Clown Elinore

Dr. Elinore

At church camp back in July, Caden and Caleb met Bigfoot!

Keith & Beth

Elinore knows our first names.  And sometimes she uses them. Once a week or so she'll walk around teh house asking for something or trying to get someone's attention by using our first names.  "Help me Keith!"  "Look Beth!"

Swinging!

Elinore was playing outside with her big brothers and the neighbor girls not too long ago.  The girls next door put her on a big girl swing.  Keith and I were both watching from our windows at various places and weren't too sure about it, but she did really well!  She held on and went with it!  We make sure she doesn't get swung too high, but she enjoys it.  They're trying to teach her to wing on her own pumping her legs too, but so far, she gets her legs moving opposite of each other when she tries.  It is adorable!

Pigtails!

Back in September, I put Elinore in pigtails for the first time when she was agreeable one morning.  To my surprise, she came home that afternoon with them still in, although slightly less nicely done!

Photo Taken September 16, 2014

Monopoly

One lazy Sunday afternoon the middle of last month, I sat down on the couch with Keith to relax and we were going to watch a show or movie.  But as I sat there watching Keith flip through trying to decide, I thought this is silly, why aren't we playing with the boys.  They were playing Minecraft at the time and Elinore was napping.  I decided it was a great opportunity to teach them to play Monopoly. 

We managed to teach them and get it wrapped up before Elinore woke up from her nap.  And they both were really into it for quite awhile. 

Caden started to loose interest once all the properties were bought.  He was very focused on how many properties he owned compared to everyone else.  For the record, he had the most.  But once all they properties were purchased, he lost most of his interest and started complaining about it taking too long!

Caleb on the other hand, had a VERY slow start.  He owned the least property and just kept getting bad turns.  But he kept at it and had a really good time.  He ended up bankrupting everyone else with his Boardwalk.  I suppose if you only start with a few properties that's not a bad one to have!  As I was helping him finish up the game, because I was the last one left for him to defeat, he said I was the "best mommy ever!"  Those aren't words I hear often, if ever! 

Apparently all it takes it be the best mommy every is let you kid beat you at Monopoly! 

Maybe I'll keep that in my backpocket next time I'm the meanest mommy ever!