Improvements in progress.

It has come to my attention that my pictures don't work because Google is stupid (or I'm incompetent, maybe possibly). Please enjoy this adorable baby while you wait.

A walkabout.

The canal trail that starts at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion is always a nice place for a walk, so with nothing better to do on a Thursday morning, I dragged the kids out for a walk.


Jim was initially skeptical, but the view from the pavilion won him over.


Lottie was likewise impressed.


And what's that in the distance?


See that tall rocky thing in the background? Jim determined that it must be a volcano.


Jim found Lottie a red leaf. She loved it, even if it wasn't a flower. I think he may have regretted handing it over, though.


He just got done tossing a rock through this convenient gap in the shrubberies.


Where there are sticks and dirt, there must be careful arranging of sticks in the dirt. It is known.


And another, just because he's cute.


My main view for the walk


Lottie looks stern.


Jim's finished arrangement. Kid's clearly got an eye for aesthetics.

Fourth of July Festivities

I can't figure out how to imbed this short video of Jim being festive, but it's cute, so you should go watch it. Incidentally, while trying to figure out how to link it, I watched it like fifteen times with Jim right next to me, and every time video-me says his name, Jim-right-next-to-me said "Yeah?"

It was funny, okay?


Jim kicked off the day with a festive drawing of a flag (a "balloon flag," to be precise) and fireworks. Aunt Emmy helped label it with the appropriate patriotic slogan.


Uncle Ilya served as grill manager while the rest of us lounged about and played with small explosives.


Lottie, unfortunately, was out of sorts and required steady infusions of tomatoes to remain in tolerable spirits.


Jim's general opinion of those little thingies that you throw on the ground and they go CRACK.


Lottie, however, was mostly a concerned onlooker.


A sample plate of our cook-out. Well done, all.


Lottie loved it.

Not pictured: Fireworks that whizzed around on the ground with different colors, Jim breaking Ilya's glasses, Lottie clapping her hands and shouting yay at the big fireworks in Evans later.

A giant photo dump.

Noah with some wiggly kids the day before he left. I swear he's wearing pants.


The thrift store had an unexpected gold mine of child-sized glasses. Don't be fooled by the face; Jim actually loved his.


Lottie being intrepid at the playground.


Jim successfully uses playground equipment while Lottie looks on in admiration. Or confusion. One of those.


Another day, another playground. Jim orders ice cream while Lottie mutters nonsense.


Lottie is nobody's fool. She always counts the currency before handing over the goods.


Wouldn't you do the same with a customer that shifty-looking?


On his own, Jim is free to try out the bigger-kid stuff.


He's always ready to take baby sister for a spin on the bumblebee, though.


Lottie's happy to take over the work for a bit while Jim takes a breather.


Dismay at being left on the bumblebee all by her lonesome.


Fortunately, Lottie has been watching Ben Hur and knows how to channel her rage into strength.


Actually, she's stronger than you'd think. Look at her dangle on that bar!


A very proud baby.


Gratuitous post-shower baby butts as they preen in front of the mirror.


Lastly: Dress-up!


Lottie twirls to model her finery.


Meanwhile, Jim puts the finishing touches on his city. No game of dress-up is complete without a box village in which to wreak havoc.


Jim tries to interest Lottie in bringing victuals to the hungry townspeople, but she's not having it.


I apparently had my own role to play in the drama, but I'm still a little spotty on the details.

A Boy and His Rhinoceros

Once upon a time, I went off to college and was given a little stuffed rhinoceros to keep me company. I named him Henry Proboscis. Now Jim has discovered him and taken him for his very own. He calls him Henry Kobonksis. Please take a moment to consider how adorable that is before reading on.

Last night we had a rather lengthy discussion about Jim's new pal (who Jim informs me is kind of a real rhinoceros and not just a fake one or a baby one). Apparently, he likes vegetables and frequently throws vegetable parties for his rhinoceros friends in our yard, but they all have to hide when I come around. I foolishly asked where such large creatures could possibly hide in our yard, and received a scathing "Up in a tree" for my reply. Fortunately, Jim hastened to assure me that no harm would come to me if I found them. "Don't worry, Mommy," said he. "Henry Kobonksis is just a nice rhinoceros."


Is it still a creepshot if it's my own kid snoozing with my old stuffed animal?

Weekend conversations.

A Conversation with Jim:
(Lottie begins to cry suddenly behind me)
Jim (sounding concerned): Mommy, why's Yottie cryin'?
Me (slightly distracted): I dunno, Jim, she's probably getting hungry.
Jim (contemptuous of my ignorance): No, she's not hungry! I just hit her with my shoe.
Me (unsurprised): ...

I'm not sure why he asks when he already knows the answer better than anyone.

A Conversation with Lottie:
(Lottie points to random body part)
Lottie: Owwie! S'ooch it?
Me: (complies)
Repeat. And again. And again.

So what're the kids so pleased about?

Looks kind of suspicious, no?

Fortunately, Jim is ready to help Lottie model the damage:

Remind me not to turn my back when Jim's got a dry erase marker within reach.