Wow.  So much for April Fool's Day - this kid can NOT take a joke!

Why such a good mood?  Because we're going to the park!  (That, and the fact that I'm letting her wear her jacket, even though it's way too warm for it.)

Why do we love the park so much?

There are ducks to chase!  DUCK! DUCK! DUCK!!!

Also, there's the swing!

Wheeeeee!

She loves the swing!

Look how big this kid is!

She takes up the whole lap when she sits on you.  

Ummmm.  I'm pretty sure I told you to stay in your chair to watch your movie, honey.

Stay in my chair?  Hahahahaaa!

I'll say it again - look how big this kid is!

Seriously - does that look like a baby to you?  Look at that hair!

She's still my Twinkie, though.

Jaynie's first artwork, ever.

I realize I'm her Mom, but doesn't that look like a shark to you?  She's gifted, I tell you!

What are you talking about, Momma?  I'm doing a self-portrait, here.

Hmph.  Nevermind then.  A shark - geesh.

Now, where did I put my chalk?

Well hello, cutie!  Hey - how'd you get that blue around your mouth?

Ahh.  Dumb question.

She's considering where the perfect spot for her next drawing will be.

Oh!  Is this the place?  (The look on her face in this one is priceless.)

That spot was all wrong.  The quest continues.

Ahahahaha! (evil laugh)

Chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast! Score!

What?  I have a little something where?

Did I get it?

Heehee.  I don't care if I'm messy!  More pancakes!

Oh, hi Mom.

No, I don't need any help - I'm just reading my book here.

Now, if you'll be so kind as to leave me to it...

Jaynie's shopping in style these days.

Thanks to this awesome new cart cover!

Are you done with the pictures yet?  Can we go into the store now?  People are starting to stare, Mom.

Well, it's happened.

Madam has gotten old enough to have opinions about what she wears.

So what does she pick out? 2 different shoes, pj's worn as a cape..

pink hat, ducky bib..

put it all together and you get one STYLISH kiddo!

Here we have an outfit that I picked out.

Stylish? Check.

Matching? Check.

Weather appropriate? Check.

Yeah, but Mooooom - where's the fun in this?

Where's the personality?

Oh - here it is! Sparkly jellies!  It doesn't get much more fun than that!

Of all the signs Jaynie does, "Hippo" is probably my favorite.  (We didn't make this up - according to the book, "hippo" is a wide open mouth.  Not surprisingly, Jaynie had noooo problem at all getting this one. )

How nice!  A picture of the Twinkie with her favorite parent!

Oh - and  here's one of her with that other guy. (Look at those thighs!  I may have to take a break from writing these and go chomp them!)

Nice shot of teeth.

I think we may have found our next 4th of July outfit here, folks.  How patriotic is this kid?

Here's the one I'm going to use if I ever decide to enter her into a baby photo contest.  Cute cute cute!

I'm outta here, folks!

Time for the SWINGS!

Watch this, Dad!

Near...

Far!  Ahahahaaa!

Here, Mom, have some dirt!

Here!  Have some rocks, too.  I insist!

Today Jaynie discovered the joys of the sprinkler.

Did you see that, Mom?  It was great!

She got just a little wet playing with it.

She loved it, though.

The same kid that hates the shower.  Go figure.

Hey! What are you doing with that hose?

Aaaaugh!  Not the hose chomp!

Heeheeheee, Momma! I chomped it for REAL!

Eck.  Now my mouth tastes like hose.

Hey Mom, what's over there?

Ooh!  You turned back too soon!

Yeah yeah yeah, you caught me this time.  Enjoy your one victory. 

Once again, I pick out the outfit - Jaynie picks out the accessories.

In this case, socks on the hands.

Yeah!  I have the sock arm!

Time for a book, Dad.

Um, maybe you should turn the pages today.  (Notice that she at least picked matching socks for her hands and feet.  There may be hope for her, yet.)

Here we find our beautiful supermodel lounging on the couch.

Hey Mom!  Can't you see I'm relaxing here?

Oh, you're sorry for interrupting my quiet time?  You want to make it up to me?

How's about a nice foot massage?

I declined the massage offer, and we went outside instead.

I kept meaning to take pictures of  these tulips while they were in their prime.

I waited too long, as Jaynie demonstrates.  Sigh.  (They really were gorgeous - yellow and purple and red.)

Here, Mom.  Have a petal and cheer up.

What?  That didn't do it for ya?

Well, hey!  Let's go back inside then and try that foot massage idea!

Back outside again.

This time we brought a friend (Jaynie is giving you a hint here by doing her sign for "frog")

There he is!  The frog has joined us today.

The frog says RIBBIT! RIBBIT!

Whew.  All that ribbiting can make a girl thirsty!

Break's over!  Time to run!

Here, lemme see that camera for a minute, Mom.

Oh, c'mon!  You can trust me!

Hello?  Can you hear me now?

No, no - I'm calling you on my frog and the reception is terrible!

He sure is soft and cuddly.

A serious moment by the car.

Here, Mom, feel this frog!  Have you ever felt anything so soft and sweet?

Well, besides me, of course!

That goes without saying!

Now - watch carefully as we demonstrate how to get Oreo cookie mess off of a baby...

First put her in the tub, then dump water on her head...

Voila!  Clean face!  (There was some soap involved, too, but I didn't get pics of that.)

Yes - that is Jaynie taking a nap like a little angel.  Yes, that is George in her room while she's napping like a little pain in my butt.  I close her door while she's sleeping so they won't bother her - lucky for him she totally slept through him forcing it open.  Sigh. 

Yeah - so I got a little carried away with the cottage cheese - so what?

My eyelid?  Mommy - you're talking crazy talk!

Surely I would know if there was cheese on my eyelid!

Oh THANK YOU Aunty Karla for teaching my Mommy how to keep my hair out of my eyes!

Look!  I can see!  And I'm Cuuuuute!

Jaynie brought me this dress...

...saying "Hat! Hat!".

Who was I to argue?

It does, in fact, make a very nice looking hat!  (Please ignore the dent in her forehead - the Dr. assures me that it'll go away soon.)

Mom - you're blocking my view of Elmo. Sheesh.