Leaf Peeping

Michigan is, apparently, known for the fall foliage. We get a lot of visitors from - of all places - Illinois (this baffles Jenni - they have trees in Illinois!). In the spirit of the season, Eric and the girls when on a short leaf peeping journey this morning.

This tree looks pretty...


and this one, too.


This shrub needs to get with the program!


Toddler Jeneric tried her hand at leaf photography. Not bad for an almost 3-year old!


Toddler Wily prefers her leaves one at a time.

Not much Wednesday

Well, the first cold of the season has swept through Wily Jeneric. We're in a tissue lock-down and might be delirious enough to have let Toddler Jeneric cook dinner.



The smell of burnt plastic is going to linger, isn't it?

Vital update!

Toddler Wily emerged from her 1-year check-up with 4 puncture wounds, 1 removed splinter, and a clean bill of health.

The details:
Height: 30 3/4 inches (91 percentile)
Weight: 21 1/4 pounds (51 percentile)

Her weight is a little low, given past performance. Given the amount of walking, running and climbing Toddler Wily's been doing, well, we're not too concerned.

Gratuitous Toddler Wily shot:


Pile on Mama!

Teamwork!

Toddlers Jeneric & Wily recently joined forces to vacuum the kitchen.

Hey Toddler Jeneric! I think you need a different attachment.


Make sure you reach all the crevices.


Toddler Wily, I'm not sure about riding the vacuum like a tricycle.




No, I haven't heard of child labor laws. Why do you ask?

ArtPrize!

On a rainy Saturday, the Wily Jeneric family trouped to Grand Rapids to view a small portion of ArtPrize, the world's largest art prize.

Toddler Jeneric takes in one of the top 10, Field of Reeds. This piece certainly captured one's attention, with the motion and creaking.


The rest of the top 10 are listed on the main page of ArtPrize. We're a little sad we missed the Moose sculpture! Winners announced Thursday.

This was Toddler Jeneric's favorite piece, Light Passes Through It. For Toddler Jeneric, the piece evoked a thunder storm that was mesmerizing. We watched it for 15 or so minutes.

Interlude

Our local grocery store has, at the very front, an animated horse that costs only a penny to ride. Sandy has been out of service for a few weeks, and Toddler Jeneric was eager to take a ride on our last trip. As she was encouraging Sandy to go! Sandy! Go! Jenni asked whether Sandy was a boy or girl horse. Toddler Jeneric replied, confidently, that Sandy was a girl. And the reason? Sandy works!

Celebration!

Toddler Wily celebrated her first birthday in traditional style, with presents, macaroni & cheese and cake.

I like macaroni & cheese (and peas). Aw, my favorite dinner!

Also? I am learning how to mug for the camera!

I also like to feed myself.


Whoops! Where did the food go?


After dinner, everyone sang to me and then there was cake!


I really liked the frosting...


And for those who couldn't be here to celebrate, whip up a batch of your favorite chocolate cupcakes, pull up a chair and sing along!