super heros

For some reason, pretty much out of the blue, Eliot has become fascinated with super-heros. Every night he wants to look at the X-Men book and we must discuss every single one of them. What is their name? What is their super power? Are they good guys or bad guys? Where do they wear that little “X” on their costume? He likes the Beast the best, but I think that's because I told him he was my favorite. He says that the Beasts' super-hero powers (ie mutant abilities) are that he is “very smart and very sweet”. I think that is accurate. =)) He also likes Storm (“she can control the weather – with her mind. Like... rainy... or sunny... or windy... stuff like that.”) and "that guy who plays cards".

This is not limited to X-Men, it’s just that that is the only book he has. He also enjoys discussing Spiderman and Batman. I had no idea there were so many X-men. It’s fortunate that I have a little background on these guys, but there are quite a few that I don’t know. We’re working up a list for our friend Michael – I hope he’s up to it. It’s hard to raise a proper geek!

bathtub mural

Last night in the bathtub, Eliot took his green bathtub crayon and drew a giant… uhm… blob. It went down one side of the bathtub, into the water and up the wall on the other side. One end of the blob had colorful polka-dots. The other end had a rectangular design on top. I told him I liked his mural. He said, “It’s not a mural. It’s a Donkasaurus.” He went on to explain that the rectangle was a toaster atop the Donkasaurus’ head.
Eliot: He makes toast for everybody. With cheese. But not “cimanem”.
Me: Does he eat the toast himself or does he just make it for other people?
Eliot: Other people. He eats grasshoppers.
Me: Like, kids that are in the Grasshopper class?!?!
Eliot: NOO! He’s a sweet dinosaur. He doesn’t eat people!
Me: I like his polka-dots.
Eliot: they are on his tail.

Eliot paused for a while, admiring his creation. I suppose he was lost in thought about the whole Donkasaurus story. After a minute he said, “also jelly.”

temportation

I’m sure this conversation was a result of the recent interest in all things Richard Scarry. We were getting ready to run some errands. Eliot says, “do you have any temportation?” I have no idea what that means. I’m not sure it’s even a word. “Any WHAT?” “Temportation, Mommy! Like cars.. or trucks.. or vehicles..” As usual, it took me a second to figure out what he was saying, “oooh! Transportation! Yes, we have transportation in the form of Mommy’s car.”

Dr. Eliot

Last weekend I had a stomach bug. I was not well at all! I was sick all Friday night and into Saturday morning. Brian got up with Eliot and they came up to wake me up a few hours later. Eliot snuggled in bed with me and asked, "you're not feeling well, Mommy?" I explained that I had a tummy ache. "Oh!" he said, "I know!" He jumped out of bed and I heard him clomp down the stairs. Moments later he was clomping back up. He climbed back up in bed and lifted my shirt. Ever so delicately, he placed a tiny Dora band-aid right across my belly button. I know you won't believe this next part, but I swear it's true! I said, "Thank you so much! I know that'll make me feel better!" And he said, "It's my pleasure!" It's my pleasure?! Where did he GET that?!

Anyway, then he said, "what else will make you feel better?" I said, "I don't know. What makes you feel better when you're sick?" He said, "turn over!" I rolled over onto my tummy and he began rubbing my back. I think I taught him well - a good back rub will cure almost anything.

you don't get to choose

On the way home from school...
Eliot: We will get a brother or sister today.
Me: WHEN?!
Eliot: Yes, when?
Me: Not today. That's for sure.
Eliot: Well, when?
Me: I don't know. Are you going to help me feed it, change it's diaper, sing it to sleep?
Eliot: No, I want a BIG brother or sister.
Me: Well, the only one can to get will be a LITTLE one.
Eliot: Okay. Not today.

looking through the ole photo album

Me: See? That's you're daddy and me when we got married.
Eliot: Where's me?
Me: It's before you were born. You weren't here yet.
Eliot: Before I was born?
Me: Yes, see? Here's a picture of me when you were still in my belly.
Eliot: Did you EATED me???
Me: No, you just grew there.
Eliot (looking at my belly suspiciously): You're belly is tiny. It's too tiny for me to fit in there.

And that's why I keep him around.

Help Needed

Okay. Two things.

1. In the on-going question bag activity at school, Eliot’s number is up again. Next month we have the letter “L”. Suggestions?
2. I have completely exhausted all of the songs I can think of to sing to Eliot at bedtime. He constantly wants new material. I’ve done everything from Zippity-Do-Dah to Yellow Submarine. My problem is that there are lots of good songs out there, but they are not all easy to sing a cappella. I’m really trying to come up with some that are not necessarily “children’s songs” but are fun to sing anyway (think Beatles).