Playing Library

Robert set up a bunch of boxes and put his play laptop on the boxes, along with the phone and a couple of Grandpa's paperback books on top.

"What are you doing, Robert?" I asked.

"I'm not Robert," he replied. "I'm a Librarian."

At first I was tickled. He pretty much got it right, based on what he sees going on at the library. He sat there on a stool, typing away and occasionally picking up the phone and saying, "Hello, Hi. OK, Let me see."

And the thing that tickled me most was the fact that the books were sort of an afterthought. He occasionally picked one up to refer to it, or "beep" it with an imaginary scanner. But mostly his library work was done with the phone and computer.

Then something a little disturbing happened.

Robert got more boxes, some pillows, and Grandma's leg, and used them to create a barrier around himself and his little setup. Soon, he was entirely closed in.

"Now what are you doing?" I asked.

"I not want those kids bothering me. I is the Librarian. Don't bother me."

Really???

After a few more minutes, I asked him again what he was doing.

"Go Away! I'm too busy!"

He looked at me with a disgusted expression.

"Go away! I'm too busy!" He told me, and turned back to the computer.

Oh, really??

"I is a Plant!"

When Grandma went to water her plants, Robert decided to help. Form inside, Mommy heard squeals and shouts, so she went to investigate. Grandma was "watering" Robert as he stood there shouting, "I is a plant!"

Seneca Park Zoo

Eric, Rachel, and Claire at the zoo... with the back of Robert's head. He refused to turn around.Robert was excited to see one of his favorite animals, the alligator. He had been disappointed the previous day with the lack of alligators on Grandma Place's farm.
Rachel and Claire

When Robert saw the wading pool thing, he immediately dropped hi pants to go for a swim. After he was decent once again, he went for a wade instead.


Claire, smiling as usual.
Stopping at an educational tortoise exhibit.
Claire, reading the map to be sure we did not get lost.
Robert with Eric and Aunt Chrissy.
Trying to break in to the Elephant barn.
Watching the elephants get ready for their bath
Face to face with a baboon.
Rachel and Eric posing with some of the wildlife.
Rachel and Robert on the train. The highlight of Robert's day.


What do you know? Macaroni and cheese!
More water fun.
The ladies taking a break while the boys play.
Robert is now obsessed with "getting way bigger" like his cousin, Eric.
Looking at the Rhinos.
Claire liked the Orangutan, and he seemed to like her. They looked at each other for a while, until the orangutan suddenly threw up all over, and there was a swarm on orangutans fighting over who would get to eat it. Yuck.
Mommy then took Claire to see slightly less gross orangutans.

At the Farm

Robert, Claire, Grandma and Mommy took a trip up to the farm last week. Robert immediately wanted to see a cow up close. But not too close.

"OOOHHHH! Look at that chicken! That's a BIG chicken!"
The calves were more Robert's speed... but as you can see, this calf wanted nothing whatsoever to do with Robert.
Grandma and Claire.
Heading into the barn. Robert was fascinated by the gutters. "Why that floor have a hole in it?" he asked.

The highlight of the day was taking a tractor ride. Unfortunately we have a before and after picture, but the camera batteries died for the "during" pics. Suffice it to say, Robert was a natural when it came to driving tractors. If by "natural," we mean he steers like a drunken monkey.

Grandma Place and Claire.
Then, Robert discovered sheep.

Grandma showed him how to feed hay to the sheep.

Claire, meanwhile, lounged around in her "Kentucky Derby" hat.


Grandma Place helped Robert find more hay for the sheep. ("Where that green stuff?")
(Pardon the "soft focus" on this shot.)