Believe Me, You're Missing Out

I have this highly entertaining video of Ben exterminating the centipede but my computer is too slow to upload it - bummer!

Never Mind,

I think ants are WAY better!

Ben found this not-so-little guy in our bathtub this morning. 

I threw my mascara into the tub so you can get a feel for the ginormity of this centipede. 

We're not sure how to kill it... well okay, we're actually just scared to try. So, our current solution is trapping him under a glass bowl. We're city folk. 

Quite the Copycat

Starting about a month ago, Evan began mimicking the "clicking" sound you make with your tongue on the roof of your mouth. I'm pretty sure his Aunt Abby taught him that trick. He's expanded his repertoire to include a few more sounds, so I tried to get it on video (probably shouldn't have done it while he was eating, but oh well).

What Do These Things Have in Common?

All of these containers were considered to be a suitable substitute for a toilet by Elena at some point last week (also included in that list, but not shown here - the bathroom sink). This week has gone much better, so I'm hoping this was just a very short phase. My apologies to friends (hi Stephanie!) who called me while I was in the the middle of throwing a fit over the discovery of the deed. 

If you're wondering what I'm doing still hanging on to them... no worries! I sprayed them down with 409. :-)

What ARE You Talking About?

If you didn't already know, I'm on the board of directors for our neighborhood's homeowner association. I just completed my first year which was marked by last night's annual meeting. This meeting is open to all the homeowners of the subdivision.

Some might assume that it's a bore to attend, but it is actually very entertaining.  These meetings tend to draw out the... how shall I say it... the more eccentric residents. Here are some of the more memorable quotes of the evening:

"I have 311 on speed dial." - This is the lady you go to if you have a question about a city ordinance because she knows them by heart.

"Next time you get a solicitor at your door, call me up and I'll get their a__ with my 357." - This was contributed by our tattoo covered, motorcycle driving, resident. Everything the man says (truly everything) is laced with profanity. Ben and I think he's a bounty hunter or something. That said, you'll never meet a man more diligent about trimming his shrubs.

"Well, everyone knows you need 7 trees to breath!" - This lady was upset about some construction taking place nearby and feared that her oxygen supply was threatened after the removal of the trees on the site. 

And there you have it. 

Never...

leave a 2 year old unsupervised. 

She's telling me that she has a little marker "right there" on her chin. 

I'm sorry, where did you say it was?

Weird.

Okay, so this is weird. The previous post just popped up on my blog this morning. I had tried repeatedly a week or two ago to load this video from youtube, but it never showed up on my blog so I gave up. And here it is. Odd.

My Favorite Dance

Meet Lucky

She is the newest member of our family. We knew Ben's Go-Pedding Days would not be a long term solution, but we weren't sure what would come next. Well,  a couple of months ago, as Ben was researching options online (particularly scooter options), he fell in love with the Buddy 150. After being on a waiting list in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, taking a motorcycle license course, and getting fitted for a helmet, he is now commuting and running any small errand he can on Lucky. 

I really wanted to get a picture of him with the helmet on, but he wouldn't let me. The thing is HUGE!

  

Don't Believe a Word She Says

We have a little girl who likes to tell some tall tales over the phone. She repeatedly tells her listeners that she "went to Sea World and Costco" that day. There was a day (a single, crazy day) when this happened, but it was a long time ago,  and now she is just giving people the false impression that a) I am super mom by taking her to a theme park daily, and b) we go through way more food than a family of four ever should.

At Last!

Evan's FIRST tooth appeared last night!

I feel what I can only describe as pride at my son's accomplishment. He has worked so hard at growing that little central incisor. I'm truly beaming.

The Ants Go Marching One by One

Until last Thursday,  I was able to boast in the fact that I had never seen an ant in our house. I'd seen a centipede or two, but NO ANTS! Sigh, this era of innocence is over.

The Invasion:

They began creeping in under our kitchen door which happens to be very near the spot where Elena sits to eat.  It's eery how quickly they learned to camp out under her chair. They also rapidly learned to come running when they heard me shake the Fruity Pepples cereal box. 

The Defense:

I think I have underestimated how resilient ants are.  I first tried to eradicate them with my trusty "409 - All Purpose Cleaner". 

409 is to me as Windex is to this man. :-)

"Put some Windex on it."

Anyways, I sprayed 409 on each little ant I saw in my kitchen and then sprayed a big puddle by the door that they couldn't miss as they attempted to come in. I naively thought I had taken care of the situation... It held them off for about 8 hours. 

Next, Ben tried to calk the little hole by which they were entering. It worked over night, but in the morning they were determined to not miss breakfast and they somehow found another spot.

Now, we're pitifully vacuuming them up as we talk about who's going to go to the store to get actual ant killer. 

This battle is not for the faint of heart.

10 Months Old

Oops - I almost forgot that today is the 8th! But then this adorable face reminded me. 

Evan is now 10 months old. 

-He is crawling everywhere. He darts for the rooms that he considers "fun"  (ya know - the ones with cords to pull out of outlets and choking hazards a-plenty).

-He also loves to follow after his sister and give moral support as she uses the potty (Between Evan and myself, Elena has quite the little potty entourage).

-He is really starting to play with toys. The benefit of being the second-born is that there's a good selection. 

-He seems to love music. His Grandma Elkins played some you-tube clips of the opera, "Carmen" for him, and he was really into it. 

-He loves splashing in water. He gets fussy when Elena's in the tub without him. 

We love you Evan Jesse Elkins

Exactly Who's Playgroup Is It?

We had playgroup yesterday at my friend Kristin's house. Elena had such a great time, and I think Evan even enjoyed himself too. This group of moms has been so special to me since I moved back to San Antonio. Each one of them is a "Five-Star Mommy" and I am always challenged, encouraged, and loved on when I get together with them. As much as these friends mean to me, I somehow didn't get any pictures of them, but here are some of the kiddos in the group. :-)

All Good Things Must Come to an End

If I knew how to convey a scream in print I would type it out right here _____! I am on such a high from watching the season finale of So You Think You Can Dance. Wow!!! They filled the show with some of my favorite dances previously done over the course of this season and it was fantastic. Woo-hoo! I think I will have to call up my fellow fans tomorrow so we can relive it over the phone. YAY!!! Okay I guess I'm done. 

If you've never seen the show - I'm sorry. 

If you want to watch this season - I have every episode recorded. 

Amy's imbalanced? - maybe.

Check Out My Sweet Ride

I sprung for the five inch blue plastic rims.

I'm Seeing Orange

    

   

       

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

2 Pipe Cleaners + 2 Beads =

53 minutes of a 2 year old sitting still. Woo-hoo! Of course the law of diminishing returns sets in at some point. 

Here Come the Scissors!

"Mom says I'm going to get a haircut!"

"Watch the ear!"

"Lookin' good!"

"Thanks Mom!"