ELF - DEC 08

Sydney and Silas were busy making paper airplanes last night before bed and Sydney had HOPED to see Barney fly. I guess Barney was paying attention.

This morning, our scout elf BARNEY flies in the living room, riding on Papa Olson's wooden plane. He also left a GIANT paper airplane.

The dinosaurs, that were hatched from the St. Nick eggs, were also on the mantle. Daddy thinks that Barney might have taken them to the North Pole with him - to show Santa that Sydney and Silas like dinosaurs.

Growing FRUSTRATED with computer

'Tis the season for computer work...
working on my Project Life album that got stuck in early October
writing a holiday letter
using the address book on the computer to hand-write addresses
ordering a calendar (gift)
working on photo book (gifts)
attempting to post blog entries, but sad that I haven't got the storage space to add pictures
searching for clever ideas on the internet

SO, I really DON'T NEED computer problems!

I FINALLY bought an external hard drive and backed up my Mac for the FIRST TIME EVER in October. Frustratingly enough, sometimes, my computer isn't recognizing it or my regularly scheduled backups aren't working.

AND NOW... since upgrading to a newer operating system, I have been having A LOT OF ISSUES with my computer! I keep getting strange freezing and locking up, complete crashes without warning, a striped screen with a non-responsive computer.

Mike and I discussed that it MIGHT be the computer's way of letting me know that it isn't doing well... you know, like a series of mini-strokes before THE BIG ONE that does it in.

Sad.
Sad.
Sad.

IF I didn't have so much to do... I'd just walk away from it and go read a book. BUT the holidays are coming! EEEK!


Dear external hard drive,

Please, please, PLEASE start working regularly again! I really NEED to know that I have YOU to fall back on. I really do NOT want to lose everything on my computer.

Sincerely,
Sarah, sad Mac owner

ELF - DEC 07

DEC 07 - Barney sits near the top of our tree.

ELF - DEC 06

St. Nick payed us a visit last night, leaving notes and goodies in our stockings while we were sleeping. Maybe THAT is why Barney felt the need to decorate?

 

DEC 06 - Barney peeks out of the apothecary jar.

St. Nick filled out stockings last night. Sydney exclaims
"St. Nick is just another name for Santa, I think."

Daddy and Mommy each got new gloves from St. Nick.
Mommy and the boys got new jammies. Daddy got a
Grinch tshirt. Sydney and Silas each got new
(Thomas the Train) toothbrushes... a baby one for Silas
and an automatic one for Sydney. They also got some
Dinosaur Eggs to toss into the bathtub for a dinosaur to appear.

Sydney and Silas are THRILLED with their new toothbrushes!

ELF - DEC 05

DEC 05 - Looks like Barney decorated his mantle.

DEC 05 - Barney decorated that little tree
that he picked out yesterday, too.

ELF - DEC 04

Barney, our scout elf, picked out his perch on our miniature tree. He's holding some lights. I wonder what he's up to?

3.5 years VS 19 months

Sydney is NOW 3.5 years old.

• He attends preschool twice each week and LOVES when it is HIS TURN to bring show & tell. (Dinosaur Train dinos have travelled via backpack for both of his turns so far.... Buddy; then, King.) 
• He is potty trained during the day, but almost never when he sleeps; we rely on diapers for that.
• He almost always asks for "pita butta and jewwy" OR "pita butta and two-wewwa" (PB&J/Nutella) made into "didosaurs" (dinosaurs)
• He says that SIWAS (Silas) is his baby BROWER (brother).
• He still says GOG instead of dog, but can say Daddy just fine.
• We use 1-2-3 Magic for discipline and he often yells "NO! Don't count at me when I am being naughty!"
• Adores his brother!
• Likes to snuggle.
• He is outgrowing his 3T pajamas.
• LOVES salsa & chips!
• Was concerned that we don't have a fireplace for Santa to come to our house; our Elf on the Shelf scout elf (Barney) built his own fireplace so that he could get into and out of our house.
• Was most recently concerned that our cats (Eddy & Otto) don't have stockings; I guess THEY need them now, too and can probably NOT share one.
• LOVES to watch tv; you'd think that he would get bored with it, but he doesn't!
• His favorite show is Dinosaur Train. Runners up are: Sesame Street, Sid the Science Kid, Word World and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. (Although, he likes to watch cooking shows or dog shows with Daddy, too.)
• His favorite things to wear are his ISU Cyclone tshirt, which he calls an "angry bird" OR his googley eye shirt.
• He doesn't like to wash his hands after going to the bathroom so, he BEGS for us to touch the toilet seat for him.
• He's starting to protest wearing jeans; requesting fuzzy pants. (???)
• He has protested napping for MONTHS now, but gets sassy/naughty and has melt-downs in the late afternoons. He often falls asleep in the car instead. Once in a while, we can convince him to nap and he is a happy camper! (He naps in his own bed.)
• He likes a mid-afternoon snack, but it often ruins his supper. We haven't worked this out yet.
• Enjoys graham crackers and milk for a bedtime snack with daddy.
• Has an electric toothbrush; sometimes he wants baby toothpaste and other times, big person toothpaste. He can't figure out how to spit.
• Doesn't like to get snot on his face or his hands dirty. (I don't know WHERE he gets THAT from?!?! Ooops, my bad!)
• Likes to play games at bedtime and keeps getting up. Climbs into our bed at night often. (Someday, he will outgrow that...)
• Enjoys bedtime stories and then, after Silas is in bed, enjoys snuggling in the recliner with mom or dad. He MUST have his feet covered with a blanket. Likes us to sing "Twinkle Twinkle" AND hum it.
• Likes the babygate left open.
• Likes to be a helper with mom's shots... it is his job to wash his hands, hold the cotton ball and count to a designated number; then, announces "GO!"
• Announces "Red. Stop! Green. Go!" while driving.
• Says our family prayer at meals.
• Talks almost non-stop, unless watching tv.
• Sometimes, sounds like a mosquito with his whining voice.
• LOVES puzzles and books, painting, coloring, drawing pictures.
• Drinks A LOT of milk at meal time. Enjoys juice whenever he can talk us into it. Sometimes asks for cold fresh water. 
• Has to go potty before bed in order to earn his cup of water; otherwise, mom keeps the cup since he already has water in his belly.
• Has A LOT of compassion and empathy. Is a VERY SWEET boy!
• Announces that Lucy AND Ellie are his girlfriends.
• Plays alone well. Likes to have whatever Silas has sometimes, too.
• Sings a lot of songs. Makes a lot of noise.
• Tries to pick up his brother.
• Helps protect Silas from the road.

Silas is NOW 19 months old.

• Is outgrowing his 18 month jammies. 24mo OR 2T fit perfectly. 3T are a little long in the legs.
• Wears diapers almost round the clock. HOWEVER, has been starting to show potty training readiness. TODAY, he went potty on the potty chair 3 times, once on the floor and was diapered for the majority of the day. While diapered, sat on the potty chair, announced POOP, signed/said ALL DONE, clapped and got away... smelling like poop. Has a good role model to follow! Went for a walk today without a diaper on... no accidents.
• LOVES to watch Sesame Street on tv. Elmo, Abby and Grover are his favorites, I think.
• TALKS A LOT!
• Adores his brother!
• Steers us around by pushing on our shoulders when we are holding him.
• LOVES eggs for breakfast. Announces "Crack eggs! Kitchen!" and sometimes, "Messy Eggs!"
• Announces "Be careful!" often.
• Wants to sit on daddy's lap during meals.
• Sucks his right thumb and enjoys a blanket when he is tired. Thumb is good anytime.
• Enjoys books and has started to figure out when they are upside down.
• LOVES to help set the table for dinner.
• Has an evil laugh when he is being naughty.
• Keeps his brother company when Sydney is in timeout.
• Announces "BED!" almost immediately after the lights are out. Sometimes, asks for "Twinkle Star", but rarely makes it through the entire song before asking to go in his bed. Sleeps with a polartec blanket. Likes his "Cup in corner!" (water in sippy)
• LOVES taking a bath; sometimes, poops in tub. (Grrrr!)
• LOVES to help in the kitchen!
• FANTASTIC EATER!!!! (Eats anything... eats a lot!)
• Tried blue cheese the other day and ended up taking Mike's fork so that he could feed it to himself faster!
• Beets are one of his favorite foods. CHEESE is one of his very favorites!
• Requests "LIFE!" (cereal) for breakfast on cereal days.
• Has dimples when he says "Sydney"
• Prays with our family at mealtime. Doesn't say his own name, but clearly says Mommy, Daddy, Sydney and family. (Thank you mommy and daddy... and Sydney and Silas... for a wonderful family. Amen.)
• Started biting when he gets mad or tired. Teaching him to "use his words" instead of biting and to ask for a turn.
• Sometimes bucks when trying to diaper. (Grrrr!)
• Loves to call himself HELPER!
• Wants to do whatever his brother is doing.
• Wants to play with whatever his brother is playing with.
• LOVES swimming lessons at the YMCA! Loves to JUMP! Kick-kick-kick is fun, too!
• Wants to get close to our cats to snuggle.
• Makes kissing noise to call cats. (Normally calls both cats EDDY.)
• Started wearing 2T jeans.
• Gnaws on the wrong end of his toothbrush or the end of our rubber spatulas OR chews on his fingers, drools a lot... 2 year molars, I think!
• Calls for mommy when he wakes. Immediately asks for DAD. If dad is at work, he announces "Oh. Work." If dad is in bed, he runs to the bedroom to find him. Silas LOVES his daddy!
• Likes "FLY KISS". (Butterfly kisses.)
• LOVES to talk on the phone. OR pretend to talk on the calculator. Can hear him announce "Hello? Good." and "Bye" quite often.
• When asked "How are you?" He boldly announces "GOOD."
• Pays attention to conversation... shakes head yes and no.
• Calls Sydney out on hurting him or taking away his toys. Clearly announces "Brother" or "Sydney"
• Announces "Red. Stop! Green. Go!" while driving.
• Barks every time we drive past THE NAUGHTY DOG restaurant by the library, knowing that there are often dogs on the rooftop there.
• Announces "DIGGER!" or "CRANE!" by the college and high school... or while we are out driving. Keeps a close eye out.
• Thinks that any 4 laned road is heading to Papa's house.
• Is an incredibly sweet little boy!!! LOVES to try to kiss Sydney. (Sydney often protests.)
• Is infatuated with THE MOON!!!
• Starting to sing along with songs. Starting to say the words to bedtime stories.
• LOVES to read POOKIE and Llama Llama. 
• Favorite book is "The Very Busy Spider" (Pronounces it SUB-ah!)
• Favorite things to wear are: Googley eyes shirt, Spiderman shirt or BUZZ Lightyear shirt.
• Likes to try to put shoes onto our feet so that we can GO! (So Cute!)
• Flirts with people everywhere that we go!
• SO LOVABLE!!!

ELF - DEC 03

DEC 03 - Looks like Barney is learning how to fly.

ELF - DEC 02

ELF - DEC 01

This morning, we woke to discover a North Pole Breakfast. Our table had been set and a friendly scout elf sat on our table. Last night, we had watched a movie - An Elf's Story - about scout elves so, we knew just what it was as soon as we saw it sitting on our breakfast table.

Our elf brought us breakfast! Candy canes made out of strawberries and bananas... that was a favorite for Sydney and Silas! Sydney wouldn't eat a powdered donut, but Silas enjoyed his fare share of them!

We learned in the movie that the elves lose their magic if you touch them so, Daddy carefully moved the elf's bucket and elf - using some skewers to be careful NOT to touch the elf. Then, we opened the box and found the book inside.

We read the story and picked a name for our elf. Of course, Sydney thought that SYDNEY was an excellent choice for a scout elf. Then, when we said that we already had a Sydney, he went through the lineup of Silas, Daddy and Mommy. Then, we started making a list of real choices.

As a family, we decided on BARNEY! (A name that ALL of us can say.)

Barney had his own little donuts, too. They were SO CUTE and looked delicious! When no one was looking, Silas swiped one off of the table and ate it.

Sydney had been concerned this past week, wondering HOW Santa would get into our house - since we don't  have a fireplace. It turns out, our elf BROUGHT (or built?) ONE to our house! We try NOT to touch that, too, since it is OBVIOUSLY MAGIC!!!