HAMMING IT UP MEATBALL-STYLE

The Doodle frequently receives comments over his fairness as compared to the rest of our clan. He proved his (partly) Italian-ness by consuming with great gusto Minnie's famous meatballs! (Made especially for The Doodle free of egg and breadcrumbs, but equally delicious!)

The signature nose "squinch":


Six mini-meatballs fill a boy with glee (and meat):


(As for his head boo-boo, you should see the table...)

WOGGY SELLS SEASHELLS DOWN BY THE SEASHORE

The Wog visited the Jersey Shore for the very first time while we were visiting Minnie and Pop-Pop. She enjoyed every second of it, and I am proud to say that she is definitely--at least in part--a "Jersey Girl."

Chasing (and being chased by) the tide:

A little crab:

Getting the onceover from The Wog:

Fabulous finds:


Seafood buffet:


There was such a bounty of shells, fish, etc. washed up on shore that at first I thought this was a REAL turtle covered by sand. Should I be embarrassed to admit that?


This beach looked right across to Brooklyn and had a great view of the Brooklyn Bridge that is barely visible in these pictures. 

HAPPY HIKERS

We have so much to report, but I'm working backwards! Yesterday, The Wog wanted to show Minnie one of her favorite local hikes. So we headed off to Diana's baths which was enjoyed by everyone, although The Doodle seemed to have a particularly good time:




Delighted by himself, as usual:


The Wog insisted on wearing her tiara:


Sharing a tasty snack:

MEDIEVAL WOG

The Wog participated in a show at an amusement park here in NJ during our visit (ongoing--hence the blog silence) this week to NJ.

Looking pretty in her one-size-fits-all princesswear. (She got over the fact that her designated frock was not pink, but barely.):



Waiting patiently:


Upon hearing there was a dragon in the show, The Wog immediately wanted nothing to do with it.


When she realized the dragon was just a man, she agreed to go back, but notice her positioning. She was not about to let that dragon get the jump on her:


Letting down her guard for a moment:


Back to wariness:


When it came time for the dragon-turned-prince to choose a bride, she perked right up. Alas, another fair maiden was chosen. The prince's loss!

More from The Land of Make Believe (and New Jersey--shocking to no one, the two are not one and the same) on its way...

THE WOG AND THE DOODLE HIT THE DIRT

One day; two kids; unlimited dirt. They were filthy, but they clean up good.

CAPTURED

The Wog's father's coworker and friend, Naveen, has a way with kids and the camera. Here are a few picture he took of The Wog and The Doodle at the company picnic.

It is rare that I get a good picture of The Doodle these days because he is always on the move. Naveen got not just one, but many:

The lovely Wog was all about this inner tube, which friends were generously willing to share. (We have since procured one of her very own.

Thank you, Naveen!

EIGHT YEARS AGO TODAY...

And a few more:

(And if rain is truly good luck, we're set.)

I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE WE ALL WILL BE RECEIVED AT STORYLAND...

Kids with conjunctivitis don't make for the best photographic subjects, so my camera has gotten a bit of a rest these days. Here are some old photos from Storyland that I never got around to putting up.

The Wog noticed these for the first time. She thought the prince might be hiding inside. Maybe he was?


A sassy Wog and a sleepy Doodle:


Happily face-painted:


Woggy go round:


The "good" Cinderella:


Showing off the glass slipper:


The Doodle explores the castle grounds:


Someday this will almost certainly be The Doodle's favorite ride:


The overflow parking at Storyland is across the street, and this tunnel takes you right through to the main entrance. We always park on this side because The Wog likes the tunnel. And because we like to pretend we are in Paris at the Metro.


In Mary Mary Quite Contrary's house:


I'm not sure which fairy tale contains the giant rooster:


Door #1 or Door #2?


Two different days, same exact picture:




Matching scowls:


The Wog told her father she couldn't talk to him on the swan boats because she was "concentrating on driving."


The Wog pretends, but she is not bashful around Cinderella. She's pretty much a stalker.


(My apologies to Paul Simon for the post title, but that's a song I find myself singing a lot these days.)