The Truth

Stewart, being the sucker that he is, recently bought Eli cereal straws. They are, of course, ridiculously unhealthy and the worst thing that you could eat after finishing off a bowl full of frosted flakes. Anyway, Eli had had about 4 of them out of one of the two packages that comes in a box. When Stewart got back from the field yesterday Eli was so excited to "share" them with Stewart. He really knew that if he shared with Stewart he'd get to have some himself. 

This morning when I woke up I noticed that the package was empty. I went to throw it away and saw another empty package in the garbage. Stewart had stayed up late so I figured that he had finished off the cereal straws and was happy that they were gone! Eli came in and asked who ate all his cereal straws. I said that dad must have and Eli said that he was going to spank him when he got home.  So tonight before bed I was giving Stewart a hard time about eating a WHOLE package of the cereal straws. Stewart said that he didn't think that he did and I told him to tell the truth. We were teasing of course. I thought that Stewart was joking when he said he couldn't remember. Eli started saying "Dad you have to tell the truth." Finally Stewart said, "I probably did eat your cereal straws. I'm sorry." At this point Eli said, "Mom I have to tell you something. When I was playing star wars I snuck over here and I cut the open the package and I snuck some straws." He had eaten them himself!  Of course he said, "Dad and I did it Mom!"

So that was a really long blog post for a story that probably doesn't read as funny as it was. I was crying I was laughing so hard! Poor Stewart began to think that he really had opened the package and eaten all the cereal straws.

Blogger Etiquette

So I'm wondering what the "rules" of blogging are?  Do you just add people to your list even if they don't know that you read their blog? Do you have to tell them that you are adding them to your list?  If someone adds you to their list do you have to add them to your list? Seriously, what's the etiquette in these situations? 

Blogging is so funny because it's like you know people that you maybe never even talk to.  I met my sister in law's sister through blogging and when I met her in person I already felt like she was my good friend. I'd never talked to her in real life!  It was so funny and strange. I have a lot of blogs that I read of people that I never really knew except through their blogs and now I feel like we are friends.  It's such a strange dynamic.

What are your feeling about proper blogging etiquette?

Proper Motivation

A good parenting skill figuring out what motivates your child then using it to your advantage. Calling broccoli "green trees" motivated Eli to eat them. Promising a glow stick motivated Eli to be good when he was getting pictures taken.  

So my dilemma was how to motivate him to clean up the plethora of toys and shoes that had collected in the front room?  Music usually works for Eli but I found something better! If Eli picks up or does any other job we assign him he GETS to wash the dishes.  It's so awesome 

because he loves to do the dishes and he does a good job too.  I love it.

My Wordle!

You can click on it to see it bigger and clearer.

The Plan

Eli's becoming a sneaky crafty little boy. While I was innocently taking a nap yesterday Eli came up with this plan to trap me.

Me1 is me before the encounter. The trap is set with candy in the middle. Notice the rope and pulley system with Eli at the other end ready to pull the rope. Me2 is me caught in the trap.

Before I saw this plan Eli asked if we could go buy the things for his plan. I asked him what he needed and he told me.  I said "no." Eli then showed me the plan.  I was a little shocked to be the prey in this scheme of his!  He then said, "Mom are you ever going to buy me the things to make this plan?" I said "no" and he said, "ok, then just don't eat my candy!"  Hmm I didn't think that I'd eaten that much of his candy!

Don't you love my hair though?! Pretty crazy.

Mammoth Cave

We have had a fun day today!  Stewart has been home yesterday, today, and he will be home tomorrow!  We went to Mammoth Cave and had so much fun. The bonus was that it was free because it was veterans day. We didn't know they were running a special so it was a nice surprise. Eli had fun in the cave and he was extra good because we told him that we'd buy him a deer stuffed animal. Stewart and I got hugs, cuddles, and kisses the whole tour!  I was told many times that I was the best mom ever and he loved me so much.  He probably was working on me because he knows that Stewart was for sure in the bag.  Stewart is the biggest sucker alive.  What Eli didn't know was that we already had bought the stuffed animal and had it in the car! :)

Once we got home Eli was so tired! We knew that he had had  a long fun day because he was manic. Laughing and crying at the same time. The crying was from my noisy typing because he couldn't "take it anymore." The laughing was because I had said something "funny." Poor little guy. I cuddled him for a few minutes and he calmed down, ate dinner, and went right to bed. 

How Posh

I feel so lucky! I am going to have designer cards for my Christmas cards this year! You may have seen the link to the right for a Christmas card sale. My friend Jeri designs cards and so I had one all picked out and was just waiting for my family pictures to get taken to order and what did I find in my inbox today?! A card that she made with us in mind! It's very cute and perfect for what I wanted for our "theme" Christmas card this year.

Oh I can't wait to send my cards out!

You should check out her website before the sale ends on the 13th.

Eli Says:

We have had a few good ones lately.

While racing with Eli tonight, I was talking smack about how he is slow and he was going to lose. He said, "No I won't. I have 2 things to help me! Mr. Arms and Mr. Legs."

While eating dinner Saturday Eli said, "my brain wants healthy dinner but my mouth keeps thinking about candy!"

On Sunday we were practicing the primary program. Eli LOVES talking in a microphone. After he said his part he hurried and said "I love my mom."  I hope he really does that in the program! It was so cute. After his second part he said "I love my dad." Of course everyone was laughing.  I am NOT going to encourage it of course but I'm not necessarily going to go out of my way to tell him NOT to say it. :)

Shoot there was one more funny thing but now I can't remember it.  One of my friends says that she writes her son's funny sayings on a post-it note. I need to do that! 

Edited to add: Oh I just remembered!  Eli has been playing Lego Star Wars. His favorite character is T.T.2.tar. That is his way of pronouncing R2D2. It makes me laugh every time!

Giveaway

My friend Jeri is doing a Christmas card giveaway! Her blog is HERE. She does the cutest designs and is so creative. She also is starting a photography business and is very reasonably priced. Check out her blog and see what you think.