LB Wiggles

I was able to work from home on Friday which meant I was able to attend Dexter's first day of reading group at the local library. There was a woman there with a little boy a couple months younger than Dexter who recognized Dexy from the grocery store. I said to Ben, "How does this lady know his name when nobody has introduced themselves?" Dexter took to her immediately, as did Mommy and Daddy. I think we've all made new friends. The "class" itself was fine - the "teacher" led the group in some songs, read three leaf-themed books, and walked the children through creating their own storyboards by putting colored felt animals on their individual felt boards as they appeared in the story. Then she pulled out a couple baskets of toys, put on a tape player of children's songs, and sat back. Compared to Wiggleworms, it was very low-budget. Compared to what we're paying for Wiggleworms, the local library's free reading group is totally worth the price of admission.

Dexter sucks!

Yesterday, Dexter finally mastered drinking from a straw!!! We have been introducing drinking from a straw for many months to no avail. Outside of the random gulp from a successful suck, Dexter would gnaw on the straw, try to stick it down his throat, or tip the whole cup wondering why he wasn't getting anything to drink. Ben and I would say "suck" and make silly sucking faces but nothing seemed to register with Dexter. To my delight, when the waiter brought us Dexter's water in a cup with a lid and straw yesterday, we handed it to him and he just started sucking. His face lit up when the cold water reached his mouth and he was hooked. Drank the whole cup through a straw. Finally Dexter made the connection between cause and effect.

Soggy Bunny

When I came home from work yesterday afternoon, I was greeted by a soggy stuffed bunny sitting outside on the ledge by the back steps. Odd. The mystery was soon solved when Ben explained that while he was on the phone in the living room, Dexter was quietly playing in the kitchen. When Ben went into the kitchen to hang up the phone, he stepped in a big puddle of water on the floor. Upon examination, Ben discovered that the floor was soaked with a trail of water leading to Dexter, standing by My Bologna's empty water bowl in soaking wet socks and clothes holding a soggy stuffed bunny. Ben said even his hair was dripping wet. God only knows what kind of dunking that poor bunny got.

Megablock Creations

Dexter might have a thing or two to learn about structural engineering from his Grampy! Still, he's boldly constructing some very interesting, albeit unstable, structures.

Engaging My Bologna

Dexter knows the difference between his toys and My Bologna's toys. When Ben or I play with My Bologna, Dexter loves to get in on the action - tossing or tugging with My Bologna. My Bologna is game for playing with Dexter as long as Daddy or I am involved. However, Dexter often wants to initiate play with My Bologna on his own. My Bologna is usually not up for it and Dexter ends up just piling a bunch of My Bologna's toys on top of him.

Car Spotter

What does it say, both about Dexter and about me, that Dexter is able to spot our car in the mall parking lot long before I can?

Reaching the Summit!

OK, the coffee table summit. He's been trying (unsuccessfully) for about a week. On Thursday, after much effort, and many toys being knocked to the floor, he made it to the top.