This weekend, Zeeke saw a radio transmission tower and excitedly declared, "It's the Eiffel Tower!" We complimented him on recognizing the similarity, then told him what it actually was and that the Eiffel Tower is in France. He listened closely, nodded his head, and then looked back at it and said, "No, that's the Eiffel Tower." His little observations are a joy, but, oh man, the kid loves to argue.
When he senses he's not going to get away, his typical strategy of late is to throw a tantrum, but once in a while he manages to keep his cool and take a try at negotiating. Since the latter often gives way to the former, it's not always an improvement. We know we're in for it when we deny him something and then a moment later he says, "I have an idea!"
He's demonstrating some regression (which usually means he's learning some new skill). This week, he's been asking us to draw things instead of drawing them himself and he's been asking us to feed him again.
Wednesday, we went to the Farmer's Market again with Sadie and her parents. This time Steve brought money. Zeeke had him buy romano beans, peaches, and one red pepper. We listened to the tolk singer that was playing and Zeeke kept asking, "Daddy, do you know THIS song? Who's Mrs. Robinson?" And then he played "Ring Around the Rosie" with Sadie.
Saturday morning, we drove out to West Philly. We checked out the turtles and koi at the Eco Pond. We went to a dance class where the parents had to stay outside, which was kind of nice. We snuck a few photos through a hole in the door. After class, we went to Clark Park with some of the kids and parents. After playground and picnic, we headed home for a nap.
Saturday afternoon, Grandpop Bob Bob (Karen's dad) came up for a visit. He brought a big bag of presents including toy sharks which he especially loved. We went to the art store and stocked up on paints, brushes, paper, markers, and glitter glue, then came back and made paintings. Zeeke was so happy that he painted a painting of his paints. Then we went to dinner at Birra and made a late evening stop at the playground.
Sunday, we went to playground with Zeeke's classmates Asif & Sofia, then also ran into Amelie and August. After nap, we made more paintings and then turned some of them into planets. For some crazy reason, we let Zeeke have candy today. Never again!
Conversations with Zeeke:
"Daddy, when you were a little kid, you lived in my belly, and then when you got bigger, you came out of my penis and that's why you have a penis and I have a penis. I am your daddy and you are my daddy."