demonstrating right way and wrong way -- halloween, potty time, music making ...

more autumn fun ...

#1 & 2 ~ Eli the super-slider hanging out with dad while mom was in seattle ...
#3 & 4 ~ two big-headed pumpkins :) ... we carved the pumpkin with our friends Amy, Susan and families, and Eli helped by drawing on the pumpkin while I cut out the shapes. He had a great time until it actually looked like a face ... then it was scary. It took him a while to warm up to it -- now he points it out to us every time we're outside.
#5-8 ~ we took a trip through the Pittock Mansion which is a Portland landmark, home of the founder of the Oregonian newspaper, circa 1900. It was something to do on a pretty fall day, and there are wonderful views of Portland all around. The mansion itself was pretty interesting -- it's so hard to picture people actually living in that type of environment -- the furniture all looks so uncomfortable and small, especially given what they had to wear. It was a "hands behind the back-don't touch anything" type of tour and Eli did really well for most of it. Afterwards, he was wound up and just wanted to run around outside. For one of the first times, we saw him want to walk in public without holding on to either of us ... that's a big step!

autumn fun ...

Another Green camping adventure ...

We just got back from a week of camping in eastern Oregon. J hunted elk and saw a few, but they proved wiley and elusive. V and Eli kept camp and enjoyed playing in the woods around our site. I don't know if Phoebe enjoyed being our guard dog, but she did a good job. We all enjoyed taking walks, exploring around, and experiencing tent life. As we've mentioned before, our tent is freakishly big and full of neat features by tent standards. Our challenge this time around, as Eli is increasingly mobile, was how to keep him away from the wood stove. As you can see, J constructed a very sturdy barrier that kept curious fingers at bay. The days were sunny, the nights weren't too cold, and we were all very cozy. The time went very quickly and it's hard to believe that it's time to be back in our routine.

We really enjoyed spending the uninterrupted time with the kiddo, who made us laugh every day with his discoveries. A short list: he's begun calling almost everyone/everything "mama", but most especially he means Phoebe; he's developed several ways to say "mama" with a variety of meanings, including "I know you", "can I have some?", "I really want some, pleasepleaseplease?", "I protest the way you wipe my face", etc.; when we drove around, J usually waved to the drivers of trucks we passed -- J caught Eli giving them waves as well, in just the same way; really likes to give hugs and kisses.

He's getting pretty good at walking, and we feel especially lucky for this quality week as we feel he's rounded the curve into toddlerhood -- no more baby Eli!

By the way, thanks to all of the Halloween voters! The people have spoken, and Eli will be a scary fuzzy lion in Disneyland. Write-in votes included dragon, sasquatch, and pigeon -- we'll consider those for next year ... Hope you are all having a beautiful fall -- if we haven't talked recently get in touch! We'd love to hear from you.

toddler adventures ...

end of summer blues ...

It's been a busy end-of-summer for the Greens. J has begun hunting season, V wrote a grant at work and is preparing for fall travel, and Eli ... is learning to walk! He's also learning to tantrum, trying to see what he can do with kicks and tears. Mostly he's been a joy though, as-per-usual! We had a visit from Grammy Linda which was really fun -- nothing fancy, just good quality spoiling time and her help allowed Jason to build a shelf in our garage. Thanks Grammy Linda!

#1 ~ Eli's been using this big ball to walk around and is getting increasingly confident. Every now and then he'll stand up spontaneously on his own or walk a few steps from here to there, but he's not quite there yet ... soon though

#2 ~ Eli and Grammy reading one of Eli's new favorite pigeon books. They are by far his favorite -- he owns the whole collection and will walk over with each of them in turn until they've all been read, 3-4 times a day. He loves that pigeon! They are very cute books, check them out: http://www.pigeonpresents.com/

#3 ~ Eli playing peek-a-boo by himself now,with the play-silks from our friend Shiela. (He's also wearing the shirt Aunt Joan gave to him when he was born -- it finally fits!)

#4 ~ J picking blackberries on a small family outing. Eli liked to eat the blackberries right off the tree

and #5 below -- Phoebe!