From the Archive - Wild Life

I don't think I've posted these wonderful photos from a long ago trip to the Wild Rumpus, which is officially my favorite bookstore of all time (The Grolier in Cambridge is now second on my list and The Word in Montreal has dropped to third).

Ian was young and easily cowed by a bossy chicken.




You can tell it was a while ago because Mo Willems was doing the circuit with his (then) new book, The Pigeon Wants a Puppy.

The Rumpus is a great winter outing... it has everything a boy could want; lots of books, a rogue chicken, cats, alcoves, hard wood floors for running, puppets, a furry spider, girls....

Let it Snow!

The weather is far from frightful when I don't have to commute in it!


I haven't enjoyed a Minnesota winter until the last 2 weeks, during which time even shoveling is a great excuse to go outdoors. Ian is a thick-blooded native, undeterred by the -30 F windchill. In fact, he has added the word "Snow" to his repertoire. He likes to go over to the frozen lake and walk on water. Hope he doesn't try the same thing in summer....

And then, warming up with some hot chocolate!

Everybody Poops ...at REI

The following was witnessed at the REI play area which, by the admission of other parents, functions as a laxative on the diaper-bound set:

Little Girl: Yells to nearby parent, "Daddy, I made poopy."
Dad: Tries on coats nonchalantly. Hopes mother will show up.
LG: Louder, "DADDY I made POOpy."
Dad: Is still stoic, but is now identifiable by the red in his cheeks.
LG: "Daddy, daddy I made POOpy. Daddy, I made POOpy."
Dad: Looks around for the mother. Gives up trying to shop.
LG: Pleased that Dad is walking towards her. "Daddy I made Poopy!"
Dad: "Oh yeah, that's not embarrasing AT ALL." Picks her up.
LG: Displeased by this reaction, she turns up the volume "Daddy, I made Poopy! Daddy I made Poopy!"
Dad: Carries her off over his shoulder as she wails her refrain all the way to the register.

I just remember this episode when I'm the one having to collect my toxic little bundle of joy, and remember that if things can get bad, they could be worse.

Penguins Penguins Everywhere

And now, the fruits of my Penguin Indoctrination....

Last night, a cold and blustery night, Ian collected all his penguins and was carrying them around the house in a large flightless bunch.

He then arranged them nicely on the sofa and watched a few cartoons cosily, while Mamacita snapped away.

The penguins were accumulated for his first birthday which was loosely centered around The Penguin. Why? I admit, I'm overly fond of the surreal polar bird.

To see my sweet son favoring the penguins emboldens me to try influencing him with more of my own tastes.

But, I should be realistic. He'll probably forget all about the penguins tomorrow and be on to ... robots.

Bento Craziness!

Mamacita has gone a little Bento Nutso.

How could one not?

All the tiny cute little accessories, the idea of creating food dioramas, the adorable small portions....

Well Auntie Nakoko, who thought the Mamacita's obsession was laughable, nevertheless surprised Ian with this cute little number (a bullet-train box) all the way from the Land of Bento!

The Atlantic

Dadzilla outdid himself on this 10 minute photo shoot before the cool breezes blowing off the ocean forced him to retreat. Ian however was quite willing to stay longer.

More photos here....

Providence Children's Museum

A perfect rainy day activity in RI.

We were lucky that the newly renovated Providence Children's Museum was open at long last.

It was a charming space and Ian was entertained well beyond the time in our parking meter.

For those who are in the RI area and have children or know of some, this great site has lots of suggestions for activities.

More pictures here.

So Much Has Happened

I've been so delinquent at updating this post, but I have no excuses any longer as I've lost my job and now will have lots of time to do the things I love (while job-hunting of course!).

So where to begin....

Thanksgiving was spent in RI with Ajji, who was baby's personal chef. My boy ate like a horse and tried all sorts of new stuff, like three bean salad and polenta. I like that. He's got his father's adventurous palate and his mother enormous appetite.





Boy-boy had all the attention all the time.

His Ajji had rearranged furniture to accommodate the myriad toys she'd bought him. His Pijji doted on him constantly. His Auntie Rachella tolerated his presence and was eventually won over by him. And Grampa Steve was given special attention at the airport when Ian leaped out of his stroller and gave his Grampa a big hug.

See more pictures here.