Elie's getup

If Elie had it his way, this is how he would dress for school. He loves this beanie and never takes it off. He's really into shoes... any shoes from his rain boots to these Uggs or other people's. But he's not really into pants.

Morning conversations

This morning while taking the boys to school, there was an interview on the radio with an author of parenting books.  She was explaining that a big problem with parents these days is that they are afraid to let their kids fail.

 Asher says, "What?!  That lady isn't nice to  say she wants kids to fail!"
I say, "I know that doesn't sound very good but let me explain... remember when you got your new scooter and didn't know how to ride it and you kept falling off it?!  Well, we could have just held on to you and the scooter so you wouldn't fall and hurt yourself... however, you would never learn to ride your scooter by yourself!  We had to let you fall, skin your elbows and knees in order for you to learn."

"Does that make sense?"  as I throw my hands up and shrug.

Elie responds in his soft, yet firm voice, "Asher, Mommy is talking to you! "

Brocolli Monster!

Elie could devour a whole head of steamed brocolli in one sitting!

Scooter!

Our neighbor across the street just got a new scooter and was nice enough to let Moi and Asher take it for a spin.

Someone Feels Right at Home!

He thought he'd be adventurous by not only scaling the wall but climbing around the perimeter of our backyard for all to see!

First Day of School

                       Just look at these little punchkins!  Don't they look so studious with backpacks on and lunch bags in hand?!

Update long overdue!

Our new "hood"

So much has happened over the past two months and I haven't had time to post.  The biggest thing... we moved from Bettendorf, Iowa to La Jolla, California!  I never imagined I would ever be fortunate to live in a place as beautiful as this with perfect weather all year around and no traffic!  I am still pinching myself everyday. 

The shul we belong to is so welcoming and the members come from such diverse backgrounds.  After the first day we felt right at home and in our element.  We have been invited to people's homes for shabbos lunch and dinners every week so far.

Asher and Elie started their new school and love it.  They look forward to going everyday and love their teachers. 

Post Ranch Summer, 2012

These boys love every minute at the ranch-- well, besides those "time-outs" for pulling hair, spitting, pinning little brother down or having sword fights at the table.  All of that time in between, they collected eggs, did "chores" with Bampa like cutting and rolling hay on tractors, supervising cement trucks with the new construction and watering the trees.

     The boys were picking berries of this bush to feed to the chickens.

 Once Elie took possession of the hose he made certain it stayed that way.  He kept Asher from snatching it back by spraying him if he got too close for comfort.  Asher wasn't very happy about that!

                                          

Collecting eggs in the chicken coupe. 

 Hosing down the muddy shoes and clothes

                                                                              

Hummingbirds!

There were a couple evenings where the house got too hot.  My mom and I wrapped wet rags around our heads; problem solved!

Mud Bath!

 It has been too hot for the boys to enjoy playing outside.  To keep them from bouncing off the walls and Asher pinning Elie with headlocks indoors all day, I let them play in the sprinkler.  Of course they take it to the next level by detaching the sprinkler head to make a pond/mud bath out of our flower beds!

                           

4th of July Pony Ride

In the beginning, Elie was very reluctant to even sit on the pony.  After a little warming up, he was cruising around and loving it all on his own!

I love you Pah-nut!

Just listen to the way he says peanut!  I melt every time!  I started calling him Peanut and he would repeat it back to me.  The way he says "pah-nut" I just can't get enough of!

A Couple of Elie's Obsessions

Elie is very impressed with Buzz Lightyear.  He tries to be just like him by doing stunts such as jumping off couches and stairs.  I will post a clip of that as soon as I can capture that.  But in the meantime, in the above video is Elie saying, "Sep, and beyond!"  (translation: To infinity and beyond!)

 

Another obsession of our little Elie is "dadasaurs" (dinosaurs)! He loves to color dinosaurs, read about them and talk about them!

Mexico

                                                             (above: Elie's new look)
We spent two weeks in June attending the weddings of Becky and Johnny, then Danny and Wendy.  It was a nice time getting together with family that live in all corners of the globe.  The day we left, Asher was very depressed saying he didn't want to leave Mexico because he wanted to be with his cousins, especially Michy! 

I regret not taking more pictures.  Here are a few that I got and I hope to post some from other people soon.

                                 Asher playing in the sand and arranging seashells

                                  It was so humid that my lens got all fogged up!

                                               Elie and cousin Mia

                                                  Mona Lisa sipping on a Margarita

                                                              

The moments are rare...

...when these two act civilized with one another!

Yipee!