23 June 2010

Jokester

Soren is starting to tell jokes now. Yesterday's favorite:

"Woof! Luna?* Nurse?...... Noooooo! Haha!"

*Luna is our neighbor's dog. Soren is her biggest fan. Variations of this joke have included replacing "Luna" with "toes," "record ('geckord')," and "CD," none of which, of course, nurses. This, apparently, is delightfully funny if you are 2.


16 June 2010

Cincinnati Nature Center

Soren got to feed the prehistoric turtles (and feisty fish!) at the Cincinnati Nature Center.  Here in the Ohio River valley, the idea of "nature" is a lot different than the Pacific coast. We're in a swamp. Think: lush, humid, dense, hot, and DENSE. Everything grows everywhere. The rivers and lakes were brown from 2 days of intense downpours. It's definitely a different aesthetic than I grew up with, but I'm getting used to it. Sometimes, I even like it.

We went for a day trip through a series of trais, throwing fish food, looking at plants, walking in the shade of old and tall trees. Soren couldn't have been happier (though, he was a bit tired).


My dad, teaching the ways of the world.
I've said it before, but he has an uncanny connection with his Grandpa. Pretty fascinating!



After throwing in handfuls of turtle food, Soren wondered if the swimming critters would like to taste his hat. Notice that it is conspicuously absent from the following pictures! Here is my dad rescuing said hat.




Soren feeling deep regret. Deep, deep regret.



Of course, Grandma is pretty cool too.



Big guy, little guy.


And my sworn enemy made many an appearance.
I am currently losing to my 3rd batch of poison ivy for the summer.



Look at that crazy hair! Still so light, still so slight.

01 June 2010

Photo shoot

The things that i never thought would happen: doing a photo shoot with a Graduate student on campus with a 2 year old toddler strapped to my back!!

Inevitably, Soren wanted to get down and take a look around at the butane torches, sharp things, technical-looking things, but he did great by eventually deciding to stay put in the Ergo carrier. He was very curious to see what I was doing, though, so he would pose for the camera when i took a picture over my shoulder.

I love seeing him peek around my shoulder.

After acquiring his freedom, he tore off through the campus of University of Cincinnati. I love watching him run. I think he's pretty set on the Electrical Engineer/D.J. career path already, but he definitely has the grace to be a professional dancer, if he ever wanted to be.



The Very Hungry Caterpillar Party

The cake was extra tasty when served with Leif's homemade peach ice cream.



Our spread of TVHC-inspired food.

Prepping the construction paper "fruit" and butterfly wings.

The older kids decorated butterfly wings, then we glued them to the clothespins
to make butterfly magnets.

After all that paper cutting, we forgot to play "pin the fruit on the caterpillar's mouth"...
However, I did remember to move the knife block before the party started.

Soren was in juice heaven.

This kid is crazy for bubbles.

Thank you again to John and Eliasz for expertly tilling our melon-patch-to-be.

Sudhir and Soren are such good buddies.

The sign of a good toddler party... all toys removed from their proper place.