URGENT UPDATE

The ice cream store has "runned out of Chocolate Marique. A bunch of people came and they ate it all up. Can't you read my sign? NO CHOCOLATE MARIQUE!"

One scoop or two?

Cameron is busy making pretend ice cream. He has offered me a Baskin-Robbinesque choice of flavors including:

Strawberry Mozzarella
Chocolate Marique (What? You aren't familiar with Marique? Ahhh, it is a "yummy kind of soil.")
Whipped Cream Sausage

It reminds me of Christmas when Cameron offered me pretend scones including Sour Cream Scones and . . . Matzo Scones. Mmmmmm.

Rockin' with Ralph

Cameron had a great time with his Auntie Stephanie! We wish she could've stayed longer!

Today, we went to the zoo and saw Ralph's World perform! What a thrill! Cameron danced along to favorites such as "Surfin' in My Imagination," while I couldn't believe that I was hearing Ralph himself sing my beloved "M-O-M-M-Y needs C-O-F-F-E-E."

Visit from Stephanie!

Stephanie is visiting us this weekend! Last night, she took Cameron to Build-a-Bear. It was very exciting! We did discover that a 3-year-old boy has slightly different taste in stuffed animals than grown women do. After Cameron expressed interest in a particularly ugly bear, Stephanie wisely suggested the turtle (with removable backpack/shell!). We were unable to sway Cameron's choice of clothing for Toby, however. He was insistent on the pirate outfit, while Stephanie and I suggested several alternatives, such as khakis or jeans with a cute button-up. Oh well, he's happy!

He also chose a sound for Toby to make. It was very odd -- the employee repeatedly suggested that he choose the Shrek voice saying, "I'm an ogre!" Ummm, no, actually, he's a turtle . . . Cameron chose the "giggle" sound, which I thought was a good choice at the time. After hearing Toby make a maniacal cackling sound about a hundred times now, though, I'm thinking the employee make have been on to something with the Shrek suggestion though.

King of the castle

It's a hot day here, so Cameron and I dragged out last year's pool only to find it had a large tear in it. After going to three stores, we finally found a cheap baby pool. It's smaller than I thought, but Cameron is pleased with it and insists that I call him King.
We also met up with David for lunch at Panera, Cameron's favorite lunch spot. Cameron has in the past suggested that we should have twins, "a brother and a sister named Joshua and Panera." Hmmmm. I don't know, I've never been a fan of those trendy, top ten names. Wouldn't want the poor girl to be "Panera T." in every class. I'm thinking more along the lines of Asiago-Parmesan.

SUCCESS!!!

Today we made our second geocaching attempt and . . . SUCCESS!!! I think we finally figured out what the problem was last weekend -- our own GPS ineptitude. Cameron was VERY excited when we found the "treasure." In this photo, we send him climbing through the underbrush to retrieve it. (He seemed the best candidate for the job!) Here, Dave and Cameron eagerly open the cache and examine the logbook.
Finally, Cameron chooses his "treasure" -- a mini basketball. The whole walk home he asked over and over, "Can I keep it? Really? Do we have to take it back?"
Hopefully we will have many other fun hunts this summer in Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin!

New spring fashions

Don't you just hate it when you show up somewhere and find someone else is wearing the EXACT same outfit as you? Well, that nearly happpened at our house this morning. Cameron dressed himself and I ALMOST wore my leg warmers, Superman shirt and socks on my hands, too. That would have been SO embarassing! Thankfully, I went with jeans and a t-shirt instead. Here's Cameron's very stylish ensemble. (Actually, his original choice had not included the shorts but I convinced him that the fashion world is just not yet ready for his underwear-only look.)

We went to the zoo today. (And, yes, he wore his leg warmers. Just not worth the fight.) He spent half the time at the zoo holding his nose and loudly saying, "Mommy, what do I smell?" Here, he asks what smells at the zebra exhibit.

Apple doesn't fall far from the tree . . .

In yesterday's comments, my mom references this photo -- me and Steph in our Underroos -- and suggests that Cameron's superhero obsession is in part inherited. Anybody know if they still make Underroos? They were the best!

General news

We had a nice Mother's Day including our first attempt (and failure!) at geocaching. I had decided that geocaching would be a fun family hobby -- it is like treasure hunting with GPS. So, for my Mother's Day gift and David's Father's Day gift, I bought us a GPS. Dave didn't mind not having to shop for me! I still have high hopes, but I think we chose too challenging of a hunt for our first time out. We'll try again this weekend.

Cameron is in a superhero phase and is obsessed with anything with muscles, a cape or big boots (preferably all three!) This despite a complete lack of exposure to superheroes at home! The good part is that he is willing to eat his veggies as I have told him that veggies help you get muscles. He also frequently demonstrates "exercises" to me, which include some classics but many more eclectic moves.

As I'm not a fan of the "bad guys" themes of Spiderman and Batman, I just ordered a "Rescue Heroes" DVD that involves superheroes that rescue people from natural disasters. (Thanks, Christine!) I did finally break down, though, and bought Cameron some Batman PJs and a selection of superhero t-shirts which he insists on wearing everyday. Last night I put him to bed in one set of PJs. When I checked on him later, they were on the floor and he was asleep in his bed with his Batman PJs on!

Blue skies, blue tongues

The weather today was perfect -- blue skies, cool breeze and sunshine. We met Blake and his parents at the park to BBQ (or "grill out" as they say here in OH!) The food was delicious and the boys had a blast playing together. Blue Gatorade was a big hit. Here, the boys show off their blue tongues.
Note Cameron's wristwatch in the photo above. He picked a toy watch as his prize at the dentist recently and was then deeply disappointed to realize it didn't actually tell time. He showed such an interest in having a watch that we got him this kid's "learn to tell time" watch. It is dinosaur themed and, best of all, has an indiglo night light which thrills Cameron to no end. This morning he informed me that the time was "four eight" -- better known as 8:20!

Fun with friends

Today Cameron had a blast at his tumbling class followed by lunch with his friend, Lindsey.

Just for fun, here are some photos of Cameron with his friends, Chloe and Jack, last month. I met Jack and Chloe's moms when we were all pregnant and in prenatal water aerobics together! On this day, the kids had fun playing the classic "Hungry, Hungry Hippo."

This photo makes me laugh. Chloe is telling me, "Cameron got a really little, Jack got a little and I got a TON!" Kids aren't known for being gracious winners!

And here is typical lunch time for Jack and Chloe -- Jack eating, Chloe talking his ear off!

And, while they aren't "going steady," Cameron and Chloe have had an on-again-off-again romance going for a good two years now. Sadly, I think Cameron is more interested in Chloe than she in him! Although Cameron did tell me the other day, "Mommy, I'm Olivia's boyfriend. Well, sometimes." Watch out, Chloe, you've got some competition!

Philosophy of Parenting

Cameron has evidently given a lot of thought to parenting philosophies. Recently at dinner he stopped eating, stood on his chair and loudly announced, "If you want to come to MY life, come to YOUR life!" He then sat down and continued to eat. David and I cracked up, which apparently offended Cameron. He said, "Hey guys! Don't bone me up! What? Bone me up? That will NEVER make sense!" (Yes, really, he was telling himself that he didn't make sense!) He keeps us entertained, that's for sure!

Backyard picnic

Cameron and I just enjoyed a picnic lunch in our backyard. Cameron was thrilled and even ate his green beans -- everything tastes delicious when you eat it outside!

The best part, though, was white chocolate mousse for dessert. As you can see, Cameron made sure he got every last little bite!

Throwing rocks

Last week, Cameron and I went to Nisbet Park with our friends, Sara and Andrew. Andrew was looking forward to throwing rocks in the river. When I told Cameron this, he appeared puzzled and said, "Why?" I replied, "Because it's fun!" He again said, "Why?" Once he got started, though, he saw the light! He had such a great time that he insisted on bringing David back there over the weekend so he could experience it himself! We've got to take this kid camping . . .

Here are Cameron and Andrew. They had completed their required rock-throwing exercises and had lunch. Then, they discovered a secret hideout (aka a bunch of bushes with a small opening in the middle). They told Sara and I that they were staying there "forever." As it was time to go, Sara said, "Well, we'll miss you! Bye!" We began to walk away and Andrew shot out of the bushes screaming, "NO! Wait for me!" A second later, I heard Cameron from inside the secret hideout yell, "Bye!"

Inspired by Christine's cute kids . . .

Well, after checking out my friend Christine's blog szumkos.blogspot.com I realized what a great way this could be to keep friends and family updated on our (and especially Cameron's!) doings!

My mom has also been after me to start a blog every since she read "Julie and Julia." She is certain that if I blog, it will inevitably lead to a book deal . . . she usually gives good advice so I guess I should listen!

Here are some recent photos of Cameron enjoying the new swingset built by David.