Old picture.
Our boy has picked up a few more adorable habits recently. Whenever anything happens that isn't supposed to happen (eg. something falls onto the floor or Dad's arm turns into a cucumber) Elliot will often say "wha- happened, mommy?"
He will also argue with us and it will usually look something like this:
He: "Whassat Daddy?"
Me: "Well, Elliot. That is a pineapple."
He: "No Daddy, issa kitty."
Me: "No, son. It is definitely a pineapple. See the green leaves poking out of the top...?"
He: "Nooooooo Daddieeeeee. Issa pineapple."
Me: "Okay, Elliot. It is a pineapple."
He: "No daddy, issa kitty. Meow." 

About one year ago

Elliot looked like this one year ago (his second birthday is on Oct 6).


 

What two hours at the Crums will do to you...

We were fortunate enough to be invited to the Crums for dinner a few nights ago. What fun! First is a picture of Elliot with two of Langley's prettiest (Chloe and Annika). Second is a picture of Elliot after a few drinks.

Dad drove home that night. 

Grandma Cupcakes

I think I told you all about Grandma Cupcakes before. A few weeks ago we all went to Elliot's Grandma and Grandpa Verwoerd's trailer across the border at the Glen. One of the ten thousand treats that Grandma bought for Elliot was those little store bought chocolate cupcakes with icing and sprinkles on top. Bitesize. Anyhow, these were a hit with Elliot (and dad) and so he asked for them when we got home. Mild mannered mother, Mom, is actually Super Mom and so she decided to make little Chocolate Cupcakes from scratch. These were also a hit.
A couple days ago, she did it again. Elliot and Tate helped.
When Elliot wants a Grandma Cupcake, he will go the fridge where they are kept, knock on the fridge door and say "Grandma Cupcake, where are you?" Which apparently is cute enough to convince Mom to give him a cupcake no matter what time of day it is.
 

Not much left to teach him...

Every morning now, Elliot will start making noise when he wakes up - which is normal. What is different about the last few days is that when I get to his door I ask him to get out of bed and open the door. And he does it. And then he is really proud of himself and tells me over and over that he got out of bed and opened the door.
There are few things which make me sadder these days then having Elliot open the door to his room. A reminder that he is growing up really fast.
Even more amazing (because I coached him with the morning ritual but not the evening ritual), when I bring Elliot upstairs and read him some stories, he tells me when he is done reading stories. How he tells me is by hugging me and having Ernie and Bert hug me. Then he hugs the book. I turn down the lights.
Everything is pretty normal so far.
And then,
And then,
And then,
...Elliot gets out of the chair all by himself, tucks Ernie and Bert into his bed, climbs in all by himself, and covers himself up with blankets!
Not even two years old yet and the boy is putting himself to bed! Where did our little Elliot go?

 

Elliot, Tate and Elliot's wonderfully creative and endlessly patient mother all worked together to make a series of tunnels and tents through out the main floor of our house. They used chairs, tables, blankets, towels and anything else they could think of. It was a fun day for everyone.
 

Close proximity

Our neighbours who live in a real house behind our townhouse have ripped up their backyard to put in a swimming pool. The ripping up part was popular with Elliot and Tate who like "digger trucks". Yes it leaves us wondering what our lives will be like now that the neighbours who live closest to our townhouses but never used their back yard have placed a gigantic above ground swimming pool a few metres from our fence. I don't suspect they'll be using it much over the winter.

 

He's got a cold, didn't nap while visiting Tate all afternoon. In summary - Elliot is really tired. I picked him up at Tate's (mom had a doctor's appointment) and brought him home. We started making dinner and then sang some songs on the couch. Before long, Elliot was asleep. He is still asleep. We haven't had dinner yet... what do I do? I'll check Super Nanny's website.


 

Elliot thinks fondly of when he was knee-high

 

 

More excellent shopping

Found by Mom at the Cloverdale Kids Swap Meet (or as I like to call it, How to Feel Like a Sardine without Smelling like one).


 

 

Elliot proves that if he asks for something often enough, he will probably get it.