Wintry Days at Home

You would think that after not blogging for over a week, I would have some stories of a terrific vacation or other exciting adventures. But no, we’ve just been home, occasionally venturing out to playgroup, exercising at the gym (Eli actually gets EXCITED when we’re there – he’s come a long way since he was 11 months and screaming in the kids club. Charlie is warming up to the idea. Slowly.), running a few errands, seeing friends. But no exotic trips, despite our great desire to escape this cold place and visit family or friends in warmer locales.

Other things keeping me busy - I’ve had some freelance deadlines and have also decided to donate photography sessions to a few school auctions in our area, partly to be nice and help the schools, and also to make new contacts for future photography sessions. The first auction is this Saturday, so I’ve been scrambling to get my site together and figure out some sort of publicity/postcards that people can take if they’re interested in a session outside of the auction.

On to the pictures. You know I have a bunch since the last post was a while ago… :)

Eli dressed up after church on Sunday. I love his cute tie. Though keep in mind this is after church, so his tie is loose and shirt untucked.

Later in the afternoon, this guy was so pooped. But not willing to take a nap, just lay on the couch and watch a show. Eli is my stubborn non-napper :)

The day before, we picked up Davey for the weekend and went bowling. Eli LOVES bowling and had a blast. Here he is with the ball helper thing.

It was so sweet to see him cheering each time, even if none of the pins went down.

Meanwhile, Charlie was practicing the art of narrowly not getting his fingers smashed between the bowling balls.

It is hard to bowl with a 1-year-old who wants to wander where he pleases. Eli was trying to keep him in check, which wasn’t really working. Do you see that sad scratch on Eli’s cheek? He tripped and fell on the sidewalk as we were walking into the bowling alley, poor guy.

Cheering once again -

Davey is a serious bowler and usually bowls in a league every Saturday morning. He beat us all, I think with a 117?

He also did a good job of wrangling our busy Charlie.

Back at home on a different night, I think maybe Monday evening? These are Ben’s eyes at the end of the day. Tired. But happy to be home. And Charlie is the blanket snuggler, it’s very sweet.

He is also sporting the shirt that is too big for him (sizes on kids clothes can be so wacky sometimes) -

Charlie is still dragging his birthday balloon around the house – it makes him light up when he sees that funny thing.

We’ve tried to use the potty off and on, especially on days when we’re mostly just at home all day. It’s sort of working.

Eli likes to string the markers together, like this:

And Charlie is constantly chewing on something.

I love how his jammies scrunch up after sleeping in them overnight. Jennie Blum, if you’re reading this, know that I think of you every time I put these on my little guy! They are my fav. pjs.

More things in his mouth.

Charlie also likes to open boxes. This is potty #2. Eli’s preschool teacher, Nancy, suggested we have a potty on both floors. I decided what the heck, she’s right, it would be easier than schlepping the one poppy up and down constantly. And have I confessed my love for Amazon Prime? I love it. Love it. Love it. There you go.

Here’s Eli coming home with his other preschool teacher, Rebekeh, who gave him a ride home on the “big blue bus.” Normally she gives him a ride in the morning (since Charlie’s napping then) and then I pick him up, but Charlie was sleeping funny that day and she offered to give him a ride home too. Thank you!!!

Eli loves the big blue bus (her blue minivan). I love it too.

Now we’re back to Charlie on a different morning, when he snuck into the cookie jar and was helping himself. I’d like to think he was learning his letters at the same time. At least that makes me feel better that he’s consuming all of that sugar at 8 a.m. (I’m totally kidding of course)

Back to the things Charlie chews series. Water bottles…

Little toys that are probably choking hazards, but I promise I’m watching him…

Next is the “brothers interacting series.”

Eli: “Here Charlie! Pass me the ball!”

Charlie gives it to him, and Eli immediately takes possession and doesn’t give it back.

Then he runs away (it’s blurry, but he’s in the family room, about to throw the ball behind the couch).

Charlie is extremely disappointed and starts crying. Eli walks back to him with a slight smirk, little stinker!

He acts so innocent sometimes, but I know he likes to tease Charlie too. Eli is also obsessed with the random fliers/ads that come in kids’ dvd cases.

Later today, I decided to try to get some shots of the boys together. Hah! That was a lofty goal.

To Charlie’s credit, it was time for nap #2 and he wasn’t in the mood to have my camera in his face. I gave up and put him to bed.

And here’s Eli on the red potty. Yes, I’ve been keeping it in the office during the day because it’s sort of a central spot in the house. And our first floor bathroom is COLD. I don’t want to hang out in there all day long!

Eli went without a diaper all day and only had three accidents from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Not bad! He’s a pro at pooping in the potty (sorry, I know not all of you care about these details), can usually pee on demand (if I ask him to try and go to the potty), but sometimes has a hard time stopping it if he is playing and doesn’t notice that he’s going.

It’s okay, I feel happy we’re making progress at least. Happy February!