Name That Kid

Can you guess who is who? (looking at earlier posts counts as cheating...)

1. The first puzzle is in the banner of this blog - Two kids on the same boppy

2. The second puzzle was the first day home from the hospital - Two kids in the same blanket and on the same bed

3. The last puzzle is that disgruntled (but contented) look of a well-fed, 2 month-old kid

Note Blog Title Change

Without warning, Per gets knocked from the center of the universe on May 18th at 7:42 AM by an 8 pound, 7.5 ounce bundle of sweetness and light (9 months of references to "baby in mamma's tummy" and "baby's room" apparently don't count as fair warning)...

Bye-bye Guatemala

Janitorial Series - Part 3

As Per always says, leave a country cleaner than you found it. In the third of our janitorial series, Per is able to apply his custodial skills in Guatemala. And, he is able to branch out a bit to gardening...a talent we hope he applies to our backyard this spring.

Blankie fiasco

Per would like to emphasize that his trip to Guatemala was, on the whole, quite pleasant and relaxing. However, he did suffer one sleepless night after losing his beloved blankie to the Guatemalan ruins. With a bit of coaxing, Per agreed to share his photologue of the incident below.

Warning: these photos have not been censored - they detail a dramatic and heartwrenching story that may cause emotional distress in some of our younger viewers.

Per talks Pops into downing a few cervezas at the bar atop the ruins.

After one too many, Per loses his blankie over the edge. Pops' hand keeps Per from following the same path as blankie...

The gruesome scene from above.

The gates to the ruins are locked and closed for the night. Per weeps tears of true sadness. Although Per wants to sleep at the gates of the ruins, we finally drag him away from the scene kicking and screaming.

That night, Pops and Per pour over a map of the ruins and come up with a search and recover plan.

The next day, with new resolve, Per is off to find his blankie.

Gates be damned - nothing will stop Per from his mission.

Per searches high and low, near and far - no rock is left unturned.

The end of the day is drawing near as Per climbs one last wall...

When he gets to the top, he sucks in his breath at what he sees.

A dramatic moment takes place as boy and blankie meet.

Per cautiously approaches, suspecting a trap.

Unable to resist any longer, Per reaches out to his long, lost blankie.

Reunited at last, Per vows never to let blankie out of his sight again.

Next time we may think twice about drinks on a terrace overlooking Guatemalan ruins...

Per heads south of the borders

For spring break this year, Per decided to try something a little bit different. He stood over a map of the world, spun around once, and let his drool fall where it may. It landed (mostly) on Guatemala - and so Guatemala, it was. As any good traveler, he immediately began to prepare...

He does some preliminary readings to get his bearings...

brushes up on his Spanish...

and hops on the plane - excited for his next adventure (see Trip to Minnesota Zoo for details from the previous adventure).

Per arrives in Guatemala refreshed and ready to bargain for textiles, meet the natives, and tour some ruins.

He surveys the ruins (in this case a 16th century Spanish cathedral) and wonders why it took 500 years - he does similar damage in a week.

Lucky for Per, the café above the ruins has yet to be ruined.

Per recruits Pops for a tour of the rainforest.

Momma wisely stays back to make sure the suspension bridge will hold.

Per meets Mr. McCaw in the forest and lures him down with his expert bird call ("tee-tee-tee", with back of hand on mouth to imitate a curved beak).

After a hike in the rainforest, Per retires to our porch for a much-needed snack.

Again, Per settles in to his ride as he tours the quaint streets of Antigua.

As they should, all of Per's days in Guatemala end with a dip in the pool.

More Per-spective on Guatemala coming soon...

Janitorial Series - Part 2

Despite the vigor with which he vacuums, Per actually prefers the more contemplative of his janitorial chores. Mainly, sweeping. It is not unusual to find him standing alone, broom in hands, staring wistfully out a window. Perhaps longing for the bouncy-chair days long behind him? The days when we stuffed him into a sling? Or, perhaps he still regrets not setting all those zoo animals free when he had the chance?