game on!

I apologize for the big delay in between posts (I'll make up for it this week). In the meantime, I give you this:


Kenny the power forward and his skating partner/goalie, BabyFishMouth.

A few weeks back, I bought a small knee hockey goal for Kenny (and me). He has a lot of fun knocking the ball into the net, especially when he announces that a goalie is not necessary - thus increasing his target area considerably. To his credit, Mr. Man has a solid wrist shot and tends to hold the stick properly (for the most part).

Next week is our first skating lesson, so you can see where my nefarious plan is going.

burger boy

Kenny's first hamburger. I am but so proud.

Last weekend, Kenny announced on Sunday that he wanted a "hamburger outside" for dinner. Mr. Man happily (albeit slowly) consumed his first burger al fresco while Chloe slept peacefully in her carrier.

I even introduced Kenny to one of Grandpa Alan's favorite dining tactics from my childhood: "Tax." Grandpa used to reach over to my plate and steal a fry (or three), while absolving himself of any wrongdoing by declaring that it was a "tax" on the meal he provided. Which is pretty funny, since Grandpa is usually against taxes of any kind.

a chloe photo essay

The Cute One in repose.


The proud owner of cheeks that draw in adoring fingers like the tractor beam on the Death Star.


Overboard and Chloe model the latest fashions for Fall 2009. The burp cloth should be catching on like wildfire. I expect everyone to be sporting one of their own before long.


"Hey, Ma, you hear the one about the ducky, the bunny and the Rabbi?"


Chloe kickin' it in her swing.


"Some people work at being this cute. I just kind of do it. It's a gift."


Evenkeel and Chloe share a symbiotic sleepytime relationship.

kennyisms

Kenny has two new phrases that have been popping up as of late. Unfortunately, they're both of the negative persuasion, but nothing too horrendous.

"That's not good!"
This is often yelled (or whined at high decibels) when Mr. Man gets frustrated by something. Shockingly, this tends to be heard closer to bedtime or naptime, when a certain someone is less than eager to change his mindset about the way something should be done.

"I no yike it."
While Kenny's diction is getting better and better, some words do still have a toddler tinge to them. Instead of "like," Kenny often says, "yike." This phrase is often employed at the dinner table, when presented with a food substance that is visually unappealing or simply unknown.

another cute kenny moment

The other night, while Overboard and Kenny read "The Berenstain Bears New Baby," Kenny called the big brother, "Kenny," and the new baby, "Chloe."

"don't hand me no lies"

While Grandma Jackie was in town, we had a pretty awesome Kenny moment.

Mr. Man was having a hard time going to bed, so Grandma Jackie went upstairs to try and get him to conk out. She lay down next to him in his bed and gently stroked his back. Kenny thought this was pretty cool, and decided to return the favor for Grandma. After a minute or two, he decided that it was his turn to get a back rub again.

When Kenny was ready for the back rub to cease, he announced, "Grandma, keep your hands to yourself."

you wish you could have this much fun

And this was just from playing peek-a-boo.


When this boy really starts laughing, it is awe inspiring.

the estrogen level in this house just skyrocketed

Grammy Shirley, Aunt Amy and Cousin Sara came to visit the other week, much to Kenny and Chloe's delight (Overboard and I were pretty pleased, too). We have more pix, but I selected a few quick shots so we could finally get something posted.

I'd love to share all the hilarious stories and anecdotes from their visit, but I must have misplaced my notes somewheres. I will say that Kenny thoroughly enjoyed story time with Sara and Chloe was most likely a bit thrown from time to time when glancing up and seeing a woman who looks pretty similar to Mommy, but isn't Mommy. And Aunt Amy held her a bit, too. Hey-oh! See what I did just there? Hello? Anyone? Tough crowd...


Chloe gets some quality time with her kinfolk.


Kenny is excited to kick back with Panda and listen to some stories, courtesy of his cousin.


"So, lemme get this straight...you want me to join your softball team before I even know how to throw, hit or walk? I like your style."

my canine senior citizen

Today is Sadie's 14th birthday. In human terms, that makes her 98, or the oldest living Rolnick (just edging out Kenny and Chloe's Great Grandpa Jesse). And while she's showing more and more signs of age (creaky joints, loss of hearing, diminished sight and a preference for eating meals at odd hours in order to get the discount), she's still fairly spry. Cause she's awesome.

It may also be her advancing age that has helped her transition to having Chloe around so seamlessly. Whereas she greeted Kenny's arrival with some serious skulking around, she greeted Chloe's arrival with a quick sniff and an indifferent shrug. It was as if she said, "So, you had another one. Good for you. Keep her away from my toys and call me when she starts eating food that can be dropped on the ground." That's my girl.

Happy Birthday to the Sadist! My favorite furry curmudgeon (no offense, GG).

chloe and her grandmas

Chloe (and Kenny) got to spend some serious quality time with her Grandmas as of late. With so many pictures to choose from (and attempt to get uploaded), I picked these two portraits. Enjoy.


"Yeah, this is my Grammy Shirley. You got a problem with that? Huh? Do ya, punk? Didn't think so."*


Chloe seems to be reacting to some sort of odd news here, but it is a really nice shot of Grandma Jackie, so...


*It may be time to limit Chloe's exposure to old Clint Eastwood movies. Just a thought.

speaking of kenny and haircuts...

The other day, while driving past the place where Kenny gets his hair cut, Mr. Man announced from the backseat, "Mommy, that's where Mr. Todd lives!"

can i hold her?

When he finally felt ready to do it, Kenny requested to hold his baby sister. We were happy to arrange such an auspicious occasion (under the careful watch of Mommy).


"Right, Chloe, so here's the deal: I call the shots and you follow. Dig?"


After watching too may episodes of Royal Pains with Mommy, Kenny attempts to check Chloe's appendix.


One very proud big brother.


These are our children. Ain't they cute? Yes, yes they are.

this is why we get haircuts...

Cause they give us lollipops when we're done. Mmm...tastes stylish.


"Mmmmmmm..."


More "mmmmmmm"