Firsts, part 1

Tuesday was Jeneric's very first day of preschool. She's on a part-time schedule, so her second day is Thursday. Following in the footsteps of so many before us, we, too, take pictures on the first day. We added a little twist, one that we hope to continue, by asking Jeneric what she wanted to be when she grows up.





And outside her new school, looking so small!


Her first note from the teachers said that she had a wonderful day, and enjoyed "books with E" and "cookie cutter art." She also enjoyed breakfast and lunch and she insists she had pear with sprinkles. Jeneric is willing to go back on Thursday (whew) but advises us that Toddler Wily isn't ready yet for the preschool room.

Yet another shocking development

We went to the zoo. A new zoo! Jeneric commandeered the camera and presents the following in-depth photojournalism. We begin with these rare photos of the only biger (tigalo? tigon? bufer?) known to exist.





We don't know if the camels are double agents, but they do appear suspicious.


Eagles, related as they are to pigeons, are definitely plotting in secrecy.


And the leaves sitting on the netting? Wire taps.

Dr Jeneric and Nurse Wily

are currently unavailable to come to the blog. Jake is "100 pounds of sick" from "eating a tree."



The patient was told to rest, keep (very) warm and avoid bright sunlight for the foreseeable future. Doctor Jeneric and Nurse Wily were at a loss to explain why Jake had eaten a tree, just that he was, at the time of ingestion, "very, very hungry."

In a shocking development...

The Wily Jeneric family visits yet another playground. This one lacked an "A, B, C slide" but it did have a surface of soft black matting (rather than gravel as at one local school).

As you can see, the girls enjoyed synchronized sliding.


Swinging...


Climbing...




And the craziest set of stairs.

Random Thursday

It may be random, but it is a post. Two in one week!

1. How many of you built fortresses out of cereal boxes?


2. Someone will one day paint her own car. Just you wait.




4. And she'll make sure there's nary a screw loose.


5. This video shows the girls at their best - a Rube Goldberg-esque method for scraping one's plate and a demonstration of exactly how to be a ham.


(ps We made mozzarella. It was very creamy, very rich and very good. See?)

A little bit

of summer fun... while the ND summer lasts, that is. We've already slipped into wonderfully cool nights (in the low 50s!). Can snow be far behind?






(The girls traced Eric's foot and then embellished.)

In the meantime - before we break out the ice scrapers, we've enjoyed community bike rides, gelato, various playgrounds, rewiring electrical outlets, re-imagining our kitchen, and mowing the lawn. Jenni officially began work today by sitting through 9 hours of orientation. Four more hours tomorrow and then a teaching conference on Wednesday. Then the real work begins.

Wednesday Randomness

As you've undoubtedly noticed, posting has gotten a bit sporadic around here. This is a direct result of moving, long vacations, conferences and new jobs. We promise to try harder to get back on schedule. In the meantime, a few random happenings.

1. Jeneric is observing the world around her and has discovered that her reflection is upside down on her cereal spoon.

2. Jeneric has also figured out that dinosaurs are dead and you can't ever have one for a pet. Never ever. (don't tell Steven Spielberg)

3. Toddler Wily is mere moments away from figuring out how to escape her crib. That anguished cry you just heard? Yeah, that's her parents wondering how we're going to keep her in bed at night.

4. Plant really do rule the world. Their roots alone can cause a sewer back-up that eats up most of your weekend. And bleach supply.

Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.