The Eli Special Feature

Well, our 4-year-old (gasp! can this be true?) has had an adventurous life during his short time on earth. Tonight, we honor him in our special feature. The One, the Only (literally the one and only here in Germany)... ELI

So, Eli, tell us about yourself: Hmmm... I like to ask "why" even when I already know the answer. My favorite activities at school are playing in the sandbox, riding the Bobby Cars downhill - see my video below - and tumbling in the gym. Tattle-tailing on my sister is a new found delight. And I think that all the adults in my life - including my bachelor neighbor and my friends' moms and dads - are really my friends first and would rather talk to me than anyone else in the world. I love pears, dark chocolate, and peanut-butter & honey sandwiches. "Anyways" is one of my most used words and, anyways, I really don't like to play alone, ride my bike, try new foods, or get my picture taken - even though mom says I used to be a pro in front of the camera. Otherwise I'm just a typical, very sensitive boy who memorizes car makes and models, gives driving directions (including speed limit advice) to my parents, and speaks German as well as English.

What are the things you wish for? And what will you do when you grow up? If I could, I would wear a striped, collared polo-shirt paired with grey sweats, black socks, and my bright green Crocs every day. I also wish that I could get a cat (though we do have a neighborhood cat that likes our yard) and that it would always be winter and there would always be snow. Someday, when I grow up, I'm going to be a truck driver so I can drive all day long. Anyways, I might also want to be a train driver or a baseball player.

How are you keeping busy lately? Well, I started playing soccer, so that's big news. I've only been at it for a few weeks but I really love going for that one hour every Tuesday afternoon. Mostly I chase the bigger kids around (our group is 4-6 year-olds) and try to kick the ball into the closest goal, whether or not it belongs to my team. I also kick the ball when it's being set up for another kid's penalty shot or when the coach has it stopped with his foot. Sometimes I get tired and sit in the middle of the field during the game. So - it's really going well!

How have you been feeling? That's another thing... I really don't like the "little tiny bugs that get into the back of my throat" and I don't like going to the doctor except there is one nice doctor and she gives me gummy bears. I've been sick with one thing or another since we moved to Germany. First, I had a stomach bug and threw up for the first time ever. Then I got Strep two times in a row. And now the doctors think I have Mono. Mom almost cried because it means I am super tired, crabby, and my tonsils and lymph nodes are so swollen that I talk funny. And this could go on for several weeks! The good thing is that I never seem to get a fever when I'm sick and usually keep eating and drinking.

Back to your Birthday... how was it? Great! I was healthy on the day of my party and the weather was wonderful for the first time in weeks. My best friends all came and fought over who got to sit by me or hold my hand on the way to the park. And I got cars, games, and backyard soccer goals from my guests. On my actual birthday my place at the breakfast table was full of presents! I got lots of train stuff, Legos, books, a video, and a puzzle. I brought chocolate-chip cookies to school (which they don't have in Germany and everyone loved) and that night my neighbor Gabe brought me a big present with cars, a car-carrier, and candy. It was "awesome."

Any future plans? I've been wanting to try riding a horse - but only if it will go slowly - at the stables in our neighborhood. And we've got some vacations coming up. Vacations for me are all about what mode of transportation I will see or experience. What I remember about London, for example, is that we took a train to get there, rode on subways and double-decker red buses, and even got to go in the giant ferris wheel called the 'London Eye' (I think we did some other stuff but I don't remember what it was since I was always looking at the traffic on the road). Mom says that in May we're going on one trip where we'll drive our car for awhile and maybe even ride on a boat. Then after that we'll take a train to Paris! We'll ride the subway while we are there and another boat and maybe even a Taxi! So, needless to say, I am very excited. After that it's two airplanes to the United States to see all my cousins and Grandpas and Grandmas. It is going to be busy. But I would be just as happy to sit in a chair on the main road in our town and watch the traffic go by all day long.

Any last words? Yes, to all my younger fans. Never say "I can't" because you will be able to do something if you just keep trying (like puzzles, zippers and buttons for me). Also, I love you and miss you all and can't wait to see you soon. Tchuss! (That means 'See ya! Bye!')

Eli