Scott and Maya enjoy one last game of Oobi’s flower game before Scott and Lizann head back to Arizona.

Maya’s hungry for a snack. It’s obvious to me; I’ve learned the signs. I chop up an apple into wedges and offer one to Miss Thang.

No.
She brushes my offering hand away with emphasis.

Okay. You don’t have to eat it.
I take a bite and start to walk away. Maya melts into a puddle of tears and tantrum on the floor. I sit on the floor and hold my arms out to give her a hug and some comfort. Instead, she reaches for the apple slice and starts to eat.

Would this be the opposite of “be careful what you wish for?” At least she’s learning two things:

• I’ll listen to her when she tells me no.
• She’s allowed to change her mind later.

(Scene: bedtime last night.)

Maya, will you give mama a kiss?
(Normally, this is followed by a sweet smooch.)

No.

Okay, then…lights out time. Good night!

Bye!

(Scene: lunchtime. Fussing heard from the other room, where Maya eats in her highchair)

Hey, Maya — looks like you’re done with lunch. Do you want down?

No.

Would you like some fruit?

(wait, wait, wait)

Would you like some banana?

No.

How about some apple?

No.

Would you like some pineapple?

No.

Maybe some oranges?

No.

Are you all done? Do you want down?

No.

Okay, would you like some milk, then?

No.

Do you want down?

Well, just let me know when you’re ready to get down, then.
(I leave the room. Fussing resumes.)

Maya, what do you need?

(Maya signals “all done.”)

You’re ready to get down?

No.

Someone is learning the power of a new word. It’s fun to watch, but also vaguely irritating.

I’ve been remiss posting hike reports this summer. We continued to visit the Templeton Trail at Palmer Park through the winter, as weather and trail conditions permitted, but really only started going frequently in April/May.

Since the beginning of June, we’ve done Section 16 (my favorite standby) and Waldo Canyon, and this weekend, a visit to Seven Bridges up in Cheyenne Canyon. Seven Bridges trail is a smidge short since I can only go a bit farther than the seventh bridge before the trail turns into a boulder field…not good for a baby. So, my hiking partner and I decided what the heck — we’d try the cutoff that *appeared* that it would edge Gold Camp Road until we were closer to the parking area. Ha.

The cutoff trail was great — quiet, more uphill, and just the added distance that Lizann and I wanted. The problem came when we arrived at the turn to head toward the parking area. Um…yeah. All of that uphill that the cutoff gave us? We had to head back down. Fast. Our return followed what seemed to be some combination of drainage/steep hiking trail/double black diamond mountain bike trail. It would have been challenging enough to head down this scree-ladden path on my own, so doing so with 35 pounds on my back was fun. We made it and managed to do so sans injury…then celebrated with Margaritas and Mexican at the Loop. Mmmmmm.

Maya surveys the results
of her experiment.

Okay, fine. Baby physicist, at least.

For months, Maya’s experimented with how various and sundry objects fall down the stairs inside the house. Today, it dawned on her that she could do the same with the deck stairs.

Hmmm…how will wind resistance affect the ability of the pink bunny to crash down the stairs to its demise?

Bunny = 5 stairs
Caterpillar dog toy = 4 stairs
Aligator dog toy = 2 stairs
Kong = 1 stair (huh?)
Tennis Ball = out in the yard by the hose
Second Kong = out in the yard past the hose, out of the photo (now that’s more like it)

I’d better head back to the yard — I think I just saw a soccer ball go by. Oops…and there’s a sofa cushion.

Since I’m usually on the viewfinder side of the camera, I thought I’d poke a nose (and an eye) out to say hello.

Boy, I really am overdue for a little template updating, aren’t I? Both my header and sidebar photos are about a year old!

Until today, I could have sworn that was the bowl I use as the dogs’ water dish out on the deck.

…you can never have too many cutesy bathtub shots to use as ammo when she’s a teenager.

I want to ride my tricycle.
I want to ride my trike.
I want to ride my tricycle.
I want to ride it where I like.
(apologies to Queen)

Now, if only her feet would reach the pedals…

Scott and his girlfriend are coming out for a visit and they’re going to be away from home for a couple weeks. While they’re gone (and here), Scott’s Netflix will come to my house. Crash (which I started to watch while in Seattle last Fall, but was soooo tired) arrives tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to seeing a real-honest-to-god adult movie.

How pathetic is it that I’m more excited about getting Potty Power from amazon today?