Doing what Daddy does

Munch a Metroparks lounger too

If you've read Moody Foodie, my original blog, you'll know that I love to watch birds and squirrels, especially the critters at the Cleveland Metroparks nature center in Rocky River... They have large reflective glass windows lined with curvy woven wood rockers where I could sit for hours if I had no other obligations.
Well. They've also got a mini rocker that was perfect for my son.

Uncle Jack and... "Ti Cris"

Joe's brother Jack's sweetheart was also in town for Thanksgiving. Cristiana's gift to Stephen, a floating fish xylophone and drum set was probably the highlight of the trip for Steve. He drooled and jammed on it all weekend.
I think Stephen took a swipe at the octopus shaker just before this photo.

IKEA in Chesterland

On our way to Cleveland for Thanksgiving, Stephen was in sore need of some spazz time. What better place to let him run around and climb on things than Mama's favorite store?

My camera died shortly after this... but I love the way he posed for me when he really wanted to keep running through the rainbow ribbons.

Usually we just window shop, but this time we left with a rocking moose (for Munchie) and a square platter with a colorful bird design (for me.) Joe put the moose together last night, with his little helper right by his side. I'll post some buckaroo pix once I get them off my camera. (Edit: here's a video of Stephen rocking the moose at the store instead.)

Sandwiches

I've been feeding Stephen sandwiches lately. Little triangles with pbj or melted cheese or even chicken salad. I've got a video of him snarfing one... it's quite cute.

Read it 100 times

Stephen is very fond of two big board books by Roger Priddy: "First 100 Machines" and "First 100 Animals," which incidentally only has 80 something critters in it, but that's OK. He loves these books and demands that they be read to him over and over. He especially likes to be asked questions, such as: "Where's the motorcycle?" "Where's the combine and disc?" "Where's the meerkats?" "Where's the emu?"

Gramps got to do 100 animals honors when we visited.

First-time flyer