Red

Petra still loves Little Red Riding Hood. Yesterday, as she was running out the door wearing only a diaper, she stopped and said "cape?!" She wanted her Little Red Riding Hood cape (really just a hoodie sweater). I hung her sweater on her head, and she asked for "bask?" her little wire easter basket, so she could collect flowers for Grandma. Once she had her basket, we walked around our yard picking flowers and filling the basket. We tried to video with grandma (any of them!), but alas, none were available to take the cutest video call in all history. Oh well, their loss!

Petra is also big on the three bears at the moment, and we've gone from having oatmeal in the morning to having "porridge" (still oatmeal, but easier to get her to eat!). Very cute!

Belly!

Petra went belly dancing this weekend! She and Daddy were out on a walk and we stopped by at the Bazaar on the corner to see what they had. Petra was obviously attracted to all the shiny objects. The back room of the shop was set up as a dance studio, and they had just finished a belly dancing class. Petra started playing a drum she found, and the women from the class ooh'd and ahhh'd, and came running over to meet her. One wrapped her up in a scarf covered with jingly things, and got Petra to start dancing. She loved it! She shook her little self round and round, jingling jingling jingling! Add the giant mirrors on the wall so she could admire herself, and Petra was in heaven!

If she hadn't just filled a diaper, we would have bought her an outfit, but we got out without spending a penny. She was so cute though, and had so much fun that we'll have to go back. She has a standing invitation to come for belly-dance lessons every Sunday!

Summertime

And the living is easy! It's always easy with Petra. Well, easy for Daddy at least. Mommy and Petra were left alone for 4 days while Daddy was away on bidness (long story involving missing groundcrews, thunderstorms, mechanical problems, and squalid accomodations. Don't ask). Petra remembered her daddy though, and came running down the hallway calling "daddy" when she heard his voice when he got back. Ahhh, my heart! Such a sweetie!

Daddy and Petra stayed home together to play on Friday. We played in the water table in the back yard and played around the house, but despite being tired she refused to take a nap. We decided to head to the beach, and of course just before getting there she conked out in her car seat. We parked in the shade and waited, waited, waited. But 1/2 hour later she was still out, so we just came home. She woke just as I parked at home, cheery and ready to play some more.

We went to meet Mommy for lunch, and Petra got cuted left and right on the visit. Co-workers and strangers all adored her.

Back at home it was nap time again, but no nap was forthcoming. By 4:30 she was getting cranky and I put her down, like it or not. And like it she did. She must have been more tuckered than I thought, because she conked out and didn't wake up until the next morning! Sleepy baby!

Saturday Petra woke up hungry (shocker there, she didn't have any dinner)- she ate a whole bowl of oatmeal and some yogurt, and a few strawberries. While Mommy hit the gym we had an early morning visit to Le Maison du Pain for yet another breakfast. Petra was greeted as a celebrity, and got the full tour of the kitchen. Then she scarfed two rolls, two bowls of fruit and feta, and a slice of ham. She might be having a growth spurt- so much sleeping and eating! Petra met a 3 year old named Zoe and greeted her with a big hug. Zoe is all of 4 inches taller than Petra. Zoe's mom was amazed at how big Petra was, and how active.

We finally did make it to the beach with Katie, and the girls had a great time. We stopped for coffee at Peet's and Petra took a little swim (it IS awfully hot). Again, though, she conked out the second we got home, and didn't wake up again. She MUST be growing.

Petra continues to be a little monkey, despite the name change. At the park Sunday she was climbing the monkey bars and hanging by her arms with no problem. She poits up to the bars and says "monk." Soon she'll be swinging from one bar to the other! She also loves her motor vehicles, from cars to rockets. Mommy found a little car by the side of the road and brought it home for her and she loves it!