Christmas on the Last Day in July?

Just a quick picture of the hat that Eli chose to wear to story time this morning. Yes, it was in the upper 80s/low 90s today, and yes, that is indeed a candy cane stripe winter hat. Can't beat that smile, though!

Keep on Those Travellin' Shoes...

After visiting Mimi and Grandpa, Eli made the trip north to see Grandma and Grandpa B. Eli enjoyed checking out the county fair, playing with Grandpa and Grandma B, and even helped with another round of car washing.

 

Say cheese (string cheese, that is)

Helping Grandma make pancakes

 Walking to the fair with B

Sharing his first root beer float with Daddy - yum!

Testing out the new baseball stadium dugouts with Daddy and B

Not sure who would like to own a tractor more...Daddy or Eli??

Pizza and nachos outside at Zorbaz

Eli kindly carried the leftover pizza home for us

Watering plants with Grandma

Operating the pump for the backyard car wash

Visiting Mimi and Grandpa (and Lots of Other Relatives!)

Eli spent a few days at Mimi and Grandpa's house (with Mommy, too) and was lucky to get to also spend time with great-aunts, great-grandparents, and cousins.

The heat forced the daily commute indoors

Ready to hit the pool

This is as close as we could get to a cousins picture

Helping Papa eat his ice cream pie

Working on a puzzle with Clifford at the library

Eli singing with his new buddy "Sue"

Mimi and Eli and banana snack time

Playing around with Pa

The daily morning gardening session (in pajamas)

On the move

Let's See Those Pearly Whites

Eli tagged along with Mommy and Daddy to their dental appointments this week. No "official" dental visits for Eli yet, but he did get to check out all the cool tools, wear the funky sunglasses, and pick out a new toothbrush (the Dora and Diego toothbrush was the winner). Since Eli was such a well-behaved spectator, the dentist even let Eli pick out two (since he is two years old) treats from the good kid treasure box. Eli chose a blue robot (now referred to as "guy") and a pink bouncy ball (just trying to help up the pink in this house in preparation for baby sister's arrival this fall).

Are those two movie stars? Nope, just a dental patient and his son.

Terrific Two!

Eli celebrated a big birthday ("two! two!," as Eli would tell you) with a long weekend of family fun, and now here is an almost equally long post to share some stories and pictures!

Grandma and Grandpa B were in town for a few days, and Eli took advantage of their time with him to show them some of his favorite places to play - the children's museum and the Brasel pool.

Grandpa B is an expert tower-builder

Lovely afternoon at the pool

This is as close to swimming as Eli came that day

On his actual birthday, Eli started the day with pancakes made by Mommy, opened a few presents, met some friends at the splash pad, and enjoyed having Daddy home on a day off. All in all, a pretty great first day of being two!

Our happy birthday boy 

 - "How old are you, Eli?"

- "Two! Two!"

Ready to roll! 

Opening presents from Mommy and Daddy (note the screwdriver...Eli used it to open all his presents that morning. That is one versatile tool!)

We did more reading than splashing at the splash pad.

Love these little boys in their hats

A birthday kiss from Bree

Big smiles after his birthday kiss

Not so sure what he thinks about his mini ice cream pie...

Results are in...it is yummy!

Helping Grandpa B assemble the new lawnmower

Eli is one lucky boy, as he got to celebrate his second birthday with lots of family and friends at an Elmo birthday party. The Elmo balloons are still a source of excitement this week...for Eli and the cats (never underestimate the joy and universal appeal of a helium balloon).

Checking out his birthday sign

 Having a serious snack and coloring break with Aunt C before the party gets going

This birthday boy loves to rock!

One of the Elmo balloons

Family picture

Dinner date with D

Elmo cake


Mmm...cake...

Waiting patiently to start opening presents

Trying out the new bat and tee with Daddy

Making bubbles with Mimi and Grandpa

At the Car Wash (whoa whoa)

One way to beat the 4th of July heat...do a car wash at 8am! Inspired by the car wash in the "Can I Help?" book (given to Mommy when she was 2 - thanks Aunt Jayne and Uncle Ed!), Eli enthusiastically sprayed the hose, sponged the car, and "cleaned" the inside of the car. After the early morning car wash, it was back inside to the air conditioned comfort to await the afternoon arrival of Grandma and Grandpa B.

Whooooosh!

 Scrub scrub!

Must have inherited Pa's attention to detail when it comes to washing cars 

Ready to go cruising