Rye, 23m

Montessori helper, gunning for an allowance already.

Rye is growing and growing. He is engaging in pretend play more often, cooking pretend macaroni and cheese, and setting up Lego figures (Emergency Worker Jeremy, Bob the Builder, and Winnie-the-Pooh) around a table to eat Lego birthday cake. Lego Jeremy also practices pooping in a Lego potty. Recently the bathtub octopus was reading "Curious George Opposites." He feeds the plastic cow milk and the stuffed jaguar drinks out of Rye's sippy cup.

Some recent phrases: "aircraft carrier," "awesome 'possum," "okie dokie, mokie pokey."

Also overheard: "Daddy makes good omelets," (said while Mommy was making him an omelet), "See you later....alligator," (sending Daddy off to work), "This is Rye's, um, blanket," "Wow! It's (a) waterfall!" (while playing with sponges and water), "Mommy not have sides in pocket." (While babbling as he fell asleep), and "Heeeere's Peter Sagal!" of "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me!" the weekly radio news quiz.

He's also started talking with his hands, absent-mindedly turning his wrists to demonstrate how some wheels go round and round. He is more attentive for narrative stories such as The Lorax, Give a Pig a Pancake, and Smash Crash! Previously he preferred picture-intensive books without plot, but now he likes a balance.

We have heard him count to four and to six unprompted and unassisted. But he does not yet repeat this reliably.

Rye seems to understand the concept of "yesterday," talking about what he did yesterday.

He loves to throw balls around, and anything else that is ball-shaped.

Rye loves painting, drawing, glueing, and sculpting with play dough, as well as threading buttons and beads on pipe cleaners, and moving sparkle puffs around with tongs. He LOVES Lego Duplos, making car transporters, tow trucks, and super cars. He's also enjoying his little Brio train set with extra vehicles.

He likes to clomp around the house in mommy's and daddy's shoes, as well as to put his own shoes on by himself (50/50 on the right feet). He still likes wearing necklaces, but has become more choosy about which ones to wear.

The whining has begun (shudder). He is able to distinguish between his "whiny voice" and his "plain voice," but only at Mommy's prompting. He sometimes is able to say that he is frustrated or disappointed in a situation to let us know what's going on. Curiously, when presented with something new or interesting during the whining, the whining can stop more quickly than the needle coming off a 33 1/3rpm record.

Grocery getter.

Yogurt pops. Our ice pop rocket molds have an unfortunate shape.

Celebrating with Grandma on her birthday.

In other fun news, Mommy stumbled upon a color blind test in a book at the bookstore last week, and asked Rye whether he could put his fingers on the green dots. Color blind people can't see the "8" in the figure, or that there are two different color dots. Mommy was curious, because her brother and grandfather both are color blind—and Rye isn't that consistent with some color names.

Well, he picked the green dots right out. Even Auntie Kris saw it. Yay!

Nana and Granddad come to visit *

Nana and Granddad came for a visit from Michigan and it was a busy week!

Petting and brushing the sheep and goats at the zoo!

Checking out Hot Wheels (and trying to figure out why they are glued to the wall) at the antique car museum!

Showing Nana the best Hot Wheels.

Celebrating TWO! with ice cream cake. He blew out the candle himself! We celebrated a bit early so Rye might actually score two cakes this year — but I don't think he will complain!

*More photo photos will be posted as they come in.

Pooh learns valuable water safety lesson after succumbing to peer pressure

Like the good friend that he is, Rye suckered Lego Pooh into going on a wild whitewater rafting trip, and, well, Pooh didn't keep his feet up when his sorry, heavy Brio raft hit a bend in the river and capsized. That's what happens when you sign up for a cheap trip with an inexperienced guide.

Rye's mommy had to call an emergency rescuer for backup for both Pooh and his inappropriate vessel.

Pooh did not have adventure insurance (the AAC coverage goes to 8,000 meters, but what about spelunking?) and his rescue cost $155, in addition to the discovery of a rusted and rotting tank filler that needed to be replaced.

Lego Pooh will be taking a steam sauna and extensive shower before he returns to his job of enjoying Lego cake with Bob the Builder and Emergency Worker Jeremy (who was apparently on call and missed the adventure).

This particular slot canyon is closed to small craft until further notice.

Art Class

Rye really is enjoying his art classes!

Every day there is a story about Miss Gnome and her friends Big Red, Blue Duck, Robin with the Rainbow Tail, Mr. Frost, and Mama Kitty and Baby Kitty. All of the friends must be awakened by the wooden flute before the story begins. Blue Duck lives in the ocean and Miss Gnome finds a seashell near him every week. She and Big Red climb the mountain and survey the ocean, the green wood and the meadow, and see incredible things, many of which the students look for in the garden later during class (butterflies, flowers, seashells...).

Everyone takes a turn listening to the ocean. Rye also picked up a small scallop shell and was confused that the ocean wasn't inside it, too.

There is drawing and theme-based artistic rubbing every session. Auntie Kris got to watch during her visit!

This is Rye's 3-D mixed-media sculpture of a garden.

The materials are clay, pipe cleaners, buttons, white glue and glitter puffs.

Rye is starting to understand that the objects stick where he paints the glue, and often makes corrections with the brush on his own, when needed.

Happy Birthday America! *

Our friends Laura and Don found a wonderful local kids parade, put on by some neighbors. Rye enjoyed "driving" his wagon, which we didn't really decorate much.

Hey babe, we'll be back to pick you up later!

Maia's Daddy had to run home to get her helmet so she would be appropriately attired.

No parade is complete without spectators in lawn chairs.

This is your holiday. This is your holiday on Plasma. Any questions?

Beck channels some American Gothic.

Third place winner, in the Young at Heart division.

We asked Rye what the homemade strawberry ice cream tasted like. He said: "Like CAKE." You know, like one of those insanely delicious things I rarely get to have!

*UPDATED

Later, we had more BBQ with friends in the neighborhood. Rye created some star-spangled artwork!

Playdate with Myra Jean

Rye LOVES spending time with Myra Jean. They poured in the rice bins, colored with markers and colored pencils, had spinach tortellini, grapes and bubble rolls for lunch then finished the date with yogurt pops and some outdoor water play (to get the sticky off). There was lots of nice sharing. Rye and MJ are in music class together, and their mommies are in Mommy Club together.

More Spraying?

Daddy makes some rain for Rye to run in.