Finally...

...updates on Markus! Mama just didn't get around to updating this blog over the last few months. So, she's making up for it now.

Markus the Train Conductor

Oink Oink

Camping

Mama, Daddy, Grandma, Granddad, Aunt Amy and I went camping at the end of October. I'm not sure why it's called "camping," since we stayed in cabins, but it was still a lot of fun. I got to stay outside all day and watch the fishies and birds and squirrels.

At night, I got to help Daddy make the fire. Well...I actually just got to carry the wood, but that was fine by me. Fire is very hot, and I'd rather not get too close.

The grown-ups ate S'mores. I'm not sure what that's all about. They take yummy graham crackers and chocolate and then add this funny looking white stuff that they melt or burn in the fire. I think they call that white stuff a "marshmallow." I didn't touch the stuff.

Early October...

...Mama and I went to visit Oma and Opa.

Here you can see what a big help I am:




I got to go swimming with Opa. Look at how good I am!



I decorated a pumpkin with Oma. Mama carved some pumpkins. They were really pretty all lit up.






Since I'm such a big boy, I got to help Oma wash the car. That was so much fun!

Driving Lesson

A couple of days ago, I had to give Mama and Daddy driving lessons. Mama realized at the last minute that she needed to make a right turn, so she had to brake a little abruptly. So I gave her some instructions: "Vorsicht! Langsam! Pass Auf!" (Careful! Slow Down! Watch Out!)

I gave Daddy that lesson the same evening as he went over a speed bump.

Thompson Pumpkin Custard

Grandma and I made pumpkin custard today. We used the Thompson family recipe that is used for pumpkin custard pie. This picture is for my great-uncle Jack and great-aunt Elaine, the experts.

Pancakes

Last Friday, I made pancakes for Grandma and Granddad. Grandma was allowed to help me a little bit. And, of course, I had to try the fruits of my labor as well.

"Hold your head over the plate"

Oma taught me to hold my head over my plate or bowl when I eat. She put her hand on the back of my head to help me move my head over the plate or bowl. Now I can do that all by myself. It works especially well for soup!

Cookies

Today I decorated cookies with my friends. The cookies were pretty good, but I like the M&Ms even better.

JG

Last Friday, JG came to play again. (He brought his mom and his sister Ava, too.) As always, we had a great time playing.

New Pictures

A few weeks ago, Mama, Daddy and I went to a photographer. They wanted me to laugh and stand still. As if anyone would feel like laughing when they're told not to move...

Oh well, here are the pictures. Mama says these are my "official" 2 Year Pictures.

My 2. Birthday

Having a birthday is really cool! :) Oma and Opa came on Thursday, and we went to the Dallas World Aquarium on Friday. On Saturday, we went swimming, and Grandma, Granddad, Aunt Amy, and my friend JG (with his parents) came over. We got to eat cake and play with my new toys.

You can see the pictures here:


BirthdayPictures

Carpool

Since we were headed to the same place yesterday, my friend JG and I decided to carpool - it's good for the environment.

Mickey and I

Sometimes Mickey and I both sit on Mama or Daddy's lap, and then they read to us.

Ikea

At Ikea, they have "fun." "Fun" is a bunch of boxes that you can climb and ride on.

On the Beach

On Tuesday, Oma, Mama and I went to Galveston. The water tasted funny, but the waves were so fun! And I got to play in the sand, too.

"Aunt B"

"Aunt B" came to visit this weekend. We had lots of fun playing, and she taught me some new words/phrases. My favorite is saying "Oh no" whenever I take apart the train tracks. And we got to talk to "Aunt Rup" on the phone. "Rup" is a fun word to say.

Corn on the Cob

Oma and Opa came to visit this weekend. We had lots of fun. For lunch today, I even got to eat corn on the cob.

Mmmm...yummy!



Why did Oma, Opa, Mama and Daddy always start laughing when I did this?

Reading with Oma and Opa

Oma came to visit at the beginning of June and read bedtime stories.



We spent Father's Day weekend at Oma and Opa's house, and Opa read to me.

Monchichis

Mama found her old Monchichis, and Markus hit it off with them right away.



Markusput his new friends on the windowsill and decided to sit with them.

At the Zoo

On Sunday, we went to the Dallas Zoo for the first time. The gorillas and chimpanzees were a big hit.

Here are a few pictures.








After seeing so many animals at the zoo, Markus was hungry. :)

My own slide...

...and swing...




Daddy and Granddad put it together while Mama and I were visiting Oma and Opa. Isn't it cool?

We've moved...

...and here are a few picture of our first week in Dallas.

Markus and Greg eating lunch:


Markus sleeping in his big-boy bed:



Playing in the yard:



"Look Mama - an airplane!"