my girl next door

my friend zadia turned one today! it made me reflect on all the good times we've had together over the last year.

since that day we first met in a coffee shop.

i knew you were special from the beginning, zadia.

you were so easy to be around.

even though you've always been a bit rough with me.

but i can take it cause i know it just means you like me.

so i keep hanging around.

showing you my muscles.

and telling you secrets.

always hoping for another smooch.

or a bite from you.

but mostly i like getting to play with you so often.

we make good music together.

share well with each other.

look cute together.

and we make a good team.

our time together is full of laughs.

even though i'm not sure about this new sitting on me thing.

here's to a fun first year with you, zadia—and to many more years to come.

happy first birthday, zadia love!

happy birthday anna jane!

my cousin anna jane is two years old today! i hope you had a happy day anna! i wish i could be there to give you a big kiss and hug.

we love you and miss you! love ollie, aunt tracey, and uncle j

Mystery Giftery

Ollie got some pretty cool presents in the mail recently. The trouble is, we don't know who sent them!

He loves his new singing magnet letters and vehicle sets. He has to play with them in the hallway by the front door, since for some reason our refrigerator isn't real metal, but our door is.

We think Aunt Kristen sent these, but we're not sure...

And then there's his new Dogzilla book—a little scary for bedtime perhaps, but great reading after lunch. We have absolutely no idea who sent this one! 

So if you're reading this and you sent Ollie either of these awesome gifts, let us know it was you so we can properly thank you—and spell your name on our door.

one fish, two fish

the best part of last week was when me and mama and grandma jane went to the aquarium. (thanks to a super generous birthday gift from the weis-pullens and the rosengreens, i can go to the aquarium or any of the new york zoos whenever i want, for free!! juliana, you just let me know when you want to go pet some monkeys!)

look! look at all these fish!

let's count them mama...

oh wait, i can't count that high yet.

i like this one.

and this one too.

grandma, what's in this tank?

i think i see something!

whoooooooaaaaa!

uh, are you sure about this place grandma?

well, ok. if you say it's gonna stay in there.

but frankly, i'm more interested in these other children than the sea creatures.

even more little gym

but this time with grandma! she got to come see what i learn in my gym class. unfortunately, we only got a few pictures before the camera battery ran out.

at this class we had a big stretchy rope that everyone pulled on. i've got a pretty good grip here, and if mama hadn't forgotten to bring an extra battery, you could also see a picture of me hanging from the rings all by myself!

after that we did some climbing, although i was a little wary of the big donut thing.

i also showed grandma how good i am at cleaning up.

and then it was time for everyone's favorite part of class—bubbles!

where toys go to heaven

luckily when grandma jane was here, we had a few days of sunshine. one day we went to this awesome park where kids leave old toys for everyone to play with.

first i played some air keyboard.

then grandma jane helped me bounce around on this fun bouncy toy.

next we practiced kitchen skills (which i'm learning from my papa).

and grandma jane helped me drive the car up the curbs.

yet even with all those toys around, my favorite thing was still the sticks on the ground.

after i got sick of the toys, grandma jane and i played chase again.

i ran all over the place and she chased me—even under the miniature kid jungle gyms.

but even though i was there with my grandma, i still managed to pick up a few older ladies. they just couldn't keep their hands off me.

then it was time for some fun on the equipment. i was a little lukewarm about the slide.

the jungle gym was a bit more fun.

but as always, my favorite was the swings.

it was a super day. (by the way, do you think i need a haircut?)

busy busy busy

i'll bet you've been wondering where i've been! well, grandma jane came to visit me last week and we were so busy, we didn't even have time to blog. so this week, i'll make sure to tell you all about our adventures together and all the fun we had. 

one thing i love about grandma jane is how silly she is with me.

my favorite game was when i ran around and grandma jane chased me. even when i ran so fast i fell down.