Ian and the Train

"Ummm...Mommy? I am going to get to play with that at some point, right? I mean, I know you're really proud of your track layout design, but...it's a TOY. It's MY toy."

"Wahoo! I'm an engineer!"


"I love my train set!"

"HEY! What's with the giant dog knocking messing with my tracks?"

"Kathleen, the train tracks are in the way of my nap."

Ian Reviews (a small selection of) His Christmas Toys

"Today is a good day to stay at home and play with toys, Mommy!"

"All the trucks I got for Christmas are AWESOME!"

"I love my food cutting toy from Auntie Jennifer!"

"I don't know why Jake looks so frightened whenever I start wielding this knife."

"Hi, Mommy! I love my new kitchen! Time to make lunch!"

"Bing! The turkey is done!"

"I think I over-cooked it. This is a bit tough."

Ian Painting, and then at the Zoo.

"I HAVE PAINT ON MY HANDS!!! And Mommy says its OK!!!"

Ian's finger paints are a hit. And highly washable (phew!).

City boy, on the move.

Checking out the zoo with Mommy.

"DO YOU SEE THAT!!! Catch it, Mommy!"

"DAD! Mom won't catch the birds for me! You catch him! See him! THERE! THAT COULD BE DINNER!!!"

"Mommy, could we please take the nice aardvark home with us? Pleeeeease?"

"If we can't take the aardvark, then how about a nice giraffe?!"

"Umm...it's kind of cold out here."

"No. Seriously. It's really cold."

How to Climb Mt. Blue Cube in Nine Easy Steps

Step 1: In case disaster strikes, tell loved ones of planned route of ascent, then hug them good-bye.

Step 2: Begin ascent.


Step 3: Make sure you have a good toe-hold for the ascent.

Step 4: Rest. Climbing is hard work.

Step 5: Decide a somersault at the summit might be a bad idea.

Step 6: Survey surroundings. Wonder who threw toys all over the floor.

Step 7: Ah ha! Spot the E for Elephant, seen only at the highest summit!

Step 8: Decide mountains peaks are the perfect place for reading a good book (proving that you are the ideal combination of Daddy and Mommy).

Step 9: Return to Base Camp and tell everyone about your adventure.

December with ITG

It has been a long time since I posted pictures! I guess this has become a monthly blog. Here's a random sampling of what we've been doing these past few weeks.


"I have Gantner-sized feet, Mommy!"

"I LOVE PARADES!!!! Can we go inside now? It's cold."

"Hi, Mommy. This is a nice picture...but we're missing something..."

"AH! Much better! We can't take pictures without Puppy!
But you know what would be even better?"

"Ta da! Jake LOVES this!"

"No, really! That's Jake's happy face!"

"WAHOO!!!! I'M DRIVING A TRACTOR!!!"

"Hey! MOM! Uncle Keith stole my seat!!!"



"I can't possibly smile big enough to express the pure joy I feel right now."