Nearly 2

Seeing as Mama and Daddy have to go to an NFL game on Penny's birthday, she got her party a week early. Penny was feeling fancy in her new dress, which Mama made.

Somehow the camera missed the moment at which Penny blew out the candle.

Turns out, Penny only likes the frosting. It was blue, at her request. Probably because it's the only color she knows. Penny studies the kitchen accessories for her doll house. Pinata! Horsey!

Not Exactly Roughing It

Wonder where we've been? Aunt Sali gave us a camper. We picked it up in the Hocking Hills, where we all slept (or at least made as if we were sleeping). A good first outing. Perhaps another camping trip is in the near future. Oh, Solomon grinds his teeth.

Parade

Ypsilanti's Fourth of July Parade. This is before Solomon became terrified of the crowd and the noise and the marching bands. Penny loved the parade because people kept throwing candy to her.

For The Love Of Animals

This is a love story. It begins at the dairy farm. Penny has a thing for animals. She loves to touch them.

She doesn't mind when they lick her or eat her jacket.

Usually, the free ones, unencumbered by cages, run from Penny. So you can imagine her delight when this turkey didn't seem to mind her advances.

Turkey stuck out his wing for Penny to touch.

He even gave her a nice hug. But unbeknownst to Penny, the turkey thought it was foreplay. I realize that I probably wasn't supposed to waste time taking this photo, but who would have believed it otherwise? And really, she wasn't crying right away.

Photos from the Phone

The blog has taken a back seat to Facebook. Here's a brief summary of our recent photo ops. Penny's new best friend. The fence is there to protect the calf.

Solomon is wearing a batting helmet that Daddy picked up at Kiwanas.

Solomon learns to eat peanuts at the Tigers game.

Solomon and Penny make a road out of clay Mama made from coffee grounds.

Sprinkler antics at Granny T and Popa's.

This is how I found Solomon after things were a bit too quiet in Natalie's room.

I took the worm away as soon as I finished taking the photo.

Spring Zoo Trip

Solomon and the sloth bear sniff each other. This activity had Solomon in incontrollable giggles.

It's great how the zoo has such up close and personal mallard duck exhibits.

The hippo was being fed apples and bananas.

The giant spider crab was eating a shrimp. Solomon makes such a pretty butterfly.

Solomon gives his monkey impression. He was especially interested in learning about primate body parts and bathroom habits. "Yes, the monkey has a penis. You can't see it because it's under his fur." Seeing all the animals eat makes Solomon hungry for his PB&J.

Look! Two seals!

Trip To Nany's

Nany's friend, Mr. Carl, teaches Solomon to color with his toes. How silly!

Penny and Solomon excavate under Nany's deck.

Penny works small motor skills at the Upper Arlington library.

Kitties! Solomon provides comfort items for Ruth during her cat-nap.

Solomon and Penny sort and organize Nany's watches.

3 Is The Magic Number

So, The Boy turned 3. Couldn't let it go without a party. Lots of friends and family. Lots of nifty gifts. In honor of Solomon's recent obsession with the "Mouse Movie," we even put together a "Ratatouille" theme with help from the bargain party store.

Check out the rare public display of brotherly affection. Obviously, this was before she tried to usurp his new toys.

One of Solomon's gifts was a kids's digital camera. Here's his first portrait. That is, if you don't count the 75 shots of the carpet and ceiling.

The next day was uber mellow. Solomon was suffering from a party hangover.

Is There Anybody Out There

So here are some of the things we've been up to for the past month or so. Both Solomon and Penny are into imaginative play. Solomon plays cook, waiter, or doctor every day. Penny looks after Baby Stella and cooks with Solomon when he'll tolerate it. Penny asks us to take her outside daily. She walks up to where her snow suit hangs and reaches up while grunting. If we don't get in down, dress her in it, and go out, she wails.

And now the dancing.

Sick Day

Solomon goes from sacking out to cheerful player about 30 minutes after his medicine. Then he says "I don't feel good," and we spend the rest of the time on the couch watching Ratatouille.

Of course, Penny isn't normally allowed to smear cream cheese on the furniture or stand on chairs, but one makes execptions for illness, right?

Solomon is using a bath crayon to draw on a mustache. Then he wipes it off and makes one in another color.

Christmas Cheer

Those sheep started out as Solomon's gift.

Tutti Fruitti

Looks like we have a little rock star.

Clever Disguises

Hey, it worked for Clark Kent.

Not wholly unlike that guy in Flock of Seagulls.

Birthday Girl

Penny turns one. Forget what the magazines say about having the number of kids at the party equal the child's age plus one. Invite all the kids in the neighborhood.

Penny likes her new alphabet book. Mmm..."cupcakes." Actually, whole-wheat flour pumpkin muffins. But the cream cheese frosting was really good.

"I love my new doll baby."

"Don't forget, it's all about me."

Tiger Game

Obviously, we are way the heck behind in blog posts. But once upon a time...Mommy and Daddy left Penny with a caregiver and took Solomon and his friend, Ian, to an afternoon game. On the car ride to Comerica Park, Solomon shows off his shades. Solomon was a tad overwhelmed by the crowd, but eventually agreed to enjoy the game. Ian's dad, Patrick, joined us at the park.