If you're happy and you know it ...

... raise your hands! Hurray! Lia loves this song, and she can do all of the commands: touch her nose, jump up and down, nod her head, and even snap her fingers (or pinch the index finger and thumb). Thanks to Mr. Nigel, who has taught us all of these great moves. Sometimes I add a new line so that things won't get boring. Lorenzo knows all the moves equally well. Today I sang "If you're happy and you know it find a booger!", and the little man was immediately picking his nose. Expressive dance is the Peanuts' new passion. A week ago they invented this cute Geisha dance. They were both singing and swinging their bells in the way that Geishas present their fan. It's hard to put into words, it was an awesome free style toddler dance that made us laugh so hard that we were crying tears. Too bad we didn't have a camera to take a pic of Maiko's and Geico's fan dance. The two of them play so well together. Just look at this cute picture. Lorenzo with a stroller and Lia with a lawn mower. Don't you just love gender roles? At least when they 'walk this way':

Please click on the picture to enjoy a closer view of Pablo, Lorenzo's anatomically correct doll!!!

Here is a video of some serious water splashing fun. Please notice how Lia is working her way out while systematically scattering water on dry places, creating a big watery cirlce around their little water table.

And before I forget: Lia's new word is "Hallo?", and that includes a question mark!!

Tied

Basically all we need to do is follow these guys with a camera. They are just so cute together, walking around hand in hand until they stumble over each other's feet. Their vow is something along the line of 'until our clumsy feet do us part or until one of us sees something really interesting'. Here is another nutty video we'd like to share. I'm sure the American, Israeli, Italian, and German grandmothers appreciate it!

The Peanuts out for a walk. (Video!)

Better not let go, Lorenzo, your girlfriend will chase you down!

Lia & Babba reunited

Papa is back! Finally! Thiemo had to travel a whole lot lately, to all sorts of interesting places like Mexico, Alabama, Illinois, and Germany. Yesterday we got him back for good, our Dad, plus two big suitcases filled with Lia's favorite dodos. Dodo - that is Lia's word for cookie, and that's English, if you please. Lia is making a great effort at repeating words, charmingly mispronouncing some of them. In Lia's world, Papa is Mama, and when he gets lucky, he is occasionally upgraded to be called 'Babba'. I don't really seem to count. In fact, every time Lia looks at our wedding pictures, she proudly points at her Dad and says 'Mama!', while ignoring that woman standing next to him. Also, Lia has learned the German word for doll, a not too flattering version of 'Puppe': Lia calls her doll 'Popo', which is the German word for butt. We will give Lia the benefit of the doubt, because the doll does have a bit of a butt-face and looks nothing like handsome Steve, Lia's favorite. Speaking of favorites. Once Lia had recognized her favorite surrogate Mom at the airport, she flew into his arms. Their reunions are always heartrending, because Lia will not let go of Thiemo, but won't say a word for the longest time. She is so awe-struck and serious, and solemnly holds on to him as if she can't believe her luck to have her Babba back. Two minutes later they are on their way to the car, all giggles. Mama # 2? Proudly following, carrying the dodos.

Rapper Baby

Today I found a pretty cool toddler in my kitchen cabinet. Check it out!

Pearly Whites

How do you get a baby with shiny teeth like that? By attacking her with three toothbrushes. You place one in each hand, and when your child opens her mouth to get a taste of that yummie toothpaste, you quickly sneak the third toothbrush in and try to efficiently polish all choppers in record time. It's important that both baby hands are locked on a toothbrush, so that pivotal toothbrush number three cannot be snatched out of your hand. Your child, of course, may have a different opinion on how to maintain dental hygiene. Listen to Lia's lecture on dental care.

Bellies & Babies

Belly Elan is the ideal place to envelop a pregnant belly in classy garments. Needless to say that I have spent quite some time in this store. And so has Brandy. Too bad we hadn't known each other back then, but fate wanted us to meet in front of multigrain bread and not maternity briefs. So that's ok. Both of us are still friends with the shop owner Nidhie, which is an awesome thing. She always refers to Lorenzo and Lia as her babies. Which makes total sense because she was already dressing them before they even popped out. In chic maternity wear! Her babies are now adorning the wall of her store, for both decorating and advertising purposes. Ms. Brandy Cardarelli is exhibiting her art in Nidhie's store to push her business. Good move!


Here's Nidhie with her babies,


two giggly girls,


and a little mannequin in the shop window.

Before & After

Peanut has a very steady relationship with food. Even a virus and a fever have no impact on her appetite. Lia hasn't been feeling very well during the last couple of days. While her body was fighting some weird and indeterminable virus, she decided to recover her strength with a truck load of nutrients. Well, she is definitely on the mend. No wonder, as Lia's path to recovery led through a vegetable garden and a fish pond. Here are pictures of her miraculous transformation (from hungry to satisfied).

before:

after:

y

before:

after:

Our 21 pounder. Filled with fish, veggies, and happiness.

P.S. Lia's new word is 'baby'. And she learned the sign for 'more'. Put together these words make a full sentence: More for baby!

This Friday's Specials

Fridays are just crazy! It's the end of the week, yet we have no intention of slowing down one bit. How can we when there's so much to do? Our agenda reads: fun Friday. First we meet at Gymboree to kick the hell out of Gymbo the clown (or just get a kiss or two). Then we shake those maracas real hard and have fun with the other Gymbo fanatics.

Watch the Peanuts in: maraca mio! (Video!)
Before we move on, the nuts 'row, row, row the boat' and seize the most romatic opportunity to kiss (yes, yet again). We can't imagine them as teenagers. They are already all over each other!

Ready? Set ...

go!

After all that fun, we drive off to our next appointment. It's famous Mr. Nigel's Music & Friends Story Time! Mr. Nigel completely knocks us off our feet. That guy is a Louis Armstrong incarnate!

Today's main course was especially delicious!

You can only but love Mr. Nigel! (Video!)

After all of this musical inspiration we have lunch at the mall. The moms get Pizza and the Nuts get boring home cooked food brought along in containers. Yum and (not so) yummie. Let's spare you the details of driving home, changing diapers, and getting power naps. Of course this day isn't over yet. We have to meet again before sun set, for ice cream and a shady photo shoot. Here are Slim and Shady with their new and not so slim shades. We couldn't resist. You do need a second pair for backup. The sun is pretty violent here in the South (right). Don't mess with:

Slim & Shady

'Let me just... wait, ah, that's better.'

One more quick pic of the Nuts!

The sun is already setting, and it's time to take those cool glasses off and go home to eat dinner. Today I learned that in the old American days specials were served on blue plates. We had lots of good stuff on our blue plate today! One more blue plate with yummie dinner for Lia, and off we go to snoozy land. Can't wait for Monday's specials.