Summer Safari

We enjoyed 4th of July weekend at the Norfolk Zoo. This is the train that almost didn't make it. It stalled (or whatever trains do) at least half a dozen times.

The monkeys are very friendly here and often jump right on your shoulders!

Looks like Vivvy is phoning home. With only glass to separate them from each other...

Checking out the prairie dogs. And Mommy taking a picture.

This goat too seemed to have some sort of connection with Vivian.

The Angry Strawberry

Clearly Vivian did not want to participate in the fashion show.

Books, Books, Wonderful Books!

Vivian is getting more excited/tolerant of me reading to her. She loves to point out the babies and say, "Baby!"

Multitasking with two books at once.

Book Mayhem. I think she likes to flip through them, take them off the shelf, and put them back just as much as actually reading them. But atleast she's starting to enjoy it!

Summertime in a Box

It all started with a harmless picture I wanted to take. I thought Vivian would get upset and start crying. I didn't realize she would become so enamored with the box. She climbs in and out, insists that we watch, and also likes when we push her around in it. Some parents take their kids out to get ice cream, go to the pool, or enjoy the playground. We like to hand our child a box and say, "Here, Kid. Happy Summer."

Using the couch for leverage. Much grunting and drama is involved in this.

We can also slide the box around. Or we like to cry until someone assists us in box entrance.

Almost there. It's tough work getting into this thing when you're 2 feet tall! Note Lamby clearly neglected.

Sharing is not our forte yet. Moments later Peter Rabbit was tossed into the air.

Birthday Cupcake Carnage!

June 11th was Vivian's first birthday, and so we celebrated with Grandma and Grumpa. I had had visions of her birthday cake cupcake for months now, so I was so excited to finally make it for her. So, after opening birthday presents (most make A LOT of noise--thank you, Grandparents) we celebrated with the traditional cake extravaganza. Hopefully these pictures are as sweet as the Strawberry icing Vivian had...all over the place!



The aftermath, but let's start at the beginning...

I'm so proud! The "sprinkles" are Good n Fruitti candies.

Yup. And it gets worse...

It took awhile before Vivian finally realized that there was cake under that fluffy pink icing.

Down goes the cupcake. After so many bites of pure icing and cupcake, Vivian shoved the cake away and then began demolition.

This is why we have Mommies...

Just one picture for this post. I'm convinced that if anything at all, Mommies are there to prevent children from getting themselves killed, maimed, or otherwise incapacitated. Would you check out what is in her hand?!?! Seconds before the shot it was in her mouth. Sigh.

Care For Some Popcorn?

Goooood Eeevening, my friends! For an early first birthday gift, Vivian received a child-size chair. She has enjoyed climbing in her infant carseat, and at the nursery she is constantly getting into the rocking chair. So, we decided that she needed something to play with as well as watch TV in. It's a hit!

Vivian is getting better and better at scaling her chair.

Alll.....most....there!

Finally! Vivian often sits and watches TV or just climbs all over the chair in search of new adventure. She also loves her "Baba," that she is holding in the picture. This babydoll was a gift from Mum Mum Short. Vivian loves Baba, and sometimes she will accompany Vivian on the chair and V will rock her to sleep. But on rare occasions when Vivian is in top form, she is not in the mood to share and Baba gets thrown to the floor.