Headed to Ireland

As I type, we are about to take off on out flight to Ireland. Trying to cram in a couple pics before they tell us phones off.

Mr. Bear's super organized blocks color coordinated and lined up.




The Bear feeds dolphin.







Kisses to manatee.




This morning's walk to daycare.




Mr. Bear walked almost the whole way.




We'll be back Thursday so I will post then - if not earlier.

Happy 23rd Month Birthday!

The Bear is one month shy of his two year birthday. Now time for the monthly photo. Mommy crosses her fingers that the Bear will be cooperative.

Mr. Bear does a nice job holding the blocks. Except Mommy can't quite get the Bear to look her in the eye.

Mr. Bear figures out Mommy's secret trick of using a rubber band to strap the blocks together.

Mr. Bear lifts some weights.

After lots of bribing, Mommy finally gets the pic. Not blurry - check. All blocks showing - check. Eye contact - check. Mommy gives a sigh of relief. Only takes 8 minutes. Record time!

Dolphin and Manatee Kiss Plus Wheelbarrow Fun

Mr. Bear (who wears polar bear PJs) wakes up to ask for, "Dolphin! Manatee!" Just a minute later, we hear him say, "Muah!"


He lays the pair on the couch.


The Bear gives them a moment.


Time to change for school. The Bear's favorite song right now is Old MacDonald. Mommy sings, "And on that farm there was a ..." She waits for Mr. Bear to insert his favorite animal. Mr. Bear doesn't choose the average dog, cow, or chicken. He picks elephant, toucan, and giraffe. Tricky Bear. What sounds do they make?


At the library, Mr. Bear goes straight to independent reading.


Showing off that he's not just brains - he's brawn too.


Rodin Thinker pose.


The Bear picks a book called, "I love my Daddy because..."


Sweet Bear face.


Sneaky Bear face.


Silly Bear face.


He giggles, "Bridge!" and then sends a dozen or so cars through Mommy's leg.


More independent reading. "Cookie monster! Big bird!" He must learn these characters from daycare.


Imaginative Bear makes a runway.


He creates "Tres tunnels!"


More imaginative Bear creations.


"Double tow truck," he tells Daddy.


"Ambulance fire truck car carrier!"


Mr. Bear finds a secret spot to hide "Azul!"


Daddy shares a new trick (demo'd by Daddy and Mommy). Mr. Bear loves, "Wheelbarrow!"


Building up arm strength in his sausage arms.


Mr. Bear makes use of Daddy's pasta box.


Quite the display little B.


On the way to dinner, Mr. Bear spots a police caravan.


"Tres, quatro," he counts the police cars.


We pass by Bubbles and Biscuits, a doggie daycare.


The Bear tries to kiss a pup through the glass.


We arrive at dinner at Pure and Wine. Raw vegan. Portobello mushroom with mangos, coconut, and salsa.


Tamales with guacamole and cream cheese.


The place doesn't have high chairs. The Bear doesn't mind a big boy seat.


And dessert - mint brownie sundae. And yes vegan!

New Coat at the Museum of Natural History

With the weather in the 50s, Bryson can show off his new coat from Nana. 

Side view, front knee bent.

Mommy is learning to shoot in manual. Lucky for her - the Bear is happy to model for her.

Daddy is also happy to step in with modeling.

Waiting for the train.

Train ride wouldn't be complete without a snack. The train ride is a long 15 minutes after all.

We arrive at the Natural History Museum and head straight to the children's Discover Zone. Mr. Bear immediately takes Daddy on with the Memory Game.

The Bear goes first. "Match!" the Bear tells Daddy.

Daddy is stuck. Better luck next time, Daddy.

The Bear reaches far to claim his victory match.

After the Bear's win, the Bear offers Daddy a consolation prize - close-up view of, "Ardilla!" Mommy is always getting abeja (bee) confused with ardilla (squirrel). Lucky for her that the Bear has this stuff nailed.

Next up - a close-up view of a bat. Though the Bear tells Daddy, "Bird!" and flaps his wing arms and tweets.

"Another bird," Mr. Bear explains to Daddy.

The Bear then shows Daddy a turtle.

Book time! Mr. Bear hands Daddy a big book on the animal kingdom and promptly sits on Daddy's lap.

The Bear learns about the ocean, the woods, and the dessert.

They also learn about different trees.

After reading, the Bear and Daddy check out a live frog, "Rana!" Then they open a bunch of drawers and check out all the treasures. Here they are looking at a footprint of a deer.

"Ooh," the Bear gets to open a whole new set of drawers. No child proof drawers here. The Bear holds a giant cone, an amethyste stone (Mommy has to ask Daddy how to spell that one), and a sea shell.

Mr. Bear holds a magnifying glass for the first time.

Finding different ways of looking through the glass.

First time too for a flashlight for the Bear.

"Off!"

"On!"

One magnifying glass won't do for the Bear. He needs four or so.

The Bear does his version of, "Through the Looking Glass."

After the Discovery Room, we head to the Ocean Room. Mommy immediately likes this room - it's a huge open space with animals all around the sides. In the middle is open space for kids to run freely. And there's a big tv screen showing the creation of the ocean. She and Daddy sit down and let the Bear run around. Mr. Bear immediately spies this creature and is confused. So is Mommy. Apparently it is an elephant seal.

"Polar bear!" Mr. Bear has no problem identifying this one.

On our way home, the Bear also has no problem with this one either. "Coche rojo!"