Weekend Updates

These Elwells had quite the week. I was dragging all week with a stomach bug and Jack was on 12s. The stomach bug finally took over and I was out of commission all day on Saturday. I honestly cannot remember the last time I've been that sick. And nobody likes to lose a full weekend day to a bug. Ugh!

Saturday, Jack took the boys to Grandma's and to his friend's house for an annual bbq.

Justin's report on Grandma's house. "We had chocolate milk."

Justin's report on the bbq. "I caught 2 fish. the hook got stuck in their belly and daddy put his hand in their belly to take the hook out."

They were out all day and I was so thankful to have the rest time at home. The boys had a blast with chocolate milk, cookies, chain sawing for logs/branches, fishing, sand playing and bbq eating. (jack was in charge so no pictures were taken. All calls/feedback can be directed to Jack.)

Sunday, I woke up fresh and well rested. Jack chopped some logs (big 15' sticks) at his mom's house and used them for his next project....a teepee. No lie. Don't ask me where he got the idea. Since he's not building the tree fort this year, he thought the teepee was good for now.

 Guess who's favorite color is orange today? Yes, he dressed himself and was so proud.

And there you have it. You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy. I'm 99% sure we are the only Beachwood backyard with a teepee.  (Fall is my favorite season and I spy red leaves!)

 Sunday, we also snuck in a birthday party for our dear family friend, Carlo. He's 7!

 It was a bowling party - and C & J's first time bowling. Fun times! Convincing Justin to change into rented bowling shoes was the hardest part of the party.

 Then we came home for an afternoon playdate with one of Colin's kindergarten friends, Koki. Koki & his family moved to Beachwood from Japan 4 months ago and are getting adjusted. They are here for 2 years (doing research at CWRU), then moving back to Japan

They brought us the biggest apple fritters ever! (and yes, I took out bachan's Japanese platter for the apple fritters. Lori, I know you're laughing.)

 Lego time. Fumie (Koki's mom) was so happy because Koki learned a couple more English words during the playdate! I was happy because Fumie was teaching me some Japanese words. Maybe there is hope for me after all!

 Justin partied so hard today that he fell asleep before dinner. I found him in our bed and didn't have the heart to wake his little body up. Sleep, child, sleep.

In turtle news, Martha ran away. An unnamed person let the two turtles out to roam in our enclosed turtle area. The turtles were not supervised and Martha escaped. If you know of any turtle wrangling tips, please let us know. Otherwise, we're hoping she burrows real deep and stays warm til Spring. Ack.

Football & Trucks

A weekend full of football and trucks. And I thought I was in charge...

Justin has been asking to go to another Beachwood football game. Football and a fun band-half time show.

Jack took the boys once before and it was easy to see why they loved going to "football games." They walked in and immediately got their popcorn and "coke." (I don't know why, but they call any sports/soda drink "coke.") They found a seat and enjoyed an hour of football, band and people watching.

Father and sons.

Sunday was Beachwood's annual "truck" day.

 Justin's face says it all. Justin wanted to drive every tractor, truck, snow plow and garbage truck in the place.  Most of the time, Colin didn't even want to drive. He just waited for Justin.

 The Bwood people are very creative. Look at this drive in movie theater set up they had for kids.

 C & J ended up in the same car. I think they are just more comfortable together....until one of them squishes the other and they demand to get out. haha.

 They had a fun race track where kids could bicycle through...

 The boys went a handful of times.

 And the highlight was this tractor that had front and back steering areas. Perfect for brothers who want to do most things together.

We'll be back again next year!

Other weekend happenings: Jack had to work on Sat & Sun but still managed to make us homemade salsa. Mmmm.. I made pulled pork for the first time and Jack declared it a winner. Justin is congested and we're all crossing our fingers that he clears up this week. Colin takes after Jack and is constantly asking me if he can build things around the house: "Can I hammer this into the door? Look I made a zipline. Mom, I can't find dad's screwdriver. I only hammered two nails in this wall...Dad said I could."

As for me, I'm excited it's officially fall. I bought a new scarf and wore it all weekend. =) It's my favorite season and I'm looking forward to crunchy leaves, beautiful colors, big bowls of chili and those sunny, crisp air days.

Our last Summer weekend

Justin's recent funnies -
Me: Your teachers said you were a good listener today.
Justin: Yep, I think it's because I ate bacon for breakfast. Daddy should make more bacon.

Day 2
Me: How was your day?
Justin: I was a good listener. And I didn't even eat bacon for breakfast.

Justin: Do you remember when I was a baby, and a falcon picked me up and flew away with me?
Me: No, I don't remember that.
Justin: It happened.

Me: Justin, you need to eat your edamame if you want applesauce.
Justin: No, I don't eat that (and never has. He only pops them out for C to eat.)
Colin: I have an idea. Once you pop them out, dip them in salt. If you have enough salt, you can't even taste it.
Justin: Ok (and proceeds to swirl his edamame in salt. and eats it.) 
*and just like that, edamame (and salt) are now added to the 4 other things that Justin will eat in life. Baby steps.

*If Justin ever tells you that he wants a hot dog or hamburger, don't be fooled. He only wants the bun.
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We had a busy weekend. Almost too busy. Expect to find us at home recovering for the next few weekends. Here's the line up of our weekend outings (or at least what pics I found on my camera).

Birthday party for our good friend Howie.

 Who thought that a soccer game with 3-5 year olds was a good idea? It was mass chaos - but the kids didn't seem to care.

Off to  Patterson's Fun Fest with our friends Eli and Julian. The boys loved this place: tractors, bike tractors, slides, playground, hay area, corn mazes, horse drawn wagon rides, pony rides, food, kettle corn, and play houses. Not to mention a beautiful, clear Fall-is-almost-here kind of day!

 The boys declared this playground Jack's new project. haha.

Family day. Today, my mother-in-law reminded me how close C & J are. I sometimes forget that not all siblings are this close. C & J are really good buddies and do a ton together. It's a nice life.

 We didn't feel right buying pumpkins this early. Maybe on the next trip...

Then we finished off the weekend with a birthday party for cousins Sam and Sarah (who are 7 and 5 now! where has the time gone?!)

Justin found this helmet and immediately asked for one. A blue one. I asked C & J which position they would want to play if they played football. Justin: "the one running with the ball." Colin: "the coach." Their answers describe their personalities perfectly.

 Cousin time.

 Cake time.

 Other highlights:

• Colin is slowly adjusting to kindergarten and making a couple new friends. He finished up swim lessons and can essentially jump off the starting block and kick/paddle across a pool. He's happy and comfortable. We'll start them again in the Spring.
• Justin's confidence is growing as he gets more alone time with Jack/me with our new drop off/pick up schedule.
• Jack is running again - he has a race in mid-October. Stay tuned for his next project - he has something fun in mind for the boys.
• Jamie has been eating clean. Then this past week happened, and I've never believed "you are what you eat" more than I believe it now. I haven't felt this tired and sluggish in a long time. Back to eating clean... (eating clean doesn't mean anything strict/specific. Just healthy foods, mostly vegetarian.)

Family Happenings & thoughts on Kindergarten

The boys had fun while I was gone. Lots of games and a campfire. These are the 2 pictures I found on the camera while I was gone...

Once Jack picked me up from the airport, we headed to Grandma's for dinner. I knew it would be a good night when I saw this cookie mountain.

 Jack played with a chain saw.

We had dinner outside. I can't get over how amazing her backyard is. I think I appreciate her backyard so much more since I know that Jack & I can't even take care of 1 flower bed at our house.

On Sunday, we ventured out to see Planes. When I told Justin we were going to the movie theater, he said, "Yes! That's where you eat popcorn and gummies." As an adult, the movie was horrible. Colin: "That was cool." Justin: fell asleep 1/2 way through the movie. Enough said.

The movie theater was packed.

I napped on Sunday. No lie. NYC kicked my butt. When I woke up, the boys were hammering away. I walked out to find a bridge that they constructed on their own. Hammers and nails were used; all 10 fingers still intact for each of them. I love how they learn from Jack and are inspired to create projects like him.

Here's Jack's final project - stained and sealed. I think it makes our backyard look a bit fancier. =)

NYC was a blast. But coming home to these boys "made my heart happy," as Justin would say.

To sum up Week 1 of kindergarten, here are some of Colin's thoughts/observations:

1. "They only give us 10 minutes for lunch. You have to pack things I can eat super fast."
2. "You're not allowed to talk. You can only talk when they call your name and at recess."
3. "How are you supposed to make friends if you can't talk?"
4. "Why do they have aftercare? Why can't I learn things all day?"
5. "We have different teachers for different classes...art, gym, science, music, computer lab."
6. What does your teacher do? "Math and group time."
7. Do you know anybody in your class? "Nova. I sat next to her at lunch and she's my friend."
8. Do you like kindergarten? "Yes."

That's all folks. Colin is adjusting and we'll keep you updated. One thing is for sure - this is not preschool anymore!

After the 2nd day of kindergarten, we were talking about friends over dinner. It's "friend week" at Justin's preschool and Justin decided to share his ideas on how to make friends:
Justin: "You can smile. That's how someone knows if you want to be their friend. No kisses though - that's germs. But you can hug. You can also share your toys. That's what friends do."

It was cute. Colin just sat and listened as Justin talked with authority. It was fun to watch.

NYC c/o Bethenny Frankel!

Remember how it all started?

This past weekend, I went on an all-expense paid trip to NYC! Bethenny took care of the flight and a 2 night stay at the amazing W hotel in Times Square. We were literally IN Times Square - amazing location! Fancy water ceiling when you walk in...

 Highlights:

• Bethenny gave us spending $ to use in NYC - so it paid for most everything!
• Ate guacamole and crab cakes for three days straight.
• Didn't take a cab once; we walked everywhere.
• Saw times square, hell's kitchen, upper east side, upper west side, bryant park, lincoln park, central park and everything in between.
• Didn't walk into a clothes store once.
• Shopped for macaroons.

 Thursday: we landed and walked Times Square, lunched in Bryant Park and ate Thai food in Hell's Kitchen. In Times Square, creepy adults are dressed up and ppl take pictures with them. Odd.

Friday: Bethenny day. Bus picked us up at 7:15am and we headed to her taping. It was my first time being an audience member of any TV show/talk show. The set was much smaller than I expected and there were people everywhere during filming. The taping was a huge party! Music and dancing for almost 2 hours - I had a blast!

 Instead of taking the Bethenny bus back to Times Square we walked to Fashion Week!! What an experience. We didn't have any celebrity sightings, but the highlight for me was watching normal people get all dressed up and photographers stop to take their pictures. I clearly was not stopped.

 After Fashion Week, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the Bethenny Launch Party.  Roxanne gave me a make up 101 on how to fancy up for the party. =)

Open bar, passed appetizers/desserts, DJ and lots of happy people. Do you know who Salt-N-Peppa is? They put on a great show and we had a blast! I had 2 glasses of wine and was loving life.

Saturday: We walked to Central Park and to the Upper East Side/Madison Ave to find macaroons at Laduree. Holy smokes, it is so worth the walk! Then we brunched and headed back to CLE.

We even took 2 naps on this trip - it was a perfect balance of relaxation and experiencing NYC. Bethenny paid for most of our meals and NYC gave us perfect walking weather. We had a blast! Thank you NYC and thank you Bethenny!!