Elias was getting down to one of the artist down at Art Prize. Of course that part wasn't captured by video but we did get this ... 



Colin is a read-aholic. Here he is reading me one of his new books ... 

Last Week's Goals:

• Menu Planner: Sunday Dinner at Mom and Dads, Tacos, Make Your Own, Chicken Parm, Out for Mike's Birthday, Make Your Own -have to work 2nd shift, Something quick between work and Church 
• Household:  Make at least 1 trip to the storage unit
• Personal: Go to bed before 11pm at least once
• Family: Go downtown for ArtPrize {Elias got sick so we had to postpone},  Mike's Bday
• Misc: Mike Food Survey, Playdate at School on Wednesday, Get food ready for IHN at church

This Week's Goals:

• Menu Planner: Burgers, Manicotti, Subs, Pulled Pork, Biscuits and Cheese, Zesty Italian Chicken, and Out of Town
• Household: Catch up on laundry, Make at least 1 trip to the storage unit, Fill a Box with unplayed with Toys
• Personal: Go to bed before 11pm at least once, Work on 32 List, 
• Family: Go to ArtPrize twice, Make S'mores in the backyard with C, Go to Detroit to see Mike's Dad and fam 
• Misc: Food Survey with Elias, 

Accidentally skipped last week. So here's two weeks ago...

• Menu Planner: Sunday Dinner at Mom and Dads, Taco Salad, Restaurant,  Tacos, Subs, Beef Stew, and Beef and Rice Burritos
• Household: Make at least 1 trip to the storage unit, Go through boys' closets/dressers,
• Personal: Hair Appt , Go to bed before 11pm twice, 
• Family: 
• Misc: Return Product Test

This Week's:

• Menu Planner: Sunday Dinner at Mom and Dads, Tacos, Make Your Own, Chicken Parm, Out for Mike's Birthday, Make Your Own (have to work 2nd shift), Something quick between work and Church
• Household:  Make at least 1 trip to the storage unit
• Personal: Go to bed before 11pm at least once
• Family: Go downtown for ArtPrize, Mike's Bday
• Misc: Mike Food Survey, Playdate at School on Wednesday, Get food ready for IHN at church

Elias:

My poor 2nd child. I've totally slacked on writing you letters. Mommy is sorry. It isn't that I don't want to write them or that you aren't doing anything letter worthy but rather life just seems so much busier than it did with just Colin. But I thought this month even if I can't write a long witty letter, I at least want to document what you are up to. Occasionally I look back on what Colin was doing at your age and should we decided to have another baby I'd love to be able to reference what you were doing as well.  Annnnnnnd ... 2nd babies deserve a little specialness too, right? :) 

 

You, m'dear are why life is so much busier. I firmly believe it has very little to do with the fact that I now have 2 kids instead of 1 and mostly to do with your personality and abilities. You are ALWAYS on the go. You've been walking since you were 9 months (ok 9 months and 2 days) and I think that puts you so far ahead of the norm. You've been walking and climbing for what feels like forever thus making you more adventurous. Or maybe it's your personality :) Regardless, Elias, you are a wild one. You are quick. You are fearless. You are sneaky and loud and a climber. You literally climb on everything. We've removed every climbable thing in the house that isn't necessary but that doesn't stop you. Most of the day you can be found standing or jumping on the couch and smiling as I repeatedly say "Elias sit on your bottom." If you aren't on the couch, you can be found on the stairs, up the stairs in the bathroom with your hand in the toilet, planking on your activity table, stacking toys up to get you higher. There's nothing you won't try to climb. The other day you climbed on the kitchen chair and stood on the kitchen table! Your tenacity outweighs your short little legs. And if I'm being really honest here, I strongly dislike this stage we've seem to be in for the past 4-5 months but I do pray you never lose your strong sense of determination. 

Aside from the differences in you and Colin's mobility at this age, the other big difference is you hardly speak words. I've heard that it's typical; kids who walk earlier speak later and vice versa - it's just how the brain works as it focuses harder on one aspect. Unlike Colin who at Month 14 was saying more than a dozen words, you have just a small handful: Dada, All Done, and Duck are your clearest. You have a distinct sound for Colin. You can say Mama but rarely ever do. And I think that's it. You sign for "Please" and shake your head "No" very emphatically. You know the animal sounds for: Pig, Puppy Dog, Cat, Elephant, Monkey, and always say "duck duck" for Duck. And while you don't say much, your understanding of what is said to you astonishes me. Maybe it's normal for your age but you just seem so little to follow directions. You are good about getting your shoes (and everyone elses) and putting them by the door when you are done. Or putting your cup on the table when I ask you to pick it up off the floor. We are still working on following directions on not throwing food, jumping/running on the couch and hitting Colin :) 

Elias as trying as you can be at times (have we mentioned you still don't consistently sleep through the night! but we do really appreciate that you are                      doing it several times a week) you are the sweetest thing ever. You bring so much joy and laughter to our lives. Your go-big-or-go-home personality fills the house. As much as you love to beat-up Colin, you are quick to lovingly rub his head, nuzzle your face against his or shower him with your sweet but often sloppy kisses. As crazy and loud and wild as you can be you are equally sweet and gentle and oh so adorable. There's nothing I love more than being your {and Colin's} Mommy. I love you more than words can say. 

Love Always,

Mommy

I'm a goal setting, list making kinda girl. I love nothing more than creating lists; the whole process of it: thinking of ideas, the satisfaction of completing task, the accountability of "the list."

I decided in light of my recent 32nd (*Gasp* 32?!?!) birthday, I'd make a list of 32 things I'd like to complete this year. 32 things that will hopefully better me as a person, wife, mother, Child of God, citizen. 

I'm intentionally leaving a few open so I can add ideas as the year progresses depending on my passions, spirit-callings, or whatever crazy idea pops in my head. 

1. Lose {at least} 32 pounds
2. Sell this house
3. Read 1 Book per month (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
4. Do 1 Service Act per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
5. Do 1 Random Act of Kindness per month  (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
6. Have 1 Family Planned Activity per month  (Sept-Zoo, Oct-Fall Fun, Nov-Children's Museum, Dec-FMG for Santa and Trains, Jan-Florida, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug)
7. Donate 32 articles of clothes
8. Fund a well 
9. Have Family Pictures taken
10. Go out of town with the girls in the family
11. Do {at least} 32 new pins
12. Join a Life Group at church
13. Mail at least 1 Card per month
14. Create a 1 Month Menu Planner - and see if it works
15. Ride the train to Chicago with the boys
16. Create an art project or treat with the boys for all major holidays
17. Go on a date with Mike once {at least} once a quarter
18. Go on a date with just Colin
19. Go on a date with just Elias
20. Make Christmas Cookie Platter for Mike's work
21. Create a service project {preferably ongoing} at work
22. Do my own version of 7 
23. Allow Colin to have a sleep over with a friend
24. Increase ING account by $X
25. Pay for Disney in 'cash'
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