Foodie

Mom has been encouraging me to test different foods. When she hands me something to eat, and I act uninterested in it, she asks that I take only one bite so I can decide for sure if I'll like it or not. I've been willing to take a taste of most foods, and I've learned that I actually like some I thought I wouldn't like (such as strawberries). When Mom is making dinner, I offer to help pretty much every day. After Mom cuts up the vegetables and herbs, I place them into bowls or onto plates. Sometimes, I ask to take a bite of something Mom is cutting up. She usually obliges. Yesterday, I wanted to try a bite of an onion. I liked it. In fact, I liked it enough I ended up taking three bites. I'm just diversifying my palate.

Friends

More and more, I'm figuring out the social dynamics between other kids and me. I love when my friends and I run together, and I enjoy a good walk, as well. I'm beginning to talk to my friends, too. Our conversations mostly revolve around stating the obvious -- ("We're going for a walk." "You're not wearing shoes.") -- but it's a good start! 

Captain Specific Says... #1

After I spilled water on the coffee table...

Mom: Let me get a napkin for you to wipe that up.

Mom grabs a washcloth.

Me: No! That's not a napkin! That's a washcloth!

Kid Concert

A rainbow from last night. It's pretty, isn't it?

When you're almost three, it's hard to know what is going on in your own mind. From my point of view, there are a lot of distractions. And I want to feel in control.

I can be really happy one minute, angry as a bear the next, then switch into a melancholic mood. 

Mom and Dad joke that I'm two going on thirteen. 

Mom took me to a free concert today at the Maple Grove Town Green stage. Every Thursday morning throughout the summer there is a free kids' concert here. Last year, Mom and I really enjoyed attending these together.

I was less interested in the music today and more interested in playing in tall grass and trying to run away. I love to dance, but I'm learning I'm not a big fan of kid music.

Oak Hill Splash Pad

When you're two, almost three, it's the simple things that matter most -- like going to a splash pad on a warm summer day.

Birds, Dinosaurs, Camels, and Bears... Oh My

Today, for Father's Day, I took my dad to the MN Zoo. Okay. He took me. And Mom. 

I waved hi to the penguins.

Then I walked with Mom and Dad to the amphitheater where we waited to watch a bird show.

When the birds finally arrived, I got pretty excited.

The wild chicken was my favorite.

No zoo bird show would be complete without a corny ending involving sappy music and bringing out a bald eagle. 

After the show ended, I got to take a close-up look at an owl...

...and the eagle.

We then headed to an exhibit called Dinosaurs! The exhibit includes fifteen large animatronic dinosaurs. 

I really liked the dinosaurs, and I even let out a few roars, but...

...I got a little scared sometimes, too.

After the dinosaurs, we stopped to look at the camels. They were trying to keep cool.

This mom and her baby were involved in a little synchronized chewing.

We took a little break from the camels to look at a barn swallow.

And getting back to the camels... Dad decided to take me for a ride on one. It was so much fun! 

I was super excited about the ride.

Although today's forecast called mostly for sun, while waiting for the camel ride, we noticed dark clouds heading our way. We hurried a little through some of the other zoo exhibits, knowing that rain wasn't too far off, until we got to the grizzly bears. They were having some fun, and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to watch and take some pictures.

I couldn't leave the zoo without running around a little through some fountains near the entrance, even though it had cooled down quite a bit by the time we got to them. Mom wanted to get some pictures of me soaking my dress (she had another outfit to change me into, so I didn't have to stay wet for long after I was done), but it started to rain -- hard -- and the camera isn't waterproof.