Elliott's weekend adventures

And we're back!! I can't believe my last post was about Thanksgiving.  The holidays and beginning of the year were stressful for me (not bad, just too much going on with not enough time, aka - "the usual"), and I began operating on "bare minimum" mode to get by.  My goal for this year is to have a more relaxed and peaceful life through organization, simplification, and doing things I love, like sharing my awesome kid and his adventures with you.  So enough about me, and on to Elliott's latest shenanigans.

We had an unexpectedly fabulous weekend full of good friends, family, and relaxation.  It started on Friday night with this little guy, running around the house with a few of his favorite things, and literally jumping for joy on the couch (I'm wondering if, as a parent I should be discouraging this kind of behavior, but it is so darn cute).  He loves to wear hats like this trucker hat he got for christmas, and that is a battery operated drill Santa brought him.

And then it was off to his play tent for a few stories before bed.  He's showing me how he can wash his hands like the boy in the book.

Saturday was a housewarming party for our friend Heather at her cute new (2 bedroom!) cottage.  Can't believe I didn't get a pic of Elliott with her.  When we first got there he was a bit shy and just stared at everyone, but soon warmed up and began running circles through her house, chatting up everyone, crawling up and down the stairs on her deck.  When he started playing in the toilet we took it as our cue to head out.

Steve's friend Eric stayed with us on Saturday night.  The boys had a much needed jam session - Elliott included! (I don't know if you can tell, but that's a dog shaped guitar Elliott is playing)

Sunday morning we had coffee at the French Press with Eric before he left town.  Elliott fit right in to the hipster scene with his cool hat, and charmed just about everyone around us with his sweet smile.

We set up a playstation at our coffee table in the front window, and it keeps him engaged and focused for about 5 minute spurts, which is pretty impressive these days.  He also gets to watch all the activity at the retirement home across the street.  His favorite thing to do is yell "bus" when one drives by, and wave at all of the passengers.

Elliott is also learning how to surf.  Maybe one day he will upgrade from cutting boards on the kitchen floor to a real board in the ocean.  If Papa (my dad) has anything to do with it, that will be next summer at our 4th of July camping trip.

Sunday afternoon we took a family hike at the Ellwood bluffs to visit the monarch butterflies in their annual migration.  While Elliott was a bit to small to notice the butterflies, he had a great time being outside with Reese.

However, our walk was very slow as he got excited about every single rock we saw and had to investigate.  The joys of being a kid are very simple.

It's funny that Papa came up in our conversation earlier in the day, because he and Grandma surprised us with a visit as they were passing through town.  We had a lovely dinner on the beach, 

and then came back to our house where Elliott got to open his Valentine's day gift - a new book about trucks.  He even read it to Papa saying "truck, truck,..."  

There was even some time for a few snuggles with Grandma before bed.

And now that it is 6:30 on Monday morning, I'd better go wake up my cute kid, get him dressed, off to daycare, and start another week.  I 'm already looking forward to the next weekend I get to spend with my special guy.

Have a great week!!