I MISS my super Eli and my Sto bo bo bo....
Here are some pics for you Eli...until I get home to take more!

Super Eli had fun in California this weekend! Even though he didn't see Ronald McDonald...and the big train at the hospital was broken...he loved the trip! We took him to Build a bear on Saturday and he made a dog for him and Isaac to share...and he named the dog "Charlie Bucket". I didn't get a picture of them before they left...but, mom said she'll try to take one and post it! Eli decided that his dog didn't need any clothes there...but, he did need a dog carrier for him. So...when he and Joe flew home today...Eli had his dog in his carrier over his shoulder...SO CUTE!
Here's the picture of Eli at school wearing his "Flame guy" costume. I forgot the camera...this is the one I took with my cell phone. (I've LOST my mind!).

It's official...Eli has his very first PET!!! Tonight, Eli picked out a red and blue beta fish and named him Charlie. Charlie lives on our kitchen table and keeps an eye on things. Eli has already put him in his new container and fed him. He's SO EXCITED!!!

Mr. Eli made mini pizzas with me tonight...he just wouldn't eat them. That's always his story..he LOVES to cook, but never wants to try it. I'll keep working on it. So, enjoy the pics of Eli and Sto enjoying their mac n cheese. I don't know how they even grow with the junk they eat. (Because I'm growing JUST fine!)

Eli will tell you now that he's an artist...here are pics of his latest creation. He's working on painting some ceramic trains for Isaac's room. Although, once he started...he decided that he'd keep them for himself. And there are 2 pictures of Seth and Eli from this weekend! Happy Birthday Magpie and Seth!!!

Eli's been a stinker as usual! He's been a little deprived of "one-on-one" time lately...so, we took one afternoon this week to be SILLY!!! We got the washable markers out...and made a funny face on his belly. He had to show EVERYONE that day...but, it thrilled him to be able to draw on himself (the forbidden act!). He's done it again today, but I haven't pulled the camera out today! Joe's taking the big boys now to the book store...YIPPIE!

Every morning and night Eli is supposed to brush his teeth. When he finishes, I call him downstairs and say, "Eli, did you brush your teeth?". And he says..."Does it look like I brushed my teeth?"...and then smiles so that I can see his teeth! He doesn't say it to be ugly...just matter of fact. It's hilarious!!

Ok..Joe gave Eli the remote for the garage door to keep in his escalade. Then, he can open the garge anytime he wants. Well, yesterday, Joe was working in the garage and came running in yelling. "Where's Eli...he closed the garage door on my head!". I told Joe that Eli was upstairs...it couldn't have been Eli. But, when Joe went upstairs, there was Eli, holding his remote...just clicking it..and the garage was going up and down!!! ((Just like in that commercial where the man flips the light switch and the neighbors garage door opens and closes on her car!).
It was SO FUNNY! Who would have thought the remote would work from upstairs...and that Eli would carry it around the house clicking it!

OK...I don't take pictures of Eli everyday...so, I'll at least start writing what funny thing he has told me for that day. Today, I was holding Isaac while he was having a wretching episode...he was gagging and choking and Eli's trying to show me something on the computer. I said, "Eli, I'm watching Isaac right now...just give me a minute and I'll look at you." He said, "You've got two eyes don't you!? Look at me and Isaac at the same time!".
Now...why didn't I think of that??

Eli will look back on this blog (because I will print it out)and he will say, "Mom...why are there only a few pictures of me and THOUSANDS of pictures of Isaac?" And I'll have to say, "Eli, you're the middle child now..those are the breaks!" Hence, the camp out pictures. Isaac gets ALL of our attention, Chris was on a scout camp out, and there was poor little Eli. So, Joe took out the 12 MAN TENT, and they decided to have a camp out in the back yard. The tent was complete with a tv, dvd player, game cube, two beds, a chair, a cooler, and a bag of marshmellows! Eli said that the camp out was the BEST DAY EVER! The next day (after coming off of a sugar rushed night with no sleep), he told me that spending the day with me was the worst day ever (because I wouldn't buy him a new Thomas train). What a stinker I have!
I can't remember if I've told you ..but, the one thing that Eli hates about kindergarten are the TINY TOILETS. He said that he wasn't sure if they could handle his weight! He's certain that he's the smartest kid in his class. I'm so glad that he enjoys going...it would break my heart if he cried in the mornings like I see so many other kids do. Now...Chris hasn't started his blog because he's having his own little crisis with pre-algebra...but, he's alive and well. He's learning TOO MUCH about the real world already...he's 13 going on 30! He comes home everyday asking what this word (which I will NOT type on Eli's blog) or that word means...oh..how lucky we were that he's been sheltered for so long! He's working so hard and we're proud of all the boys.

It's been a week now...and Eli LOVES school. (It's only half day...but he likes it). The only complaint he has is that they have TINY TOILETS. He's not sure if they can handle his weight. (His words) He comes running in the house everyday and goes straight to the bathroom (he will not use the tiny toilets). He cracks me up!!! He's got a little cold now (germy kids), but he'll be better soon!

First Day of School

Today was Eli's first day of school. Here's a sneak preview until his mom gets a chance to tell everyone all about it!

Last of our TN vacation

Eli and Chris at the lake




Bye Aunt Carrie


The boys saying goodbye to Xena

Memphis Redbirds Baseball Game

Grandpa Dean took the boys to a baseball game
with the Memphis Redbirds Team. They sat in
seats 3,4 & 5 on Row A - right in front of the
3rd base bag and just beside the dugout so the
players gave them extra attention before and
during the game - for example, here is a game
ball that one of the player threw to Chris
after one of the innings.



This is Eli going in for a hug from the team
mascot "The Redbird" before the game began.


Here's Chris getting his token baseball signed


Eli and Chris with their treasures. Eli won the little
green dog in a water pistol game.


The boys were among the first kids to get to the
ballpark so they got free tokens to play games
and ride rides.

Memphis Zoo

We know all of you wish you could have made
the trip with us to the Memphis Zoo so we
took some pictures we think you'll like.
This is Grandpa Dean, Chris & Eli

Here's the boys with a panda bear.
Chris is in no danger, Grandpa is using
his artistic photo taking ability to make
it look like they're close to the bear.

Some pics of the boys near one of our two polar bears





And don't forget about the eating.


Heres Super Eli "just playin' around"


Looks scary doesn't it?

And finally-the boys in the "Wading Fountain"
near the front gate just before coming home.