precious moments

I think it's time to record another collection of lovely little things that the kids have said and done as of late. My first story took place this morning, when for the first time in a long time, I woke to the sound of my alarm rather than my little man crawling into bed. I had time to get dressed and ready and still, no sign of Elliott. By now it was time for both kids to wake, so I turned on the hall light and saw a jump in Kate's bed. Be still my heart, it was Elliott. This morning he crawled in and cuddled up to his big sister. She was still out of it and there he lie, brushing her hair back with his hand. Gasp.

This afternoon, it was time for Elliott's nap. He literally falls asleep in minutes each noon hour, but still fights me tooth and nail to get him into bed. Today was no different and as I was closing his blinds and curtains he took off and was actually getting settled back into Kate's bed. He was happy so there, so that's where he stayed and was again gone in minutes.

At dinner tonight Cody was saying something like, "Oh Kate, your Mama takes care us of, she does everything." Her response, "Yeah Papa she does do everything. Why don't you do anything around here?" Oh sweetie. Unfortunately Cody was fairly quick to point out the obvious, "I pay for everything around here." And for that we three are thankful.

Big news, and I'm fairly confident in announcing this, it seems as though Elliott is well on his way to being potty trained at home. He's doing so awesome. He loves the big boy underpants, loves standing to pee (in the bathtub) and it probably doesn't hurt that we pretty much put on a parade in honour of his every pee (and a couple poops). Oh and there is the beautiful dark chocolate rewards. Other great news, Kate has reverted back to requiring rewards for each of her pees and poops. Again, awesome.

Kate completed her third full day at Montessori. We decided to try her in all day classes because our house is a little quiet and a little dull in the afternoons as we wait for Elliott to sleep. After much anxiety on my part, Kate seems to love it. The highlight? Her lunch bag and having lunch and outside time with her other full day friends. Yesterday she toured Elliott and I around the playground and each day on the way home she and E have had a picnic of her leftover lunch items. It is so sweet how much they love each other.

Elliott's new favourite thing is gum. On the way home from Florida we gave him some to occupy some of the dozen plus hours we had in airplanes and airports. Now completely out of the blue he'll just demand, "I WANT GUM." We are working on the manners aspect but it's official he and Kate love gum.

Finally, Elliott is loving talking lately and has a few favourite stories, rather lines, that he will retell to anyone and everyone. In retelling these lines, he provides absolutely no context to the listener and for the most part, Kate and I are the only ones who can decipher what he's actually saying. For posterity sake, a few favourites are:
1. "Monkey hit Woody. Woody put Monkey in drawer."  Reference to Toy Story 3.
2. "Crocodiles eat chickens not eggs." Reference to ... I have no idea.
3. "It not a ghost, it Thomas!" Reference to a specific Thomas the train episode.
4. "I no like car wash. Too loud. Kate no like car wash. Papa like car wash. Mama, you like car wash?" Love that one. I get to hear it six or seven times a day. Some days it's the first thing I hear.
5."In jail you eat bread ... water." Thanks Aunty Candace, that's a great addition.
6. "I have a Thomas birthday." Yes Elliott, I'm sure Kate's teachers are fascinated to learn that in August 2013, if you're still interested in Thomas we are going to plan a Thomas-themed birthday.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings, now here's a couple pics:

 What a sport. Elliott getting a Christmas makeover from Kate.

Pucker up my love.

Have I mentioned lately that I love you two? xo Mama