Clever Little One

Don't remember the exact location, but the other day we were heading home from a family outing when Elsie noticed some geese on the side of the road. Not wanting to miss a teachable moment, I asked her, "Hey Elsie, you know what a bunch of cows together is called?"

"Yup - a herd of cows."

"That's Right!... So do you know what they call a bunch of geese together?"

"I don't know..."

"It's called a gaggle.. isn't that funny? A gaggle of geese!"

At this point, she goes on to quiz me on various species in the animal kingdom to see if I knew the correct plural term was.... (which I didn't fare so well with).... then the wheels started turning when she asks me,

"What do they call a bunch of cars together?"

"I'm not sure Elsie... what do they call a bunch of cars together?"

"Traffic."

Tricky little monkey.

Tis the Season

A couple of pics I snapped for fun.

Modified Elsie-ism

Elsie and I were going to head over to Halmuni's place for a little playtime. I got Elsie all bundled up and prepared to head out into the elements. When we got to Halmuni's place, I couldn't find a parking space really close so we had to walk (read: I had to walk while carrying Elsie). By the time we got to the front door, I was pretty chilled and Elsie was feeling it too.

Note: It was just about a year ago that Elsie exclaimed "my teeth are wobbly!", but a year has gone by and she has gained greater insight into exactly what was happening to her body.

She snuggled into my shoulder and whispered, "daddy, my teeth are going up and down, up and down, and up and down."

Just telling it like it is I suppose.

More Elsie-isms

Really quick - here are two of my favorite Elsie-isms.... mostly because they're just so cute.

1. Hurty - (v) something that is going to inflict pain on Elsie. If you take off my bandaid it's going to hurty!
2. Mines - (pro) used to indicate possession. That is yours and this is mines. (this actually makes a lot of sense).

Come Again?

Seeing as how there was an entire TV show dedicated to the funny and interesting things that kids say, you'd think that each parent could record dozens, if not hundreds of funny phrases being thrown around by their kids, but usually the moment passes and the moment that brought great laughter is completely forgotten.

Which brings me to this post. On one particular night, the same as so many others, Dana is heading upstairs with Elias around bedtime, and it's also time for Elsie to head up to get ready for bed too. I say to Elsie, "hey honey, it's about time to start heading upstairs to get ready for bed... Elias is heading to bed, and you should too."

What do you think a 'typical' response would be? "No," "yes," "I don't want to go to bed," etc....

What do I get as a response?

"Daddy, I'm not a fan of upstairs."

Her tactic worked as it took me at least 15 or so minutes to regain my composure and stop laughing.

Well played little one, well played.

It's Already Been a Year

One year. A year filled with wonderful moments... the pictures to follow are actually from three different events. The first one was at Halmuni's place - pretty low key as we were all recovering from the stomach bug (which we would then give to Halmuni). Then we had a party at our place... which can probably be traced to at least 2 more cases of the stomach bug. Then we had an impromptu photo session with the kids to take pictures in their han-boks before they got old enough to get their driver's licenses.

Big boy

Posing for the camera (not really)

Opening presents!

Getting a little help from sister

Sugary goodness

Cupcakes by mom

Focus

You're supposed to eat these?

Squishy fun

Getting dressed by Halmuni

Sitting still for a moment

Elias and Dana

Posing with Halmuni

Remember these days

Loving siblings (so far)

aaaaand, we're done.

A smile for the road

Elias - we love you. You are a great blessing from God and we are thankful for every day we have with you.

*poof* 2 Months Goes By

It's no mystery that time flies.

It seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating Elsie's 3rd Birthday... but now it's 8 weeks later! I don't think it's having a lack of things to write about, but rather, being so caught up living life that we seldom find time to take a step back and think or talk about life. That's when I remembered that this is not simply a scratchpad for us, but also (hopefully) a collection of snapshots throughout Elsie and Elias' lives for them to be able to revisit later in their lives.

SO, having said that, the last two months have been very fun, challenging, and wonderful. We've had some sicknesses run through the house (RSV - respiratory somethingerother virus) which turned Elsie into a barking seal and contender for the longest continuous snot-stream to exit a human being.

Elias also has been dealing with his first cold, but it has been concurrent with the introduction of 6 new teeth. Yes, you read that correctly - SIX. Poor little guy is going from 2 teeth to 8 in one fell swoop. Little overachiever. This does, however, explain why he has been slightly less than interested in eating, sleeping, or smiling.... but thankfully mostly all of those teeth have cut now and he's back to being himself... whatever that means as he seems to be changing daily.

Christmas Time

Wow. It's been over two weeks since we've posted anything on here. So much to report! Elsie got a job, Elias is driving, and Abbey the cat has turned over a new leaf and is a cuddly-cat.

These are all lies, some further from the truth than others.

It was a really good (and quiet) Christmas. We spent the day at home and just lounged around and relaxed throughout the morning. Halmuni Candy came over a little later and we all watched the Nutcracker on DVD and then shared a nice dinner. It was one of the more low-key and mellow times we've had in a while, but it was really nice.

Getting ready for......

First exposure to sticky buns... not of the diaper variety.

Elias doing his favorite thing.... besides eating and pooping of course.

He really is that happy.

Checking out her new kitchen.

Obviously about to say something really important.

Matching aprons - made by Halmuni.

You can't help but smile along.

Say What?

So, everyone knows that kids will ask a multitude of questions. Some out of genuine curiosity, and some out of the desire just because they know how to say "why?"

Well, on this particular evening, we were sitting at the dinner table having a conversation when Elsie stops and asks, "daddy, what's faith?"

I looked over at Dana with a big smile thinking... what a great opportunity.... but NOW what do I say?? I said a really quick prayer for a bit of wisdom and started thinking about Ephesians 2:8 and how we have faith in God and His son Jesus.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God..."

My prayer was answered in the form of a napkin.

I grabbed the napkin, wadded it up in my hand and asked Elsie, "Elsie, do you believe that I have a napkin in my hand?"

"Yes!"

I explained to her that she had faith and trust in the fact that there was a napkin in my hand even though she couldn't see it. Faith is knowing and believing without seeing I explained to her.

I know it was an imperfect analogy and will probably have to be revisited several times, but I'm thankful that her curiosity is providing opportunities to teach her.

Mangia! Mangia!

We just got back from spending the Thanksgiving holiday over in Moses Lake with the family. It was a ton of fun and provided many moments to remember. Some of the highlights:

• We have finally graduated from the 'kids' table. I was wondering if I was going to hit 40 before doing so.... made it by that much.  I also realize that I might very well be dispatched to the kids table once again if more senior ranking family members attend next year, but for now, we have shed the proverbial water wings and are swimming with the big fishies (I know, a terrible analogy, but you get what you pay for).
• We also took part in the annual post Thanksgiving ravioli making extravaganza. It's one of Dana's family's long-standing tradition to make hundreds and hundreds of raviolis from her grandmother's recipe (99 years old and in attendance!). It's a very fun tradition and one we hope to get Elsie and Elias involved in as soon as they're able. It's also pretty fun to sit down with the family and share a home-made meal with a nice glass of Chianti.
  

Did I Miss Something?

Yesterday I got home and was hanging out with Elsie while Dana was out with Elias.... at one point something apparently happened (maybe a look? a tone in my voice??) and Elsie proceeded to bury her head, face down in her blanket on the floor beside me. When I asked her what was the matter she replied through teary eyes, "I'm sad." I asked her why, and the most she could get out was, "I don't KNOW!"

She then crawled into my lap and we cuddled on her request.

Yup - she's 100% girl, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

New Coat

Elsie is soooo blessed to have a talented Halmuni. The pictures speak for themselves.

Ob-La-Di

Elsie singing her favorite part of one of her favorite songs. Is that redundant?

Hansville 2009

We recently took a little time away as a family. It was actually one of the first times that we went somewhere for not other purpose than getting away and spending some time together. It was awesome.

2009-Hansville

Elsie-isms

I know there are always a bunch of things that are forgotten over time, which is really a shame considering the moments of joy and levity they provide. Among those are the funny and cute things that children say.... just ask Bill Cosby (obscure reference for some).
So without further ado, here are some of the most memorable Elsie-isms produced to date (I know I'm already forgetting a bunch of them).

• "Kay you?" - Elsie's version of, "are you ok?" This phrase was usually accompanied by a gentle touch if you seemed to be distressed. Empathy at its finest.
• "You're my honey." - Elsie would sometimes tell me this.
• "Mmmmm, not really." - Her response to the question, "do you like mama's haircut." This was cute because it was more a reflection of reading 'Sam I Am' than an actual dislike for Dana's new haircut.
• "SAM I AM!!!" - Not really sure what synapses in her little mind created this game. Sometimes when getting undressed, she will get her arms out of her shirt, and if the shirt gets stuck pulling it over her head so it looks more like a hat, she will exclaim this loudly with lots of laughs.
• "Ok, ok, just minute!" - I have NO idea where she gets this...
• "Oh, I see." - This is her response to when we give her an answer to a question she asks. It's just cute to hear a 3YO say it.
• "My teeth are wobbly!" - This one came out just last night after getting out of her bath and before getting dried off. Chattering teeth.
• "I'm NAKED!!!" - ..........

Snapshot

I love my little girl. That's about all I have to say about that.

Like Peas and Carrots

Not much commentary needed. Evey and Elsie. BFFs.

A Sweet Moment

Today on the way home from church we had to stop at a store. Dana went in and me and the kiddos were hanging out in the car waiting.

As would be expected, Elias got a bit fussy and started squawking. What happened next was totally unexpected, but so sweet that it almost made me tear up.

Instead of getting irritated or, even worse, joining in the cry-fest, Elsie leaned over to him as far as the straps of her car-seat would allow and tells him, "it's ok baby-brother... it's ok - mama will be right back. Don't worry baby brother, mama misses you very much."

Pedicures For All

So Dana came back with a fresh pedicure today and when Elsie saw her toes she exclaimed, "oh mommie, your toes are beuuuuuutiful!"

Dana then asked, "let me see your toes!"

Elsie shrunk with a, "my toes aren't beautiful."

*heartbreak*

So - Elsie got her first nail job. At first she was a little freaked out and thought it was going to hurt, so I volunteered to have one of my toes painted. Not only did it allay her fears, but I feel so much prettier too.

Not really, but it's all in the day of a daddy.

Elsie's First Bus ride

Today, me and Elsie went on a spur of the moment adventure. She got to ride on a bus for her first time! We went from the W. Seattle junction to Pike Place Market.

Elsie was a little nervous about riding the bus at first, but eventually settled in and had a great time. She was quick to point out Mt. Rainier as well as the Space Needle.

Once at the market, she was pretty overwhelmed by all the commotion and people, but did great.

Eventually it was time to head home and we picked up a fresh bouquet of flowers to take home for Dana… it was a great day being a dad.