Hello, it's me.

Sure, it's poor grammar. I figure anyone even bothering to check this blog might forgive me if I just put up some new photos. Let's see, last post was in April. Would you believe that not much has happened since then? Solomon plays school every day. Penny wants to do whatever Solomon is doing. She also wears a Batman cape and mask more days than not. Above is the first snow worth anything. It didn't actually stick to the sidewalk enough to show cat prints, which is the usual threshold for "first snow." However, Penny and Solomon weren't aware of that requirement.

I got the children to pose for these photos because they wanted "ID badges" with which to play work. Penny's was polices officer, Solomon was teacher. Until the next day, when Solomon was "apple seller."

Penny told Santa she wanted a reindeer.

Ah, the gingerbread train. Solomon insisted on complete control for the caboose, not just a helping role. He used squares for the wheels, because it is a "misfit." Remember?

Don't Give Up

Every once in a while I'll remember to post something. Here Penny considers the mud puddles she has been stomping at the campground. That would be the campground where we now have our camper for the whole year. We are one step closer to being hillbillies.

At the Hand's On Museum. I've been working with Penny so she doesn't drink the water.

Solomon never tires of the zoo. Sometimes he prefers the statues to the real animals, but who am I to judge?

Promise

I promised to get something up, as I've neglected this blog for so long. The whole crew on Christmas. Mama and Solomon cheesin' . Penny gets a quick bath in sink after she made a mess.

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.