Where are MY presents?

This party is alot of fun, but when do I get some gifts? My friend Anderson turns one today, and this is his party. There sure are alot of people here. So many, in fact, that I am not going to be able to ride this car off the back deck as I had planned because it's too crowded. Oh well. Now if I can just get one of the big people to get me some cake.....

Splish-Splash!

I may have splashed too hard, Anderson, because I seem to have gotten us both wet! I hope your mommy won't be mad (and that she thought to pack you a spare outfit). Maybe we should stop splashing and return to dumping the sand into the water side. (That'll rile those mommies up, they hate it when the sand and water mix!)

Stop and Smell the Roses

What better way to celebrate Memorial Day than to stroll through the gardens at the National Arboretum! There are few things I like better than flowers. It's really crowded here now that tourist season is in full-swing. It's easier to get around if you blend in, so I'm decked out in my full tourist regalia so no one will think I'm a local and ask me any questions.

Na Zdrave!

"To your health", August! That's how our mommies used to toast each other when they lived in Bulgaria. While we're sitting here watching a video of "The Aristocats," we might as well drink and snack! This is the first time we've slowed down today. I've taken August to the Washington Monument (he slept through it!), the Lincoln Memorial, and the Building Museum. It's been go-go-go for busy babies this week. We DESERVE these cheese and crackers and grapes! (Photo by August's Mommy)

Brother Bracelets

Since August and I are both "only" children, our mommies have decided that we will be "brothers". They got us these cool brother bracelets to seal our pact. (We didn't have to swap blood or anything.) Who better to commemorate the bonds of universal brotherhood than Che Guevara? (Photo by August's Mommy)

My Buddy August

At last, my friend August has come to visit! His mommy and my mommy are best buddies, so they hope we will be too. August is really great. He is six months older than me and can do all sorts of amazing things. HE KNOWS HOW TO DRIVE! Can you imagine? In New Mexico he gets to drive his dad's truck around their farm. My dad would be arrested if we did that here! He's teaching me lots of stuff too, like how to eat red peppers and give kisses! (Photo by August's Mommy)

The Picnic with Mr. Ed

Wheeeee, this guy is alot of fun! No wonder my dog Grits loves to stay with Mr. Ed whenever we go out of town. He goes cool places, like Rock Creek Park. Today we are meeting him for a picnic and doggy-handoff to get Grits back now that we are home from South Dakota. Mr. Ed has two doggies of his own, Brownie the lab and Pixie the poodle. Pixie is spending most of this picnic trying to eat my lunch!

Cousins

Tonight my cousins had a farewell dinner for me since I'm heading back east in the morning. They brought sugar cookies! I'm refusing to give mine up, even for the group portrait. Around me are Emily, Kirby, Alex (the Graduate), and Abby. They played with me lots this week. I will miss all of you!!

Cousin Alex's Graduation

I know I really should be watching Cousin Alex's high school graduation ceremony since we came all the way out here just to see it, but I can't put this book down. Uncle Al and Aunt Kate got it for me. It has 66 pages, so I can read it forever! Richard Scary rocks! The book is about Things That Go, and has all kinds of cars and trucks in it. Personally I'm hoping to get a five-seater pencil car or a bananamobile for my next birthday. And Uncle Al is so cool, he can find the Gold Bug hidden on every page! Bet Cousin Alex didn't learn anything this good in high school.

The Wheel on the Bus Goes....

Whoo-hoo! Mommy and Daddy took me back to the Bramble Park Zoo today, and there are tons of school groups here. One of them left their bus unattended, so I decided to give it a test drive! Shame they didn't leave the key in it like everyone else does in South Dakota!

Just Call Me "Buzz"....

I can't do anything with this mop anymore! Take a little off the top. No, do whatever you want. But don't make it too short, I'll look weird. And save my curls or Mommy will cry. I trust you to do what's needed with my hair. You are, after all, not only an old-style barber, but Daddy's high school classmate. Make me beautiful, Mr. Randy!

Goats Goats Goats!

These things are hilarious! How many heads do they have? More keep popping through the fence every minute. Mommy gave me some kind of brown pellets for my snack, but these silly things are so fast they eat it before I even have a chance to try it. You can feed all sorts of animals at this zoo--chickens, peacocks, burros. Too bad they won't let you feed the big white tiger! If Tiggy gets as big as he is, I'm going to need a larger crib.

The Buffalo

Look, I've transformed into a true denizen of the High Plains! I would make a great buffalo: I like to wander around aimlessly, sometimes I'm stinky, and I could rampage at any minute! You can be all kinds of animals here at the Bramble Park Zoo in Watertown. And they have alot of real animals too, like jaguars, penguins, and kangaroos.

Ancestors

Hello, Great-Aunt Helen! Sorry I'm 25 years too late to meet you. And "hi" to my great-grandparents, Ole and Lena (yes, just like in all those Lake Wobegon jokes). I am visiting my ancestors today at the Finnish Cemetery outside of town. Can you see the windswept plains rolling out behind me? I thought my last name would be hard to spell when I got to elementary school, but from reading the names on some of these graves, I think I lucked out! Try writing "Bajuniemi," "Huotari," or "Roasakka!"

Wingman

We flew on a big airplane to get out here, and now I'm running down the wing of one of these things, just like James Bond! Don't worry, Abby will catch me if I fall!

Big Dig

Look! My legs have disappeared! This sand stuff is pretty cool. Daddy and Cousin Abby showed me how to do this. Lake Norden has a lot going on for a town of 400 people. There are only two playgrounds, though, and just this one sandbox. Can't believe there's not a crowd in here today....

Short stories are being written about me...

I'm visiting my cousins in Lake Norden, South Dakota, this week. My cousin Abby is a writer. She has written lots of short stories and other stuff. Since I can't talk yet, much less write, Abby kindly offered to share her take on what's going on in my head. Thanks, Abby, you're the best! (Mommy's clarifications are in parentheses). Mommy will post photos for me when we get home.

"From Emmett's Point of View"
by Abby Antonen, age 10

"Binky (pacifer), thy name is Emmett! James Emmett. I like blackberries and blueberries. Mommy always says that I can never get too much. I could eat them forever!

John Deere (tractors) rule in my life! I bring my John Deere cap everywhere. When I went to Antarctica (aka, South Dakota, it's cold here this week), I brought my John Deere cap to that too. John Deere is my life! I want my own John Deere tractor someday.

Boy, the weather over here in Antarctica (S.D.) is not nice! It has been colder than a popsicle here. the wind hurts, it's been rainy, and cold. We haven't seen a huge popsicle but I want one."