We Have Wheels and Know How To Use Them

Eli has turned into a bike riding maniac.  He absolutely LOVES riding bikes.  Don't confuse that with moving past Hot Wheels and trains, he continues to be addicted to those, however, his new passion is playing outside and riding around the block on two (OK, four really) wheels.  We are currently borrowing our friend's daughter's pink princess bike until we can get a more manly set of wheels for our little man. 

He has been riding now a total of 4 times.  His first attempt was very tiring for me.  I was walking with him, pushing those little legs up and down trying to teach him how to use the pedals.  With his trike, he never, NEVER, used the pedals.  I don't know if it was that he just couldn't figure it out or didn't see the necessity in it.  Either way, he couldn't use his feet to move him along with the bike.  Soooo....that was my job.  Unlike pedals on a trike, with this bike, if you push your feet backward, that's your brakes and you quickly come to a halt.  He had fun riding (ahem, having Mom pedal & steer) around the block.

Time two was much more productive.  I didn't have to show his feet what to do, however keeping the flow going was the real problem.  He'd get the pedals around, or mostly around, then get stuck.  If he didn't get stuck, he would slam on the brakes and then was surely stuck.  He kept practicing and started getting a little better but was still very stop and go.

Now, time three on the bike was phenomenal.    Not only did he figure out how to pedal, he was riding through the neighborhood zipping right along.  He mastered pedaling and turning.  Our neighbors were out with us while he was riding around and their little guy got his trike out and for the first time he also used the pedals.  Having is big "go-bro" around to show him the ropes, he mastered that trick as well.  It was a very successful week here in Maple Valley!

Which brings us to today's episode.  You may have already seen the video in my previous post.  He was riding along when he got high centered.  The training wheels were holding the back tire off the ground and of course, in a puddle.  He was spinning and spinning while that tire was continuing to splash water behind him.  He was laughing.  I was laughing.  It was great, what a moment!  (And if you haven't watched the video, Eli has the greatest smile when he turns and laughs at the camera - you can't actually hear his laugh, but the smile is enough to make you giggle anyway - you'll want to check that one out)

Tomorrow Eli will get his new set of wheels, courtesy of Grandma and Papa.  Can't wait for the new one, he will be so excited to have his own bike that he can really call his own.

Speeding Along

Speeding Along

HAHA Eli was out riding his bike this afternoon. He loves going for rides in the neighborhood! This time, the training wheels got stuck holding the back tire off the ground, in a puddle. We were both laughing pretty hard. It's a short video, but funny none-the-less.

Maple Valley Days!

It's that time of the year again, Maple Valley Days is upon us.  This morning was the parade.  It still amazes me how many participants are in the parade considering how small MV really is.  We walked down early with  friends, then met more when we got there.  This year was much different than last year - the weather was warmer, Eli was a little more into it, and he didn't have stitches!  Remember last year?  (This is my first ever link, I hope it works!)

We met Sandy, Reid, and Drew at the parade.  So fun!

It's a poodle llama!  HAHA  This is the funniest/cutest llama (alpaca?) ever! 

One of the Mexican restaurants out here had a mariachi band and dancing horses.  They were fabulous (and passed out coupons for a free meal!  YES!)

Eric and Eli watching the firetruck intently.

Me and my boy!  See, I really was there.  It's not often I am in the pictures, I usually take them. :) 

Thanks babe!

This afternoon calls for a trip to the festivities down at the lake.  There are vendors, games, rides, food. etc.  FUN!

The Incredible Sticker Boy

Every year about this time we get a Disney Yearbook in the mail.  As I was opening the box it came in today, Eli saw the red background and part of a yellow lightning bolt.  He started jumping up and down saying "Yightning!  Yightning!"  (those L's sure can be tricky sometimes) 

As soon as I had the book out of the box, he had it and was running to the couch for further investigation.  He sat there for nearly 30 minutes flipping through the book (devoted entirely to Disney's Cars) telling me who every character is, which cars he has, and those his friends Colby and Jack have. 

Then I noticed there was also a package of stickers in the box.  Stickers always have the same result, however the location varies.  We usually end with a stack of stickers on Eli's forehead.  Today however, his creativity got the better of him.  He pulled up his pant leg and all 14 stickers ended up on his leg.  Of course, by the time I ran upstairs to get the card for the camera, he was already pulling stickers off.  I did end up with a couple pictures despite his speed at removing them.

I told him there was no smiling alowed.  This is his "no smile" face.

Our own little Derek Jeter

Coyote's number 2, GO ELI!

 

"I got it!"  He was ready for this one

 Tball was so much fun yesterday!  There were a number of kids who missed last night's game, however, everyone who was there did wonderfully, the game sped by, and then we had a team barbecue at the park.  The kids were more interested in playing on the toys than eating their dinner, however, many hot dogs and hamburgers were scarfed down by the Coyote kids.  The weather held out, there was no rain and it was actually relatively warm.  We ended up with some great tball shots from the evening too.  It's sad that there is only one more game left in his first season playing!  He sure has come a long way and boy does he love it!

It wouldn't be the same if they weren't
goofing around.  Silly Coyotes.

Eli's First Mariners Game

This weekend Eli went to his first Mariners game at Safeco Field.  It wasn't his first Major League Baseball game as we went to a Houston Astros game last summer when we visited my brother in Texas.  On Saturday, after helping load my parents first load of belongings to take to their new house, we ventured downtown and wandered the streets of Seattle with Jess's dad and Cheryle (UniGrampa and UniGramma - haha  Cheryle was cold and had the hood on her sweatshirt on as well as her sunglasses, looking like the unibomber pictures.  HAHA  It was hilarious!). 

At Saturday's game, we were thankful Safeco has can have a roof. It had just started raining when we got to the stadium, and it continued to pour throughout the game. It was Griffey t-shirt night (which he didn't even play during) so we all left with free t-shirts. It was a fun game. We even ran into a good friend from college and had the chance to catch up with Joel.

Daddy, Eli, Gramma Cheryle, Grandpa Glenn

I know the white balance is off on this,

but I LOVE his big brown eyes.

Showing off his Griffey t-shirt where the
Mariner Moose was supposed
to be, but wasn't.

Playing in the kid area before the game

We finally found the Mariner Moose,
he was on the field!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Today was another game day for us.  It was exceptionally nice as Eli had quite the crowd cheering him on (as well as all the other gut-wrenchingly hysterical three and four year olds.  Grandma and Papa, Gordon, Dusti and Liam, and Richard and Carol all came!  It was great.  Of course, I had to zip home because I forgot the camera battery at home in its charger - go figure.

After a quick trip home, I made it back to the field just as the game started.  Because of the recent rain, and few dribbles during the game, the dirt (we were on Patrick Field again) was pretty wet and wasn't conducive to glove digging and kicking up clouds of dust.  The kids were more engaged, although a couple times they'd try to make balls out of dirt.  If you haven't been to a t-ball game, you seriously have got to find one and just watch.  It has got to be the funniest thing around.

Mr. Cool began the game in his Transformers sunglasses.  He can do anything in these!

You might think he's pointing at me, however "Coach Daddy" had just asked him where he was running next. He was pointing to third base and saying "Over there!"

 Giving Coach a high five after making it around the bases.

Great game!  Way to go Coyotes!

Giving Papa a celebratory hug.

After the game, we took mom out to a birthday lunch at Mizu's Japanese Steakhouse.  Eli LOVED the fire and watching our chef work in front of us.  He didn't do the flaming volcano with the onion slices, so we asked if he'd do it for the little man, and he did.  Eli's excitement was absolutely priceless and we had delicious food.  Happy Birthday Momma/Grandma!  We love you!