Isn't it appropriate?

I just love it when life gives you a little bit of humor in an unexpected place. The four of us were at a Chinese food buffet last night, gorging ourselves on fried, MSG goodness. At the end of the meal, as expected, we all got fortune cookies. Normally, they just state mildly profound things that could apply to almost anyone. This is not the case, however, with Eli. His fortune cookies usually fit right in with the type of person that he is and even applies to what is going on in this life at the time. Last night's fortune cookie is a perfect example. It said, "What's yours is mine and what's mine is mine."

As we all know, tis the Christmas season. Eli and Leah both received many new, fun toys. Leah has really been enjoying hers toys. Eli has really been enjoying his toys AND her toys. He's having a hard time embracing the concept that a really cool, fun toy could possibly belong to another member of the family and he's not allowed to play with it all the time. There have been some struggles the past few days. Eli has been forbidden from playing with a few of Leah's toys already. Hopefully, in the near future, they will each have their own room and it will be easier to keep the toys segregated. Perhaps this will help show Eli that not EVERYTHING belongs to him.

Sibling Rivalry

I honestly didn't think it would start this soon, but I guess I was just kidding myself. I figured my almost 4 year-old and my 1 year-old would, for the most part, get along for at least a little while longer. I also thought that Leah (the 1 year-old) still didn't notice when Eli gets something different from her. It's clear to me that this has all changed. And it was the purple Chuck-E-Cheese cup that made it all come to light. This cup joined our family a few months ago, but hasn't been widely used. Then one day, I discovered that it's the perfect cup for me to keep by my bed so I can take a drink at night and not spill. So, I've been using it for a while and no one cared.

One morning, when the kids and I climbed in bed with Daddy to wake him up, it was discovered. What happened next was a blur. Every once in a while I get flashbacks involving Eli hitting Leah, Leah screeching loudly and water being spilled all over MY side of the bed. So now, I can't use the cup at night because then the kids climb in bed and fight over it. Aren't they too young to be doing this? I accidently let Eli use it the other night at dinner and Leah, who was fortunately buckled down in her highchair, squealed and reached for it until she was distracted by something else.

Now, I'm left with two options: 1) Throw the cup away or otherwise make it so that it's never used again; 2) Go to Chuck-E-Cheese and get another cup. I don't plan on going back to that restaurant until Eli's birthday, so I think option #1 wins. Besides, if I do decide to go back to Chuck-E-Cheese, I'm going to have to get two more cups: one for Leah and one for me. I really like that cup!!

What I learned from my Thanksgiving Vacation

Thanksgiving was fantastic! I had so much fun playing with my brothers and their families in Denver. It was one of the best times I've had in a long time. There was a hearty amount of game-playing, laughter and gayity. I can't wait until the next time when we all get together to play.

Now, I don't want you to think it was all fun and games. During the weekend we were there, I did happen upon some learning moments, life lessons, if you will. These pearls of wisdom are things I hope to keep with me the rest of my life. I would like to share with you what I gleened from my vacation, in the hopes that your life can become as enriched as mine has. Here are but 10 of those perfect gems of hope and brightness:

1. Pie is an anytime food, especially if that time is breakfast time. Just think about it...which is healthier: a slice of pie or a doughnut?

2. Eli is really good at immitating a walrus. (I'm really sorry I don't have a picture)

3. When playing football, DO NOT ask your team if you are going to do a passing play or a throwing play. Those two mean the same thing. If you ask, you will look like an idiot and your team will laugh at you! I know from personal experience.

4. You are not a bad mom if you let your child watch DVDs in the car for the entire duration of an 8 hour car ride. Actually, you are a good mom because you are creatively avoiding fights and tantrums.

5. I would have never made it as an early settler in America. This has been proven by the number of times I sorely lost the game, Settlers of Catan.

6. There are two things that are certain, no matter what time Thanksgiving dinner is put on the table: 1)It will taste great, 2)It will still only take 20 minutes to eat.

7. Every child misbehaves and throws fits; they just do it in different ways. My child exhibits his disatisfaction by hitting, throwing toys, and saying bad words. I think I would prefer it if he learned a different way to show he is unhappy. :~)

8. I hate to unpack. We got home from Denver a week ago Sunday. I have just finished putting our stuff away. Yes, that's right. Our suitcases and things have been sitting on the floor of our room for more than a week.

9. It takes my children longer to recouperate from vacation than it actually takes for us to be on the vacation.

10. Leah WILL have a play kitchen set and play food one day, even if she doesn't like to play with those things. This is because I like to play with those things...a lot!! Thank you Madelynne and Hannah for sharing your toys with me.

Well, there you have it. I hope your life is more complete now and you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I know I do!

Hata-Wanna-Heen!!

Hata-Wanna-Heen is how Eli used to say Happy Halloween. He says it correctly now, which makes me sad. I love it when little ones say things in their own little, funny way. Well, Halloween has come and gone and I am pooped!!! After making 3 costumes, attending 3 parties and Trick-or-Treating, we got enough sweets to last us til Christmas! We might have to give some of the kids' candy away, just don't tell Eli. If we don't, I might eat it all.

This year, we had three major victories among all the celebrations: 1) I finished everyone's costumes at 10pm the night before the first party, instead of 3am the morning before the first party; 2) My children liked their costumes and wore them every time I wanted them to; 3) It only took 3 or 4 houses for Eli to warm up and decide Trick-or-Treating is fun.

Last year, Eli was a dinosaur for Halloween. My brother and sister-in-law had to chant "Dinosaur Eli" for almost 2 minutes straight before he would get into his costume. As for Leah, I really didn't even try to dress her up because she was only a month old and she screamed every time I came near her with any sort of costume.

As for Trick-orTreating, we almost didn't do it. For the first 3-4 houses, Eli hid and made me say "Trick-or-Treat" and collect the candy. Then, he realized that part of going from house to house is that he gets to ring the doorbells. He really liked that; what kid doesn't? And, he gets candy!! Although, he didn't know what candy he liked, so I picked it out for him. By the end of the night, he was a pro and we were all pooped. There are many big hills in our neighborhood.

Though Halloween is one of my absolute favorite holidays, I'm glad it's over. The kids looked cute and we all had fun. Now, all that's left is a ton of candy. If anyone has a craving for chocolate, please feel free to stop by. We can help you out with that!

That's one cute little lady bug!!

Garrrr!!! Avast me harties. Ye better be watchin' yar backs or I be making ye walk the plank. Shiver me timbers!!

It's nice to see, that after a long hard day of fighting, this immortal warrior is still a good, solid family man!!

The Haul!!!

My favorite kind of Halloween candy is always kisses!!!

And so it begins

Hello everyone!! That’s right. The Bell Family is following like a herd of sheep into the blogging world. Here we go, head first!! I, Rebecca Bell, will be your tour guide on this adventure. Now, I think I'll start by giving a little review of things that we did this summer.

Well, summer just finished and we're sad to see it go. We had many adventures, most of which took place in the swimming pool. Eli and Leah both had swimming lessons this summer. Unfortunately, it was hard for them to apply the skills they learned at the community pool to the pool at home. However, Eli did learn how to swim under water and Leah learned how to splash Mommy in the face.

How to play and have fun weren't the only things Eli and Leah learned this summer. They learned responsibility and hard work. That's right, they got their first summer jobs. Lucky for me, the family chauffeur, they both got jobs at the same grocery store.

Ok, ok, we didn't actually make or even let the kids get jobs. Although, I think it will be wonderful when they do get jobs some day. These pictures were taken at a children's museum in Salt Lake City. It's a really cool place. The kids can touch and play with everything because it's all child-size. And don't you think for one second that kept me from playing with all the stuff too!!!!

There were many other adventures of the summer that are too numerous to share in picture form. Some of Eli's favorites were going on vacation with Mama and Papa Bell all by himself, going on his first camping trip with the guys, playing with his friends, and getting bad guys in the back yard. Leah enjoyed Eli's vacation with Mama and Papa Bell as well. She also mastered crawling and grew some teeth. That's some pretty exciting stuff!

This concludes the first portion of the tour through the wilds of the Bell Family. We hope you enjoyed it and will return soon for the next tour. Please visit the gift shop on your way out and leave your comments in the comment box. Thank you and good day!