More from the Detroit Zoo

Of the turtle she said "I'm going to stay here all day!"

Big Girl Vacation

Maren is on a big girl vacation with Bunny and Grandpa this week since daycare is closed.

They took her, along with Uncle Jay, to the Detroit Zoo for some fun today.

Quote of the Day, in front of the lion exhibit, "Actually, here's the deal, that's a daddy lion and that's a baby lion." Bunny says she was correct.

W.T. Beauty Parlor

And since she was already wet, we had a shampoo party in the pool. It's a two person job, so these are the "after" pictures.

The Streaker

At what age are bare buns no longer cute? I suppose it depends upon the age of the buns. I was making dinner yesterday and John and Maren were in the yard. He called into the house "We've had an incident." Only one thing springs to mind when I hear that. But, I was mistaken. The incident was that she had stripped off her bathing suit and swim diaper to "be free" in the yard and the pool.

Overheard at daycare...

Each child in the toddler room has a little photo album with pictures of mom, dad and close family and friends, so that they can see those they love during the day. They each take turns looking at each other's books all the time. The other day Maren grabbed two books to read. Her teacher asked her whose books they were and she answered "Lily and Kaleb." Teacher "How do you know that?" Maren "'Cause I'm a smart girl."

Overheard playing with Play-Dough one day..."I'm going to make a watch (rolls long, snake-like piece). See my lovely watch!"

After building a tower of Legos, she carried it away from the building table. Teacher "Where are you going?" Maren "I'm taking it to a patient."

At lunch one day...another child was trying to put on his own bib. Maren "He's trying to do it himself. Can someone help him?" The little mother in her comes out!

We are so grateful the teachers take such good notes about what each child says and does during the day. After Labor Day, Maren will move into the "Bunny Room" with children aged 2 1/2 - 3 1/2. No notes! That will be tough on Mom and Dad.

Letters...twice with no prompting from us, Maren has seen ladders (once at home and once in the school building) and commented "Oh, it looks like an "A.". Hurrah! The repetition and reading and alphabet puzzles are working. The other day I wore a shirt with the word Atlanta on it. She was on my lap and said "Oh, three As." I asked her if she knew any other letters. "Yes, T and L."