Binkies, Blankies, Heroes and a Romantic

Eighteen months has come and gone (not to mention a few other major events in our life) so it is past time for a blog post.

Ashlynn is officially growing up fast.  Here is a bit about her:

• She is a TALKER!  She is a little parrot and will repeat pretty much anything we say, but she has also within just the last month taken off on her own vocabulary.    My favorite word is "yep" or "dep"which she says a lot, and always in the same matter of fact tone.  
• Her most common phrase is "binkie go, binkie go?" She is quite attached to her binkie. Poor little gal doesn't realize that the only reason she still has a binkie is because we didn't feel like imposing that transition on Trustin's parents, and then we didn't want to take her binkie away right after moving into a new house, so suddenly her binkie days are numbered. (Maybe I should have said poor little parents for that one).
• She has also become unfortunately attached to her blankie as well. She has always liked soft blankies, but since the day we moved into our new house, she has needed her blankie. I am wishing we'd bought her a darker colored blanket, since light pink seems to turn to gray on a daily basis and it is rather difficult to sneak it into the washer.
• She loves to read more now and always brings us books and says "read peaz."  Books have confused her on a few things.  Because of a book about colors she thinks all butterflies are called "blue" and courtesy of the book Pigeon Wants a Puppy she thinks that pigeons are puppies (this is her favorite book)
• She loves her daddy.  When Trustin gets home from work she sprints at him with her arms out wide and her mouth in a huge grin which morphs into her open mouthed kiss face. Melts her daddy every time.
• She is still a good eater, and while she loves candy and fruit snacks she also has some rather unusual tastes.  She really likes grapefruit and even stranger she is a fan of green smoothies (basically spinich water, yum).  She also likes to clear the table and make sure nobody wastes any food, so as soon as she's done eating she climbs up and eats the food off everybody else's plates.
• She likes nursery rather well.  That is, she tolerates it so long as the nursery leader never sets her down.  This week I walked her down the hall and when we got to the door and she realized where we were he feet planted in the ground briefly, then without any word from me, she dropped my hand and stomped into the room, bawling.  I suppose she has resigned herself.
• Lastly, our darlin' is a cuddle bug.  Any time of day, regardless of how tired she is, she loves to lay her head in our laps and cuddle.  We don't mind a bit.

Zeke is what he ever was: a very super kid.  His love of all things super hero related seemed to be ebbing for a moment, and then Christmas happened and with it Avengers Legos and a set of 8 new superhero action figures.  The superheros have come back into focus, full force.  

Last week Zeke wrote and illustrated his very first book.  Naturally the topic was superheroes.  I would love to take a picture of every page and post it here, but instead I will share my favorite part.  He invented a new superhero.  I asked him who the picture was and he said it was a new superhero.  He thought for a moment and then said, "well, he's really poofy, so Poof Man!"  Thus was the birth of Poof Man.  When it came time to compose the words for the book Zeke instructed us to write about his super power: "Poof Man can turn into any poofy bug!" 

Zeke has also turned into a bit of a romantic lately.  While talking to his aunt about Beauty and the Beast she questioned his favorite part of the movie.  He responded proudly, "My favorite part is when they fall in love!"  Then yesterday we were driving in the car and he said, quite out of the blue, "I don't know who I will marry, to be the mommy." He then proceeded to go on and tell all about how he hasn't met her yet.  I responded "Well, I'm sure she will be very wonderful."  Zeke agreed and added "And she will be very beautiful!"  

Along similar lines, Zeke has developed his dreams for his future.  For a long time he was determined that when he grows up he wants to be a daddy.  Then one day he changed his mind and decided that he wants to own a candy store.  Oh the delight when he learned he can be both!