"Pretty Much the Best Daddy Ever"

The above comment was self proclaimed by my darling Billy this past weekend during a family trip to the zoo. While introducing Reina to the wonder of large (and apparently underfed) hoofed and horned animals, he experienced a surge of self-esteem regarding his parenting skills. Perhaps there was some deep-seated resentment involving not being allowed to buy the petting zoo food as a kid. With a resourcefulness you all know Bill has, he simply picked up the "free stuff" off the manure paved ground in order to assist our child in feeding these beasts. She seemed to enjoy it, I stayed outside of the fence.

I don't know about "pretty much the best daddy ever," but I can attest to the special relationship he and Reina are forming. They play some weird games, like "tickle bug tag," "let's get Mama," and "eyes" which really have to be witnessed to be understood. I think the fact the Reina is "getting pretty cool" helps because her sense of humor is developing. And she knows where to get the beer and the coke if Daddy needs one. She knows when Daddy goes bye bye he goes to the "hopeeta" or flies up in the "hopica" and runs to the door whenever he comes home again.

As you'll see further down, they were destined to be buddies from the start. Like I said, "best ever" could be a little bit overinflated ego, but I'll wager he's in the top 5.

Sorry for the glare, small fingerprints on the lens. Reina's feeling a little too up close and personal with these goats.

More Reina's speed, she used to giving cookies to Jedi and Hermes

January 2007, in love

Also January 2007. Ah yes, it's football season again. And this time Reina can say "Buckeye!"

The Queen and the Hippie

I'm not sure, but I think I may be becoming a hippie. Or at least a closet hippie. Maybe I'm a product of the increasing (albeit still a small contingency) American attitude shift from consumer to the eco-conscious. The potential has been there, I mean, I've been washing out Ziploc bags since we've been married and Bill's mom's family (I mean this in the BEST way) does tend toward recycling and composting and eating a lot of vegetables, at least more than most people we know. So here is the evidence and you may share your verdict if you desire:

As stated before, I wash out Ziploc bags, people. Anything larger than a sandwich bag, that is. And plastic silverware.

Our recycling bin overflows more often than our trash can, despite the disposable diapers we use (points against hippie there.)

We grow our own tomatoes. Big deal, so does everyone else, less e.coli that way.

I go to farmer's markets for produce or buy local and sometimes even (gasp) organic!

We use the air conditioning in the house very sparingly. Hippie or self torture?

I admit to having walked to the grocery store with Reina in a stroller. The poor bagger guy didn't know what to think when I gave him my canvas bags and told him I didn't need help to the car! The bike path by our house now gives us access to all the new shopping and restaurants in the area. We feel better about our ice cream when we walk to get it.

To make up for the ice cream, I've been cooking with whole grain and swiss chard.

I drive a gas guzzling SUV. What? How did that one get in there? At least its a Honda! And I don't drive it that often...now that there's a bike path.

Ok, enough about the hippie. My personal hygiene hasn't slipped much (ask me in March) and to round out the stereotype, I don't partake in herbal recreation.

Let's talk about the QUEEN. For some reason, she has been really embracing her royal persona, to the extent that she occasionally will speak with a British accent. Case in point. See some bits of paper on the floor? The Queen will inform you it is "trosh" and must be disposed of. She loves to take "woks" in her stroller and will point out the "roks" along the way. When it is time to clean up toys, she'll ask if they need to go "bok" to where they belong. I guess she is just trying to distinguish herself as a lady of refinement, she hasn't taken to calling me "mummy" yet.

And now for the pictures.

This artist prefers a chewed up, wrapper less purple half-crayon above all others when she "cowies" (colors?) On "peepa" only, please, never on walls.

She does like to throw all the other crayons out of the bag before finding her precious purple.

art is tiring

so is a late night baseball game with Gina-mom

it's good to be the queen

Have a Nice Day!

Tumbelina and Other Fun Stuff

We've had a pleasantly busy week here, lots of friends have joined us from out of town with a view toward planning to return to our fair city. Reina got to spend 2 days with Grandpa while Bill and I entertained and were entertained here at home. Reina had her first "organized" class on Wednesday, Tumbling for Toddlers at our local community center. Perhaps Olympics 2020? Perhaps not. We've grilled out, picnicked, eaten stadium dogs and lobster, all in the name of "getting the band back together" at Bill's work. We capped off the week yesterday with a trip to the beach, yes, beach. And now after all this partying, we're worn out and I have laundry to fold.


I keep saying things like, time to get back to normal, but what exactly is normal for us, anyway? I don't think it matters, the weather is beautiful this week, no longer 90 and humid, so once the chores are finished we'll get out there and have some more fun!

Practicing for Big Sisterhood, before stepping on baby's head

The whole gang, except Andrea who's behind the camera

Tumbling with Brady

Liked walking on the balance beam on tippy toes, Gold Medal potential?

This monkey wouldn't let go after her turn on the bar!

first school bus ride, a church festival shuttle

Reina and Andrea at "the beach"

enjoying venison with Noah S. and Henri