A story

So the problem with this story is that I didn't get photos of crucial bits. But here it is: Jamie went to play with Charlie, who was holding the toy penguin on the step stool. Charlie wasn't happy because Jamie has to hold on to the step stool to stand up, leaving no room for the penguin. (unpictured). But Jamie just wanted to be a Big Boy and was undeterred:



So Charlie took the penguin and walked him away, the way we walk Jamie:

(sorry about the sideways picture. Not sure how to correct that.)

Jamie started coming his way. Still wanting to be a Big Boy, you know.

Then Charlie thought the penguin should walk in the shoes, but "feet too big."

The end

Party Hat and more

Charlie likes to make play doh cakes and wear his party hat. He prefers to be incognito.

"Do you like my hat?" "I do. I like that party hat!" Name that book.

Jamie appears to be warming up in his corner post-nap.

Ready for the second round!

Here's Charlie, talking to Grandpa Jeff on the phone. He felt the need to hold up his other "phone" and talk about two phones.

Brother Fun

Charlie and Jamie were playing together on the workbench. Charlie was vrooming cars on it.



Jamie was so interested, Charlie gave him one.



Charlie was concerned about Jamie's inability to vroom it, though I assured him Jamie had fun just playing with it.



Charlie had some shutters to fix anyway.

Chair

Charlie likes to cuddle in the chair. Jamie just likes to play.



This is Charlie, "smiling" for the picture.

Jamie needs no convincing

Snow

When it started snowing yesterday, we figured we better hurry outside to show the kids. Jamie's first snow!

Turns out, it kept snowing. So they got to see accumulation.

Jamie was a fan. He ate some. It was cold.

Charlie walked around in it some too. As always, he was skeptical.

The Week

Jamie discovered that the faucet handle goes round and round. It is hard to hold yourself up, but he made a real effort for quite a while, spinning the green handle. Eventually he fell enough times that he gave up.


This is a few hours later. He pulled out the blue screw (you can see it there on the floor) and now the faucet is on its side, making it considerably easier to spin. Genius baby?

If you're like me, this picture will warm your heart. Here's Charlie, reading about David and Goliath to himself.

For the connoisseur, genuine Charlie Junkel watercolors available for a limited time.

Here is the artiste at work:

Seriously, if you want a watercolor let me know and I'll mail one. The artiste is prolific.

Both boys have chairs now. And sitting in them is pretty nice. Jamie's has toys and Charlie can rock his.


See? Pretty good.

But Jamie is a discontent creature who will not be bound by mere straps. And Charlie's chair is more interesting.

Mustaches

Charlie has a sticker mustache and he's proud.

It's hard to keep it on his face; it's not really a skin sticker.

But this is all very amusing. Especially when I show him pictures of Daddy with a mustache.

Even Jamie's in on the action.

Playing

Here's Jamie, who cannot be contained by mere straps.



Look how proud he is that he pulled himself up so high and can hold on.




Charlie is having a good time building with his blocks, which is good, since he woke Jamie up dumping them out.




He got himself all the way under the chair. And immediately after this picture was taken, he turned the chair on its side and remained holding on.

Jamie Cruises

This is a pretty long video, so you may want to fast forward. Watch the last minute for sure. There is a cut in the middle where Charlie had to go potty and removed his pants.

At the end, I feared Jamie was falling and turned off the camera. But he lowered himself to the ground and crawled off to eat Charlie's carrot.