Higher and Higher, Baby

Elise is crazy. She loves to climb, even in the bathtub. Here is a video of her scaling the shower wall, with the added bonus of Jonathan's commentary.

To Read or Not to Read

This is a picture of Elise almost four months ago. She was eight months old then, and she loved books. Even when Elise was really tiny, she would pay attention for so long as I read to her, sometimes as long as half an hour or more straight.

I have been sad lately because I thought Elise didn't like to read anymore. I used to love that she loved books, but she won't sit still long enough to be read to anymore. She squirms away almost every time you try to read to her.

I said something about this to my sister, and she suggested that maybe Elise just wanted to read all by herself. [Remember this post?] My sister said her son went through an independent phase where he wouldn't let anyone read to him either. I had never thought of that, so I started watching Elise more closely.

And she still loves books. I realized that before I had just been too quick to take them away from her when she tried to read on her own. She's really hard on books sometimes (just yesterday, she ripped the cover off of one book, tore the page in another one, broke the binding on a board book, and bit into yet another board book). Since the books she reads belong to my sister's family, I didn't want her to mess them up. (Obviously, you can see how well that's going, but Holly is really nice about it.)

When you give her a chance, she really is very interested. This was yesterday:

This sight melted my heart.

I was so glad my baby still likes looking at books, even if she usually is too wiggly to finish Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? right now. She is just learning to walk, which makes her crazy about moving. All. The. Time.

And every once in a while, she will sit still for you.

[This picture also melted my heart.]

Yard Sale Finds

My sister and I went yard saling today, and we found some fun things. I love going yard saling with Holly; she is the best deal-finder I know. I got this Little People barn for Elise for 75¢. She loves it.

I also got her this set of percussion instruments that are pretty fun, also for 75¢.

The barn is missing the silo, but I was happy with my purchases! Much better than paying $30 or $40 to get the toys new.

A couple of weeks ago, Holly got this entertainment center while we were yard saling. It's not in perfect condition, but it's really nice and sturdy. Only $5. I know, crazy. Holly was pretty happy, especially since she hated her old entertainment center.

So, happy day today. Maybe I'll wrap up the barn and drum set and give them to Elise for her birthday, which is in less than two weeks.

Soaking Up the Sun

Today the high was 111°, but the kids were a little energetic and needed to run around outside. Holly's kids put on their bathing suits and Elise wore just a swim diaper, and they all played outside while we sprayed them with the hose. They had a lot of fun.

wet

the hooligans in action

Going, Going, Gone!

Elise has really been taking off with walking lately. She's such a daredevil! She has discovered the freedom of walking wherever she wants, and she loves it.

Oh, and she also climbs.

Peek-a-boo

This is Elise playing peek-a-boo with her shirt. She keeps us laughing.

And here's more peek-a-boo, just because she's so cute.

I love this {adorable} kid.

Eat Your Veggies!

Elise likes vegetables. It's weird. She'll take peas over pears any day. Last night she tried broccoli (steamed, with nothing on it), and it was a big hit.

Don't worry, she doesn't eat too healthy.

[Remember this?]