Ovenplace

Tonight, we read Goodnight Moon. Joe followed the little mouse from page to page, but was also intensely interested in the fireplace which he was intermittently calling the "ovenplace." No doubt because he knows the oven is hot ("no touch," "Mommy Daddy only") and had been told the fire place was hot inside, but made the room warm. He noted we did not go inside the ovenplace, and Julie quickly concurred. This ain't no wardrobe with a magical wood beyond, and we're fresh out of Floo Powder. But then, we're fresh out of ovenplaces, too.

Spiky Hairdo

Joe's Aunt Kate and Uncle Scott got him a subscription to a little magazine called Baby Bug which features short stories, songs, and poems, all revolving around the theme of that month's issue. They feature a reoccurring dynamic duo of a little girl named Kim and her ever-present companion, the stuffed bunny Carrots. In one Baby Bug, Kim and Carrots take a bath* and Kim gets a spiky hairdo as does Carrots. Joe has been asked before during bath if he would like a spiky hairdo, and has always responded in a very worried tone "no spiky hairdo," but that all changed tonight.

*We also wonder about Carrots being allowed in the tub.

Mirror, Mirror. . .

We hauled the mirror we had initially bought when Joe was in physical therapy back out for Baby Bird, thinking she might find it fun to look at the reflections. Oh she loved it, Fans! She broke out the big smile. She started out pretty far away for a Baby Bird, but she belly surfed with all her might on over to Julie's reflection and went in for the nuzzle. (This belly surfing, by the way, is undoubtedly what she is now routinely doing at night in her crib, waking up frustrated once she reaches the shore, if you will, of the crib slats.)

In the Buck

It's the best way to be! As longtime, loyal Fans know, the wee-est of the Minnesota Ekkers have sensitive skin prone to diaper rash and Our Hero had a rough go of it last week. So in an effort to get that little bum super dry, Joe was allowed to run around naked for a bit the other night. Ted reported that initially Joe was confused and wondered where his "fresh new diaper" was. But soon, the delight took over because Julie was upstairs nursing Clara and heard all kinds of joyful shrieking.

Whoooo! and Alligator Purse

Last week, Julie was in the Red Balloon Bookshop near William Mitchell where she spied a copy of The Lady With the Alligator Purse--a sing along song book. She thought she knew a little boy who would love it so she scooped that right up and brought it home (along with Ollie the Stomper, a friend of the fine flock of goslings: Gossie, Gertie, and Boo Boo) and indeed, it is now in heavy rotation. Making a comeback is Bears in the Night, probably because it features an owl and Joe has been all about his owl of late. Much hilarity ensues when the climactic "WHO!" from the owl on Spook Hill is reached. (Ollie is also requested, and it must be said, it's pretty charming to hear that little tongue try to wrap around Ollie.)