July 12, 2007

Can you guess what we did today?

a) desperately hunt for parking amidst the strollers and SUVs in a municipal lot
b) possibly illegally park and say a quick prayer that we wouldn't be towed
c) tour a farmer's market and meet some new friends
d) buy gooseberries, currants and the last of the sweet cherries of the season
e) find an amazing bread store and get some free samples
f) go to an outdoor kids concert and dance
g) tour a new library
h) pretend to be condors high in the trees
i) luckily find the car again, in the same place where we left it
j) drive home weary, hot and happy
k) all of the above, and before lunch!

We went to a bakery with our new friends. Jenny showed Grace the ropes.

Grace allowed herself to be led by the hand (Jenny's) throughout the store and really listened to what she said. It amazes me how much she respects and admires older kids.

Munching on a bread sample.

The only photo of Suki from our outing, because the batteries died right about then.

Back home and playing a bit in the front yard.

An exhausted Suki.

Playing the piano.

It looks like crying but it sounded more like singing.

Perky!

Playing before naptime.

July 11, 2007

More marker fun was had today.

I asked Grace if she'd put marker on her face and she was certain that she hadn't. Okay, then...

Suki thinks about joining in.

Happy just to be holding the marker.

They're crafty and they're just my type.

Time for some books.

These two are both so interested in them.

An interesting shot of Grace and Dad.

Sisters on the couch.

After several tries at balancing the camera at just the right angle, these were the best shots of our fun time on the couch together.

Trying to postpone bedtime as long as possible.

First, she looks appealingly at Mom.

Then she snuggles up with Dad.

Finally, realizing she's been had, she just cracks up.

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Two Grace stories from today:
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Grace: You want to read Fred and Ted?
Laura: Read it to me!
Grace: Please?
Laura: Yes, please read the book to me.

It's good to hear that this whole "use your manners" idea is paying off. And of course, Grace is thrilled to be able to combine politeness with bossiness :)
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(overheard on the monitor while Grace was lying down for a nap with her lamb, chick and duck): Little babies, mmm-hmm. You want to sleep with the little babies? Okay.

July 10, 2007

Grace enjoys playing with her letter puzzle.

Drawing some coconuts, splashy dots made by stabbing the marker into the paper.

She loves to draw.

Showing how she can make the markers into an X.

Grace put the eyes, beak and ears into this "funny little triangle."

Spelling out her name on the Play-Doh.

Cuddling up with the gorilla Mom made her. From left to right on the table, there's an orange maned wolf, a pink duck and a yellow dog, in case my impressionistic sculpting does not lend itself to easy identification.

Dad brings Suki down from her nap.

A little kiss.

Chomping on a letter.

Rolling on the floor.

Looking at the bubbles -- I'm not sure she knows what to make of them.

Grace tries to catch a bubble as Suki looks on.

Excited that she caught one, but Suki's moved on.

Happy girl on the couch.

I love to see her smile.

A thoughtful look.

July 9, 2007

Can you believe this is the 500th post here on Blogger? All told, this is the 865th day we've documented in this day-by-day photo style.

Looking at cards at Wegman's.

Walking down an aisle.

Suki did not understand that she was supposed to nap at this time. She was very quiet, but clearly not asleep.

Showing Señor Duck some flowers.

Back at home, Suki looks out the window.

More yard gazing.

Laughing at Dora and Boots as she eats her lunch.

The wrong way to sit in the Bumbo seat -- Suki's unbelievably physically active lately.

Waiting for Dad to notice her antics.

Delighted to be playing with Dad's tie.