Eli's Florida

We made our way to Orlando for our first vacation.  We went to Legoland, Sea World, the beach and Disney World.  Legoland was great for Eli.  His favorite part was getting a new set!  He had to get a black horse on the carousel and he was able to get it.  He got to play lego video games, drive cars, get wet and build Hero's.

Sea World was kind of a bust for Eli.  The animals weren't that interesting, there weren't a ton of rides for him and he was exhausted from LegoLand.  We rode Journey to Atlantis and the Empire of Penguins first thing and that was the highlight of the day.  They all got pressed pennies and penny holders from near the sea lions.  None of them wanted to fee the sea lions the fresh fish though.  Eli perked up a little bit when we saw the Orca's, but they were done early that day.

The beach was up next and Eli was most interested in building a sand castle.  He kept running to the water to grab water and sand to help hold his castle together.  They didn't really like the sea weed and got their fill of salt water.  The banana boat ride seemed like it would be fun.  Eli was able to hold on the entire time, but kept falling into the middle.  He was happy to relax and play at the beach.  It was enough to get him recharged and ready for Disney.

Disney started off well and got better the first day.  Eli lasted the entire day at Disney, which was a surprise.  I didn't think he could make it.  We started with Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain.  The kids liked those.  Next was Eli's knight makeover.  He was most excited about getting a shield and sword, but he got his hair spiked and glittered.  He now wants to have his hair spiked during his next haircut.

After lunch we went to visit Belle and Eli got to be Maurice, Belle's dad.  He also got to take a picture with Belle.  He didn't like it when I asked if Belle was his girlfriend now!  He got to drive Grandpa around on the tomorrowland raceway.  Spin in the tea cups and ride a few more rides before dinner and the Electrical parade.  Eli had enough before the parade began, but he was able to relax and liked the paraged once it started.  He was ready to go the next day.

The next day we started off with Space Mountain, which, at the time, Eli declared was his favorite ride.  We did a few other rides.  Finished with the Tiki room, jungle cruise (were Eli got to keep the snakes in the box by sitting on the hatch) and Hall of Presidents.  Everyone was done around 2 or 3.  We went back to the house and the kids relaxed and had dinner before we headed home on Friday.  Other than the 2 hour delay for the flight, everything went well.  Eli got to see the ocean on the way home out his window and liked flying in general.  Overall, he enjoyed the trip.

Kuk Sool Won

At the beginning of the year Eli started taking Kuk Sool Won.  Eli has always been interested in rough housing.  To direct this in a better way, he tried a class in the fall to see if he was interested.  He liked it and started taking classes in January.  He passed his yellow stripe test and is ready to take his yellow belt test this month.  Shockingly, he is still interested.  He even went to the seminar with the Grandmaster.  He was excited just to get to see him because he knew he was the highest rank.  The only time Eli had a little difficulty was when he was doing soccer and Kuk Sool Won at the same time.  Both activities at the same time got to be a little too much for him.  He made it through both activities a little worn out, but seems interested doing both in the fall again.  We'll see how that goes.

He's run into a few issues with being unsure of himself.  He was upset at his first testing because he had never done one before and it was a difficult testing for everyone.  We had so many white belts in the last class that all the yellow stripes moved to the back.  He'd never been in the back before and got upset with that.  He's been working on learning to tie his uniform and belt.  That has caused some issues as well, but he's learned how for the most part.  Overall, he really likes it and has grown into it.  Maybe he'll get the black belt he says he wants.  Only time will tell.

Growing Up

I like to refer to my trio as my “babies,” but sadly, they aren’t babies anymore. Eli is looking less and less like a little kid, while the other two are becoming opinionated and lippy at times. Eli just lost his first tooth the other day, and Christian is losing molars right and left. Tori is becoming very good at saying, “Mommy” and sighing in exasperation when I do something that doesn’t jive with her. Soon they will all be teenagers, doing their own thing and hiding out in their rooms. Time has flown by. Even relatives like their uncle Samm have remarked on how big they are getting.

Yesterday, my brother had his last kid, a girl named Josie. The five of us would like to congratulate him, and I personally would like to remind him to enjoy every moment. Before we all know it, Josie and her sister, Kenna, will be teenagers, and the rest of our broods will be young adults. Enjoy all of the days to come with your little Josie and congratulations, Travis & Diane.

Long Days

Christmas is getting closer and Eli is getting excited.  This year he got an Lego Advent calendar and has been faithfully opening the doors each day.  He doesn't cheat like his brother does and open the entire box at once.  He likes putting them together and seems to be enjoying it so far.  

He hasn't figured out who Santa is yet though, so we finally got a picture with him and Santa taken.  He wasn't scared and hopped on his lap without any trepidation.  After the picture, he and Santa discussed some things in very hushed tones.  Guess what he wants must be a secret. Luckily there wasn't a waiting line so he could take as long as he wanted.  When he was done he got an "unassembled snowman" as a treat.  It looked and tasted just like Marshmallows.  Santa gave him one for his sister too.

Eli is getting a soccer ball chair that has a foot rest.  When I brought it home, we weren't going to wrap the big presents, so I wrote his name on it.  It took him days before he saw his name on it and couldn't figure out what it was for and couldn't read the stuff I marked out on the box, so he has no idea what it is or why his name was on it.  I had to tell him the story we were told growing up about the boxes being empty until Santa filled them.  Eventually, we wrapped the big ones and now he doesn't question it.  The large wrapped gifts have made a great seat for the cats though.

Yesterday was Christian's Lego League all-day tournament and Tori's gymnastics class.  There was also the million and one errands to run.  Eli went to it all without much fuss.  He took games to Tori's class and was well behaved on the errands.  He spent most of the afternoon with Tori at Uncle Dale and Aunt Annie's while I finished the errands.  They had a good time and were exhausted.  Eli fell asleep in his bed with the light on around 10 and didn't get up til 8.  Nice for his parents.  

Only a few more weeks until Christmas break and Christmas itself.  Hopefully the 2nd week isn't a long series of "I'm bored" from Eli.  He'll have all his Christmas presents to play with.  Guess we'll see.

What a Scream

There are a lot of Halloween things to do in Peoria, but we tend to stay away from them. This weekend, however, we took the kids to Wildlife Prairie Scary Park. Christian opted not to go, but Tori and Eli got into their costumes and decided to give it a go. We got there around 6 and set off on the trick-or-treat trail. It was fairly long, but there was a lot to see, including some tents with scary stuff, and the kids seemed to have a good time. Along the way, we stopped for s’mores, which Eli did not care for, as well as a short story. Then, it was time to hop onto the train.

The train ride started with a walk through the Troll Bridge, which stopped the kids hard. Some person in a wheelchair was the troll, and I have to say that person was scary with their mask and their wings outstretched. Tori and Eli weren’t sure what to do, but eventually, they made their way around the troll. We stood in line for 20 minutes before finally getting onto the train. By this time, it was pitch black and the stage was set for fright. The train ride took about 15 or 20 minutes, during which tons of volunteers jumped out in costume to scare riders. At one point, we had to stop to wait for another train, and a guy dressed like Jason made Tori his target. He walked up to her and stared and stared. Tori squeezed me tight and waited patiently for him to target someone else. Meanwhile, Eli just kept telling people they were not scary. He had no issues telling every scary person who came up to him hello.

We finished around 8 and went home. The train ride made it all worthwhile I think. Tori and Eli are already talking about coming back next year. Huts can’t wait to take them to a haunted house one day. Good thing Christian chose not to come. I don’t think he would have been too fond of all of the thrills and chills.

One Quarter Down

The kids made it through their first quarter of school. They all did well, even Eli. He has turned into a good speller and is improving everyday with math and reading. He also has been a good kid. Every day, he comes home with a mini report, and it is usually green, pink or purple, all good colors on the behavior scale.

Last night, Eli went to a birthday party. He was the only boy there but had a good time anyway. At first, he did not want to play with the girls, but once Huts left for a sandwich down the street, Eli decided it was time to join them. When Huts got back, Eli was having fun with Deja and the others.

Eli got his cast off a couple of weeks ago. He was given a splint for school but got it dirty at the party last night, so he went without it today. The twins noticed it right away in latchkey this morning and demanded to see Eli’s wrist. He showed it to them, they saw it was ok, and off they went to play Legos. Guessing he is nearly done with that splint.

Broken/Party

Eli had his party this year with his friends at Monkey Joe's bounce house.  He got pizza and to meet Monkey Joe and bounce with his friends in the place for 2 hours.  He had a great time and I realized we hadn't posted pictures of it.  So here are some of them.

Relaxing before the Party

His reaction to Monkey Joe coming in

Hug from Monkey Joe

The Loot

Big sis

The Daredevil

Speaking of Daredevil...Guess who broke his wrist!  He and another kid were climbing on the jungle gym at school and the other kid accidentally pushed Eli off.  He fell and tried to brace himself, but in the process broke his wrist.  

 Orange Cast
 
Showing it off

Shiner from last Friday

Eli's had his share of physical issues with his broken leg from 2 years ago and now wrist.  He's going to miss most of the rest of his soccer season, but he wants to play the last couple of games if he can.  It has only been 5 days, but he can move his fingers without pain and is learning to write with his right hand for the time being.  Hopefully this will be the last cast for a long time.

The shiner was from when he was playing freeze tag at school.  He tripped and hit the table.  Luckily he didn't break his glasses.  He was fine after that and was ready to go.  He's a sturdy kid.

School Days Are Here Again!

The kids start school on Monday, August 18, 2014. The only one slightly interested is Eli. He will be in first grade with Ms. Turk, a brand-new teacher fresh out of college. She and I have already exchanged emails, and we are hoping Eli continues to exceed.

Eli wishes the summer could be longer, but he promises he will not cry this year on the first day of school. He knows a few kids in his classroom, but not many.

Bigger Boy

Eli has had a busy summer just like Tori.  Eli took the trip with us to see all the relatives over the 4th.  He was pretty good other than asking if we had made it to Springfield, MO, the longest part of the trip, 70 million times!  He saw his cousins and seemed to have a good time at his grandparents.  He seemed to enjoy the zoo, but I think his favorite attraction was the mister's they had out at the zoo.  All the kids stopped everytime they saw one, even if they were 20 feet apart.  He also loved Dave and Buster's.  He especially liked air hockey and playing the penalty kick shoot out with the simulated goalie and Simpson's soccer shoot.  Maybe he'll be the one that likes soccer

Eli's party is coming up August 1st at Monkey Joe's!  We have 5-6 kids coming for sure, but he invited 20, so hopefully more will show!  He wanted an ice cream cake, but it wouldn't keep during the party, so we are having a regular cake for the party and will get a ice cream cake on his actual birthday.

Eli is enthusiastically looking forward to Kuk Sool Won tonight.  He's ready to try almost everything, so that makes it easier on me.  He's also going to be putting out mulch this weekend with the other kids.  He isn't getting out of it by crying and complaining that he's tired.  It isn't tough work, but I'm sure he'll complain about it anyway.

Tired Boy

We’ve had quite the summer so far. We’ve taken up carpet and put down new flooring. We’ve painted a lot of walls. We’ve done some yard work. We’ve helped Grandma move out. We’ve had a slumber party. We’ve gotten two kittens. And, we are just midway through summer. We still have another room to paint, bricks to put into our landscape and a trip next week. The sitter is also getting a pool, allowing the kids to get in a lot of time swimming. As a result of all of this activity, Eli is tired. We put him to bed early, but his perk just is not there. Maybe after this weekend and when he gets to sleep in at Grandma Marie’s. We are headed to Springfield, MO, next Thursday. Then to Pittsburg for the 4th and then to KC to drop off the younger two for a week. The next weekend is our 17th anniversary, and we are headed back to St. Louis to pick up the kids and have a little fun. We are going to the zoo first and then to Dave & Buster’s that night. 17 years, lucky us to have made it that long and still feel like newlyweds. Anyway, keep your fingers crossed that Eli gets some shut-eye before school starts in August. His party is August 1 at Monkey Joe’s bounce house place. 19 or 20 six-year-olds bouncing around for 2 hours. At least there is no slumber party.

Power

“Dad, was there power when you were born?” Eli asked.

We all burst out laughing before we could answer, and that, of course, upset Eli. He wasn’t trying to be mean. He really wanted to know. We must seem ancient to him because he also asked me if I rode a horse to school. After soothing his feelings, we told him about our great-grandmas who rode horses and used kerosene lamps. He must be learning about history in school.

Eli is moving more and more into Legos. He has them scattered all over his room. I haven’t been able to tell whether he turning them into anything or just tossing them around. He wants the Lego game for Easter and a couple of sets. If he gets really good at this, we may have to bring in some shelves for him like we have for Christian.

First Spelling Test

Remember how much fun kindergarten was? It is still fun now, but a lot more work. Kids are learning things a lot earlier now, and next week, Eli has his first spelling test. His words are: pink, said, this, that, read, seem, seven, eight and nine. He knows most of them. Eight is giving him the most trouble. I told him we would do a practice test this weekend and see what he knows. I am so proud of him. He can read and write, and he is learning to spell now.

Even though he is a big boy, Eli still misses his mom and dad. We had a few rough mornings last week, where he cried on his way to school and at latchkey. He kept telling us he was going to miss us. Poor kid. I think he had too many snow days and got too used to staying home. He seems to be doing better this week. Hooray!

Teary Mornings

Poor Eli. He has cried in latchkey two mornings now. He says he is going to miss me. All of these snow days have got him out of the routine. And, of course, the kids have Monday off for Presidents Day, so that is not going to help. Mrs. Sandy, the lead, has him sit beside her and gives him a hug until he comes around. Then, he goes play Legos and all is forgotten until the next morning.

Three months of school left. Thank goodness they have five weeks until spring break. Eli needs that time to get back into the swing of things. Tomorrow is his Valentine’s Day party. I don’t think he quite gets the meaning of the day and what takes place, so this should be interesting. I think Huts and I are going to pick up a stuffed animal for him and Tori. Christian has already put the kibosh on the idea.