This is how Alex would look if he were a turtle. A small turtle with a large shell. We went to the Cincinnati Zoo a couple weeks ago. It was fun. The weather was perfect for looking at caged animals. The kids did great. I think I like the Columbus Zoo better, though. Although, we did not have a Silverback Gorilla charge the window and bang on it as we were standing in front of it. In fact, the Cincinnati gorillas seemed quite tame in comparison. Alex had a blast. He was his Pop-pop's buddy. Unfortunately they did not have the giraffes there this year. Or at least, not yet.

Alex is getting bigger and bigger. He will tell you that, too. He is still a "little, big boy who is growing and growing." He is funny. He has decided that since his sister cannot form complete words or sentences then he should also talk in complete gibberish. He also finds it fun to grunt and point at things. That must just be a guy thing. He is constantly telling me that he loves me. I love it. Although the other day he told me that he didn't like me, didn't love me. Who would have thought that the words of a three-year old could cut like that? I didn't. Of course, I had always been of the opinion that babies were dumb. I realize they are not. And I also realize that Alex was talking out of his head. In fact, in the next sentence he was telling me that he loved me. Go figure. Not even a teenager yet and he is already acting like one. He tells Audrey that he loves her all the time, too. But Audrey wants nothing to do with it. Alex's love usually comes complete with a hug - no way for Audrey. It feels too much like you are trying to confine her and she just will not have it. Alex says, "Why, hello, Pretty Girl." in the mornings. It is so sweet to see him interact with her - um...sometimes...other times he is taking a toy from her or pushing her down.

As for Audrey, she is usually instigating the drama of Alex by taking a toy or something. Usually she pirates his "dinosaur blue". That creates DRAMA! And she does it on purpose. She takes it, runs, and looks over her shoulder smiling.

Audrey is talking more. She also now knows the sign for baby, daddy, play, and milk. She says, "quack", "puppy", "ball", in addition to her other words. She prays for dinner, too. She is a nut case...just like her dad. She will show you her smile and look like a movie star in the process. She is a lot of fun. Everyone comments on how pretty she is. It is bound to go to her head.

The blessed event Naptime is now over. Ahhhh, it was nice while it lasted.

Did you know that a shark cannot sit in time-out because he does not have a booty? And for that matter he cannot get a spanking either. This was Alex's reasoning when the "shark" was told by mommy not to hit the frog. Yesterday the Crocodile was about to get in trouble for opening and closing the bathroom door while mommy was taking a shower. But Alex saved him from a sure reprimand by letting me know that the "Crocodile is just crazy, mommy. He is just crazy. He is crazy over the skunk and squirrel." The crazy crocodile is pictured above (he is the green one).

Alex and Audrey both love to be outside. It is very hard to get them back inside. The picture above is very deceiving. It looks as if Audrey is okay with her brother touching her - she was as long as we were swinging high. When the ride stopped the touching had to stop. She is going to be a handful. She purposefully takes things from her brother just to hear him yell. Why?! How is it that she has that routine already figured out - she just turned one. She definitely knows what she is doing because she does it with a smirk on her face. Really, a smirk! She has begun to throw herself on the floor when she is angry. I figure she will have to learn not to do that the hard way. I try to remove all dangers but if she is going down on the floor, I'm not catchin' her (within reason, come on, give me some credit).

Audrey is saying, "I love you." & "Ma-maw" & an assorted menagerie of animal sounds. She loves to sing. The McDonald's Happy Meal toy this week is an American Idol microphone. Her favorite to yell into. It is very cute.

Alex is now saying, "computer" instead of "'puter". He still says, "What you said?" But I like that. Oh, and "Let I have that."

Oh well, that is all for today as the sun is shining and Alex has watched enough of Milo the Mantis Who Wouldn't Pray. Off we go.