The Celebrations Continue

2009 came to a close with a few friends coming over for game night. After those with kids left a few hours before midnight, we were left with us, my brother, and Melissa. We were hooked on a Wii game so kept playing until shortly before midnight. (Eli was up until 11ish! That kid slept late the next morning.) I love games. I guess that is the kid in me that loves to come out. If I could, I'd play games every weekend, but that's just a little unrealistic. I didn't get many pictures from New Year's Eve, but here are a few...

Eli LOVES his Uncle Daryl. The entire time he was in town, if we mentioned going to Grandma and Papa's house, he'd ask about Uncle Daryl. When he had to go back to Texas, Eli brought up the airplane and that he had to fly there. It was awfully cute. All he wanted to do while Daryl was in town was play and read books together. Aren't they cute?!

To ring in the New Year, we decided it was time to buckle down and get this potty training thing rolling. While we still had time off, we jumped in full force and never turned back. I downloaded an ebook, 3 Day Potty Training. When Eli put his big boy underwear on for the first time, he also got to throw away all of his Pull-Ups. After three long days, he finally got it and has been going in the potty for 3 weeks now! He still has the occasional accident, but those are also becoming fewer and farther between. I know children often revert and go through phases where they have a lot of accidents, but so far, he is doing a GREAT job. We are so proud of our big boy!

He also ran across a bottle of tempera paint that I had at home. Of course he wanted to paint when he saw it. He put on his art apron and had a great time!

(I'm posting two posts really close together, if you didn't see the first Celebration post, be sure to check that one out too.) There's more to come, but it's time for Grays! Gotta run!

The artist at work creating his newest masterpiece.

Celebrations Galore Part I

All I can say is it has been ages since I last updated. So much has happened since the last update with Eli's third birthday, I'll just give it a whirl and see how far I get.

Christmas was wonderful. Between spending time with family, seeing my brother, celebrating the holidays, and having extra time off, what more could we have asked for? School went rather long this year, we didn't get out until the Tuesday before Christmas. There wasn't much time for last minute anything! Christmas Eve was spent at our house - my parents and brother came over and we had snacks galore and a pot roast. We were just going to have snacks, but then I felt guilty for not having an actual meal to go with the evening, so we threw a roast in the crockpot. Lets just say there was WAY too much food for our family.

We all stayed up late opening presents and setting up Eli's new train table. He has really gotten into trains lately. Don't read that as he's out of cars and now into trains, but rather he likes them both. Our little man is still addicted to cars, especially if they come from the Disney movie. I swear, he has probably 8 different McQueens...

Here we are around the Christmas tree - well as close to around as we can get.

Papa, Grandma, me, Eli, Jess, Uncle Daryl (Uncle Doozer)

I love his sweet little smile. It wasn't the cheeseball grin we so often get.

He's such a big boy!

Loving the trains! Little did he know what was coming!

I mean really! Look at him. He amazes me every day.

His new train table, clearly pre-assembly.

Uncle Daryl and the notorious train table.

Absolutely engrossed in a Thomas the Train video before going to bed on Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning brought sleeping in (he's not old enough to wake up early yet!) then running downstairs to see if Santa had come, eaten his cookies, shared carrots with the reindeer, and filled our stockings. He had! Eli was very excited to dig through his stocking, but also ours. Santa was pretty generous with Eli, bringing him a few cars, candy, and games. Santa brought some well needed travel coffee mugs, and socks! LOL Santa is all for the necessities, I suppose.

He was so excited that Santa got the Ramone he had asked for. Thanks Santa!

After playing, snacking, and Eli napping, we headed out to my parents house for Christmas dinner and the traditional movie. This year we went with Happy Feet as we thought Eli would like it. We ended up having to take the movie home with us to watch a few times because he enjoyed it so much! My parents had Santa hats out and Eli really liked playing with them.

Our happy little Santa Eli.

I know...

Yes, it has been a while since an update. I have pictures from Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Years Eve, however whenever I am up here to update Jess is playing soccer with the guys on the XBox so the upload would slow down his game. One of these days it'll happen....maybe.

Party Time!

Eli's birthday came and went and the pictures are finally here to prove it. We had a small party where family and friends got to enjoy the celebration of our big boy (heaven forbid you refer to him as a little boy, he will respond with "I am NOT yittle, I am a BIG BOY! I am three!").

Eli and Papa prior to lighting the candles.

Eli picked out his own cake this year, Thomas it was!

Having a little difficulty blowing out the candle.

Eli was very excited his friend Isabelle came to his party.

He hadn't seen her in a while - let's say they played long and hard that day!

A birthday kiss from a good friend.

Tuesday brought our good friends, the Maguires, for a visit. Jess, Brian, and Daryl decided they wanted to go to the LSU vs. WSU basketball game in Seattle, so off they went (BTW: Way to go Cougs!). Katharine, and all the boys stayed here and enjoyed the evening playing. They also brought Eli his birthday present, a fabulous Lightning McQueen art table. Eli LOVES it! He seems to think his snacks fit great in the supply slots and that Oliver won't get to them, somehow, I think he's a bit mistaken.

Coloring on the new art tray.

Brayton and his fabulous Mommy, Katharine!

Poor Brayton was so tuckered out. He had a busy day learning about ferries, he just couldn't stay awake a second longer. (I didn't want to wake him with the flash)

McColley and Eli sharing the art supplies.

What a Grand Birthday!

December 18 brought Eli's third birthday, and what a birthday it was! Sadly, his special day fell on a week day because he still had to spend the day at the babysitters, however, he loves her, got to take cupcakes, and spent the day playing with his friends. It really ended up being a wonderful birthday with more festivities and celebrations today.

His big day began by getting to open one present before going to Mary's house for the day. He was beyond ecstatic when he opened his new Mater! Somehow during the day, he and the other boys at Mary's hid them - a typical occurrence for said boys and their cars. Mater is either still at Mary's or got mixed in with another child's cars, somehow Eli ended up with two blue The King cars. I can guarantee he should only have one. So unless he has some magical powers that allow him to morph cars, this one isn't his.

I adore the excitement that he now has for his birthday. He kept repeating "I'm three now, Mommy!" and "Daddy, I'm three!" It is so cute. Watching his excitement when he saw his presents from us, talk about adorable! First is the intent focus of getting through the wrapping paper to the actual gift. Then once he realizes what it is, the smiling doesn't cease. He is giddy and thrilled and can't wait to get it out and really check it out.

Look at that focus and determination!

He calls this tent "Eli's clubhouse." And just to clarify, we asked who could go in it, his reply "E-eye's and boys and girls." (He says his own name "E-eye" still no ls, but cute none the less!)

Cars. Can you tell? These just happened to all be firetrucks and assorted related fire rescue vehicles. What are the odds he would be in his firetruck shirt the same day? LOL

In the evening we took him to Red Robin for dinner. We met Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Daryl there (he flew in to town for the holidays the night before). We had fun catching up and after dinner, a flock of waitresses came and sang to our wide-eyed, uncertain little boy. He wasn't too sure what was going on, but he was FOCUSED on them and their singing. I'm still not sure if he blinked at all while they were there. At any rate, he loved his ice cream sundae, at least the whipped cream on top, and the rest of us passed it around after he had his 5 bites. He's not a big ice cream fan, not really much of a dessert person in general.

Grandma took a picture of us Winkeys. It's not often that we get pictures that include all three of us. Another great treat to add to his birthday!

We were getting Eli ready for bed (late!) when one of our neighbors popped by to borrow some cookie cutters. When she was headed back home, she mentioned there was something going on over at the apartments and that we might want to take Eli over to see what was going on. I had heard about a fire engine that gets adorned with Christmas lights and slowly drives through the neighborhood passing out candy canes with Santa Claus on board. We decided to leave the front door open for a few minutes to see if it would be coming to our neighborhood. We saw another neighbor whose son works for the fire department and she said the would be in our neighborhood shortly.

We threw Eli's jacket and shoes and ran out to meet the fire truck and Santa. He really didn't want a lot to do with anyone in particular, but he enjoyed watching. Afterall, it was over an hour past his normal bedtime!

Here comes Santa Claus!

It's not very often that I take pictures in the dark. I'm not quite sure how to take them to still give the nighttime aura and have pictures turn out right. I still like these pictures. Someone from the Maple Valley Reporter was there and said there would be more pictures on their website shortly! We'll keep watching for that! :)

Today brings his actual birthday party, so there will be more pictures coming soon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELI!!!!

Freak Out Moment

I am having a minor freak out moment.
I am participating in a 5-day GLAD training at school and am absolutely loving it. Every piece of it is relevant to my teaching, and it is absolutely amazing the level of understanding and investments my students have in the content that is being presented.

Let me back up for a moment. This training is for teachers, however, it is presented with a class of real students. My students. Let me tell you, I am speechless when it comes to my students so far this week. The discussions that they are having amongst themselves about erosion, the cooperation, and high level of thinking amazes me every minute of the training (and this is only DAY TWO! I am excited to see what is to come over the next three days).

This brings me to my freak out moment. Because this is a new things for my district, the focus has been on SIOP until this year, but I lucked out and got to participate in this training. I know these strategies will help my students. I've seen it. I've heard it from them. I am sold. Because my students are the "test class," the district wants to interview me for a better perspective on things because I do know my students and the impact these strategies are having on their learning. They are so much more invested. They have been interested in their learning thus far in fourth grade, but let me tell you, the EXCITEMENT they have about their learning is immeasurable. One of my teammates was talking to one of my students and asked him what he thought about what they've learned so far and, with an ear-to-ear grin, he replied, "it's so much fun! Who knew we could have so much fun AND learn." It is really exciting. Which brings me back to the interview. This interview is really important. It could change the perspective on things in my district and teaching and learning. When I'm put on the spot, as in an interview situation, I get really nervous and feel like I sound like a 14 year-old with very little eloquence or knowledge. I have no problem talking in front of 20-30 kids, but adults?! Let's just start tripping over my tongue now.

I keep thinking about things I need to remember to say, but we'll see what happens! I'll let you know how it goes....


My kids are so excited about this, they're going to be bored to tears when we go back to class next week! I know I can't be the level that the trainers are, but you can bet I've all ready started putting things together and planning to incorporate GLAD strategies into my teaching.