A Pair of Twos



Another of my personal saviors is my buddy, Ginger, who bravely stepped in and invited Elsie to spend the day with her daughter Camille--yes, a pair of two-year olds. Here are some live shots of what Elsie and Camille are up to today: coloring, a tea party involving pouring syrup on pancakes, independent reading at the library story time, and at this very moment, a nap (sans photos). We became friends with Ginger and Lee and Camille because Elsie needed a friend her age--and while that is true, what has become equally as valuable is sharing the day-to-day of mommying with Ginger for me. That is truly priceless!

Brave Beach Babies







For pale folks, like David and me, the fall can be the best time at the beach. It may be a bit cold for swimming... or maybe not. We have spent a couple weekends this month over at HHI and both times it was impossible to keep Elsie out of the water. Johnny and Kate allowed his sisters and their families to crash their relaxing getaway and make it, well, not really relaxing anymore. It was great fun for us, and hopefully for J and K too--fishing and football, bike rides and boiled crab, and Bryce and Elsie at full speed.

With Elaine undergoing a repair surgery and recuperation, my mom once again swooped in to help us out, and after taking care of Elsie for a week in Savannah, we headed over to HHI for more beach fun... Elsie did ask where Bryce and Mike and Bawbwa, Kate and Johnny, Abby and Tug were repeatedly--discussing who was there as much as who wasn't.

BFFs/Cousins

Fishing with Uncle Johnny

Babies for Obama

Check out Elsie's debut on the political scene at http://yeswecanholdbabies.wordpress.com/
Scroll through to find Water sports for Obama! posted October 29, 2008, 2:02 pm by my sister Barbara upon her friend Christy's recommendation. Elsie rocks the vote!

Syntax

Everyday, more often than not, Elsie is speaking in full sentences. Here are a couple heard repeatedly the past few days. Of course, these don't take into account a weekend full of instructions for cousin Bryce over at Hilton Head--we'll save those for when we upload those pics.

• Whatcha doin' Daddy?
• How'd you sleep?
• Look, Oscar, what a cutie.
• I sleep well.
• Good job, Mommy!
• Look, Daddy, I'm cute.
• I tinkle on potty.

A Laugh, A Bath, A Book with Aunt Barb, then Bed

Taking it all in at the GA Aquarium

Cousin Cuteness

A Swing and then A Ring around the Rosey with Addie

Park Playdate in ATL






So here are some of those pics I promised a while back--these are from our late September visit to the ATL.

Elsie-isms

Elsie loves to count--her favorite number is eleventeen. It appears twice when counting from 10-20.

When trying to corral a group of people to do what she wants, Elsie calls out "hey everyguys, come'ere, come'ere. Come'ere everyguys." I'd say it works much better than "that one."

And we need to get video footage of the pledge of allegiance, riddled with Elsie-isms.

Sunday Silliness

Good Times in Bluffton




After hitting the jackpot at the outlets in Bluffton Saturday morning, we headed over for a big ol' house party at the Belzers on the river in Bluffton. After an afternoon on the boat with the Martin and Belzer families, we enjoyed sunset roasting oysters and watching the kids play. (We learned that Elsie loves oysters--she ate approximately 20--and she loves the chocolate in the s'mores and can forego the marshmellow/graham cracker nonsense!) David found the weekend stressful only in having to decide what to drink next with an extended cocktail hour (and following the Tide's second half).

Homework


So, Elsie is really into reading. For all those baby book clubs out there, Elsie recommends (in no particular order):

Each Peach Pear Plum--thanks Pace Family.
Berenstein Bears Trick or Treating.
The David books... because he gets in trouble.
The Maisie books.
The Good Dog Carl books
All Peggy Rathman books.
All Boynton books.
Knufflebunny.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom--thanks Lodewick Family.
Just to name a few....