't count Mad Dog out. She is in the pre-school room the whole time, but they are doing SUCH a great program as well. They have a lesson, they go to the rally, they play games. And she knows the verse and hand-motions even better than Eli. That girl is a sharp one as well, and I'm so glad she is getting to experience such creative and caring minds, even when she's *only* in childcare for such an event.

I can't possibly include all of the shots I've taken of the kids this week, but here is the link to the main library I created (which includes plenty of the kids).

Good, Good Times

Eli and Maddux are getting along well these days. REALLY well. So much so that the fights are now the exception rather than the rule. I know, as a sibling myself, that there is an ebb and flow, and 'this too shall pass', but I'll take it while it's here!

Last week after swim lessons one day, both kids went upstairs to change. Maddie can't do that herself, but Eli went with her so I started dinner and waited for her to come downstairs in a random state of dress and ask for help. A few minutes later they both came down and Maddux had on a flowered blueish shirt, a differently patterned pink and orange skirt, and a greenish knit hat I made her. Eli helped her pick the clothes and get dressed. (She cannot completely put shirts on by herself yet.) A few minutes later Eli told me, "I picked the hat...doesn't she look cute?" Then she sat down to put on shoes, exposing her underwear. Eli said, "Oops..guess I forgot to get her bloomers!!" Man, oh man. Life is good.

Summertime

WORD

Six months ago (or so), Lehr and I were reminded of the great SNL skit with Cameo (Tracy Morgan) doing a 'WORD' spot in a courtroom. Maddux caught on a little, but dropped it right away. Fast forward to last week when Uncle D taught it to her again. Of course this time it stuck. She has given me a "WORD!" several times this week:

• As I helped Maddux out of the car, I said, "I love you". She crossed her arms over her chest and said, "WORD!" in response.
• She pulled on a new shirt on her birthday. I told her it looked nice. She crossed her arms over her chest, looked at me and said, "Word".
• We get ice cream as a treat one night. She throws away trash and plays around the trash can. I tell her it's time to go and she leans to the side with an arm-cross, snarls her lip and says, "Word".

Next I expect her to throw in "..to your mutha..."

Best Friends

Not a day passes where I don't remind Eli and Maddux that they are each other's best friend. Sometimes it comes up because Maddux has been less than kind to Eli and after her time out I remind her that he is her best friend. Or Eli will refuse to share with her and I remind him that Maddie is his best friend and she'll always be there for him. On a REALLY good day, they remind me through their words (and actions, God willing).

Today was one of those days. We came home from the pool and I started dinner. Eli is obsessive about changing his clothes at least once a day, and after the pool is the perfect opportunity. He ran upstairs and Mad Dog followed right behind. A few minutes later I heard, "E-I!! Are you my bess friend?" My ears perked up to hear his answer which was, thankfully, "Yeah". Maddux then said, "Oh, gooood."

Man oh man....life is good!

Computer Time

Eli has really started to get interested in computers. We haven't done anything in the way of games on computers yet with the kids. They see me working on one every day, and we watch home movies or youtube clips on there from time to time, but that's the extent of their interaction. Recently I came across a small 'play' laptop that my nephew used 8 or so years ago. I passed it on to the kids and Eli is really into it. The games are not so easy to understand, and the concepts jump too abruptly from easy to difficult, but he loves to 'type' on it anyway. Over the weekend Eli became a bit obsessed with 'working' alongside of D. The two would sit on the couch next to each other and work away. Good times.

Bwaids

I've done Maddux's hair in ponytails for a while now, but only recently has it grown long enough to do braids. I did them for her one day and she loved it. Now she asks for them 'up' (like Pippy Longstocking) and 'down'. On her birthday I even did 2 french braids, though her hair is so fine, they didn't last long. My favorite part is that she calls them 'bwaids', and she walks around asking people, "Did you see my hair in bwaids?"