Presto, Pesto!

Eliot loves to help in the kitchen. And I love that he loves to help in the kitchen. Last night we made pesto. First, I sent him out to harvest some basil.

We washed the leaves in the salad spinner, which is one of Eliot's favorite kitchen gadgets. He helped me add all of the ingredients. He was doing fine until he got to the pine nuts, and poured the entire jar in there. WHOOPS! I let him push the button on the food processor (which, just so you know, always remained unplugged unless we were actively pushing the button). Presto! Pesto! Although Eliot didn't have any, I did. It was sorta dry and very nutty, but it was delicious, because it was made with love. You know, if you love pine nuts.

The Three Bears

Eliot quite enjoys hanging out in his bedroom when he first wakes up. Sometimes he'll entertain himself in there for up to thirty minutes. This morning when he woke up I heard him reading books to himself. He was reading "The Three Bears." I know this, not because I could make out the story, but because he was using each bears' proper voice. Papa Bear, of course, has a stern, gruff, deep voice. Eliot has to tuck his chin close to his chest to do this one. Mama Bear is somewhat feminine and kindly, but not too high-pitched. She says things like, "land sakes!" Baby Bear is a little whiny and very high-pitched, but I guess I would be too, if a blond-haired miscreant had invaded my home and ruined all of my things. Anyway, Eliot could have been saying, "I'd like a ham-n-cheese on rye" for all I know, but I'd know those bear voices anywhere.

Ant Drama

Yesterday was my day to sleep in. So I was lying in bed dozing a little and all of a sudden I heard the pitter-patter of little feet running around in circles downstairs. Then I heard Eliot start to yell, "ANTS! ANTS!! AAAANNNTTTSS!!" I went downstairs, expecting a full-on ant invasion, but it was really only a few ants scouting the area by the window. "They're on me!!! ANTS!" Brian and I calmed Eliot, ridded the area of the ants, and called the exterminator.

Eliot and I met the exterminator this morning. Eliot was a little wary of the stranger in our home, but I explained that he was there to get rid of all of the ants and to make sure no more got in the house. He said, "I like that man A LOT!" It could have seriously been a Wayne's Pest Control commercial.

Eliot's not afraid!

This was captured by Phillip at Holly's 4th of July pool party. Click on picture for a larger view.

the games are getting harder!

I have a bad habit of putting stuff in my mouth. I already know this is not a very good habit, but now that I've been corrected by my two-year-old I feel really shameful. I was chewing on a piece of rubber cord the other night when Eliot said, "Get that out 'cha mouth! It's NOT a yummy snack!" This has prompted a new game, I call it the "Yummy Snack" game. We'll take turns asking if things are a yummy snack or not. For example: Is watermelon a yummy snack? YES! Is a book a yummy snack? NO! The best part of the whole game is when Eliot thinks up the question. There's no telling what will come out of his mouth. Is Bear-bear a yummy snack? Are beanie weenies a yummy snack? Is Tuesday a yummy snack?

I especially love this game because it's superseded his last favorite game, the "Yes or No" game. The gameplay went kinda like this:
Eliot: yes or no, Mommy?
Me: uhm. No?
Eliot: No, it's yes. Yes or no, Mommy?
Me: I dunno... yes?
Eliot: Yes! It's yes! Okay. Yes or no?
This could go on forever! Just guessing if "it's yes or no". It's important to note that there was no REAL question involved. Just, "is it yes or no"? So, the Yummy Snack game, for me, is much more fun.

is he old enough for this much reminiscing?!?

I can't even believe he was ever this little! No wonder I fell in love with him. =)

a quiet moment

Eliot shares a quiet moment in the garden with Lauren on Memorial Day.