Loving the fresh air

While my mother is here we've been taking full advantage of the Herdsman Reserve, just behind our place, where the boys have plenty of room to run.  Most of these pictures speak for themselves.

Peter loves throwing rocks into the pond and would probably throw himself in as well if we'd let him.

Moving up in the world

Peter is officially a nursery kid.  I say 'officially' because he's actually been in there for the past several months since I was assigned as one of the nursery workers.  For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, nursery at our church is a child's first introduction to Sunday School.  It's held during the last two hours of church and includes play time, snack time, a short lesson and craft, music and stories.  Children start attending when they're 18 months old, and that's our Peter, as hard as it is for me to believe it.

Play doh with the group.

Peter loves the little toy kitchen and will stroll right into the toy closet to help himself.

Eliot won't graduate into Primary until the beginning of next year, so the Young brothers have a few months in nursery together.

Snack time is by far Peter's favourite part.  See him eyeing the kiwi on his neighbor's plate?  She'd better watch out.

I love those little chipmunk cheeks!

Sweet Reunion

A little over a week ago we picked my mother up at the airport.  She had a very long flight--or rather flights--but when she walked through the gates, pushing a cart full of luggage, Yellow Bear was seated on top.  Eliot greeted them both with a big hug.

Eliot smiled all the way home.

Taking all the little buddies on a train ride.

After one of our outings we stopped by McDonalds, to get a little soft serve, and saw that they were still offering the limited-time only lamb burgers.  The burger included a fried egg, a slice of beet root, and a special sauce, along with the usual lettuce and tomato.  Interesting.

Noni brought fun new toothbrushes for the boys.  They're a hit.

Petting the cockatoo at the Fremantle Market.

Hours of fun at the beach with an hour glass.

The ladies at the chicken store had a lot of fun playing with Eliot and Yellow Bear.

Eliot to the rescue!

Someone special is coming to Perth, and I'm not just talking about Noni.

As many of you are well aware, Eliot lost his beloved Lellow Bear several weeks ago.  My mother, who arrives here in Perth this weekend, dug Eliot's first Yellow Bear out of a box in the attic, patched up his chin, and will be bringing him with her.  Eliot is under no illusion that this is the same Yellow Bear that was lost.  He understands, or at least seems to understand, that the Yellow Bear that is on its way is a previously cherished Yellow Bear who is being returned to him.  And he does make the distinction in his mind.  When I talk about Yellow Bear coming to live with us he quickly clarifies, "but not the Lellow Bear that was lost."

To make it a little more fun, Rissie (with the help of Andrew Schmidt from next door), has been taking pictures of Yellow Bear in various places that are familiar to Eliot.  Yellow Bear is shown in various spots around my parents' home and over at the Schmidt home as well.  It makes me laugh.  It reminds me of those globe-trotting garden gnome pictures.  And most importantly, Eliot is delighted with them.

Good Grooming

Eliot enjoys helping Spencer get ready for the day, he especially loves it when he gets to participate:

He's even making the right face.  When he's done he comes running out to show me his "close shave."

Peter loves to brush his teeth--it may have something to do with the dab of minty, low-fluoride toothpaste.  If I say, "time to brush teeth," he squeals and runs into the bathroom.

Still at it.

Eliot has decided it's high time he took flossing into his own hands.