Pa Pik and Nanu at Zigick Class

Audrey takes a Saturday morning music class (known in our house as "zigick class") and grandparents are always welcome to join in.

Among Audrey's other music-related interests are banjos and guitars ("tar") and Mariachi music. She's been begging all week to go to the local Mexican restaurant on Mariachi night, so we're headed there tonight, with tip money so Audrey can keep them coming back to our table. This is usually fine with the other diners at the restaurant who are less enthused about eating their chimichangas with a six-piece mariachi band playing over their shoulder.

Dr. Jekyl and Ms. Hyde

Family members who knew Audrey's great-grandfather Phil think that this expression looks familiar. If you see this look, just sit yourself down and don't even try to argue.

But offer her a bite of your cookie, and watch the scowl melt into this pleasant and calm attitude.

You can't make this up

This morning as Audrey was careening through the kitchen at high speed with her baby dolls in her stroller she slammed into a chair and exclaimed-- I kid you not-- "Hey, lady! Learn how to drive!"

I'm going to lay that one right at Scott's feet.

But the next one I probably earned all by myself. It was this: while being reprimanded (I would like to say calmly and constructively but that's probably not the case) she pointed at me angrily and said, "Don't say words to me!!"

No time to post a picture, I've got to go pick up Miss Smart Alec from nursery school, where she has probably just driven a stroller carrying lots of dolls into a group of on-lookers and shouted at them to watch where they're going...

Gandalf Mini

Calvin's in a mood to charm

Calvin would like to dedicate tonight's video post to Jean, Shirley and Joyce, who will be unable to resist this crooked and subtle little grin.

Rakish hat, and futon dancing

Before the soup is served, guests enjoy some dancing in the living room on the futon. Calvin decided to sit this one out.

Growing boy and Chatty Kathy

Hurry up and dress the boy already-- it's freezing!

Audrey enjoys a little dinner time dancing with Dad.

Calvin's a much bigger baby than his sister was at the same age. He's wearing the size 2 disposable diapers already, and, some of the time, these gigantic cloth diapers. I love the fat thighs and the bowl-full-of-jelly there in the middle. Today while I was dressing him-- and those of you who have tried to dress a newborn know how hard this is, since they do absolutely nothing to help you-- I think he actually laughed a little while I had him completely tangled up in the onesie and couldn't even find his head. Or maybe he smiled and coughed at the same time, I'm not sure.

Audrey continues to amuse with her commentary. This morning, while watching me get dressed, she said, "Good job, Mom! I so proud of you! You just like a big sister!" I love how she mixes-and-matches with the bits of praise and scolding that she hears from us. Recently I also received the following admonishment: "No, Mommy! I a teacher. You in time out!"

Guess we can go ahead and cross "Time Out" off the list of effective disciplinary tactics.

Higher, I said!

Today, Audrey composed a song. It's called "Jump Higher!" and it goes like this:

"Jump Higher! Jump Higher! Jump Higher! Jump Higher! Jump Higher! Jump Higher!"

You sing it loud, and while you sing, you jump up and down with a hard landing after each jump. Toddler speed-metal.

More Advil, anyone?

Audrey reads to her kitty and assorted dolls

Brief entry this morning-- I'm trying to eat cereal while holding Calvin in the baby carrier and a lot of the cereal is going onto his head. Here is Audrey reading one of her stand-by favorites, The Big Orange Splot (I loved it as a kid too; Daniel Pinkwater is one of the finest).

Last one up has to make the bed.

Calvin takes after his father when it comes to getting up in the morning.