Per helps out with the chores

All aboard!

Per rides in his caravan around town - he's hoping his harem will grow with his power.

Per goes to the Michigan State Fair

No longer a zero

Per turned one today - successfully completing his first lap around the sun. Anxious for FCI photos (full cake immersion), we got the most brightly colored cake we could find. Things looked promising: Per was ready to go...

Grandparents were present via Skype...

The neighborhood crowd was assembled...

Per shows interest (FCI imminent)...

First sign that things are going awry...

Per makes a break for it...

FCI fail.

Regroup. Move to new location. Distract subject with present opening.

Roll out the cake again...

This time bait cake with familiar food...

Cake rejected, foiled again!

Per settles for ice cream instead...

Minor sugar high achieved. Party not a total failure.

Upon being asked how big he is (now that he is one), Per exaggerates.

He gets away with it because it's his special day.

That's why I wish again...

A few weeks ago, Grandma Jane and Aunt Kari visited, and we all packed off to Lake Michigan for some requisite summer-time fun in the sun and sand.

The beach was perfect for a crawling kid with ample stores of energy:

Expanses of packed sand...

Lolling waves...

Curious seagulls...

Swim lessons, courtesy of Pops...

Beach snacks, courtesy of mom...

Buried feet in the sand...

First excavations with pail and shovel...

(who said that sand and thumb-sucking couldn't mix?)

And, gobs of time to reflect on 11 well-lived months so far.

NSFW

Ever since Per learned to crawl, he's had to spend a lot more time in the tub (see grubby mitt in previous post). In the first installment of our bathtub series, here is Per standing up at the tub. A note to our younger readers, Per is a professional. Please do not attempt these stunts at home.

Orange Per

He might be orange on the outside, but he's all Per on the inside.

Ethiopian Journal

Per has just returned from the cradle of humankind. He met with the natives, stalked wild animals, discovered the source of the Nile, had to avoid fire from AK47s, and was forced to slaughter his own meat to stave off starvation. He now knows what true suffering feels like. Needless to say, he is happy to be back in his safe, soft, crib - complete with padded bumper.

Here is Per's travelogue...

All packed!

Anticipating the 16-hour flight to Addis Ababa...

The next leg of the flight.

Per, pleased with himself, asks whether they serve food on Ethiopian Airlines.

His mother informs him how old that joke is.

Helping pack the tarp for the big drive to the park.

Per finds lake Tana, the source of the Nile after a mere 8 months on the planet. 

Suck on that, Dr. Livingstone.

Per digs his new quarters...

Checks out the wildlife...

And, takes the 4x4 for a spin.

Bachelor males, just hanging out.

Per decides he wants a pet monkey.

Settles for a sheep instead. Names him "Scrappy".

Watches in disbelief as Scrappy is slaughtered and roasted over the fire.

Refuses to eat Scrappy

Up close and personal with an AK47

Per (second from left) making more friends.

Per tries to explain to his caretaker that there ARE indeed starving kids in Ethiopia (him).

It works.

Out for a stroll.

Per and Rahel

Conducting more fieldwork.

Won't look at the cow - afraid he'll become the next Scrappy.

Tired out after a long field season.

Job done--time for drinks back at the Hilton.

Per says a final farewell to everybody.