Merry-go-round (and round and round)

When Nona was visiting we spent a lovely morning at the Children's Fairyland. Rumor has it that this was one of the inspirations for Disneyland. Regardless of what Fairyland spawned, it is a really neat place for kids. The scale is just right for young children. One part that was a big hit with Molly was the little merry-go-round with Alice In Wonderland themed animals. Lucky for Molly the line was short enough that she could ride over and over and over (and over) again. We asked her to get off and "get in line" again each time, just to keep her from taking it for granted, but she outlasted the crowds and by the last few rides she was the only kid going. I think she tried almost every animal.

It was interesting watching her get more and more comfortable with the ride. As you can see in the pictures for most of the rides she looks just slightly nervous. Maybe nervous isn't the right word. Taking it in, perhaps? I assume she enjoyed it: she didn't want to get off and kept asking for more. And by the last ride she was ready to wave at the adoring crowds (me, Nona, and the ride attendant) like a queen.

Girl at Play

Left to right, top to bottom: Molly & Nona explore the water play area at Habitot; Molly's prepared for the papa-ratzi with her sunglasses, her friend is caught a little off guard; Molly & Nate at the truck races; blue blue blue; a brief calm moment with Nate; enjoying the painting wall at Habitot.

Pictures, again

visitors, tests, and early springtime colds have kept the posting to a minimum recently. But the exams are over for now and I'm ready to start the catch-up with the pictures.

Happy 2nd Birthday!

aunt bobbe

 more pictures from our la trip, this with molly's great aunt bobbe frankenberg.

Nudie Cutie

One of my favorite moments in LA was while we were out with Great Aunt Bobbie. We were sitting in a very fashionable restaurant (the kind that is referenced in movie-star spotting magazines) and Molly looked intently across the patio and started trying to stutter something out (as Zach says, you know it's going to be good when she works herself up to it like that). Finally, she gestures in the direction she's been looking and announces "Nudie Cutie!". We all look and see an unsuspecting woman in a skimpy top.

For the record, Nudie Cutie is what we call Molly when she's running around naked before bedtime.

And now, more pictures from the trip (I've been studying waay too hard to download the new pictures off the camera, so these will have to do for now!):
(Molly on the front walk at Aunt Bobbe's house; Mama & Molly enjoying the rain at a rest stop on the drive home; Molly plays with Legos - it's a boat! in the water!; Molly & Lego "rings"; Molly is really really good at GGpa & GGma's house; trying to steal someone's car at Venice beach; playing in the sand; enjoying Bobbe's sitting room; more fun in the sitting room.)

Visiting with GGPa and GGMa