It’s been awhile since I posted a picture of a monkey platter. Elijah has been eating more of “our” food and not grazing as much as usual. I’ve also just not been taking pictures of his food…frankly, “the lazy” has been working for me lately. I like “the lazy”.
strawberries*
baby corn*
black beans*
vegan chocolate cake w/ “butter cream” icing
*organic
It’s been awhile since we’ve stopped in at one of our favorite coffeeshop, Affogato. Too long of awhile.
cafe computing
who knew rocks could be so fun?
There’s more graffiti in Bellevue @ Affogato.
Cats Crackers*, Almonds*, Raisins* & Toasted Nori*
Blueberries*
Black Beans* & Black Olives
Vegan Griller Patty & Ketchup*
Elijah & Collin
On Tuesday, we went to the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum (where one of the staff recognized me & mentioned that she loved my challenge that I sent the museum) with our neighbor and her grandson. We had a pretty good time and I got to spend some more time with my neighbor who is one hip lady!
Our neighbor said that they were going to go home, eat and then go to the store…once we were dropped off and getting food around for ourselves, Elijah said, “do you really think Collin wants to go to the store with his grandma…we should see if he can play Legos with me while she shops”. I called and it was a done deal; Collin skipped over after he ate dinner and the two boys played Legos, built with blocks and did a little drawing.
This is a perfect example of kindness & respect begetting kindness & respect…I know that I’ve mentioned before that Elijah doesn’t like going to the grocery store (or any major shopping place for that matter), because it is literally an assult on his senses. I arrange my shopping plans so that I get everything done on William’s days off, so that Elijah can stay home with him or so that they can be dropped off somewhere to hang out while I get business taken care of. Elijah thought it was only fair to extend that arrangement to his friend while our neighbor went shopping. I think it was a very kind & compassionate moment for Elijah — he didn’t want to see his friend have to endure (I’m assuming he thinks most kids are effected by stores the same way he is) going to the store when there was a clear option for him to avoid it.
I love my son 
Saturday we went and ate lunch at the Andy Warhol Museum
veggie soup, doggie cupcakes (they're sugar free & people friendly) & Izzies
After lunch we went to the Weekend Factory. One of the things Elijah made was an album cover.
felli'n blue...geti'n rid of the blues...no one want's the blues (I LOVE his spelling & punctuation)
screen printing the record on
cut : paste
When we were done we walked down the river trail and found the waterfalls everyone has been telling us about.(here’s another picture I found online)
Yesterday we went to the park date that we host for home/unschooling peoples. It was hot, crowded (park is right next door to YMCA) and loud. We saw one person we knew and met another person. It was rather interesting watching just how mean the average mainstream kid is…not to mention how mean most parents & YMCA counselors are (I know I wasn’t mean when I was a YMCA counselor). But, I feel for these kids. They spend most of their time cooped up inside and “under control” (oppressed) by tons of crazy-ass rules and then once Summer hits and if they are allowed outside, they go at it full force and give little care about who is around them or what they are doing. I was practically knocked over three times and all three times, the child turned and game me a hateful look — like I can’t stand around at the playground…I *should* be out of their way! They practically binge on playing outside…like a child who binges on sweets when they can, because they never know when they will get more, because their parents limit & control their food. “Summer” isn’t forever for these kids.
Besides from lamenting the plight of all the otherwise awesome smiley children out and about, we had a good time. After the park we went to the Village Candy shop and then picked up our CSA and had a drink at Hoi Polloi.
Tubular
Happy
Climbing
