81 degrees

It seems as though winter is over (if one could say it ever really started). Today we enjoyed a lovely day of 81 degrees. These are the kind of days I love when I can be outside from sun up to sun down (and beyond).

I had my first ever sleepover last night and it went better than anyone expected. Trinity says she will even try it again. I was on my absolute best behavior and I slept for a full 12 hours during the night.

And then I celebrated the last day of 2011 by going ice skating at Whole Foods. I was doing quite well until I saw a little girl fall down and cry and then I got worried and sad.

life after Christmas

Today was the first time in my life that I made it through the entire day without taking a nap. My mom hopes that this is not the beginning of a trend. I still have not adjusted back to my own time zone and the days leading up to the holidays got me even more mixed up.

I slept until 9:00am today. again. We had oatmeal for breakfast then it took us several hours to get ready to go to the train store. I don't really know what we did during that time but one thing leads to another and there goes the morning. I start to build a puzzle then I realize it makes a nice road for this car and maybe I should find my transporter and load it up with blocks. And what guy should drive my dumptruck?

The train store was uneventful but fun. I played with Ty and Brooklyn again. I have met them before with their nanny but today their parents were there. I like their nanny better.

When we got home, I tried in vain to nap. My mom finally gave up.

The first photo is me enjoying hours and hours of a beautiful sunny day. We played soccer. I watered the plants. I drove my firetruck. I chased my dog. I stayed outside until the sun went down. all the way down.

The second photo is me using the easel that Santa brought me.

Let's hope for a normal nap day tomorrow.

Santa

My third Christmas was lovely. Even though I had been so excited about Santa the night before, I slept until 9:00am. My dad, who normally sleeps later than everyone in the entire world, had to wake me up. And then I had to be coaxed out of bed. It was well worth getting up for, though.

Santa was kind enough to set up all of my big gifts for me so they were ready to play with immediately. I get impatient waiting for things to get out of the box and put together and it is even worse if batteries are involved (no batteries this year, I don't think). I had an easel with all of the accessories, a racetrack, and a Bruder "cement Fixer" waiting for me. Santa also left quite a lot of wrapped gifts for me. I like to take my time with unwrapping so I can enjoy each gift as I go along. I didn't unwrap the last of my gifts until about 10:00pm. (Yes, I know, long after I should have been in bed.)

The first photo is me in the morning, eating my Sesame Snaps from my stocking and enjoying a refreshing cup of coconut milk. I even got a great deal of enjoyment out of the boxes from my gifts; some are just the right size for using as boats or tables or houses.

In the afternoon, I had a long long long nap while my mom started making dinner. I woke up when Trinity and Hector arrived. The second photo is me sharing appetizers with Trinity. Dinner was said to be delicious but I wasn't hungry by then. Somehow I managed to eat some chocolate mousse for dessert.

Trinity and Hector spoiled me. We have already been invited to spend next Christmas with them at their new home in Seattle.

waiting for Santa

I am anxiously awaiting Santa. I have prepared his plate of snacks. This year, he will have trail mix, two cookies that Terese made (they are so yummy that I figured they might improve my luck with Santa), five crackers, an orange, and some chai.

Now all I need to do is fall asleep so Santa can sneak in. I told my mom that Santa is going to bring me a toy.

another day, another train ride

Yesterday, we rode MetroRail. We joined some of my dad's colleagues and a fellow who was treated to a morning out as part of Season for Caring. He is a train buff so he was showered with lovely gifts from the contractors including a jacket, a hat, shirts, a mug, transit passes etc and we got to peek in the control room (cockpit??).

Even though you would never know it from this photo, I was mostly cranky. I hope I didn't ruin the train ride. It was just a long day for a boy like me. First, I did not want to wake up. Then we got to the train station way too early so the anticipation was aggravating but I did have fun throwing leaves into the fountain and stomping in puddles even though I was wearing my good shoes. The train itself was fancy and the ride was fun. But still I had to stay grouched up out of principle.

As I tell everyone now, I am 2 1/2.

It is my duty to be an indecisive tyrant.

2 1/2 years old

I celebrated turning 2.5 years old (or 30 months) by taking a train ride. It was the North Pole Flyer and we rode deep into the Hill Country.

We had to wake up very early for my train trip. Normally this would not be a problem for me since I am generally an early bird but I am still living on Seattle time and cannot seem to get settled back into our time zone. It is great in the morning (we sleep until 9:00am sometimes) but it doesn't work out so well with naps and bedtime.

We arrived at the train early enough to board and get settled. I was so very excited. In the first photo, you will see my train car attendant (dressed in red). Because I was the most interested, and most interesting, passenger, I got some extra benefits. We heard the entire history of the train and the line it now travels on. We were allowed to sit in what were once used as the sleeping cabins and he showed us the little compartments where one would put shoes at night and the porter would come around and shine them before morning. We also saw the galley with the seltzer dispensers (now inoperable) but they used to make rootbeer and pineapple and orange soda on the train. The train attendant did serve some lovely treats and cocoa. He might just make the best cocoa in the world. He gave me and my mom seconds . . . and thirds . . . and whatever we wanted.

In the second photo, I am getting my tickets stamped by the conductor. Though we had visits from Santa (he was a bit aggressive and hurried for my taste) and Mrs Claus, the railway staff was the best part of the trip.

Seats on this train are in such high demand that it is almost time to buy my tickets for next year.

This might have been my best birthday yet aside from barfing at bedtime. I was mad because my mom was working on Christmas cards and that meant my dad had to put me to bed from start to finish. so I barfed. That will show my dad.

at Canada

I have just returned from my trip to Canada. Here is a photo my dad took of me on the ferry on our way there.

As soon as we arrived, we went to the beach to throw rocks in the ocean. We hadn't been in Canada for fifteen minutes when my mom and I got soaked by a huge wave. So my mom had to buy new shoes. Smart me: I brought an extra pair. Even my fireman boots were flooded! If you could believe it, my silly sister used to shed her shoes (and sometimes her clothes) to purposefully wade in the water during the winter at that very same beach when she lived only a block away from it. I wish I lived that close to the ocean. The air is so fresh and clean and it just makes you want to walk around for hours and hours and hours (which we did).

Since we were cold after the wave incident, it seemed like a wise idea to give Pags a try. I normally do not tolerate restaurants but . . . well, I won't tell you what we had to do to get me to sit somewhat still for most of the meal. (We made a deal with the devil but it was so worth it.) I am reminded again why my mom and sister never ever stop talking about Pags. Not only do they have the best food in the world, but they were so kind to me. They made me a delicious drink and a bowl of pasta . . . and didn't charge me for it. I ate most of my mom's bottomless bowl of potato vegetable soup. and the bread . . . WOW. I don't even know what to say about that bread.

I ate a lot in Canada. My mom ate even more. Everything tastes so good. On Saturday morning, my mom and I woke up early and walked to three different pastry shops and then returned to our hotel for a feast.

Eating isn't all I did, though. It was an action-packed visit.

More to follow when I get my photos organized.

Santa

Yesterday, my two grandmothers, my mom, and I visited with Santa. I met him when I first arrived and we had a nice conversation. I learned that Santa's brother used to live in Austin and worked for Dell (until he got laid off) and that his parents lived, died, and are buried in Round Rock.

It took me a few tries before I had enough courage to get cozy with Santa. Once I did, we were the best of friends. I hope he remembers me on Christmas.

my first lie

I am not especially proud of this but, today, I told my first real lie. This was different than when I spin elaborate tales of going to the beach and meeting a green shark with really sharp teeth and, oh, its name happens to be Brad. I swim with sharks. I cuddle with them too.

This was a real lie.

I have a cold right now. On our way to the store to buy California Baby Cold and Flu bubble bath, we talked about whether I would ride in the shopping cart or the stroller. I was holding out for the cart but my mom refused because she didn't want me to spread my germs around to the kids who would ride in the cart after me. I told my mom "I am not sick. I feel good." Plus, shopping carts are generally disgusting.

In the end, I did reluctantly agree to the stroller. If only other mothers would keep their contagious kids out of the shopping carts too.

Don't forget to wash your hands!

happy November

What better way to celebrate the first day of November than by running through the sprinkler.

It is on days like this, when I can (and usually do) stay outside playing from sun up to sun down, that I almost forget that we just suffered through almost six months of 100+ degree days. I even ate my lunch outside today.

best day ever.

my first haircut

This morning, I got my hair cut. my first haircut ever. As you can see from the first photo, I desperately needed it but it was hard to decide to let go of my luscious glowing golden locks.

We did not tell anyone, other than Trinity, about the haircut plan. The barber even asked what does dad think of the first haircut. We sent my dad a text message minutes before we left the house to tell him. Apparently, dads frequently object to haircuts. My mom probably could have easily been talked out of doing this.

After much research, we had determined that Margo was the barber to visit. Not only does she have a shelf full of bulldozers and backhoes etc, but her salon is conveniently located next to a gelato shop. (Yes, she has a tv in the salon, as you will see in the background of the first photo but she did NOT turn it on while I was there.) We arrived early so I had time to play and get comfortable. Trinity came with us to help out if needed.

I fared much better than anyone expected. I climbed right up into the barber chair and sat so patiently. I was quite serious, but not at all unhappy, though. Margo worked her magic in mere minutes . . . much like Edward Scissorhands chopping up hedges. Then she presented me with a certificate and locks of my hair. Before I knew it, it was time for gelato.

Now I look a bit more like a redhead again. I love looking at myself in the mirror today.

veggies for breakfast

As proof that I am not all about cookies all the time, here is a recent photo of me shucking the corn that I ate for breakfast that morning.

You can see my dad's legs in the background as he gets ready for work instead of spending a leisurely morning of breakfast, soccer, and walking with us.

pumpkins

On Saturday morning after our delicious breakfast at the pastry shop (if you can call a cookie breakfast), we visited the pumpkin patch. I am quite fond of pastries on Saturday mornings and I love going to that pastry shop because they have a nice garden for walking around and around and around (and I never ever have to sit down). I didn't plan to eat a cookie for breakfast but I was the cutest boy there, as usual, so the baker offered me free goods so what was I to do? Saying no would have been rude!

As soon as I arrived at the pumpkin patch, I went directly to work helping the little girl unload the box of pumpkins. This was the outing of my dreams because the two things I love best right now are girls and working.

I picked out two lovely pumpkins and my dad and I carved them after my nap. I drew the picture on the big pumpkin and my dad tried his best to follow my directions.

Now I am all ready for Halloween.

exciting news

Today was my lucky day. We finally got to go to Verdes for dinner. I cannot tolerate going to restaurants because I do not like to sit. Verdes has a lovely large fenced-in back lawn that is nicely stocked with balls. It is the perfect place to take a boy like me. The problem is that it has been 100+ degrees for five months. This week it cooled off enough to finally go back to Verdes.

And we had to go to dinner tonight to celebrate my dad getting offered the job for which he shaved his beard off. Now he can grow the beard back and my life will be back to normal. Next time you see my dad, congratulate him.

Halloween Party III

On Saturday, I attended my third Waldorf Halloween party. I opted not to wear my costume. I only have interest in the saw and the hammer that came with it. Sometimes I will briefly wear my hardhat.

It was, without a doubt, the best Halloween party yet.

Shortly after we arrived, we went on the hayride (or the hay baler ride, as I call it). I kept everyone laughing for the duration of the ride.

At the party, I ate one piece of carrot cake and two apples. yum.

I spent much of the party enjoying the spectacle of the dunking booth. I also square danced with my dad and we ran about the farm.

In the first photo, you will see me in the barn jumping off a bale of hay. Nothing feels better than flying through the air.

In the second photo, you will see me visiting with a cute little girl. I am quite fond of girls these days (or grils, as I call them). The girls seem to like me too. The girls know I am quite sensitive and not just all about tractors and trucks. I can bake and cuddle with the best of them!

more luck on the potty

This evening before I got into the bath, I went potty on my toilet again! That is the second time in one day.

I went to the store today and bought two new packs of underwear. Sadly, they were sold out of the Thomas underwear in my size.

Wish me luck for tomorrow. I am going to bed without a diaper again so I need to wake up early to use my potty.

potty

Guess who went pee in the toilet this morning?

This afternoon, I will be going shopping to buy more underwear.

are you so funny?

Today my mom scolded me for doing something I probably shouldn't have done. I put my hands on her cheeks and asked her "are you so cute?"

Before that, she asked me to close a cabinet that I probably should not have been snooping in. I told her that "I don't have to."

Like I told my parents last week, "I am a boss."

the cake that Jo made

Another birthday, another cake.

On Sunday, we had the pleasure of hosting Trinity, Terese, and grandma Jo for a celebration of Canadian Thanksgiving. We had potato cheddar soup, quiche, salad, and corn muffins. Grandma Jo baked a delicious pineapple bundt cake and it was served with Ben and Jerry's.

Today was my 28th birthday. This is a photo of me eating leftover cake and ice cream. If you are wondering who is in the photo with me, it is my dad. He shaved his beard off last night to pretty himself up for a job interview today. While he looks nice, the process of shaving was very traumatic for me. My dad skipped out on the lecture at the Montessori school last week but, had he gone, he would have known that I cannot tolerate change at this age. I cry when my mom wears different shoes.

I began my birthday celebration early today by staying up ALL night. I must be growing again because all night every night I talk about eating cereal and this or that. Tonight for dinner, my mom loaded my plate up with very heavy foods. After I ate my dessert, I ate more dinner. Cross your fingers that I can at least sleep for an hour before I decide that it is time for breakfast.

We had a lovely day today though it was a quiet birthday. We went to music class in the morning and I saw my girlfriend. We hugged. I shared my crackers with her. (My girlfriend's dad is a fireman.) After music class, we came home and played in the yard. walked. ate lunch. napped. ate more lunch. played cars inside. played outside. walked. dinner. bath . . .

guys working

Not only do I have an obsession with trucks and tractors and all things construction, but I also love to see "guys working." So that is what I will dress as for Halloween: a guy working.

I have not tried on my costume yet because, well, I will probably not take it off.

Neighbors, turn your porchlights on . . . here I come.

This year, I will visit Buddy and Betty, Beverly, Jack and Sherry, and Terese.

I love apples too

For all of his single-minded dedication to the company he built from the ground up, Jobs actually skipped a meeting to take Laurene on their first date: "I was in the parking lot with the key in the car, and I thought to myself, 'If this is my last night on earth, would I rather spend it at a business meeting or with this woman?' I ran across the parking lot, asked her if she'd have dinner with me. She said yes, we walked into town and we've been together ever since."

shave and a haircut, two bits

Here is a photo of me on the day that grandma Jo and Terese finally came to visit. Since they attended my birthday party, I was able to convince my mom that we need to serve cupcakes every time they visit. Come back soon! I need sweets!

I am such a charming and attentive host. Grandma Jo practically melted when she left her coffee cup in the living room and I brought it back to her at the kitchen table and said "here you go, Jo."

I have been working very hard on my manners. thank you. you're welcome. excuse me. Could I do this? Could I do that? I am really sorry.

pumpkin muffins

We are doing everything we possibly can to encourage fall to start. I suppose, technically, it has. We just need the temperatures to drop somewhat. The mornings have been lovely, as have the evenings. perfect for long LONG walks. (Is it normal for someone of my age to be able to walk ten miles without getting tired?)

This is a photo of me baking pumpkin muffins. one hand on the spoon, the other for tasting the batter. It was delicious. The finished product was even better. I ate three muffins the very second they came out of the oven. For whatever reason, my mom suddenly thought I should eat more vitamin A (even though I eat one pound of organic carrots per day) so pumpkin muffins were a logical choice.

82 degrees

This was composed on September 16 but I have been plagued by fonts and leading that simply will not behave. Here goes nothing.

It rained today. Really. We were not about to squander our good fortune so my mom and I went to the playground and enjoyed the cool 82-degree afternoon that turned to evening and then to night. We stayed until they were about the slam the park gates shut. (My dad was working at the ACL festival tonight so he has no idea that my mom broke her own semi-strict rules about dinner at 6:45, followed by bath, then reading, and bed. I didn't even get home until after 8:00 and my veggie burger wasn't ready until 8:30 and I would have eaten five of them.)

While 82 degrees seemed almost unbearably hot in April, it felt chilly today. It was 22 degrees cooler than yesterday. At the park, I took my mom on yet another miles-long journey. I was overjoyed and laughed and hollered giddy up as I ran along the path that was sometimes a road, sometimes train tracks, and other times just a path. You cannot even imagine on how many 105 degree days we have driven past that playground and not stopped because it was too hot. No one has been to the park for months.

Now refer back to my April 2 post when I wrote this about what 82 degrees felt like:

Yesterday, we also broke the rule about no big morning outings before naptime. We were desperate to visit the playground before it got too hot. Little did we realize it would be 82 degrees before 11:00am and the day only got progressively worse. Our playground is lovely but it lacks shade; for whatever reason, they bulldozed down acres and acres of huge oak trees to make a park.

The heat really doesn't bother me. Other people complain - especially my mom. I have to remember: dad doesn't like cold or clouds or rain and mom doesn't like heat. In my short lifetime, I have played outside when it was around 10 degrees and more than 105. I like it all; I just want to be outside all day long every day.

But my mom was nice enough to follow me on my miles-long journey along the path to see the bridge and the wildflowers are in bloom and there are puppies to look at and big hills to climb and run back down. I can identify bluebonnets! smart me.

I don't believe it

I get funnier by the day.

My latest phrase, and I have no idea where I learned it, is "I don't believe it."

Instead of asking "why" or "what's that" like children of average intelligence do, I want to know "how does it work." My mom finds it complicated to accurately explain how cranes work but she is learning. I love cranes and graders and steamrollers and forklifts and cherry picker trucks and skid steers; I know all of the facts about each of them.

Last week, I woke up predawn every day proclaiming that I am hungry. This week, I like to wake up at 5:00am (4:56, really) to ask if we can go to the store. Hey, I just realized that I was born at 4:56am. I wonder if that is why I wake up at that time; I will use that as my excuse.

birthday 27

Today we celebrated my 27-month birthday.

This has been an interesting week. The temperatures cooled off somewhat (like down to 95) as the Austin area wore a thick blanket of smoke. It is 102 today.

When I posted last week, a mere 300 homes had burned. The total nears 1500 now. In honor of my birthday today, we donated several boxes of household goods to families who lost everything. We parted with a set of Pier 1 plates, pots and pans, a blender, bedding, and ummmm what else? We made a good contact for making donations (she used to be the president of something or other in that area) so we will donate more mid-week.

On Tuesday, the fall session of music class started. We are now in the routine of going to music class, going home for a nap, and then visiting the jumpy gym on Tuesdays to run down my energy. (I usually over-nap after music class.) This Tuesday at the jumpy gym, I was so excited and having so much fun that I hopped down the trampoline track to hug my mom with an "I love you."

On Wednesday, my dad told me something like if you do this, then that will happen. I replied with a headstrong "I don't care."

Yesterday, I started using similes in my speech. "This pile of dirt is as big as a big rig." And "This rock is big like a cement mixer."

fires

The entire state really is on fire this weekend.

Around Austin, 300 houses have burned here, 25+ there. They have lost count, really. Thousands of families have been evacuated. Half of a state park has been lost.

Have no fear though: Rick Perry is coming back from the campaign trail. Perhaps he will wrestle the fires down with his bare hands.

(The one and only one good thing we can say about Rick Perry and do not, I repeat, DO NOT ever tell anyone that I praised him but he was good about helping Hurricane Katrina evacuees.)

firefighter

When we attended the Trash Project, I just didn't imagine that it would or could get any better than seeing a firetruck. I thought THAT was the show!

The first photo shows the proud moment I became a firefighter. Then I had to get right to work since much of the state is on fire.

The third is a photo of me watching the Trash Project with my firemen brothers.

Forklift Danceworks: the Trash Project

It was almost as if they planned this event for me. On Sunday night, we attended the final performance of the Trash Project.

The photo above was taken at the 2009 performance. We were not lucky enough for clouds. We had the brightest sunshiniest day with temperatures of 110. The heat did not keep me from running up and down and up and down and up and down the tarmac during the hour+ we waited for the show.

Also from the 2009 performance comes this review:

Clad in neon yellow safety wear, the sanitation workers did what they do best: roll and load plastic trash carts, jump gazelle-like on and off the back of a rapidly moving trucks and drive with precision in carefully choreographed patterns.

With incredible respect, Orr translated everyday physical labor into cleverly patterned movement without a hint of unnecessary spectacle.

Like the most graceful of ballerinas on pointe shoes, a crane truck operated by Don Anderson glided through nimble moves, its mechanical claw slowly extending and retracting as it spun in near perfect unison with delicate piano music played by Austin composer Graham Reynolds.

At three separate intervals, the dead animal truck wove solo across the stage area as tender music and voiceover comments by driver Tony Dudley told anecdotes of his job such as retrieving deceased beloved childhood pets. After driving in complex patterns, a quartet of trucks with automated arms rollicked through some synchronized moves.

Reynolds, using a combination of pre-recorded music with some synthesized sound and a live piano trio, gave “The Trash Project” an inventive soundtrack that was at times joyously funky and at times touchingly melodic.

A cinematic musical flourish greeted the beginning as the 16 vehicles snaked in front of the audience. A segment of celebratory rap exalted recycling. And sweeper truck driver and professional musician Orange Jefferson treated with a blues harmonica solo.

Our daily labors often make the most meaningful art.

Basically, it was garbage trucks doing ballet.

About the music: you should have seen my dance moves. I was visiting with an usher when the trucks first rolled in and, after standing slack-jawed in complete disbelief, he and I danced and danced and danced.

Say a friendly hello to your garbage collectors next time they empty your bins!

jumpy place

Since it is so unbearably hot, it has been quite some time since I have visited a playground. sigh. We have been filling our days with other activities. But get your jacket ready: it will cool off to 100 tomorrow and it might only be 96 next Monday.

This morning, I attended music class. I went home and had a much-needed nap. When I woke up, I ate a huge lunch and then got ready to go to the jumpy place. It might even be more fun than the playground, if you could believe it. I stayed for two hours (and would have stayed longer if they didn't have to close). My favorite activities are the trampoline track (don't tell my dad though because he has a thing about trampolines) and the truck that rides down a slide (not dangerous like it sounds).

I also climbed a ladder and re-enacted what happened that time the fire alarm went off. Next time you see me, ask me to tell that story. It is my earliest memory and I remember it in vivid detail - mostly because I talk about it every single day.

Here is a photo of me on the trampoline track. (Excuse the poor quality of the photo. My mom did something to the settings so she could take photos at night but now things are all fouled up.) Obviously, trampolines are not as bad as my dad imagines.

seatbelt

I do not know the exact date on which this photo was taken but it was shortly after I was born. It was taken outside of the doctor's office. I can assure you there are no flowers or anything green at the doctor's office this summer.

Today we parted with my beloved infant carseat. Though I often try to squeeze myself into it just to sit, there really was not much reason to keep a carseat that I stopped using in February of 2010 when I got too wide. Sometimes George the bunny would sit in it too.

We sold the carseat to a lovely family who drove 100 miles to buy it. We drove a long way too and went over the fanciest bridge en route. We met at Whole Foods (not our usual one). When we got into the parking lot, I assumed we would visit with Trinity. When my mom said Trinity was at work and we wouldn't see her, I exclaimed "oh no, I lost my best friend."

The family who bought my carseat is having twins. As the dad walked away with my carseat, I cried and cried and cried and asked "could I try it." And then I cried all the way home about wanting to try the seatbelt.

what Trinity does

My sister taught me to roll my eyes in exasperation. When I do this, I announce that it is "what Trinity does."

the summer goes on forever

This morning, I visited with my good friend Luka. He is about to become a big brother. Instead of playing at my house or his, we decided to go to the splashpad. We got an early start to the day so we could hopefully beat the heat. no such luck. We were about four months late. Or three months early.

By 10:30am each day, it is already 95 degrees or more.

There happens to be an ice cream shop right behind the splashpad. How convenient! My mom and I shared a Mexican vanilla milkshake. It was yummy (but not Ben and Jerry's).

After we finished at the splashpad (when it got too hot), and before the ice cream shop opened, we passed our time at the train table in Barnes and Noble. It was quite busy; I suppose everyone in town is trying to busy their kids with indoor activities.

lord help us

Frightening news today: Rick Perry is running for president. This comes as a surprise to no one. While it is true that he has nice enough hair, is just charming enough, and has just the right accent for the masses to fall for his facade, DO NOT BE FOOLED. He is the longest serving Texas governor and what a big mess he has made. He plans to lie to the voters about a balanced budget (let's not even get started about oil subsidies) and jobs. Here are some facts about the jobs that have been "created" on his watch:

Texas leads the nation in minimum-wage jobs, and many positions don't offer health benefits. Also, steep budget cuts are expected to result in the loss of more than 100,000 jobs.

waffles

When you wake up in the morning, have some strawberry waffles to celebrate my great grandfather's birthday.

As my dad tries desperately to get photos organized, he has been showing me videos of me and grandpa Bob. (That is what I call him: grandpa Bob.) Grandpa Bob said I look peaceful. If only he could see me with all of my toddlerness on display. Do I ever have opinions and I am the boss of the world. Tonight I told my dad to stay outside because this is "my house."

The first photo was taken in Washington in September of 2009. Look at how he smiled at me!

The second was taken in Florida in February of 2010 when I went to visit grandpa Bob. He was in the nursing home with less than two months to live and I was not allowed to go in the room to see him because he was sick with MRSA. My parents had to take turns visiting. They would take me to the courtyard so that grandpa Bob could at the very least see me. I brightened his days.

The following was written on February 11, 2010, shortly after we returned from Florida.

Today, I celebrate two birthdays. I am eight months old. And I am also 35 weeks. Both birthdays were marked with little to no fanfare. Sigh.

Today is also the Valentine’s Day party at my grandfather’s nursing home. Before we left last week, my mom and I stuffed the ballot box so maybe he has a chance of being crowned Valentine King. I think Elliot will win though since he gets out and cruises the halls daily. My grandfather’s world is getting smaller and smaller by the day as he sits in his 10 by 10 cell room clinging to his memories of being a Merchant Marine in the 1940s.

But what a busy month it has been.

It is hard to believe that it was one month ago today that my future tennis career came crashing to a halt. I had to visit the ER after my mom pulled me from lying down and giggling to sitting and screaming in pain with a dislocated elbow. The medical insurance company is harassing me to bring a lawsuit against the person who caused this injury so I can recover my medical expenses. If I had more than $14 in my piggy bank, I suppose I would/could sue my mother.

In the last week of January, my mom also returned to work part-time. I don’t like that so much and I still refuse the sippy cup so it really limits the amount of time my mom can be away from me. But they hired the best nanny in the world. She was born and raised in Switzerland and attended a Waldorf school her entire life. She speaks Swiss, German, Dutch, and I don’t remember what else but she sings to me in several languages other than English. She taught at my sister’s school for 12 years but is on sabbatical right now. Sounds perfect, right? The only downside is the issue of feeding and the cost of high quality childcare. But, if you have to leave your baby, this is who you trust.

And then there was the trip to Florida. If my dad can ever get the computer working, photos will be posted. I sure am cute though.

What else? I went to a party at Luka’s house on Saturday. Luka has a lot of teeth. I have none. Jensen has eight.

Still no solid food for me. I am one month away from having mostly developed digestive enzymes.

I don’t like to sleep anymore. I love to wiggle.

Hank

We have some good news and some bad news.

First, the good news. We were able to find someone to come over to repair our air conditioner this morning. He told us he has been working 24 hours a day since the 100 degree weather set in 40+ days ago. He was quite nice and he drives a big truck with a ladder. He used a drill and some other very noisy and very exciting tools. Since it was just as hot in the house as it was outside, my mom had no excuse for us not to play outside for the duration of the service call.

Now, the bad news. Our air conditioner had to be rebuilt. And they don't exactly give the parts and labor away for free. But it is done.

Afterward, he showed me the contraption that he uses to check and compare temperatures. delta this and delta that. beeeeep.

uneventful 26th birthday

I did nothing special to celebrate my 26th birthday. It seems that the unbearable heat is even getting the best of me and I really do not understand how it can get hotter by the day, if not by the minute.

I played with my friends in the morning and I was cranky in the afternoon. My mom offered me a bowl of Chunky Monkey to cheer me up and cool me off but I couldn't even finish it. I even skipped yoga this afternoon.

In the evening, we started to wonder why it was so freakishly hot in the house only to discover that the air conditioner is not working. Cross your fingers that we can find someone to repair it tomorrow when everyone else in the entire state has this problem too. If not, my sister will be getting some new roommates. Lucky her.

This is not my official birthday photo since one does not exist but you can see how cute I was as of last Saturday. And, yes, I realize that I need a haircut but I refuse to see a barber just yet.

package

When I arrived home today from suffering through hours of the almost hottest day ever in Austin (tomorrow will be the hottest ever), there was a package on my doorstep. In it was this very cute hat. It fits me perfectly and I seem to enjoy wearing it. It is also fun to pull down over my eyes and run around like a madman. Having a new hat was the perfect excuse for tricking my mom into taking me outside to play. You would not believe the heat. Even I, the boy who would gladly play outside all day if someone would come with me, have been commenting "hot out" whenever we step out the front door.

dancing

Today was my first, and possibly my last, ballet class. It was rather traumatic. We arrived ten minutes early and I played happily with the other ballerinas in the sparkle room. Once the teacher arrived, we walked single file to the ballet studio. I forgot that my mom wasn't going to be in the room with me even though we had talked about it. A minute into the class, I bust out of the door crying that it was scary and that I needed to go home.

The ballet teacher is on thin ice at the dance studio. I went to her class yesterday but she was a no-show. But they let me play in the sparkle room with some older kids and that was much more fun than any class. We ran around and played ball and games and then I got to watch them prepare for their upcoming performance.

And then the teacher pulled the nonsense of being late today. We heard the dance studio owner scold her. The teacher wasn't very friendly. She didn't introduce herself or ask my name or anything.

We have some other classes and activities in mind anyhow that we are going to try. Plus, there is always yoga twice a week. I love my yoga teacher. And she loves me.

I was so traumatized after ballet that I could not be consoled almost the entire ride home. I was even more devastated that I didn't see the tractors or crane trucks on the way home. They had been working on building some onramps but the contractor hired by the Department of Transportation walked off the job abruptly, taking all of their equipment with them. sad for me. sad for the taxpayers who just lost millions of dollars. I blame Rick Perry. Do not vote for him when he runs for president.

When we got home, my mom and I worked on gathering some hand-me-downs for her friend whose wife is going to have a baby in December. We also looked for the items that I am about to grow into and I found these snazzy boots! Cowboy boots look sharp but they are not comfortable. not at all. But I still like to dance, even after the ballet fiasco.

it gets worse?!??!

Oh how I wish we could go back to February and enjoy the snow. The best thing about our snow day was that everyone (except my dad, because he decided to go to work instead of staying home to have fun) was outside playing and walking and building snowmen. Even Jack, who undoubtedly walked to school barefoot in the snow uphill as a young child, stayed home. These days, when you drive or walk through my neighborhood, it is worse than a ghost town. I am the only one brave enough to play outside and my mom goes with me.

The hottest month of the year in Texas begins tomorrow, and local forecasts say this August won’t disappoint. great.

This week, the Austin area will have record or tying-record heat, with forecasts showing temperatures within one to two degrees of record-setting temperatures, National Weather Service forecaster Marianne Sutton said today. Surprise: the weather service predicts temperatures between 102 and 106 degrees tomorrow.

And, just think, we only have three more months of summer!

Don

This evening, tropical storm Don was supposed to make landfall and bring us some rain. Don was a dud. It did bring us a cooler day though. In the morning, we got to play outside for an extra hour. In the evening, it was only 90 degrees so my dad took me for a long walk. The middle of the day was spent reading, playing, and napping. We also made a trip to the bookstore to play with the trains.

While we were at the bookstore, we checked on the progress of the new Whole Foods they are building out here. We are SO SO SO excited about that . . . and not just because they have a lot of tractors and excavators and bulldozers at the construction site. Imagine how convenient it will be to have a Whole Foods nearby!

I took my tractor outside to sit on it for a while this morning. Nevermind that I am in my pyjamas and slippers but sometimes we just get in such a hurry to get outside that we do not dress. Every minute is precious when you are racing against the thermometer. The fun usually has to end at 95 degrees.

I also practiced my fake smile this morning. As usual, I wore my real smile when the camera was put away.

baking

Yesterday my mom and I made delicious blueberry oatmeal muffins (all organic ingredients, of course). My job was to stir. My mom says it is important to stir everything by hand when baking and don't overmix otherwise you get dreadfully flat baked goods. yuck. My muffins are fluffy. I was quite impatient for the entire 20 minutes that they had to bake. I ate three muffins yesterday and two today.

The first photo was taken in May. I have always enjoyed to wear the oven mitts and help when I can. Now I am a full-fledged baker.

Speaking of baking, it continues to be unbearably hot here. The second photo was taken in December when I went to see Santa. I am reminded of just how cute I was in my jacket - for the entire two weeks of winter that we had. My mom noticed today when she was shopping online for the next size of summer clothes that the GAP is already peddling parkas. ummm who is going to buy a parka when it is 106 degrees most days? Not me! I just need a new swim shirt so I don't catch on fire at the pool.

ice cream is a vegetable

As my mom was preparing her grocery list for Whole Foods today, she asked me what I wanted. My reply: ice cream.

She then clarified that she was asking about vegetables. My reply: another ice cream.

Ice cream it is! breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

happy (belated) birthday

My great-grandmother celebrated her 87th birthday yesterday! Here are two photos from our visit last summer.

The first photo is us (cute me, my grandma, and my parents) enjoying Beacon Hill Park. This photo is extra special because my mom is in it. She usually takes all of the photos. We had such a nice day strolling around the park and looking at flowers and trees and birds. Victoria is ideal for that kind of thing with its perfect temperatures and everything is abloom. I probably don't need to include a reminder here of how much I love to be outside so it is like heaven to me when I visit the northwest.

The second photo shows how chubby and little I was last summer. Could that really be me? cute baby.

I haven't seen my grandma since January. My math may be a bit off but I am pretty sure this is the longest we have gone between visits. She has come here several times and I have gone to see her three times. I always talk about going to Seattle on the airplane. I say "love airplanes" and "love Seattle."

I remember my grandmother really well because she always sends me magazines and cards and photos of herself. When the phone rings, I always guess that it must be her.

I have been writing my grandmother letters lately too. Today when I was writing a card, I drew all over the chair in the living room. ooops. Good thing it was the chair with the busy fabric so maybe no one but me and my mom will ever know.

Happy birthday! I should have had cake or at least ice cream.

hungry

It is a good thing that today was ice cream day. Was I ever hungry.

My mom made lasagna. my favorite. When it is 106 degrees outside, it is hardly lasagna weather but we try to make something big on Sunday so we can have leftovers for the early part of the week. It can be challenging to cook with a toddler running about.

You can tell this picture is several weeks old because I am in my highchair. I have graduated to a regular chair (again). For dinner, I had sweet organic bi-color corn grown somewhere in Texas (as shown in the photo). I also had chickpeas, trail mix (my absolute favorite right now), carrots (like a whole pound of them while waiting for dinner and more with my meal), sunflower seeds, and lasagna. When I had finished my meal, my mom reminded me about ice cream day. yay! I had Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and my parents had Maple Blondie. I licked my own bowl clean and my dad's too. Then I asked for another piece of lasagna. I would have kept eating all night long.

I might be having a growth spurt. Let's hope I have enough food in my tummy to make it through the night. Just last week, I slept through the night three consecutive times! not bad for a two year old!

Who is this Reagan guy?

This is better than a birthday!

The International Ice Cream Association encourages consumers to celebrate National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 17.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious (ummmm, ok, if you really think so) food. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

Do you think me eating five pints of Ben and Jerry's would be an appropriate ceremony/activity for today? I do!

How can you argue with a president who decided that ketchup is a vegetable? (Nevermind that tomatoes are not even vegetables.) I do not eat ketchup but this kind of thinking is what I would much rather see from Republicans.

freedom sweet freedom

Today was my mom's last day of work.

She has mostly been home with me anyhow but now it will be all me all the time! And I will be happy not to have to sleep under the glow of her laptop while she finishes projects late at night.

Sadly, we will not get to enjoy waking up late tomorrow (not that I ever sleep in much) because my mom has an eye doctor appointment and my dad and I have to take Remus to the vet. Pray for Remus. He is nervous.

25 months

We have decided to carry on with celebrating my monthly birthdays. 25 today! I did not get any special treats for my birthday today and soon you will understand why.

Here is a photo of me after my bath. I was listening to Johnny Cash and dancing.

Last night Trinity came over for dinner for an early birthday celebration. My mom made see ya later dip, potato cheddar soup, and salad. I had my usual plateful of veggies, seeds, and nuts to accompany my dinner. We also had a yummy dessert of cookies and ice cream (for me and Trinity) and pie and ice cream for my mom and dad. I also realized that I really do like cherry pie again so I ate most of my mom's; Trinity couldn't finish her dessert so I helped her out. After Trinity left, I was so wound up that I vomited (and maybe I overate just a bit). I leaned over the edge of the bathtub and barfed just like my mom did the time she went to Thai Passion and got food poisoning from the Pad Thai. My dad is always the one to clean up the barf in the bathtub.

Today I started the advanced class at swimming. It really isn't that advanced. In fact, I am bored already. Private lessons might be my best option.