hooray for small victories... with soup and growth!

Souper taste:
On Saturday I made a blended curry carrot soup with yellow squash, onions, garlic, scallions, celery, plenty of carrots, spices... It was a bit spicy and just making it delighted me.  (Those of you who know me well, know that making soup is one of my favorite past times... :) )

I had Eli use the hand held blender to puree the soup with me.  He liked that a lot.  I had him sample it to test for spices.

Then we ate it for dinner with some yummy Martusciello's bread.  He ate his whole bowl full happily!!!   I was so proud.  I've made fewer than ever soups this winter bc Eli hasn't been a big fan up to this point.  I hope to make some more now that he will enjoy.  Woo hoo!!!

Growth and progress:
Also, this morning we went to our local (and amazing) Museum of Play and his did WONDERFULLY well!!!!  He walked and waited and shared and listened the entire hour and 1/2 we were there.  I was shocked and delighted!!  Seriously, I could've cried, I was THAT happy with his progress and growth. We've been having MANY conversations about working hard and why we need to walk, share, listen...  HOORAY!!!

I wasn't in a sweaty panic for our time there.  We were able to shop at the mini Wegmans - for a looong time  - he loved it!  Then we enjoyed the new LEGO exhibit and spent a little time in the Field of Play too. He even left agreeably! WOW!!!  I'm actually looking forward to our next visit.  Yeah!

february break week fun w cousins...

all wound up from hours of playing together...  

his first Valentine's Day...

posing next to his ice sculpture on 2/14/13

Sooo excited about his Valentine's box from school.  :) 

Valentine he made for us (at school)! 

making snow ice cream!!!

This recipe is simple and delicious!!! So easy and yummy.  :)
I think this was on Feb 9th.

start w a big bowl of clean fresh snow

pour 1 can sweetened condensed milk over it

pour a few tablespoons of maple syrup in

mix it all together
(then put in the freezer to chill for 1 hour, if you want it less soupy)

delicious!!!
(that's his L hand rubbing his tummy to make sure we know he thinks it's very  yummy!!)

blizzard fun!

sooo delighted w the new snowfall!!! 

snow shoeing to the library! 

getting ready for sledding at Highland Park

view from our garage

J's office window - looking out to backyard

making pizza!

Eli sure loves to cook, bake, work in the kitchen. 

When I asked him recently what he wanted to do for work when he gets bigger he replied: I want to work in the kitchen and then say "Dinner's ready, wash your hands!" 

(wonder where he heard that?!?...  ;)  ) 

2nd hair cut (with us)

first (happy) raw veggie... CELERY!!

I was shocked to find that celery is his first raw veggie (that he's happy about). He was dipping it in peanut butter, but hey!  Had it yesterday in hummus with mixed emotions.  Today he was uncertain and then delighted by it.  WOO HOO!!

recent school visits and Tim Horton's lunch

We visited the two Elementary Schools where I taught for many years last week. It was so fun to see old friends and students.  Eli loved the visiting.  He was especially taken with the Pigeon in the Barclay Library. Pigeon and the fox on his sweater were having quite a funny conversation...  Such a cutie!  :) 

And our quick lunch that day at Tim Horton's was especially great bc I found out that Eli likes tomato soup! Woo hoo!  He was dipping his grilled cheese in it and enjoying slurping it from his spoon too.  :)

He has recently added cooked carrots to his yummy list and just today raw celery (dipped in peanut butter!!)   It's all about dipping, isn't it?! Who would've guessed that celery would be his first raw veggie to like??!!!

faux grumpy face here... a new favorite.

busted!!

So yesterday Eli and J were in the car running errands.  I was home.  J had to step on the brakes quickly to stop for traffic.  

From his car seat Eli says, "Come on, cars!  You apple skin?!" (The apple skin part was his version of "Are you kidding?")  in a very sarcastic and dramatic voice.  J, shocked, says, "Where did you learn that?" 
Eli: "Mommy driving"  


Uh, oh,  little man just blew me in.  ;)  
(There are no more secrets...) 

my heart melts...

This week Eli has said "love you" for the first time to me and to J! 
We've been saying this to him for  months now (of course!) but now he's saying it back to us.  Wow!  

He is also (on his own) initiating hugs and kisses from us both!
He has always been fine with our hugs and kisses and will join in or return them, but this is different. This is him seeking them out for himself from us!  :)  

These are big steps!  I'm so so proud of him.  

He just melts my heart.  Our sweet little man.  So smitten. :) 

first fortune cookie :)

my fortune.  (one of my all time favorites...)

We went out to eat recently at White Swans Asia Cafe.  Good food and a child-friendly atmosphere.  :)  Eli had his first fortune cookie there.  He was a bit perplexed as he watched us crack open our cookies and then broke into his.  He held up his fortune and shouted "tag!"  Well, yes, it does look like a tag from your coat or pants, but it's not.  It's a special message for you, from your cookie?! 

For those of you who are confused, here's an interesting article about why there aren't fortune cookies in Taiwan (or China).