For some reason, the blog page inverted my picture sequence, and NOW I CAN'T TELL THE STORY IN THE ORDER I HAD PLANNED.



These top three were intended to be the leftovers on the bottom. Making coffee, doin' some chores, trying not to giggle.



This next triad, in reverse order, tells the story of the new Razorback uniform. Requested by Ethan, delivered by Nana. Shaun has been a TREMENDOUS sport about the collision of his LSU roots and his Hog Wild In-Laws. 'Cause Nana shows no restraint. She showed up with the complete ensemble. There's a 6 minute video of Ethan receiving his gift oh so graciously, and when I figure out how to post it, I will do so. Anyway, the new uniform was worn for the entire weekend, and I finally got to peel it off his body once he was asleep. Again, Shaun wins the self-restraint prize of the century... all this Hog calling and red and white in his purple and gold sanctuary..

Now, this was supposed to be on the top of this page. We attended and Ethan participated in the 32nd annual New School Fun Run. There was a goal post and a football field which Ethan ran the length of before his race, so I'm just saying that he probably would have won had he not have spent so much energy blah blah blah... Oh, sorry... anyway... so they were divided into heats of 5. Ethan was OBVIOUSLY the most prepared, as we had watched the runners in Beijing. Parents were encouraged to help their 2 year olds to the track and to keep them on course. Ethan refused any such help... he struck his starting block pose as soon as the official said "On your mark", and he ran his 40 feet with honor and determination, and INDEPENDENCE, and won the bronze! There did happen to be two kids drug down the track that finished in front of him. Hmmmm. I'm over it, really.
No really.. I told Ethan before hand that if he fell down just to get back up and keep running and was fully prepared for some sort of last place finish. He got a trophy and a medal and just wanted to go see the goal post again. My camera did run out of battery right after the race started, but the NBC station followed him the whole way down, so I'm trying to get that footage. The paper asked our names and everything after his glorious finish, but some other cute blonde kid trumped him in the paper too. Whatever. I'm over that too.


I had a really hard parenting morning with one naked Ethan (I'm not as fast as I used to be) screaming "you see my tiny shiny hiney?" over and over through running and giggles while he would not get dressed. I wish I could convey the stress it caused me this morning... doesn't seem so bad now. Anyway, in the time I have typed this post, he has TOTALLY REDEEMED HIMSELF, as he took off all his clothes, put them in his laundry basket, put his shoes away, and put on his pajamas. Maybe he'll read this someday...way to go kiddo.
Off to read books... Mama

Mr. Spider weaves his web. He says he is "a bery scary spider that is also nice." Hmmm. We've had to hide the costume so it will still have some appeal by the end of the month. I am impressed with my costume skills, thank you.

Move over Stratavinsky. Making a violin ain't so hard... and all it takes is a Caprisun box, some thread, and some tape. I CAN make ANYTHING out of nothing.


It's finally Fall here, and we are enjoying the backyard. Shaun is making Ethan a sandbox in our very steep, very rocky yard. He's exhausted. I'll save that narrative for another day.

Baby Elliot is growing...hopefully he's a good 20 pounds by now; otherwise, I've just had too many pop tarts. I can't see my own cheeks yet, so that's good.
Enjoy the pics! E

First Annual Boys-Only Camping overnighter...

My boys left me at home, ALL ALONE, for a whole evening and night. It was amazing. All alone. All alone. All alone! It was great. I think they had a nice time too.
The two-year-old report included a tent, a flashlight, light sticks, a camping stick, throwing rocks, and sugar donuts. Seems about right.
They had so much fun that they were home, showered, and asleep in our bed by 11am.






You'll also note Ethan's new "spiky" hair-do, inspired by his best friend at school, Dylan. Now we're into hair products that will ensure that "my spikes don't get lost."
Boys.

"I ride SO fast on my bike"

Last weekend he figured out that his feet could reach the pedals. He learned how to do some circles in the cul-de-sac, and conquered the driveway hills. Today, he rode ONE MILE at Lake Fayetteville with only one playground stop. We didn't think he'd make it, as it takes ALOT of pedal strokes to make a mile, but we were proven wrong. He's got a little too much of me in him and took all the hills, FAST, and with reckless abandon. I could barely watch, but when he got going too fast he would retreat to the grass for the natural braking effect. He had his helmet on, and now thinks he is Lance Armstrong.





We need to stop ordering so much pizza. Ethan puts on his apron, makes his pizza, then rings the door bell and makes us pay him.

Went for an ultrasound last week; Baby Elliot is shaped just like his brother, with a little peanut belly and long skinny legs. They didn't inheret those from me. Everything looks fine, and I'm thankful that I don't have heartburn this time.

My condolences to any Razorback fans out there. Your team is just not any good this year. Tootaloo, E