Aleph Bet Vet

Elliot has been practicing the hebrew alphabet - The Aleph Bet and he really likes singing it.  There is room for improvement, but we are getting there.  I hear him singing the aleph bet on his own and that makes me happy.  I think we will move on to letter recognition (of the hebrew alphabet) next.  Take a listen and tell me what you think.

The Singing Duo

Miles is very fond of his big brother Elliot and wants to do whatever he does.  Miles can have 20 toys out for him to play with, but will ignore all of them if Elliot is playing with something else.  I guess wanting to do whatever the "older one" is doing starts pretty early and Elliot is handling this new phenomenon pretty well.  Elliot is learning to ask for help (from me or Xander) if Miles crawls on over and takes something he has been working on instead of just getting upset or angry.  This happens frequently so he gets plenty of practice (poor kiddo.) Anyway, here is a great example of  Elliot singing and playing music and Miles jumping right in on the fun.

Pumpkin Patch

We headed out to Kruger Farms Pumpkin Patch while Nana was here.  Miles really enjoyed the tractor ride and bounced up and down, while on my back,  the whole time.  Elliot searched long and hard for "the right pumpkin" for him and Miles.  Looking forward to carving them.

Elliot waiting patiently for the tractor after the pumpkin search.
Taking a break with his pumpkins.
Nana searching for the right one.
Just a bit windy out.
I wonder what they are both looking at?  Not me, obviously. 
Helping Miles pose.  
On the tractor.
Elliot and Nana on the ride to the patch.

Good thing Elliot wore his John Deere baseball cap.

Nana & Bend

Nana, Xander's mom, came for a visit and rented a beautiful condo in Bend for a week for a nice family vacation.  We had a GREAT time!  The sun shined every day.  It was warm every day.  We hiked, saw some old friends, relaxed, and enjoyed Nana and Auntie Robinette's company every day. 

Me and Elliot watching the ducks at Mirror Pond-downtown Bend.
Elliot not wanting to get TOO close to the ducks.
Oh - I love Bend.
A view of our condo from a hike along the Deschutes River.
Deer greeting us in the morning.
Elliot bouldering with daddy at Elk Lake.
Da Family!
Nana and her boys.
Auntie Nette and Elliot.
Brown boys and Bachelor in the background. 

Presidential Debate

We all know how important this presidential election is and apparently Elliot does too!  He has been asking some intellectual questions about the debates and election process, making up songs about Obama, and wishes he could vote.   

Just Edible

We celebrated the Jewish new year this week with shofar blowing, songs, apples and honey.  Elliot is really into Hebrew so we are learning the Hebrew alphabet - again.  I think it might stick better this time since HE wants to learn it and we keep saying how cool it is.  What else is cool beside my kids and husband???  Oh, our garden!  Xander and Elliot did a great job planting fruits and veggies and it paid off.  We had an abundance of strawberries, blueberries, marionberries, rhubarb, lettuce, string beans, tomatoes, champagne grapes, apples, carrots, peppers and cucumbers.  Some of which is still kicking (see pic below.)  I do love growing and eating our own food.  It is really cool for Elliot to see how organic food is grown and for him to have the ability to pick it himself.  We talk a lot about the environment and how we need to leave less of a carbon foot print.  If we can't eat from our yard we buy local from the farmers market and try to eat what is in season.  So here is to the fruit (& veggies) of our labor!

Some of the edible fruit and veggies from our yard.
Of course these guys are edible too!