Pools, finger food, and fur-lined hoodies

I'm happy to report that kids are feeling better, mom is a tad more rested, and besides the teething and small cold they've both contracted, we're nearly back to the craziness that we call normal.

Reni is now all about the food. Specifically, sweet foods or those foods that he can grab and put into his mouth by himself. He doesn't much like it when you shove a spoon near his mouth and lunges for the bowl every time. I decided that it was time for Mum-Mums, and he is happily entertained by one for approximately 30 seconds. This boy can EAT, I tell you.

He also loves to practice grabbing, moving, and pulling things into his mouth and is getting quite dextrous with the whole thing.

Ani,  meanwhile, has started telling knock-knock jokes. I have no idea where she picked these up, but she will go "knock knock!" and when you say "who's there?" she bursts into fits of giggles and runs away yelling, "ding dong!!" Here she is in her new fur-lined hoodie that mom couldn't resist buying:

Also, for those of you who have asked about the yard, here is how it looks currently:

 Anika playing with one of the fountains.

 Observing the work.

Obviously, a lot is lacking (tiles, landscaping, finishing the fence and lighting, pool cover) but it's a far cry from the dying Midwestern trees and shrubs that filled the lawn previously.