Two Picnics, and One, Hungry Boy

We have been enjoying some beautiful weather for the past two weeks. Welcome, Fall! We've been waiting, anxiously!

Jason called last Wednesday to see if the kids and I were free for lunch. We jumped at the chance to see Daddy during the work-day and quickly packed our lunches to meet him.

Eli enjoyed a flower that Norah picked just for him (and by "enjoyed", I mean, attempted to consume)



Can you tell the little man was completely stoked to have some man-time with Daddy? He looked like such a big boy, sitting up on our blanket, eating his lunch like everyone else! (He had a half sandwich and cheetos, plus most of Norah's half sandwich!)










Tuesday night, our family attended "National Night Out", an annual neighborhood picnic in the park. The fire department brought out a fire engine, so we asked Norah if she'd like to have her picture taken with the truck. She was elated! Jason plopped her up on the bumper, and about 8 firefighters gathered on either side of her, while Jason backed away to take her photo...about 3 seconds elapsed before she Peter-Panned off the bumper and fled the scene. (Thus, we settled for a picture of Norah and Daddy, taken by one of the firefighters from a safe distance away)

Eli had his first taste of spaghetti last week. The look on his face pretty much says it all. ("Mmmmm...") He practically licked the plate clean. Then the next day, he managed to find a discarded (dried out), left-over noodle (feel free to nominate me for "best housekeeper of the year") and promptly attempted to eat it, before Norah anxiously retrieved it and ratted him out. (She truly relishes any chore that allows her the tiniest power over her brother)

This boy loves to eat like nothing I've ever seen. I really think he eats more than Jason and me at some sittings. Heaven, help us when he's a teenager!



Eli's obsession with Norah's play kitchen has yet to dissipate. (Please note the manly, baseball attire, to counterbalance last week's "girly" apron pictures)

Taking into account his recent surge in appetite, I am beginning to wonder if he doesn't think the play kitchen will produce some real food if only he stands there long enough.


When the play kitchen fails to provide an adequate meal, E often resorts to his favorite, food-mongering scheme. This, I refer to as "The Mini-vac Con". He has figured out which member of our household has the poorest aim when it comes to consumption, and positions himself beneath her chair, accordingly. Norah has also found this to be a convenient way to get out of eating anything she deems unsightly. (And in hopes of added brownie points, she refers this act as, "sharing with my brother".)

Eli's full. Norah's sharing. My floor's clean. Sounds pretty serendipitous to me.