birthdays and other events

Today we went to cousin J's 1st birthday party. Princess is a big fan of going "out" - on a daily basis if possible. And going out to a birthday party, well that's even better. Today cousin JJ was there, too and Princess was in little girl heaven. You see, JJ is a bit older and likes to tell little girls what to do. Princess isn't the world's best at organizing play, but she loves to participate. It works out so well.

Princess the princess

Princess plays dress up. She plays hide and seek and builds tents in hidden parts of the house. All under the direction of her big cousin. It's great. Oh, and it comes with Smarties and cake!

Thor, on the other hand, just hangs out to chase the poor dog around the house trying to "love" him. Thor knows the word "gentle", but the boy in him insists on aggressive love. One day the dog will learn, but for now he's too busy hanging out for the food Thor drops.

doggy disinterest finally takes hold

How is it that a kid who hates any food that doesn't look familiar always seems to know when I'm presenting him with junk food and not veggies. He has no qualms about trying the smarties, but he won't touch a red bell pepper (capsicum). How does he know which one will be all sugary and gooey and which one's actually good for you? Still, he gives every appearance of preparing for a career in dentistry. Maybe he figures the only way he'll get to inspect a real dentist's office is if he comes up with some pathology. Good luck Thor.

A dentist in the making - oh, wait, where's the drill?

Recently Thor has developed a habit of drawing on his high chair tray with random bits of 'goo' that happen to drop there. Watching this newly developed interest, I figured it was time for him to join Princess and I as we prepare artwork for various special occassions. Now I'm not stupid. Before the latest expedition, Thor and Princess stripped down to nappies and we all went outside. Mistake number 1 - Mommy should have worn her oldest, grubbiest clothes. But I know how to be neat, right?
So out we trekked. I carefully placed Thor on the ground with a blank sheet of paper next to him. I opened a pot of paint and placed a glob on his paper tantalizingly close to his fingers. Did he keenly begin to smear it around? No. Mistake number 2 - apparently this interest in smearing is easily superceded by things like, say, Daddy watering the grass.

Daddy happily distracting our artistic efforts

Not to be thwarted, I demonstrated fingerpaints. Now he's got it. But did he smear it around. Well, once for good measure and then he needed some time with mommy to recharge his emotional batteries. Egad. Does this stuff wash?

Like this, Thor. Just smear it all around.

And through it all, Princess painted away. She is a dedicated artist and connoisseur of all things messy. Thanks to her, we have respectable artwork to send on to appreciative family members - grandparents being number one on the list. And when all was said and done daddy was still watering the grass. What better opportunity for cleaning up.