Kid Updates

Eliza

• Eliza was chosen as a Star Student for exemplifying trustworthiness, the character trait for November.
• Eliza has the excellent self-esteem (some may call it pride) that I had as a child.  The other day she told me "I love Mommy and Daddy and Caleb and Joshua, but most of all, I love myself."
• Eliza learned to whistle a couple days ago.  Inspired by her new talent, yesterday she told me "I can do almost everything now.  Except chop down trees.  And light matches."
• Eliza sang a solo in church today.  She sang "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem."  She did a wonderful job.  Everyone said it was beautiful and that she was very brave and confident.

Caleb

• A couple weeks ago Caleb came inside and wanted us to go watch him ride his bike.  I figured he was just talking about some random "trick" he could do on the pink bike with training wheels.  Mike went out to see him and came to tell me "Caleb is riding a two-wheeler!"  Neither of us helped him or even knew that he was trying.  I asked him when he learned to do that and he said, "I was just finking about it and I decided to do it." 
• Caleb always has some sort of "rope" in hand, whether it's a robe tie, a strip of fabric, or a belt.  He ties things in knots, drags things around, lassos people, and ties furniture together.  I spend a good portion of time untying all his knots.
• Caleb is an animal.  His version of "hi" is often a roar.  When he starts roaring and growling the other kids join in.  It get very loud and zoo-like quickly.

Josh

Apparently, sitting on the potty is not as fun as wearing the potty seat on your head and depositing your eyewear in the toilet.  He has mastered the potty thing though, so you've gotta give him a break.  The kid was dry during all his naps this week and even dry all last night after waking himself up at 1:30 am for a trip to the potty.  Potty prodigy?  I think so.

• Josh is still the most polite kid ever.  He tells me thank you for everything from picking him up to wiping his bum.  He has the cutest "nice" voice when he asks for something.
• Josh has become a parrot of the older kids' "bad words."  They think it is hilarious to teach him things like "stinky face" and "poopy pants" and "stupid."  
• Last Sunday while Mike and I were trying the take a nap, Caleb started screaming bloody murder.  I ran into the kitchen to find Josh on a stool with the fridge open.  He was holding a nearly-empty gallon of milk upside down and marveling at the puddle of nearly a gallon of milk on the floor.  Add that to the picture above and you have life with a two-year-old.

Oh, yeah, and toothpaste doubles as finger paint, right?