Picnic Weather--Indoors

We seem to have had a host of days where we thought we would actually be outside and then it rained or got too cold. My kiddos are definitely ready for the outdoors. Elias is literally climbing the bookshelves and crashing into the cushions for the couch. However, I laid out a blanket and the kids played picnic for quite a while. It has been fun to finally see them "play' and even have short conversations. Elias was offering to make Addie a latte. Now that's my kind of brother.

Happy Birthday, Daddy

We hope the rum cake will make everyone sleep well tonight. We love you and wish you many happy returns. xoxo

Elias Beckham Takes to the Field

Love and Marriage...

Elias and I had an interesting conversation this morning.

Elias: Why can't boys get married?
Me: They can get married.
Elias: Why can't little boys get married?
Me: Oh, because they don't get married until they are bigger. Do you want to get married someday?
Elias: Yes.
Me: Who do you want to marry?
Elias: Somebody else. I want to get married so I can get happy.

Albert Einstein?

I had a scrunchie in this girl's hair that eventually fell out. Then she went down the slide and it was full of static. I think if she had a mustache she would look like Einstein.

By the way, the kids ate cows' tongue, along with their dad, for dinner. I abstained. Talk about not being PB and J eaters...

Welcome, Liam Paul

In the midst of a tough week, we received the joyful news that Elias and Adelaide have another cousin. Little Liam Paul was born on Tuesday and we are thrilled; all are doing well. Now Adelaide is officially no longer the baby of the family. We love cousins --now we have six of them. We can't wait to meet you, Liam.

Love,
Uncle Adam and Aunt Melissa

Easter Eggs

We had so much fun dyeing Easter eggs last week. Now Elias and Addie have discovered the joy of eating "hard-wheeled" eggs.

Hard to Comprehend

Obviously, Elias does not understand what it means that our friend, Mr. P, has died. He knows that some people are dead and some aren't. For example, he told Adam that Mr. P was dead, but Page was not and he was going to dye Easter eggs at her house. But, tonight he asked me when Mr. P was going to get better. I had to tell him that he wouldn't get better and that we won't see him again. (Don't know if he understood that.) But, later he asked me, "Why doesn't Mr. P come out of the tomb?" Now how do you explain that only the Messiah does that? Sure is confusing to understand human death when Easter happens at the same time.

Mr. Manners

Elias is really trying to figure out manners and how they work. The other day after having been retested for his peanut allergy, we confirmed that he was allergic to peanuts, but not to tree nuts. Elias wanted to know what a peanut was and what a tree nut was. Then he was convinced that when he was bigger he could have peanuts. I tried to explain that if someone gave him peanuts he should say "No, I can't have peanuts they make me sick." I said this very emphatically and somewhat abruptly. He said, "No, Mommy, use your manners and say it with a nice voice."

The other morning Elias had an accident so I asked him to bring his sheets and blankets down to the basement. He did so and he managed to climb up on a laundry basket and stuff them in the washer. In addition, he added some of Adam's dress shirts and threw in lots of soap. What a helper.

The Hunt

The Easter egg hunt was hilarious. We hid 20 plastic eggs. Elias, Madeline, and Adelaide were each given their baskets. Everything started with a bang. Elias got an egg. Madeline got an egg. Even Addie found an egg. But, once Elias found out that there was a chocolate egg inside the plastic egg he just sat down on the ground and ate it while Madeline proceeded to collect 11 more eggs. He then got up a looked for another and sat down to eat it. Funny kid. They all had a great time, though, hunting in their own ways.

The candle was a paschal candle that Elias made during the Holy Week walk. He was very excited to light it today. We will try to remember to light it for the next 50 days.

Dinner was great. A ham with an apricot glaze, scalloped potatoes, carrots with dill, fruit salad, and a trifle for dessert. Yes, we hope the sherry won't kill too may brain cells. It sure doesn't seemed to have helped anyone fall asleep any faster except for Mom!

Easter Day

We went to church at the earlier service this morning. Neither Adam or I could tell whether church was subdued--or we were. (On Maundy Thursday our beloved Senior Warden died and our church is in shock and mourning. Only four days earlier was he here babysitting Elias and Adelaide, with his wife, while we attended a funeral for a dear freind's newborn. Mr. P was running around the house chasing Elias. Every time he said, "go badgers" Elias screamed and ran. Last Sunday Elias climbed into his lap and gave him a huge hug. Mr. P planted a kiss on Eli's cheek. A few times during the Hosannas we heard some "Go Badgers" and Mr. P smiled impishly and acted as if he had nothing to do with it.) So, it's not surprising church was a bit slow.

We then proceeded to open Easter baskets and play with the puzzles and the stuffed animals. Elias then read to Addie while we got lunch going. Naps and rests followed. Then it was time to have our friends over for an Easter egg hunt and Easter dinner.

Don't Talk too Long or else...

My kiddos got into our cedar closet this afternoon while I was on the phone. I actually didn't hear any loud noises, even though they tossed laundry baskets, maternity clothing, maternity pillows, a sleeping bag, and lots of socks down the stairs. Perhaps, the thud wasn't heard because of all the padding below. In addition, all my wrapping paper and gift bags got the heave-ho as well. When you're given lemons, make lemonade.
I made Elias carry everything up the stairs, especially because his teacher recommended I give him lots of heavy work. (I may have him do this every day; he was quite compliant and pleased to carry heavy things up the stairs.) Also, it gave me a chance to organize Adam's closet a bit. He usually keeps me from going in there because I can get cranky about clothes that need to be given away. Yes, I counted 25 button-down shirts as I was straightening up. However, in my defense, I matched a whole bunch of lonely socks into pairs. So, the kids' mess actually created some order in our house.

My eighteen month old

It's time to try to describe Adelaide at the ripe, old age of 18 months. Adelaide is a fearless child; she likes to climb the blue ottoman and then dive from it across into the couch. She also does enjoy wrestling and roughhousing with Elias, but I don't think she ever had a choice. Right now, she really likes books and backs up and then plops into our laps saying, "Read this" I then say, "say Please." She then responds with "Thank you." She gets the whole please and thank you scenario mixed up. However, her politeness is refreshing and startling. I'll hand her a toy or food and she will matter of factly say, "Thank you." (Meanwhile, with her brother it is a matter of constant reminding.) She is so polite that even when she is wrestling me while I'm trying to sneak her coat on, she is screaming, "no thank you!" Yes, we call her the beast. She is fierce. She is determined and not easily distracted. Often I have to leave her in her crib at night while she screams, "Play!" She is a social child and very fond of her Daddy. Throughout the day, she asks me "Where Daddy go?" When we drive by Elias' school she says, "Where Aya go?" I guess she likes me, too, but she never asks me "Where Mama go?"

Her latest trick is that has has become my backseat driver. When I slow down for a red light she screams, "Go" and then gives an impish smile. Then Elias instructs her that we can't go because the light is red. But, she loves the sheer joy of drawing out that OOOO like we do here in Wisconsin.

Adelaide truly loves dogs. When Elias was this age, he knew all his animal sounds. We really can't get much more than barking out of her. Dogs are it!

In terms of fashion, Adelaide loves to wear shoes and boots. She brings them to us and insists on having them on--even in the house.

She is mostly an easygoing kid, but when she wants to do something she is no wilting flower. I don't know if she takes after her mom or dad, but she certainly looks like a Kradel. Happy 18 months Miss Adelaide Christie!